This week's top hits from Eater Seattle, Curbed's sibling bar, restaurant, and nightlife blog.
VITAL UPDATES -- Eater reported on a new project from Poppy owner Jerry Traunfeld back in December, and we have word that Traunfeld is aiming for an end-of-July opening. He's looking to complete the space's build out in two weeks and then take time to train staff and do trial runs. Lionhead will open next door to Poppy on Capitol Hill, in the former Confectional space. "The menu will have about 25 Chinese dishes, some familiar and some not so familiar, focusing on Sichuanese flavors, freshness, and quality ingredients," Traunfeld says.
EXPANSIONS -- Punk rockers, rejoice: El Chupacabra is setting up its third shop on South Lake Union by the end of this month, probably sooner. This will be the third outpost for the Day-of-the-Dead-spirited cantina since it first opened in Greenwood ten years ago, then expanded to West Seattle in 2011. At approximately 4,000 square feet, the new El Chupa at 901 Fairview Ave N will be about five times the size of the other two locations, seating about 200 and maintaining the same festively dark decor and loud music. And bonus: you can rock outside, too, over tortas and carnitas, on the restaurant's waterside patio overlooking MOHAI and more.
FIRST WORD -- While owner Lex Petras says, "It's still a little early for details," Eater has the first word on a new restaurant/bar coming to the Central District. Petras, who also owns Altstadt in Pioneer Square, is opening the new venture at 2519 S. Jackson Street, roughly across from Standard Brewing."The name derives from the Atlantic neighborhood, where it is located, and where I've called home for 12 years," Petras says. Permits are currently in progress, so we don't have information on a projected opening date, but we'll update as details are available.