Tex-Mex Purveyor Oaky’s Makes Progress on New Central District Restaurant

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Tex-Mex Purveyor Oaky’s Makes Progress on New Central District Restaurant

One popular pop-up is readying its return in a more permanent form. Oaky’s Tex-Mex — which had a short, well-received stint at Interbay’s Batch 206 distillery in 2019 — is making progress on a restaurant at 2524 S Jackson Street. Co-owner James Barrington, who also runs acclaimed Wood Shop BBQ on the same block with business partner Matt Davis, tells Eater Seattle they’re aiming to debut the new location sometime in February (it’s currently under construction). Though details are still coming into focus, diners can likely expect dishes that built a following when Oaky’s was in Interbay, such as wood-smoked takes on carnitas tacos and enchiladas, as well as what Davis once called his “real core passion” — creamy queso for dipping tortilla chips.

Capitol Hill Nightlife Staple Unicorn Bar Reopens

After months staying dormant during the COVID-19 pandemic, Capitol Hill’s Unicorn Bar and its downstairs sibling Narwhal have reopened again, jello shots and all. The party destination currently offers a shorter menu of its carnival food (corn dogs, burgers, and fried pork balls), in addition to the usual boozy cocktails. Narwhal has limited seating downstairs, but no arcade games right now. While the reopening for the Capitol Hill locale has been a longtime coming, the news is not so good for Unicorn’s planned expansion to White Center. Though owner Adam Heimstadt had originally hoped to open the massive location later this year, he tells Eater Seattle the project is now “on pause for quite a while.”

Savor Seattle Donates Sales Proceeds to Wildfire Relief

As wildfires continue to devastate the West Coast, hospitality company Savor Seattle is trying to help those in need. The Pike Place Market-based business, which has been curating items from local restaurants into CSA boxes for the past several months. is donating $5 for each box sold through Wednesday to a wildfire relief fund. Among the offerings for sale now include steaks from El Gaucho, items from local Latinx-owned businesses, and a crab-focused box, featuring Pike Place-based goods. Proceeds will go to a GoFundMe that has raised more than $130,000 for those impacted by recent wildfires across California, Oregon, and Washington, with a $150,000 goal.