While talking to chef Tamara Murphy (Brasa, Elliott Bay Cafe) today about

Published 7:00 am Friday, September 25, 2009

While talking to chef Tamara Murphy (Brasa, Elliott Bay Cafe) today about an unrelated topic (my column next week), she shared a few more details about Terraplata, her upcoming Capitol Hill restaurant. The wedge of a building is on Melrose, just off Pike, and will house three commercial spaces, with Murphy’s restaurant in the prow. Terraplata will seat around 65 people, with another 50 people on the deck. The rooftop deck, that is. “I’ve always wanted outdoor seating, and boy did I get it,” says Murphy, “I’ll be working with the Urban Farmer on some food for the restaurant up there and cool greenery.” The restaurant will be about her relationships with her farm and other farmers. “That’s not a new story, but it’s what I’ve been doing and it’s my philosophy,” says Murphy. She created the charity event Incredible Feast and is also the force behind what’s become the foodie equivalent of a Phish concert, Burning Beast. (Pork: foodie = Phish:hippie).When I asked Murphy about what kind of food she’ll be serving, she didn’t want to get specific. “Terra is a root word in so many languages,” she said. “I’ll definitely be cooking my style of food. I like the big Mediterranean flavors, but you might see more Latin influences. It won’t be limited to a certain type of cuisine, though. It actually will be closer to what we’re doing in the cafe, where you can get a Cuban sandwich or a green chile soup.” Of course, there will be pig. Murphy joked, “I had to open another restaurant just to handle the number of pigs I’m getting!”