This week, the Taiwanese trend of cheese tea hits Capitol Hill, a new place for Japanese hand rolls is now open inside Chophouse Row, and an aviation-themed restaurant from chef Jason Stoneburner has opened in Kenmore. Plus, find out which two Seattle restaurants made Eater's list of the 38 essential restaurants in America, and what food events you can't miss this weekend, like Seattle's 26th Annual Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Festival. For even more culinary inspiration, check out our guide to where to eat for Thanksgiving, our list of November food and drink specials, and our full food and drink calendar.

OPENINGS
Atulea
This new "modern tea room," which soft-opened in Capitol Hill on Sunday, November 11, is owned by married couple Kathy Wang and Vince Shi and specializes in "cheese tea," a Taiwanese food trend consisting of iced tea with a cheesecake-like layer of foamy cream cheese floating on top. The shop was originally going to be called Absolute Tea, but the owners decided to change the name after being contacted by Absolut Vodka's lawyers. The shop also carries other beverages, like matcha and coffee, and treats like mochi doughnuts.
Capitol Hill

By Tae
This new Japanese hand-roll counter owned by chef Sun Hong (previously the opening chef of Bar Ferdinand) has opened in the former space of the recently closed Petite Galette in Capitol Hill's Chophouse Row, serving hand rolls for dining in or to-go, as well as sake and grab-and-go maki.
Capitol Hill

The Block
This Korean restaurant, which recently soft-opened in the University District and had its first Yelp review on November 3, serves bibimbap, rice cakes, and shaved ice.
University District

MOD Pizza
The local made-to-order fast-casual pizza chain is hosting a grand opening for its new Rainier Avenue location today, with DJ Ashley McDonald and the Rainier Beach High School Cheer Team. All proceeds from the first day will be donated to LunchDebt.org.
Mount Baker

Seaplane Kitchen & Bar
Chef Jason Stoneburner of Stoneburner in Ballard opened a new aviation-themed restaurant in Kenmore on November 12, serving thin-crust pizzas, roasted vegetables, entrees, burgers, and more. The restaurant is backed by James Weimann and Deming Maclise, the team behind Rhein Haus, Poquitos, and Bastille.
Kenmore

CLOSURES
Mrs. Cook's
The beloved University Village kitchen supply store will shut its doors on January 15 after 42 years of business, due to owner Carol Bromel retiring. As of November 13, everything in the store is now discounted, and there will be a drawing for $200 worth of merchandise on December 1.
University District

Nosh
This British food truck, whose excellent fish and chips were praised by the Seattle Times' Bethany Jean Clement as the best in Seattle, has closed. However, the business hinted on social media that they are "going through a few exciting changes" and that customers will "be able to sit down and eat soon," leading Eater Seattle to speculate that a brick-and-mortar restaurant is in the works.
Traveling

OTHER FOOD NEWS
JuneBaby and Bateau make Eater's list of 38 best restaurants
Edouardo Jordan's Southern restaurant JuneBaby and Renee Erickson's French steakhouse Bateau continue to make waves: Eater critic Bill Addison included both restaurants on his list of America's 38 Essential Restaurants.

Brendan McGill announces Bar Hitchcock
According to a press release, chef Brendan McGill is working on a cozy new bar called Bar Hitchcock next to his acclaimed Hitchcock Deli on Bainbridge Island, currently slated to open sometime this December. The bar will seat 50 guests and include a 30-foot bar as well as a lounge area with a communal table, fireplace, books, board games, and vinyl records. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served, and there will be a drink menu created in consultation with Zig Zag Cafe bartender Erik Hakkinen. McGill said in the press release, “I really want to create a space that has something for everyone. A space with tasty food that complements a broad selection of spirits, wines, beer, sherries, and vermouths, as well as just a chill spot to hang out with friends.”

My Sweet Li'l Cakes may open permanent location
My Sweet Li'l Cakes, a food truck serving waffles on a stick, may have found a home in a new development planned for the Central District, which will house seven different retail spaces.

ShareTea opening soon
A member of the Stranger Things to Do team reports that the Taiwanese bubble tea chain ShareTea appears to be opening a new First Hill location soon. A sign was spotted in the window announcing a soft opening from November 25-30 and a grand opening on December 1.

Hot Cakes introduces three new take-and-bake cakes
According to a press release, Autumn Martin's ever-popular chocolate molten cake emporium Hot Cakes is releasing three new varieties of their mason jar take-and-bake cakes in honor of the business's 10th anniversary. The new flavors will include Smoky S'mores, Peanut Butter Cup, and Strawberry Pie Cake, joining existing flavors Dark Decadence and Vegan Dark Chocolate.

EVENTS

FRIDAY, NOV 16

Author Talk: Season by Nik Sharma
In his stunning new cookbook, Season: Big Flavors, Beautiful Food—recently selected as one of this fall’s best cookbooks by the New York Times—Mumbai-born food writer, photographer, and A Brown Table blogger Nik Sharma notes, “Seasoning is more than just a way to achieve flavor in the food we eat. It represents our desire to connect with our past, present, and future. It tells our story.” Sharma’s cooking tells his own story as a gay immigrant from India who moved to the Midwest to study biochemistry in college, then spent time in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and San Francisco. Weaving together disparate influences from different cultures, he combines different flavors, techniques, and ingredients in his recipes, like a Margherita naan pizza, caprese salad with sweet tamarind, curry leaf popcorn chicken, and butternut squash soup flavored with smoky Lapsang souchong tea. At this event, Sharma will chat with Seattle Times food writer Tan Vinh, field questions from the audience, and sign copies of Season that are purchased at Book Larder.

The Best Chefs You’ve Never Heard Of 2018: Female Powerhouse Edition
Some chefs are household names in this city: Renee Erickson, Tom Douglas, Rachel Yang. But do you know the names of those more down-to-earth cuisiniers who run the kitchens? At this event emceed by Seattle Met editor Allecia Vermillion alongside Ethan Stowell and Joe Ritchie of Goldfinch Tavern, become acquainted with an all-female lineup of sous-chefs, banquet chefs, and chefs de cuisine who craft the excellent meals at some of the best restaurants in the city. BJ Bresnik (of The Walrus and the Carpenter), Rosie Cisneros (Lark), Martha de Leon (Cafe Juanita), Rebekah Dickson (Goldfinch Tavern), Cecily Kimura (Joule), Nicole Matson (How to Cook a Wolf), Sarah Nowak (Reckless Noodle House), and Kaylah Thomas (JuneBaby) will prepare small dishes, with dessert by pastry chef Dionne Himmelfarb (Ethan Stowell Restaurants), and drinks by Alexa Berry (Monsoon) and Tania Ross (Tavolata Capitol Hill). Visit each chef's station, graze on their morsels, and relax with a drink (two are included with each ticket). Once you’re finished, you’ll have a new appreciation for the busy and brilliant first mates of head chefs.

Friday Night Po'Boy Pop-Up
Scarf New Orleans-style catfish, shrimp, and oyster po' boys with a side of homemade garlic fries and sangria while you take in live music.

Hot Cakes Turns 10
It's been 10 years since Autumn Martin, the founder of Seattle's ever-popular Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery, sold her first Take & Bake Molten Cake in a jar at the Ballard Farmers Market. To celebrate, the first 50 people in line at the Ballard location will receive a custom tote bag designed by local artist Larua Burkhart, filled with gifts from local shops like Filson, Patagonia, Rachel's Ginger Beer, and others. They'll also be serving up a special "birthday cake molten cake" (a spin on their classic molten cake made with housemade confetti cake, sprinkles, dark chocolate sauce, Frankie & Jo's molten cake ice cream, freshly whipped cream, and a candle) all weekend long at both the Ballard and Capitol Hill locations.

Seattle's 26th Annual Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Festival
In France, the first of the season’s Beaujolais nouveau—a famous, fruity young red wine made from Gamay grapes that is fermented for only a few weeks—is uncorked at midnight on the third Thursday of November and greeted with much fanfare and revelry. Even if you can’t make it to France, you can have the same experience with Seattle’s own Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Festival, hosted by the French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest. Quaff Beaujolais nouveau as well as a host of other French wines, partake in a buffet of French cuisine, and take in live French music.

NOV 16-29

Thanksgiving Hype Flight
Try a holiday flight of a trifecta of ciders perfect for pairing with your Thanksgiving suppers: Dragon's Head Harvest Perry (a semi-dry pear cider), Kystin Cidre Cuvée XVII (a "nutty amber" cider from Brittany), and Tieton Cranberry (a semi-sweet cider), available by the glass or the bottle.

SATURDAY, NOV 17

2018 Holiday Wine, Cider & Spirits Festival
Try a selection of local and international wine, spirits, and ciders.

6th Annual Rye Beer Festival
This beer fest is 100 percent dedicated to "rich and spicy" rye brews, with a tap list of over 20 beers featuring rye (including some brewed especially for the event, like Roggenbier, American Brown, American Rye, Yirgacheffe Rye, and Rye Crush).

Anniversary Party/Can Release!
Dexter Brewhouse and Magnuson Cafe & Brewery will celebrate their anniversary with the release of their "Just Juice" NE Style IPA can at both locations, along with more "fun new takes" on their classic brews, all day happy hour, raffles, and the debut of the Mollusk Barrel Aged Whiskey (only available at Dexter Brewhouse).

Beer, Meat and Cheese Pairing
Stock up for your Thanksgiving charcuterie with meats, cheeses, and beer from Carl's Cutting Board & Neighborlady Cheese.

Bitter is Coming Party
Prepare yourself for the harsh winter with special one-off crowler releases like Salted Caramel Cerne Dark Lager and more. Plus, tour Chainline Brewing's facilities.

HDC Capitol Hill Grand Opening Festivities
Greet the grand opening of the award-winning Heritage Distilling Company with music, a ribbon cutting ceremony, tastings, discounts, and more.

Locus Fall Release Party
Pay your respects to the year 2015 with Locus's 2015 Locus Red and the 2015 Locus Cabernet Franc, plus the current Locus lineup, paired with bites from Esca Catering.

Tea-Infused Ice Cream Pop-Up
Spend the afternoon tasting tea-infused ice cream treats at this pop-up with the Milk and Leaf Collective.

NOV 17-18

Lady M Pop-Up Boutique in Seattle
Pick up your pre-ordered Signature and Green Tea Mille CrĂŞpes from Lady M at this pop-up. Cakes will be distributed flash-frozen for the first time so that they can be thawed for all your holiday dessert needs.

SUNDAY. NOV 18

Brunch with Musang: Autumn Feels
This autumnal edition of chef Melissa Miranda's seasonally inspired Filipino pop-up Musang will highlight some of her family's favorite dishes.

Captain Paul Watson Meet and Greet
At the second annual fundraising dinner for Sea Shepherd Seattle, which aims to protect and conserve our oceans, partake in a buffet of seasonal, local, and vegan Thai food (with no fake meat) from Kati Vegan Thai and get the lowdown on campaign updates from Sea Shepherd's Captain Paul Watson.

Mkt. Lamb Feast
Tuck into a sumptuous family-style supper from chef Jessica Rudell highlighting lamb in a myriad of preparations, from lamb tartare to strozzapreti with lamb ragu to grilled lamb leg.

Season Cookbook Dinner with Nik Sharma
Join Nik Sharma, a food writer and photographer who runs the blog A Brown Table, for a special curated dinner inspired by his new cookbook Season, which tells his story of moving to the U.S. as a gay immigrant from India and was recently selected as one of this fall’s best cookbooks by the New York Times.

MONDAY, NOV 19

Dinner & a DJ Vol 23: Mel & Marc's Trip to Italy
This dinner will take inspiration from the time chef Melissa Miranda and Marcus Lalario spent in Italy together and their memories of favorite dishes there, accompanied by cocktail pairings from Elmer Dulla of Junebaby and a soundtrack of Italian disco, funk, and house from DJ Grizz206.

Thanksgiving Wines at Hot Stove Society
This approachable class demystifies pairing wines with all your Thanksgiving favorites, with a tasting of three red wines and three white wines alongside turkey soup prepared by Hot Stove Society.