Lake Forest Bar & Grill is closing its doors after Sunday July 12, 2026

Photo by Bob Cerelli

After 19 years in Town Center, Lake Forest Bar & Grill will be closing its doors.

"Like so many independent restaurants, we’ve faced ongoing financial challenges that we simply can no longer overcome. This is not the ending we hoped for, but it is the reality we now face.

"Our plan is to remain open through Sunday evening. We hope you’ll stop by one last time to enjoy a meal, share a memory, and say goodbye. Every visit this week will help us achieve one very important goal: earning enough to pay our incredible team one final paycheck. They have worked tirelessly to serve this community, and we would love nothing more than to take care of them one last time.

"To our guests, neighbors, friends, and everyone who has supported us over the past 19 years—thank you. You’ve allowed us to be part of birthdays, anniversaries, first dates, family dinners, game days, and countless everyday moments. We will always be grateful for that.

"Please come see us one last time before we close our doors. We’d love the chance to thank you in person."

With sincere gratitude,
The Lake Forest Bar & Grill Family
17535 Ballinger Way NE, Seattle, WA 98155

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Chennai Cafe owners Official Response Regarding Current Status

On Friday May 8, 2026 we published a story about the Health Department closing the Chennai Cafe (read it here). The owners have responded with their current status.

Chennai Cafe

---
As owners of the business, I would like to clarify the facts for anyone reading this.

The Chennai Cafe is temporarily closed as we are currently undergoing an extensive commercial kitchen remodel and equipment upgrade, which includes addressing the refrigeration concerns mentioned in the health department notice.

Regarding permits: We submitted our transfer of ownership application in January 2026 and are working through the city's standard processing timeline. The refrigeration equipment that was flagged is being replaced as part of our planned kitchen upgrade.

We are handling all regulatory requirements properly and working closely with the health department to ensure full compliance before reopening. We look forward to welcoming our community back soon with an upgraded kitchen and enhanced operations.

Thank you for your patience during this transition.

--praveena sambasivadoss

The Chennai Cafe is located at 14553 Bothell Way NE, Shoreline WA 98155

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Chennai Cafe on Bothell Way closed by Health Department

Chennai Cafe closed

The Chennai Cafe at 14553 Bothell Way NE, Shoreline WA 98155 was closed by the King County Health Department on May 6, 2026 at 2pm.

They were cited for

• Operating without a valid permit
• Imminent health hazard: Insufficient refrigeration to keep food safe

Status: Closed

The Chennai Cafe has a full menu of Indian food and an extensive catering and take out business.

They have the opportunity to remedy the Health Department concerns and apply to reopen.

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Free ice cream cone at Big Chicken in honor of Shaquille O’Neal's birthday

Big Chicken in Shoreline is throwing a BIG birthday for its Founder, Shaquille O’Neal.

This Friday, March 6, 2026 participating Big Chicken locations will celebrate Shaq’s birthday by giving away free ice cream cones all day long, along with surprise rewards for guests.

Show Shaq some BIG love, and Big Chicken returns the favor. 

Here’s how guests can grab a cone:

• New guests: Text “LOVE” to 1-877-325-4329 to receive a free ice cream cone reward and show the message at the register on March 6 to redeem.
• Big Chicken Rewards Members: Active members will receive a free ice cream cone reward via SMS and can show the message at the register on March 6 to redeem.

Guests who are part of Big Chicken Rewards – or who join – and make a purchase during their visit on March 6 will also receive a free “The Original” sandwich (a crispy chicken breast topped with house-made pickles and their signature "BC sauce, all served on a toasted brioche bun) reward. 

Guests can join Big Chicken Rewards here

15515 Westminster Way N, Shoreline, WA 98133

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Update: Suni's Restaurant thrives in new location

Suni's Express expanded to the street

Story and Photos by David Carlos

Fire may have closed the original Suni’s Restaurant in January 2023, but the story didn’t end there.

Suni's now has bright and spacious indoor seating

After the longtime North City/Shoreline spot at 17751 15th Ave NE burned down, there has been no rebuilding at the original site. Instead, Suni’s Express opened across the street in 2024 — and business has only grown.

Suni's interior

Last August, the restaurant expanded into the adjacent space that once housed Brown’s Coffee. An employee told me the owner has invested so much into the current location that they now plan to stay long-term.

The original Suni's across the street has been sold

The former property? It has since been sold.

Top sellers: pizza and Famous Suni's Burger

As for what’s drawing customers in, the employee said their top sellers are pizza and The Famous Suni’s Burger — a ¼-pound burger topped with lean bacon strips, melted cheese, lettuce, onions, tomato and mayonnaise.

Sounds like a cheeseburger in paradise to me.

Sunis Express

• 1504 NE 179th St, Shoreline
• Menu
• Hours: 
• 11am –10pm. Sunday–Thursday
• 11am –11pm Friday–Saturday

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Caravan Kebab owner and volunteers distribute meals to people in need on Christmas Day

Caravan Kebab owner and chef Shahzad Raja cooks a pot of rice pilaf as part of his annual Christmas meal distribution to those in need in the Seattle area. Photo courtesy Steve Woodard.

Reprinted from MyEdmondsNews.com

By Nick Ng

Shahzad Raja gives out a meal on Christmas Day
 in Shoreline. Photo by Steve Woodard

Caravan Kebab owner and chef Shahzad Raja and several volunteers distributed more than 125 meals of roast chicken and rice pilaf to people in need on Christmas Day.

Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW) Vice President of Community Engagement Steve Woodard and volunteers Amira Atan and Christina Ross helped package the food and coordinated meal distribution.

Atan and Ross distributed about 50 meals together from Edmonds to Everett while Raja headed south to Shoreline and University District.

Raja giving food to people at a bus
stop in Seattle. Photo by Steve Woodard

Raja said that he has been doing this every Christmas Day since 2010 because December 25 is his birthday. “That’s how I celebrate it,” he said.

He said since the opening of Caravan Kebab, he initially distributed 20 to 30 meals by himself and the number of meals has steadily increased each Christmas Day. Last year, he and a team of volunteers distributed more than 300 meals.

This year they had to scale back because a van driver crashed into the restaurant in March, forcing him to close the restaurant for about six months to make repairs.

The restaurant is open now after closing six
months for repairs. Photo by Steve Woodard

“The regular customers came to support me, and they are happy we are working,” Raja said. “It’s a little tough right now…I have strong hopes we’re gonna make it.”

Caravan Kebab has been serving Edmonds and nearby neighborhoods since 2010, offering various cuisines from India, Ukraine, Turkey and Greece. 

The cuisine is influenced by Raja’s travels around Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean region, central Asia and his own roots in Pakistan.

Caravan Kebab is located in Firdale Village 9711 Firdale Ave, Edmonds WA 98020 directly north of Shoreline.

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Kidd Valley closes location on Aurora

Sign on the door of Kidd Valley

Story and photos by David Carlos

The Kidd Valley restaurant at 14303 Aurora Ave N, just south of the Shoreline city line in Seattle, is now permanently closed.

A sign on their door states: "This location is now permanently closed. We appreciate your many years of patronage and hope that you will visit one of the remaining Kidd Valley locations."

Most of the lights are out. The store is empty and the parking lot littered and deserted.

In 2022, the original Kidd Valley closed at the University District 5502 25th Ave NE, Seattle. It first opened in 1976.

Reasons for the U-District's store closure included the high cost of remodeling and maintaining compliance with codes and regulations, and other business challenges.

Reasons were not given for the Seattle site's closure.

The remaining open locations are at: Kenmore, Green Lake, and Renton. There are also Kidd Valley sites within T-Mobile Park, CenturyLink Field, Husky Stadium, and Cheney Stadium.

The Kenmore location is 6434 NE Bothell Way, Kenmore, WA 98028

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Five Guys restaurant now open in Shoreline

Five Guys open at Shoreline Place

Story and photos by David Carlos

A new Five Guys restaurant opened its doors September 12, 2025 at 15515 Westminster Way N in Shoreline, just a stone’s throw across the parking lot from Town & Country Market. This addition brings the popular fast-casual chain’s signature menu and atmosphere to the local community.

Burgers and fries

Five Guys is best known for its hamburgers and hand-cut French fries, but the menu offers much more. 

Guests can enjoy hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, lettuce wraps, breakfast sandwiches, and hand-spun milkshakes. 

And, of course, every visit includes complimentary peanuts in shells—a beloved tradition for customers waiting for their orders.

The story of Five Guys began in 1986, when Jerry Murrell and his wife, Janie, asked their sons if they wanted to go to college or start a family business. 

The boys chose business, and the Murrell family opened their first restaurant in Arlington, Virginia. 

Now there are 1,900 franchised restaurants.

Originally, the “Five Guys” referred to Jerry and his four sons: Jim, Matt, Chad, and Ben. 

Later, a fifth son, Tyler, was born and joined the family business. 

Today, all five sons are actively involved in the company. 

Matt oversees new location openings, Jim manages training, Chad handles IT and technology, Ben selects franchisees, and Tyler runs the bakery operations that supply buns to locations.

Just a stone's throw from Town & Country

With its Shoreline opening, Five Guys continues its tradition of family-driven quality and customer favorites, offering a new spot for locals to enjoy classic American fare.

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Shoreline Chick-fil-A opens on Thursday - cows eat free

Shoreline Chick-fil-A
Photo by David Carlos

A new Chick-fil-A® restaurant will begin serving Guests in Shoreline on Thursday, November 6, 2025 after breakfast. Chick-fil-A, Inc. has selected Kyle Brown to serve as the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Aurora Ave and N 198th St.

Located at 19557 Aurora Ave N., Chick-fil-A Aurora Ave and N 198th St will serve guests Monday through Saturday from 6:30am to 10pm, offering drive-thru, delivery and Mobile Thru. To celebrate the opening, guests are welcome to join the fun by dressing in cow print on opening day to receive a free entrée.

Chick-fil-A Aurora Ave and N 198th St. brings approximately 80 jobs to the community and is one of nine new restaurants opening in Washington by early 2027.

Locally Owned and Operated

“My wife and I have always dreamed of planting roots in the Pacific Northwest, and we’re thrilled to open the first Chick-fil-A here in Shoreline,” said owner Kyle Brown. “Our goal is to create a welcoming space where family and friends can make memories together, and to give back to the community we are proud to now call home.”

Chick-fil-A opens on Thursday
Photo by David Carlos

Cows Eat Free to Celebrate Chick-fil-A Aurora Ave and N 198th St.

To celebrate the restaurant moo-ving into town, cows will eat free on opening day! Brown and his team are inviting the community to show off their cow spots on opening day for one free entrée. 

Since 1995, the Cows have been a beloved part of Chick-fil-A, encouraging humans to skip burgers and “Eat More Chikin” – and now it’s Shoreline’s turn to join the herd.

Guests dressed in cow print – whether it’s a full cow costume or a simple cow-spotted accessory – can enjoy one free entrée* in the drive-thru.

Caring for the Shoreline Community

Brown is committed to giving back to the Shoreline community by: 

• Celebrating the opening with a $25,000 donation from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to Feeding America in honor of the new restaurant. These funds will be distributed to partners in the greater Seattle area to aid in the fight against hunger.
• Participating in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program, which redirects surplus food to local nonprofits, helping to create over 42 million meals nationwide to date.

For more on Chick-fil-A's menu options, click here.

11-6-25 update: original article said opening would be at 6:30am. Now the opening is after breakfast.

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Ballinger McDonald's closed by health department for several days

Ballinger McDonald's

The McDonald's #4451 at 20227 Ballinger Way NE, Shoreline, WA 98155 was closed on August 22, 2025 at 2 pm by Public Health.

They were operating without hot water available which is judged to be an Imminent health hazard.

They were approved to reopen by Public Health on August 25, 2025

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Joyce Taylor interviews Mark Canlis about his choice of LFP's James Huffman for Executive Chef

Joyce Taylor talks to Mark Canlis

KING 5's Joyce Taylor sat down with Mark Canlis to talk about the restaurant and his surprising choice of Lake Forest Park native James Huffman as his Executive Chef.

When you listen to the interview it will be clear that the choice was not so surprising after all.

Here's her interview: After the departure of executive chef and James Beard semifinalist Aisha Ibrahim, 74 chefs from around the world applied to lead the iconic Queen Anne restaurant.

 

And here's the story we previously published about James: The secret behind new local chef James' success

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Shoreline Shari's Restaurant building demolished

Photo by David Carlos

Riddled with massive debts, the popular Oregon-based restaurant chain Shari's has closed all but five of its restaurants in Washington state. All the locations in Oregon are closed. Their website lists three locations each in Idaho and California.

The Shoreline restaurant, in Parkwood Plaza, 15252 Aurora Ave N, has been sitting vacant since it abruptly closed in August 2024, and this week it was demolished.

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Lake Forest Park native named Executive Chef at Canlis

Canlis moonrise
Photo courtesy Canlis Restaurant

James Huffman, of Lake Forest Park, has been named as Executive Chef at Canlis, the first local person ever named to that position.

According to Harry Cheadle in Eater Seattle, Huffman "has worked in the local restaurant industry since he was a 16-year-old at Kidd Valley. He later got a gig at the famous Eastside fine dining destination Cafe Juanita, and has been at Canlis for the past nine years, working his way up the kitchen ladder" (see his article here)

This is our second strong local connection to Canlis. Mark Canlis, owner of the acclaimed restaurant, is a strong supporter and financial backer of the Ching Community Garden, a local volunteer project to restore the garden in Shoreline created by the first Canlis Executive Chef, Joe Ching. (see article)

Canlis is located on Aurora, overlooking Lake Union.

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Triumph Valley restaurant soft opening today - Tuesday March 4, 2025

Soft opening on Tuesday

By Patricia Hale

Triumph Valley,  Shoreline’s newest restaurant at 15323 Westminster Way N has its soft opening on Tuesday, March 4th!!!

Lunch from 11am - 3:30pm and dinner 5-9pm

Not everything on the menu will be available this first week, and they are not yet set up to take online orders.

Triumph Valley interior

I stopped by today just to check in to see if they had set a date to open yet, and was pleasantly surprised. 

The restaurant looks beautiful! 

For those who are curious about the menu, here is a link to their website

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The Seattle Times: Three new restaurants opening in Shoreline

Triumph Valley
Photo by Greg Weatherford

In an extensive article in the food section of The Seattle Times, food writer Tan Vinh has revealed a soft opening date for Triumph Valley, located in Shoreline Place on Westminster Way NE.

"After a year of teasing its fans, Triumph Valley will run a hush-hush soft opening March 30 at its new 180-seat restaurant at 15323 Westminster Way N., a few blocks off Aurora Avenue North in Shoreline.

"Triumph Valley’s signature salted egg yolk mochi and all its steamed and fried dumpling standbys will be served daily from 11am to 3:30pm."

He also noted that two other restaurants have recently opened in Shoreline: the Vietnamese cafe Green Papaya and Mediterranean Gyro Sababa.

Green Papaya is located at 20216 Ballinger Way in Ballinger Village, in the corner next to the gym. They opened on February 15, 2025.

Gyro Sababa is located in Aurora Village in the building behind the gas pumps at 1291 N 205th St.

They have Mediterranean cuisine with gyros, shawarma, and salads.

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Restaurant Review: Fire & The Feast

Fire & The Feast

526 Main St
Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 549-2852

This relative newcomer (about 5 years old) professes Pacific Northwest ingredients with Italian artistry. 

Located in the heart of downtown Edmonds, it replaced the relocated Epulo, with ambition to match or exceed its predecessor. 

It is dark, cozy and intimate with dark wood furniture, accented by shrubbery – reminds me of a grotto. 

At a glance, it is contemporary Italian, with locally-sourced PNW ingredients, and intends to bring a taste of Italy to your table. 

It should be noted that the pizza dough is made from scratch, as is the in-house pasta with the Arcobaleno pasta machine. 

It is a blend of traditional and innovative culinary styles, executed with flair and skill. Italian cuisine is regional because it uses local ingredients, and this kitchen attempts to emulate in a loving homage. 

Some of the more eye-catching and interesting ingredients are polenta, chicory, ricotta, prosciutto, burrata, conserva, arugula, bagna cauda, fennel, labneh, coriander, agrodolce, pecorino romano, capers, truffles, arils, pancetta, pangrattato, gorgonzola, confit, besciamella, fontina, gremolata, kale, sage, leeks, tending towards the vegetarian, but is reluctantly omnivore. 

Available starters are focaccia, meatballs, calamari, bruschetta, prosciutto/burrata, Brussels sprouts, clams, carrots, olives. 

Salads are Caesar, truffle/prosciutto, beet/burrata. 

Starch selections are rigatoni, bucatini, linguine, polenta, risotto, paired with Bolognese, carbonara, clams, shrimp. 

The pizza choices are of course not ordinary, namely potato/squash, pear/gorgonzola, Margherita, pepperoni/honey, mushroom/salciccia, prosciutto/arugula/fig. 

After the Primi comes the Secondi, which are short rib, Osso Buco, chicken Marsala, scallops, veg lasagna, truffle risotto. 

Then there must be Dolci, represented by Tiramisu, crostata, budino, gelato, affogato. There is a bar to serve wine, cocktails, mocktails, beer and cider. 

It certainly has a mysterious name, but there is no mystery to the feast that emerges from the fire, artistically presented. It does not disappoint.

-TCA

See previous Restaurant Reviews here

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New restaurants opening soon in Shoreline Place

Triumph Valley is opening soon in the old China Buffet location at Shoreline Place
Photo by Greg Weatherford

Shoreline Place has two new local restaurants opening very soon in Shoreline Place at 15300 Westminster Way, Shoreline WA 98133.

Triumph Valley Dim Sum is taking over the old Chinese Buffet building. Triumph Valley is a highly rated Dim Sum restaurant that got its start in Renton and grew in popularity. Touted to be some of the best Dim Sum in the area.

Mustache Milk Tea is opening soon in the new strip mall on the Westminster side of Shoreline Place.
Photo by Greg Weatherford

Another shop opening in the newly constructed retail strip at Shoreline Place is Mustache Milk Tea. This business got its start in 2018 doing Milk Tea delivery, and then opened up their first store in Everett. They will be opening up their second store here very soon.

--Greg Weatherford

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Restaurant Review: Five

Five restaurant bistro in Edmonds
Photo by TCA

FIVE

650 Edmonds Way, Edmonds, WA 98020

(425) 563-7117

It was established 14 years ago in the Pine Park neighborhood of Edmonds, which you could, but should not, overlook. 

Located in the suburbs with an understated minimalist exterior, you might mistake it for a nouvelle art gallery, with a chandelier and an outdoor patio. 

At a glance, the menu is posh modern Italian, Northwest, with infusion of Mediterranean. The selections are restrained but well-appointed with the essentials, aiming for quality than variety, befitting its artisan ascetic. 

It is intentional and precise, using a carefully chosen blend of ingredients, lovingly combined. You might infer a mix of the familiar and unique, with pistachio, dijon-tarragon, reggiano, provolone, garbanzo, miso, gorgonzola, cilantro, capers, broccolini, portabella, chimichurri, sriracha, unagi, mirepoix, gremolata, farro, tending towards the pescatarian. 

Starters are baguette, prawns, calamari, hummus, goat cheese, bruschetta, clam/mussel combo, poblano soup, crispy rice Ahi tuna. 

Available salads are Caesar, beet, salami, arugula, fennel, seafood. 

There is a decent pizza selection, with creative ingredients - pancetta, pepperoni, pear, sausage, prosciutto, margherita, carne asada, asparagus. 

The pasta selections are limited to linguine & rigatoni, combined with seafood and Italian sausage. 

Other entrees are chicken piccata, pork chop, carne asada, salmon, steak filet, Osso Buco, bacon-wrapped scallops. 

Dessert seems constrained to dark chocolate brownie & ice-cream (with seasonal items). 

You suspect that they can deliver more than advertised, and they do, based on the freshly-sourced ingredients they have on hand. I have no doubt that whenever they unleash their imagination, it will be done with care and creativity. 

Go for an adventure in this artistic gastronomic gallery.
 

--TCA

See previous restaurant reviews here

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One year of construction on the Alta North City building

Alta North City begins construction 2023

Two photos exactly one year apart from each other.

Under construction: A $9 million, 6-story apartment building at 15th Ave NE and NE 179th St in Shoreline.

Alta North City one year later 2024
Photo by David Carlos

There will be 228 units, with retail space on the ground floor. The building will be called Alta North City. 

The property was previously the site of the very popular Leena's Cafe. The owner of Leena's, who also owned the old building, promised to reopen in the new building.  

 

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Restaurant Review: Epulo Bistro

Epulo Bistro

190 Sunset Ave, Suite B

Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 678-8680

‘Epulo’ is a Latin term for ‘guest at a feast’, which declares a promising statement of intent. 

In times past, Epulo was a respectable eatery founded 15 years ago, located in the heart of downtown Edmonds, but has since relocated near the waterfront into more spacious premises. 

Not only that, the Morris family had a vision to perform a complete makeover into much more than a humble bistro, namely a large, upscale restaurant with an interesting and ambitious menu. 

It has a chic and elegant feel with stylish European ambience, parquet-style floor, and an outdoor covered deck with propane patio heating. And a seemingly gratuitous table-top fire pit to enhance your al fresco dining experience. 

It is clear they mean to transport you to a palatial oasis away from the mundane, a destination banquet space (Fireside Room) that caters to events beyond a simple dinner. 

At a glance, the menu is modern Italian, with Northwest influences and continental flair. It has a compact but tantalizing selection with uncommon ingredients such as tapenade, grana padano, pangrattato, prosciutto, kale, farro, cornichon, feta, brodo, burrata, polenta, arugula, beurre blanc, gruyere, pancetta, pecorino, gorgonzola, gastrique, fontina. 

It promises fine dining, beyond the ordinary, meticulously prepared - worth noting that the burrata, pork sausage and ice-cream are made in-house. 

Available starters are baguette, flatbread, clams, burrata, salad options aplenty (lettuce, beet, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts & more). 

There is some pasta, such as pappardelle, rigatoni, fettuccine, risotto, paired with lamb, formaggio, pistachio, pancetta, pumpkin (not your usual marinara/alfredo/pesto sauces). No spaghetti Bolognese here! 

The pizzas are gourmand-worthy (not pepperoni & cheese) with margherita, fig, parma ham, sausage/mushroom. 

In the House Special category are chicken piccata, scallops, beef short rib, steak filet, duck confit, Kobe beef burger. 

You notice it leans somewhat to the vegetarian, limited shellfish/crustaceans/fish, but the burger does come with truffle frites (a popular item). 

If you were good and ate your yummy veggies, you may consider the zeppole, affogato, torte and pudding. 

Their bar seems well-stocked and tended with cocktails, mocktails, bubbles, whites, reds, aperitifs and nightcaps. 

Epulo feels a very deluxe and grownup place, perhaps more suited to a more formal or special occasion. You almost feel underdressed when you're there - come for the atmosphere, stay for the feast!

--TCA

See previous restaurant reviews here

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