Please Louise Pizzeria and Bar Now Open in Slabtown

A new pizzeria by Breakside Brewing founder and brewer Scott Lawrence opens today, June 2, in Slabtown, the restaurant tells Eater: The 50-seat Please Louise will serve seasonal pizzas, a considerable menu of starters and small plates, and, of course, craft beer, including Breakside brews, along with craft cocktails. It's located at 1505 NW 21st Ave., on the corner opposite the resurrected Besaw's.

Lawrence teamed up with Brian Carrick to open Please Louise, and the name is a mashup of Lawrence's 6-month-old baby daughter's middle name and the friendly style of service Please Louise wants to be known for.

With experience cooking at Tasty n Alder and Wildwood, Brian Lamback heads the kitchen, and that means manning a deck oven that burns as hot as 900 degrees. There's a new addition to the kitchen, too: former Le Pigeon pastry chef Eli Gregory will serve as sous chef.

Please Louise offers a menu of "fun and interesting starters" and small plates to compliment Lamback and Gregory's pizzas, and they're even a little fancy. Think roasted purple carrot salads, seared asparagus with baked chèvre, duck liver brûlée, potted pork confit, smoked trout, meatballs, and rotating variations on beef tartare. Prices range from $4 for spiced almonds, to $25 for a combination charcuterie platter.

The pizzas will change seasonally, but a peek at the opening day menu reveals margarita, mushroom, meatball, and sausage pies. The 14-inch pizzas will run $14 to $18, with a build-your-own option.

Please Louise will be Lawrence and Carrick's first restaurant in the Slabtown neighborhood, but Lawrence will soon open a second: Breakside Brewery will open its Slabtown location later this year.

Please Louise: 1505 NW 21st Ave., 503-946-1853; Opening Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. daily (likely next month, Please Louise will open for lunch, too, with longer hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily).