King County Temporarily Closes Flowers Bar & Restaurant, Citing COVID Violations

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University District’s Flowers Shut Down Over COVID Rules

Flowers Bar & Restaurant, a long-running establishment at 4247 University Way NE, is closed temporarily after a Seattle & King County Public Health food inspection on May 3 found violations of COVID-19 Safety Regulations. Per the public health website, the closure stems from “repeated occurrences of failure to observe directives of the Governor and WA Secretary of State” involving the use of face masks and social distancing.

The history of non-compliance for Flowers dates back to August 2020, according to the report, with incidents involving restaurant crowding, table spacing, and “limited masking.” The May 1 report has a note stating that owner Fadi Hamade said “multiple times [he did] ‘not care about people, not care government orders, and COVID-19 Safety Regulations.’”

Hamade told the Seattle Times that those allegations were “a complete fabrication” and that his employees double-masked. Meanwhile, the health department sent the Seattle Times a photo that showed a packed house at Flowers. No evidence of COVID-19 outbreaks have been traced back to the bar, the health department told the Times. In order to reopen, Flowers will need to have a written COVID Prevention and Safety Plan approved.

Ethan Stowell’s Spokane Location of Tavolata Is Now Open

Seattle restaurateur Ethan Stowell’s anticipated Spokane outpost of Italian restaurant Tavolata is now open as of May 3. Find the 126-seat restaurant in downtown Spokane at the historic Old City Hall building adjacent to Riverfront Park. Ethan Stowell Restaurants veterans (and newlyweds) Tania and Scott Siff will run the Spokane outpost. Dishes include the likes of bruschetta with smoked salmon and pickled onion, Gnocchi alla Romana, and olive oil cake with crème fraiche, strawberry, and cracked pepper agrodolce.

BeanFish Food Truck Lands a Food Hall Space

Seattle’s popular food truck devoted to taiyaki, a fish-shaped Japanese dessert, is opening up a brick-and-mortar space. Seattle Refined reports that BeanFish owner Brady Woo will move into the International District’s Uwajimaya food hall within the next six month. The truck sells taiyaki featuring everything from Fruity Pebbles to katsu chicken and slaw.