At the street level of the Alexis Hotel, guests find the casual-chic Bookstore Bar, where stocked shelves hold an impressive catalogue of books and magazines (available for diners to read on-site) plus a healthy repertoire of Scotch (70 labels at last count) and American bourbons and whiskies. The bar also features a full library of exceptional cocktail concoctions, as well as some of the Pacific Northwest's tastiest microbrews and independently bottled wines. An extended happy hour (from 4 to 7 pm) means deals on draft beers, select wines and well drinks ($4) plus a rotating menu of tasty food options costing only $3 to $7 per plate.
Photo courtesy of Library Bistro & Bookstore Bar
New chef Chris Lobkovich moved from Maryland to Seattle in high school and temporarily followed in his father’s footsteps restoring European autos. Although he quickly climbed the ranks in the automotive world, the culinary scene quickly lured him in. Lobkovich graduated first in his class from the Culinary School of the Rockies in Boulder, Colorado, where he focused on classic French cooking. After working his way up to sous-chef at the Empire Lounge and restaurant in Louisville, the Pacific Northwest beckoned, and Lobkovich listened.
Having previously worked as the executive chef at the Mill Creek Country Club, sous-chef of Poquitos Restaurant in Seattle and the chef de cuisine for the Betts Restaurant Group, he finally took over the kitchen at the Library Bistro/Bookstore Bar in February of this year. Lobkovich finds influence in Asian and Latin flavors, putting his own modern twist on northwest dishes, and he calls his cooking style “eclectic, yet minimalistic.”
Photo courtesy of Library Bistro & Bookstore Bar
Locals and visitors alike come to this venue for creative cocktails and menu items like the Blackened Manhattan, the Bahn Mi sandwich, the beef tartare, the veggie burger, the NW Cobb, curried lentils, steak frites platters and other delicious dishes. A Monday Movies series happens every Monday in the Bookstore Bar, beginning at 1:30 pm with happy hour pricing on wine and beer plus free popcorn. (July’s cinematic theme is: Summer Hollywood Blockbusters.)
An expansion of the patio this summer adds yet another reason to rush to the Bookstore stat; don't forget to leave your reading material at home!
