The restart of a Capitol Hill favorite at 15th and Pine has made a home for a new start in Capitol Hill food and drink on Bellevue Ave.

The Jilted Siren, a small plate exploration of Spice Trade Route flavors from an industry veteran making her first foray from behind the bar into ownership, will open in coming weeks in the former Capitol Hill home of Kedai Makan.

Amy Graham says she is currently undertaking a “dark and broody” overhaul of the former Kedai space with new colors, a new mural, but with many of the favorite’s old fixtures intact. She’ll be the leader for drinks and behind the bar while chef Jonas Van Dyke will be in charge of a menu planned for quarterly changes with the seasons.

“We’ll see what the neighborhood has to say,” Graham said.

Graham tells CHS finding a space on Capitol Hill was the hardest part of the project until she got a boost from Kedai founders Kevin Burzell and Alysson Wilson who she says helped secure a lease for the Siren. CHS reported here in January on the reopening of Kedai Makan under new ownership at 15th and Pine, allowing Burzell and Wilson to take a much needed break after a decade growing the businesses.

As for the Jilted Siren name, Graham said it is a nod to the classics — and to some things a little more personal.

“The Iliad…  the Odyssey… this time Odysseus does not get away,” Graham said. “We’ve all been heartbroken at some point. Understanding this is the human condition.”

While this reporter did not ask follow-ups about love and loss, Graham did tell us she hopes Capitol Hill nighttime activity is getting back closer to pre-pandemic levels and is planning a late night component with dumplings and soba noodles. The opening will also feature a special tasting menu that is currently being planned out.

As for her work behind the bar, the career tender has plans for herbal infused tincture craft cocktails and a massive mocktail offering featuring the Lyre’s line of non alcoholic spirits.

In the meantime, the first time restaurateur expects there is about three to four more weeks of work to do to prepare and then her new love, The Jilted Siren, will be ready for its opening.

The Jilted Siren will open in the coming weeks at 1802 Bellevue.

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