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Welcome back to Eater News, a semi-regular round-up of mini news bites. Have info to share? Email intel to seattle@eater.com.
Frelard’s Fancy Tarsan i Jane Ready to Sling Some Burgers
With its small dining room not quite suited for reopening during phase two of Washington’s “Safe Start” plan, Frelard’s Tarsan i Jane is turning to some simpler dishes. The fine-dining restaurant from Valencian chef Perfecte Rocher — usually specializing in multi-course tasting menus — is about to debut a burger pop-up called XITA. Rocher will cook the burgers, made with Snake River Farms wagyu beef, on the restaurant’s wood fire grill, with a hazelnut-finished bacon option and some pork sandwiches, too. The burgers and sandwiches range from $13 to $16, with beer from local brewery Bad Jimmy’s available as add-ons. Tarsan i Jane — which started offering paella meal kits in April — appears to be following in the fine-dining-to-fast-casual pandemic pivots of places like Canlis, which launched its own burger drive-thru briefly earlier this spring. XITA (the Valencian way to spell for the Cheeta the chimpanzee from the old “Tarzan” movies) will be open for the next three weekends, takeout only.
New Pasta Place Coming to Georgetown Soon
A restaurant project that was in the works pre-pandemic is finally coming to fruition. Restaurateur Marcus Lalario (Li’l Woody’s, Fat’s Chicken and Waffles) is planning to open up a pasta-focused spot called Mezzanote in the space formerly occupied by his boozy Ciudad offshoot Bar Ciudad. According to Seattle Met, the menu will feature dishes such as tajarin, rigatoni carbonara, and pollo in carpione (fried chicken marinated in red wine). There will also be some negronis on draft and frozen drinks on offer, with items available for takeout or for dine-in service outside. Mezzanote is slated to debut next Wednesday.
Ivar’s Salmon House Now Features Dedicated Dockside Pickup
Iconic Pacific Northwest seafood chain Ivar’s is making a maritime adjustment to the increased demand for takeout. Located on Lake Union, Ivar’s Salmon House now offers dedicated dockside pickup service with minimal contact for guests who order online or by phone in advance. There’s a designated moorage spot for diners to float up via boat or even kayak, though customers can request drop-off points elsewhere. For a limited time, there is also an offer of 25 percent off orders for those who choose the dockside or curbside pickup options (although that discount doesn’t include to-go booze).