Seattle Restaurant Zoe Re-Opens in New Neighborhood

After closing the Belltown original last year, owners Scott (also the chef) and Heather Staples moved their immensely popular Restaurant Zoe. The couple took some time off over the remainder of the summer and remained on hiatus through the new year. Rejuvenated, the duo recently resurrected their paean to European cuisine in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Restaurant Zoe recently made the move from Belltown up to Capitol Hill to bigger digs. — Photo courtesy of Flickr user James CallanLocated in the space next to the new Oola Distillery, the new, now larger Restaurant Zoe sits across the street from Skillet Diner and Marjorie, another gourmet delight that made the exodus up the hill from Belltown. An interesting highlight of Zoe’s menu is the wide array of foie gras and pate, unctuous and satisfying in its decadence. Elegant service includes an amuse bouche course, and menu choices range from wild boar preparations to Bolognese to ricotta gnudi. A standout is perfectly prepared poached salmon. Otherwise, choose among a selection of small plates, soups, salads, and pastas, as well as Mediterranean-inflected entrees. Decadent desert fare includes salted caramel macaroons with peanut powder topping and bon bons made with Woodford Reserve bourbon, called “Bour”bons. Cute. Interestingly enough, in the game of restaurant musical chairs resulting from Zoe’s move, its old spot was taken over by award-winning Chefs Brian McCracken and Dana Tough. Known for their restaurant, Spur Gastropub, the pair has opened a new venture, the Coterie Room, in the old Zoe footprint.