Seattle Burger Joint & Italian Cafe Now Open

The former Burgundian Bistro at 2253 N. 56th Street in Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood has opened as two restaurants in one building. The location is home to local favorite Lil Woody’s, with their signature burgers and shakes, and Darkalino’s, casual Italian haven known for their signature house made pastas, focaccia sandwiches, and Italian-inspired cocktails.

Darkalino’s Green Lake kitchen is led by Executive Chef Sean Russo, formerly of W Bellevue’s Lakehouse restaurant and The George at The Fairmont Olympic Seattle. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Russo is inspired by the ingredients that he and his Sicilian ancestors found to be their bounty. His passion for Italian food and culture began in his grandmother’s kitchen where the simmering of meatballs and braciole, and the crackling fry of veal and zucchini composed an orchestra of love. As executive chef of Darkalino’s Green Lake, Russo merges the techniques and discipline he has acquired and applies it to the cuisine he knows and loves. He will collaborate on the menu with Darkalino’s Pioneer Square Executive Chef, Connor Cronin, and add his own spin to antipasti: Stuffed Artichokes, Tuna Crudo, Pollo en Carpione- marinated chicken, Vongole- Manila clams, and salads like Condiglione- the Ligurian version of France’s tuna Niçoise. Sweet finishes include Spumoni Panna Cotta and Tiramisu.

Darkalino’s Green Lake will offer an assortment of sweet and savory Italian dishes like house made Focaccia Italo Toast- Aperol whip, maple syrup, crushed pistachio, the Buongiorno Sandwich- Nduja patty/or bacon, fried egg, dill aioli, funky sauce, mozzarella, arugula and Torta Salata- Free range egg frittata, bitter greens, lemon ricotta, orchid. Pasta lovers will relish Darkalino Greenlake’s fresh pasta Carbonara- egg yolk, guanciale, Parmigiano, Pecorino, black pepper, bucatini.

Darkalino’s front of house is led by general manager and cocktail impresario, Lacy Bacon. She was previously bar manager, bartender, and event coordinator at Seattle’s Dreamland Diner, Taylor Shellfish Company, Westward and Little Gull Grocery. Bacon crafts the Green Lake cocktail list; a collection of spirited Italian-inspired drinks, different from those at Darkalino’s Pioneer Square. Gearing up for warmer days ahead, cocktails embrace spring and summer sippers: the Malfy Rosa Negroni, a rotating Frozen Martini, and Spritzes (Cosmo, Darkalino’s and Aperol). Brunch cocktails include a Bloody Mary, Amaro Espresso Martini, and the Regale, a bubbly concoction of vodka and pomegranate syrup topped with Prosecco.

Design for Darkalino’s Green Lake comes from renowned architect, Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig Architects, who also reimagined Hometeam and Darkalino’s in Pioneer Square. The visual centerpiece of the modern space is the mixed media, expressive wall murals from artist Al-Baseer Holly. A Philadelphia native and former recording artist, Holly is a self-taught American contemporary artist. He has been a creative since childhood and at the age of 18 had success as a recording artist working with Pharrell Williams and many others.

Architect Kevin Richards of Richartz Studios, designer for Lil Woody’s Ballard, White Center, and Capitol Hill is the architect for the Greenlake location.

Says Lil Woody’s owner Marcus Lalario in a statement: “This is our first project where two of our independent restaurants will live in one building- each will have their own branded identity and entrance. Under one roof, guests will be able to enjoy a burger or a focaccia sandwich with a cocktail. I look forward to being active in the Green Lake community and to be able to give this fantastic, corner brick building its next life.”

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