Kirkland Will Soon Get a Shiny New Cafe Serving Acai Bowls and Meatless Burgers

Welcome back to Eater News, a semi-regular round-up of mini news bites. Have info to share? Email intel to seattle@eater.com.

Kirkland Gets a Shiny New Cafe Serving Acai Bowls and Meatless Burgers

Eastside mixed-use development Kirkland Urban is starting to ramp up its restaurant scene again. There are a few new and returning retailers opening at the shopping center this spring, including the cafe Plantiful, which serves meatless burgers, toasts, smoothies, and acai bowls. The new spot debuts Saturday, April 10 for takeout, plus limited onsite dining. Plantiful joins a growing dining scene at the center, which currently includes Shake Shack, Lounge by Topgolf, Chainline Brewing Company, Caffe Ladro, and Tutta Bella. By mid-April, fast-casual Vietnamese mini chain Vinason Pho & Grill will open a new outpost at Kirkland Urban, and local dumpling sensation Dough Zone will land in June.

RockCreek Seafood and Spirits Returns from Its Temporary Closure

After a winter hibernation, one popular Fremont spot has awakened. RockCreek Seafood and Spirits — a neighborhood favorite known for its laid-back PNW lodge vibe and innovative dishes — has returned with a couple of significant changes. The outdoor patio has been completely redone, with a full roof, new décor, and seating for 30 (RockCreek will have limited onsite dining). While the menu still features mainstays such as Hawaiian Hamachi crudo and Icelandic char, chef Eric Donnelly has also added a few new plates, including a Fijian Ono “Wahoo,” New York strip steak, and some updated sides. Happy hour runs daily and brunch is coming soon as well. It’s open for takeout orders in addition to limited dine-in service.

Washington’s Apple Exports Take a Drastic Dip

Even though the economy is slowly beginning to reopen during the pandemic, Washington’s agriculture industry continues to take a hit. According to data from the Washington Apple Commission, exports on 40-pound boxes of apples from the 2020-21 harvest is down 20 percent year over year, exacerbated by a steep drop in international shipping. The Commission says that every year the state exports about 30 percent of its entire apple production to more than 60 countries, but this year that number looks like it will fall below 25 percent due to pandemic impacts. If so, that would be the lowest export numbers since the 2003-04 season, when they were at 21.7 percent, per a Yakima Herald-Republic report.