Meriwether's Renovates; Jake Martin Leaves Central

NORTHWEST: NW stalwart Meriwether's Restaurant & Skyline Farm has announced a temporary closure, effective now through February 11, in order to completely renovate and re-design its dining areas and kitchen. According to a newsletter, owners John and Renee Orlando "will be adding a 2nd kitchen line to better accommodate the restaurant & private events, installing a new larger wood-fired pizza oven and investing in all new kitchen equipment that will double the output capacity that we currently have." During the closure, the restaurant is still accepting reservation and private event requests via phone and e-mail. [EaterWire]

OLD TOWN: WWeek reports that Fenouil alum Jake Martin has left old town speakeasy Central, after a six-month stint that saw a complete revamp of the cocktail spot's food menu. Per WW, Martin's moved to Seattle's How to Cook a Wolf (owned by Emerald City empire builder Ethan Stowell), and has been replaced in the Central kitchen by Aaron Crane. Among Crane's new menu items: oxtail croquettes with pickled grapes, and apple pie-salted caramel ice cream. [WWeek]

Image of Meriwether's courtesy Connie C. via Yelp