Heavy Restaurant Group officially opened Cast Iron Studios this week in downtown Bellevue.

Cast Iron Studios is designed to host intimate parties, large private events, and specialty food and wine workshops led by Heavy Restaurant Group’s chefs, wine directors, and bartenders. The company will also use the space as a catering hub, with access to the menus of Purple Café and Wine Bar, Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar, and Lot No. 3.

In June and July, Cast Iron Studios will feature food and wine workshops with topics ranging from “Pacific Northwest Cuisine,” taught by the company’s executive chef, Harry Mills, to “A History of Whiskey,” led by Chris Faber, bar manager at Lot No. 3.

Cast Iron Studios, located at 10650 NE 4^th St., is connected to Purple and Lot No. 3, and can expand to include both restaurant spaces and parties of up to 500 people. It replaces Barrio Bellevue that closed in July 2011.

This new concept will allow Heavy Restaurant Group, which operates 6 restaurants in the Puget Sound Area, to accommodate larger parties and events in a dedicated space. It will allow for specialty events like wine tastings, cooking classes, and private parties.

Larry Kurofsky, owner of Heavy Restaurant Group, said, “After two years in downtown Bellevue, we realized that the Barrio concept, while generally well received by the eastside community, wasn’t succeeding at the same rate as our other restaurants.” Barrio fans will still be able to enjoy Barrio at its original location on Capitol Hill.

Barrio opened in September of 2009.

Eight downtown Bellevue restaurants will participate in the area’s third Seattle Restaurant Week in April.

150 King County restaurants will each offer a 3-course dinner menu for $28, and many will also serve 3-course lunches for $15, from April 10-21, excluding Friday, Saturday, and Sunday brunch. The price is per person, and does not include drinks, tax, or gratuity.

Participating Bellevue restaurants include: Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar, LOT No. 3, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Monsoon East, Purple Café and Wine Bar, Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar, The Melting Pot, and Wild Ginger at The Bravern.

To make reservations and to view the full restaurant list, visit www.theseattlerestaurantweek.com.

This bi-annual fine-dining experience offers guests 3-course dinners for $30 at participating restaurants, Sundays through Thursdays, from March 1-31. Each dinner includes an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert. Beverages, tax, and gratuity are not included in the above price. Many restaurants will also offer lunch for $15.

Participating downtown Bellevue restaurants include: Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar, Purple Café and Wine Bar, LOT No. 3, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Monsoon East, and Palomino Restaurant & Bar.

For the full list of featured restaurants, visit http://www.dinearoundseattle.org/.

Valentine Dinners

Barrio: (available Feb 11-14th) Three course menu for two for $60, with an optional bartender’s pairing for $20 per person. Includes items like crab cakes or goat cheese empanadas for appetizers, mushroom enchiladas or spice rubbed sea scallops for an entrée, and a choice of passion fruit ice cream or chocolate mole brownie for dessert. Call for reservations: 425.502.5021

John Howie Steak: (on Feb 14th only) Three course dinner for $55 available exclusively in the restaurant’s Piano Lounge, with live music. The prix fixe menu includes a choice of soup or salad, five entrees and three desserts. Call for reservations: 425.440.0880

LOT No. 3: (available Feb 11-14th) Three course menu for two for $60, with an optional bartender’s pairing for $20 per person. Includes items like caramelized onion tartlet or prosciutto and fig toasts for appetizers, mushroom lasagna or prawn sliders for an entrée, and a choice of hazelnut bread pudding or black forest cheesecake to share for dessert. Call for reservations: 425.440.0025

McCormick and Schmicks: (available Feb 11-14th) Special chef featured menu items, custom menu messages and flowers are all options available to make your Valentine’s Day dinner something memorable. Call for reservations: 425.454.2606

Purple Café and Wine Bar: (available Feb 11-14th) Three course menu for two for $75, with an optional sommelier’s wine pairing selections for $20 per person. Includes items like oysters on the half shell or grilled asparagus for appetizers, pan roasted steelhead or chestnut pappardelle for an entrée, and a choice of espresso cake or brandied-fig ice cream to share for dessert. Call for reservations: 425.502.6292

Boom Noodle: For the Valentines Day Weekend (Friday through Monday) there will be the ‘EAT • DRINK • BOOM’ and it will be dinner for two for $57.  If you prefer no drinks then the price is $35. The offer includes Vietnamese caramelized short ribs and Honey Peanut Prawns with sides of miso broiled rice cakes, spicy green beans, Kim Chee, and a White Peach Bellini to wash it down!

Valentine Sweets and Treats

Chocolopolis: An order of their luxurious artisanal chocolates placed before February 10th, totaling $50 or more (before tax) will receive free Valentine’s Day delivery in the downtown Bellevue area (free delivery area is south of 520, East of 124th Avenue NE and north of I-90). Call for ordering or information: 425.453.0776

Trophy Cupcakes: (available Feb 11-14th) Special Valentine’s Day flavors that include Pink Champagne (for her), Hale’s Chocolate Stout (for him), Dark Chocolate Raspberry (for everyone!). Call for information: 206.632.7020

Twisted Cork: (available Feb 11-14th) Make a special toast with the exclusive “Twisted Love” cocktail. Made with vanilla vodka, Chambord, cranberry juice and topped with the bubbles of sparkling wine, this $5 specialty cocktail will make for a memorable raising of a glass. Call for more information: 425.637.0808

Vovito: Send a sweet Gelato-Gram to someone special! Order by February 10th on Vovito’s website and your recipient will receive an email or call during the Valentine’s Day weekend, notifying them that they have been given a Gelato-Gram, which can be claimed from Feb 14th-19th. Each Gelato-Gram includes two scoops of gelato or sorbetto, two chocolate covered strawberries and a customized message. The Gelato-Gram is $9.95 plus tax, and can be ordered through Vovito’s website: http://www.pcs-works.com/clients/vovito/gelatogram.php

Unique Valentine Gifts

Hotel Bellevue: Enjoy the “lovestruck” package this month at the luxurious Hotel Bellevue. The Lovestruck package includes $50 dining credit, $50 spa credit, rose petal turndown, complimentary champagne, late checkout and valet parking. Go to their site for more information: http://www.thehotelbellevue.com/

David Barton Gym: (available every Sunday in February, 10-11am) For a fitness fan sweetheart, or even just a gift for yourself, the “Love Hurts” class created by owner David Barton is a 60 minute weight training class that targets all muscle groups and is designed to prevent weight gain. Non-members can call 425.453.7887 for more information.

Red Door Spas: (available Feb 1-14th) Spend the day with your sweetheart indulging in the “From Here to Eternity” couples package ($622) that includes two signature massages, signature facials, warm cream manicures and pedicures and a spa lunch. For every $100 gift certificate purchase, you’ll receive a $15 bonus coupon good towards your next service or purchase. Call for more information: 425.455.3700

Our 2 Winners will receive the following:

1. 2 Passes for entry and skate rentals to the NEW, LARGER Group Health Ice Arena in Downtown Bellevue Park
2. $50 El Gaucho Gift Card or $50 Heavy Restaurant Group Gift Card (Valid at Purple Cafe, Barrio, or LOT No. 3)

WINNERS:
Esther W.
Efren R.
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Other great Runner ups:

In Downtown Bellevue, Barrio and Purple Cafe are participating. To check out their menus, go to www.dinearoundseattle.org. And remember the rules: the deal is good Sundays through Thursdays only; the $30 dinner/$15 lunch includes appetizer, entrée, and dessert; prices don’t include beverage, tax and gratuity; and Thanksgiving night is off limits (go home and cook for your family, people!)

Go forth and eat.

Over 100 of some of the best local restaurants are offering 3-course dinners for only $25 during Seattle Restaurant Week, October 17th – 28th. Don’t want to wait for dinner? Several of these restaurants will also offer 3-course lunch menus for $15. Of those participating, 5 restaurants are in Downtown Bellevue, giving everyone 5 reasons to go out for dinner or lunch during those 10 days.

This event happens twice a year, first in spring and the second time in fall, designed to champion and support the local community of restaurants. It offers people a chance to experience signature multi-course meals at some of the best restaurants in the area, at an affordable price. No passes, tickets or coupons are required; simply go to a participating restaurant and ask about their ‘Restaurant Week’ menu. The 3-course, $25 dinner and $15 lunch menus are priced per-person and do not include tax, drinks or gratuity.

The special menu pricing is available every day, excluding Fridays and Saturdays, starting Sunday October 17th. All participating Downtown Bellevue restaurants are offering lunch and dinner menus. It’s become such a popular event that it’s recommended you make reservations with the restaurant of your choice.

Restaurant Week participants in Downtown Bellevue include:

Barrio Mexican Kitchen and Bar – 10650 NE 4th Street, 425.502.5021
Monsoon East- 10245 Main Street, 425.635.1112
Purple Café and Wine Bar - 430 106th Ave NE, 425.502.6292
Seastar Restaurant and Wine Bar – 205 108th Ave NE, 425.456.0010
Wild Ginger – 11020 NE 6th Street, Ste 90, 425.495.8889

On Tuesday night at Avalon Towers Bellevue, we hosted the Downtown Bellevue Network 3rd Anniversary Event!

We had a great turnout with about 150 people in attendance. We want to thank our many sponsors of the event; without them the event wouldn’t have been possible. Guests enjoyed Avalon Towers Bellevue’s beautiful location and 15th-floor deck with sweeping views (the rain even held out until the event was over!).  Our DJ was from M.K. Productions, and Barrio and Purple Café & Wine Bar provided the delicious food.

The last 3 years have provided for some exciting growth for Downtown Bellevue, and we look forward to what the future holds. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from community members who ‘Live, Work, and Play’ in Downtown Bellevue!

Purple Café and Barrio, which are both Heavy Restaurant Group concepts, have introduced their 3rd restaurant, ‘Lot No. 3,’ at the base of Bellevue Towers. With an impromptu soft opening Friday night, the new place was already bustling with excited customers.

From the décor to the menu, the Lot No. 3 is unique and like nothing Bellevue has seen before. The menu offers a delicious take on pub comfort foods, including snacks such as spicy nuts, a soft pretzel with house-made mustard, a hot dog, a peanut butter bacon and jelly sandwich, a jar cake, and more. Also on the menu are more traditional items such as salads, sandwiches, and cheeses to choose from. As any traditional pub would, they have a great selection of beers and other mixed drinks.

Inside the 2-story space one will notice nice touches like drink specials hand-written on a chalkboard, honeycomb glass beer mugs, candlelit Mason jars adorning every table, and an eclectic mix of chairs and cozy seating.

The restaurant will be open until midnight this Saturday, closed this Sunday, and then open again for business on Monday, May 24th starting at 4pm.

460 106th Avenue
Bellevue, WA 98004