Bleu Bistro Star Originally uploaded by ~wesa~
East Olive Way nightlife appears to be on the verge of connecting its “last mile” to Broadway. Fresh on the heels of news that venerable gay bar CC Attle’s is about to move into the space currently occupied by Cafe Metropolitain and as the new beer and wine augmented menu is about to be unveiled at the “Gaybucks” Starbucks overhaul, we’ve learned of another new food and drink establishment coming to East Olive Way near Broadway.
An entity called Bleu Bistro Grotto has applied for a new liquor license for the 1801 East Olive Way address where megachain sandwich shop Quiznos used to operate. Scratch one more from our list of available high-foot traffic retail spaces on the Hill. We have a mail out to owner Ross McCartney-Allison for more details on what he has planned. We last spoke to him this spring after he made the decision to shut down his Chez Gaudy restaurant and focus his efforts on The Buck and Broadway’s Bleu Bistro.
While it’s difficult to imagine another Bleu Bistro being any more grotto-y, the space along with the new CC’s will help extend East Olive Way’s well-established food and drink stretch including The Elite, Dinette, Tacos Gringos, The Buck and, of course, The Crescent all the way up to Broadway. Add things like the new Arabica Coffee, B&O Espresso hanging in there, the funky retail stuff going on around Harem and (CHS advertiser) Vino Verite, and things seem pretty busy along the Way. Even one of the Hill’s favorite hangover cures is now part of the nightlife scene as Glo’s has gone 24-hours on weekends. It’s a shift for upper East Olive Way’s business culture — and as noted by many in the CC’s comment thread — people living in the area.
As a member of the Capitol Hill Stewardship Council, I’ve advocated for finding a means of using Olive as a pedestrian friendly route from downtown to Capitol Hill. The grade is not too steep and there really is only one last “blank” section near I-5. Signage, planting strips and pedestrian improvements would go a long way to encouraging this 15 minute walk and potentially bring tourists/visitors to spend some of their money on the Hill. Ideally this would eventually extend all the way up to 15th on John.
Clever Dunne’s now does food- fryer menu available always, extended menu (burgers, nachos, quesadillas and more) available most nights, and now they have Saturday and Sunday breakfast options (waffles and the like). Just sayin’.
“..the space along with the new CC’s will help extend East Olive Way’s well-established food and drink stretch”
What was Cafe Met, chopped liver?
Good reminder. Also left out Amante!
That’s fair. You’re right. The Grotto was the missing piece. Now, party central!
Love Amante’s turkey grinder :)
When did the Dunne’s start food again??
Might be nice to know who you are, and who this group is and how to contact them.
I agree there are many parts of the Hill that can be feet friendly. Not so sure about the tourists …. to me the draw would be the Pike Market and Waterfront, Central downtown, Lake Union and the Center …but who knows.
Is there a real plan or just a concept?
Mike
Feel free to forget about Amante’s anytime :D I wouldn’t hold it against you.
… why is this space still on craigslist listed for lease?
Don’t forget the Stumbling Monk and Half Price Books. They’ve been holding down the fort for over 7 years now. Stuff was happening here before it was hip, ya’ll.
Yes I have heard Bleu, is opening Bleu Grotto, Stone walls, wood beams, I heard Boxwood is the firm planning the space. Close to their exsisting location, I am sure their is a story somewhere here!
Maybe the transit is taking over the hill! I will get the scoop
from someone, I am hoping to not lose the best wassabi grilled cheese
in the city……….
so Bleu isn’t closing? won’t it be confusing to have 2 Bleu’s?
The owner of Blue bistro, confided that Starbucks wanted his current space. I find it hard to believe that a man who claimed that he was “struggling” with the recession suddenly has capital to finance another business with a similar name, which happens to be a block away.
ITS BEING BUILT AS WE SPEAK, ITS IS SO AMAZING, STONE WALLS
KNOTTY PINE WALLS. IT IS TURNING OUT AMAZING.
SEE YOU SOON ROSS