3 days ago
Acclaimed Steakhouse Bateau Is Closing for a ‘Planned Reimagining'
The acclaimed Sea Creatures restaurant group is navigating some choppy waters. On Thursday, June 5, the group, co-owned by famed chef Renee Erickson, announced in a press release that starting June 19, it will be temporarily shuttering the connected restaurants Boat Bar and Bateau as 'the company begins a planned reimagining of both restaurants.' The Capitol Hill location of its doughnut shop chain General Porpoise — which shares the space with those two restaurants — will close permanently, as will the Laurelhurst General Porpoise.
The closure of Bateau and Boat Bar is expected to last three to six months, Sea Creatures said.
'We're incredibly proud of what Bateau and Boat Bar have brought to Seattle's dining scene,' Erickson said in the press release. 'This closure will allow us the time and space to refresh and retool these restaurants after a long 10 years, so they can evolve and continue to inspire.'
Erickson is more associated with seafood than steak — her Walrus and the Carpenter is one of Seattle's most famous oyster bars — but Bateau has been a critical darling, attracting a lot of attention (and even a New York Times profile) for its use of unusual cuts of meat. In 2017, Eater national critic Bill Addison named it one of the 38 best restaurants in America. Even a temporary closure is a surprise.
Co-owner Jeremy Price said in an email that part of the reason for the closure was that chef de cuisine Taylor Thornhill and general manager Jamie Irene happened to give notice at around the same time. 'After a decade of working together and becoming friends, we are happy for these folks, wish them the best of luck in their new roles, and can't wait to visit them in their new restaurant homes,' Price said. The release added that their departure created a 'natural transition point' for some 'long-considered changes.'
Those changes will include the closure of the Capitol Hill General Porpoise, which was the company's first doughnut shop. 'We'll do our best to find positions to displaced General Porpoise Capitol Hill staff at our remaining cafés in the Amazon Spheres and Pioneer Square,' the press release said. The Laurelhurst cafe, near University Village, is being replaced by another tenant, and Sea Creatures said that all staff members there have positions at the other General Porpoises.
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