Two Renee Erickson Restaurants Open | Ramen Yoshi Open in Bellevue

Welcome to CascadiaWire, a weekly collection of restaurant news from up-and-down the Pacific Northwest corridor.

CAPITOL HILL — Renee Erickson's much-anticipated trio of new eateries is partially ready. Last night, two of her three projects opened at 1060 E. Union: walk-in oyster bar Bar Melusine and Bateau, a restaurant focusing on dry-aged, grass-fed beef from Erickson's Whidbey Island farm, La Ferme des Anes. Look for General Porpoise Coffee and Doughnuts to open at a later date.

BELLEVUE — The Seattle ramen boom continues with today's opening of Ramen Yoshi in Bellevue. Three self-described "frenemies" who individually own ramen shops in Nagoya have joined forces to—they mutually say—"bring authentic ramen to the world." (They actually already jointly own one ramen shop back in Nagoya.) Bellevue is just the beginning of their plan to open 100 shops around the United States.

PIKE PLACE — An all-out 1938 soda fountain is headed to Pike Place Market. Couple Paul Dormann (a partner of Tilikum Place Cafe) and Colleen Wilkie will open Shug's Soda Fountain and Ice Cream sometime early next year in the former Dragon's Toy Box (1525 1st Ave) in the Sanitary Market Building. In the 40-seat sweet shop, expect taps of housemade sodas and 15 to 20 flavors of Lopez Island Creamery ice cream. Per Met, sundaes, floats, and banana splits will all be on the menu, along with beer, wine, and "a handful of low-key soups and sandwiches."  There's also a walk-up window in the works and the chance of outdoor seating in the future.

photo: 
credit: Jay Friedman