#1751 #S1020 - Restaurant Bea, Seattle - 4/17/2012

Update: Restaurant Bea closed July 12, 2013

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This homey Madrona space has hosted a series of highly regarded restaurants, with Cremant, June, and now Bea.  Restaurant Bea is the creation of Tom Black (Barking Frog, 35th St. Bistro) and Kate Perry (no, a different Kate Perry), and specializes in a rotating menu of upscale "comfort food." They have turned the bar around, extending it a bit, and opened up the kitchen -- which make getting their very good cocktails and food seem more direct and intimate.  I had two good cocktails -- The 34th Cocktail (bourbon, punt e mes, habanero, Angostura and celery bitters) and Jalisco Vieux Carre (rye, tequila, sweet vermouth, Bennedictine, Peychauds and Angostura).  The bacon-wrapped meatloaf was good and white bean soup was very tasty.

The vibe seemed a little stiff and self-conscious -- As long as they are embracing a sort of country theme, I'd enjoy it more if I could have both the fine food and cocktails and a little bit more raucous, with patrons louder and interacting with each other. But it's still a pleasant experience, particularly at the bar.

1423 34th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 812-2901
Est. March 30, 2012 - Closed July 12, 2013 - Building constructed: 1904
Previous bars in this location: June
Web site: restaurantbea.com - facebook
Reviews: seattleweekly - seattleite - seattleweekly - seattleweekly - thrillist - seattletimes - seattlemet - centraldistrictnews - eater - dailycandy - urbanspoon - yelp - thestranger