(Image: NUE)
Fried chicken for two (Image: NUE)
By Caroline Carr
Ten years ago, a food blogger opened a restaurant on Capitol Hill. After a decade of culinary experimentation on a global scale, NUE continues on 14th Ave with the same experimental spirit.
“We wanted to become [a place] where it feels like you’re on vacation and willing to talk to anybody and try anything,” says Uyen Nguyen.
In early 2015, Chris Cvetkovich, a computer animation entrepreneur and food blogger, stepped out of his home kitchen to bring his experiments in gastronomy to the people as NUE debuted on Capitol Hill. At the time as it joined the newly opened REO Flats building, it was neighboring Omega Ouzeri from Capitol Hill restaurant legend Thomas Soukakos.
“Just don’t do bad Greek food,” was the veteran’s only advice for the rookie restaurateur.
A decade later, Nguyen and Cvetkovich are the grizzled vets. Soukakos has retired and new neighbors Ramie have moved in. NUE is continuing its global tour.
Nguyen (Image: NUE)
Built on a foundation of celebrating cultural and individual diversity, NUE has spent the last decade dishing out staples and flavors from around the world that don’t find a place on menus in the States. You can get the French tacos or Thai water beetles and dine assured that your food has been created by someone with a deep appreciation for the source material.
NUE’s warm, eclectic interior is a scrapbook of the combined 80-something countries Nguyen and chef Cvetkovich have visited. Nguyen aimed to replicate her favorite meals from her vacations and use the space to generate the same curiosity and openness that often comes with a trip to a new country.
Recipes sourced from their travels are brought back home and put under the magnifying glass of the community.
Cvetkovich invites feedback on new dishes and is always taking suggestions for recipes. Previous menu items have come from connecting with patrons with some even inviting the chef over for a home-cooked meal. This kind of communal mindset and celebration of food has been the keystone of the restaurant’s success.
Cvetkovich doing some early experimentation at NUE’s 2015 debut
Intentionally communal seating used to be rarely found outside of hostels and cafeterias, but NUE’s layout has contributed to the restaurant’s atmosphere.
“People sort of drop their guard and become super friendly and share food with their neighbors, “ Nguyen said. “We thought it would be a way to break down the barriers.”
Through pandemic times of construction and take-out only, the restaurant wanted to curb any feelings of self-pity and began donating food to local healthcare workers. Cvetkovich kept a positive outlook and viewed this period as an opportunity to experiment, make mistakes, and support the neighborhood.
In honor of a successful decade, the restaurant wanted to say thank you to their loyal customer base with a three-course meal priced at just $35. The Voyager Class Menu promotion includes a variety of the restaurant’s all-time favorites and will last through the end of their 11th year. This deal comes in addition to the regular Sunday and Monday night special of fried chicken for two and a choice of four beers or a bottle of wine, also for $35.
Over the years, NUE has stuck to its niche of international cuisine and maintained a symbiotic relationship with Capitol Hill neighbors. The global journey with visits to the cuisines of countries around the world, especially those with a misunderstood history, are hoped to bridge understanding through conversation and a good meal.
“We haven’t changed much; we’ve stuck to our roots,” said Cvetkovich. “We always wanted to be a hub for the community.”
NUE is located at 1519 14th Ave. Learn more at nueseattle.com.
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