(Image: OOLA Capitol Hill)

(Image: OOLA Capitol Hill)

With a new executive chef and mixologist leading the way, OOLA returns to 14th and Union this week as the Capitol Hill-born distillery debuts its new bottle shop, cocktail bar, and restaurant just across the street from where it created its first batches of craft spirits.

Kirby Kallas-Lewis and KT Niehoff announced a Tuesday, August 22nd opening for the rebirth of OOLA in its home neighborhood after spending the past summer weeks overhauling the former location of the Marjorie restaurant.

CHS reported here on the OOLA homecoming plans three years after its move to a larger, easier to manage production facility in Georgetown. OOLA will continue to do its distilling down south but Kallas-Lewis and Niehoff were eager to reconnect with a venue just blocks from their home.

Donna Moodie’s Marjorie, meanwhile, will reopen in coming months at 23rd and Union.

And the original OOLA distillery? That property is part of the jigsaw-shaped, seven-story development being planned to wrap around Chop Suey and the Madison Pub.

The OOLA plans include “fresh herbs, edible flowers and eggs from their chickens” from the couple’s “extensive” backyard garden and a promise for “a true farm to table urban oasis.”

Executive chef Liz Blacker will be leading the new kitchen:

(Image: OOLA Capitol Hill)

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Liz’s passion for hospitality began as a child learning to bake cookies with her aunt and delivering them to neighbors on Christmas Eve. After earning her culinary degree she obtained her bachelor’s in hospitality management from South Seattle Community College. Her culinary expertise includes time as a Sous Chef at Cafe Juanita and later as Chef de Cuisine at Eden Hill Restaurant. Beyond her professional achievements, Elizabeth loves to use food as a means to connect with others, and continually inspire guests and herself to keep trying new things. When not in the kitchen, you can find her immersed in books, spending quality time with her dogs Sirus and Violet, and tending to her jungle of plants.

“We are building a space that is collaborative, inclusive, fun, and nurturing,” Blacker says about the new menu. “I am grateful and lucky for the chance to lead the kitchen at OOLA Capitol Hill and to work with an amazing team that shares a passion for food, drink, and hospitality.”

Behind the bar and in charge of melding the new space with OOLA’s craft spirits will be SoCal “beverage director” Devan Lenning:

(Image: OOLA Capitol Hill)

Devan (they/them), may be a newcomer to the Seattle cocktail scene, but they are certainly not wet behind the ears. With 10+ years of experience behind the stick, a repertoire of culinary and molecular techniques up their sleeve, and a hankering for uncovering new and intriguing flavor combinations, they’re ready to take Seattle by storm! Prior to joining OOLA, Devan developed, and executed cocktail programs at Sidedoor in Corona del Mar, and the Mayor’s Table in Newport Beach, California. Under their tenure, Tales of the Cocktail recognized the Mayor’s Table as one of the top 10 hotel bars along the West Coast. Devan is curious about exploring, experimenting, and elevating the spirit-free side of mixology— they believe everyone deserves a well crafted beverage. Devan couldn’t be more excited to join the OOLA team, and be a part of the flourishing brand. Come belly up to their bar in Capitol Hill, and experience whimsical hospitality without all the stuffiness.

OOLA says it should be ready to roll Tuesday with the bottle shop and snack menu available Tuesday to Saturday from 12 to 9:30 PM and dinner service from 5 to 9:30 PM.

OOLA Capitol Hill is located at 1412 E Union. Learn more at oolacapitolhill.com.

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