UPDATE: Cafiero's Ración Also Taking Corazón Space, Reveals Plan for Kitchen, Lounge

Image courtesy Corazon official site

Yesterday brought long-awaited confirmation that the West End's former Corazón space would be divided into separate sections for concepts under the ChefStable purview (with the announcement that a second location of sandwich shop Lardo will occupy the building's corner space). Today, ChefStable owner Kurt Huffman confirms the badly-kept secret that chef Anthony Cafiero's modernist Spanish restaurant Ración will also have a permanent home in the building, taking over the back-end space that once housed Corazón's private dining room.

Earlier this summer, Cafiero served up a series of pop-up preview dinners at the site, revamping his original "tapas" concept to offer a chef's-counter experience featuring composed plates and a prix-fixe tasting menu. UPDATE: According to Cafiero, the dining room will feature a 20-seat U-shaped chef's counter and an open electric kitchen/bar, with plans to build an additional 25-seat lounge space outside the main dining area. With initial plans to offer one dinner seating a night, the lounge will function "as a waiting room, a pre-dinner theater," Cafiero says, offering cocktails, wine, and a small tapas menu to provide a reception-like experience where dinner guests can "get acclimated to the space." (The cocktail lounge will also feature high-top tables and a banquette lounge area for those looking to pop in for a drink and snack, sans full dinner.)

According to Huffman, no timeline has been set for opening, though a safe bet is after Thanksgiving. More as it becomes available.
· Ración [Official site]
· All Previous Ración Coverage [Eater PDX]