Jason Wilson Bestows Upon Bellevue Two New Spots This Summer

James Beard Award-winning chef Jason Wilson, owner of Miller’s Guild, is heading to the Eastside with two new businesses set to debut June 15. The Lakehouse and Civility and Unrest will land on separate floors of the new W Bellevue Hotel (10455 NE 5^th Place) in the Lincoln Square Expansion.

Wilson is opening The Lakehouse, described as a “modern Northwest farmhouse,” will plate straightforward yet elegant seasonal dishes that lean heavily on sourcing from local farms. There will be plenty of housemade elements, including pasta, and a range of small and large shareable plates.

A few sample dishes include maple and Moroccan spice-roasted carrots with goat milk labne, chiles, almonds, and mint; curry roasted cauliflower with green apple, herb hummus, preserved lemon, kale pesto, and verjus; and grilled wild Alaskan halibut with mustard green pesto, smoked clam remoulade, sauteed spinach with lemon, and saffron potatoes.

The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night service daily, and Wilson will oversee the hotel’s room service.

Charity Burggraaf

Wilson was heavily involved in the decor and design, which he hopes will transport diners to an “entertainer’s lake home.” The space will be divided into a “living room” and “garden” entry with a communal table and lounge seating, plus a bar, “butler’s pantry,” a main dining room with banquettes and booths, and chef’s counter seating. Antler sconces, vertical charred wood, and a living column of fresh herbs are among the design features.

The second opening is Civility and Unrest, a craft cocktail bar that skews toward “contemporary speakeasy.” The bar will shake and stir Northwest-inspired original cocktails with local spirits, plus a collection of Champagne and other sparkling options.

It sounds like Wilson is aiming for the lounge to offer quite the experience, with a commissioned mural, heavy drapery, plush seating, and an opulent chandelier. He’s also planning entertainment that may involve fashion shows, tattoo artists, unplugged sessions, and trunk shows.

Wilson first announced these plans in fall 2015, projecting an opening for summer 2017. Most recently, the chef has been collaborating with and consulting for El Gaucho Hospitality, which is expected to help him open The Lakehouse and Civility and Unrest.