OPENING

Nosh, The Food Truck, officially launched at Hilliard’s in Ballard last Wednesday with a classic-car display and pints poured by ladies from the Tilted Thunder Rail Birds roller-derby league. Owned by Josh Downey and Londoner Harvey Wolff, Nosh offers a pub-inspired menu featuring the likes of meatloaf sandwiches, chicken-and-mushroom pies, and “Seattle Fried Rabbit” (confit rabbit with cabbage, apples, and frites). Nothing is priced higher than $10.

James Weimann and Deming Maclise’s Stoneburner also opened last week on the ground floor of the new Hotel Ballard at 5214 Ballard Ave. N.W. Like the duo’s other ventures (Bastille, Poquitos, Macleod’s Scottish Pub, Von Trapp’s), Stoneburner is a looker. The 120-seat restaurant’s decor includes an antique pressed-tin ceiling sourced from a former schoolhouse and an old streetlight from San Francisco. Stoneburner’s Mediterranean-inspired menu is divvied up into sections including snacks, greens, beans and grains, and mains; highlights include the spicy lamb meatball, kale and provolone pizza, and chard and sheep’s-milk-ricotta ravioli.

CLOSING

It’s the end of an era: After serving homemade Greek pastries and savories on the Ave for decades, The Continental shut its doors after dinner service last Sunday night. The owners report via Facebook that “After 40+ years of business, amazing friendships & delicious Lagosmade meals, we are bowing out so that Demetre & the fam can have some rest & relaxation with their families.”

HAPPENING

Since live music makes everything better, local wineries, distilleries, craft breweries, and musicians will come together for the sixth annual Wine Rocks festival at Bell Harbor on Thurs., July 11. Imbibables will be served by dozens of purveyors, including Seven Hills Winery, Sky River Mead, and broVo Spirits. Musicians working in the liquor industry will perform, like Victor Palencia from Jones of Washington and Chip McLaughlin from Vinyl Wines. Marination Mobile, Jemil’s Big Easy, and Lumpia World are scheduled to provide eats. Tickets for the event (2211 Alaskan Way, 6–10 p.m.) are available online and at the gate.

In other booze-and-music news, Conor Byrne Pub at 5140 Ballard Ave. N.W. is celebrating its 20th birthday on Sat., July 13 with traditional Irish music and drink specials all the day long. Tickets for the party, featuring performances by McSorley’s Reeks and Crumac, are on sale now.

This year’s Columbia City Chow Down is set for Tues., July 23 from 6–10 p.m. The third annual event includes tastes from several neighborhood eateries and sweet spots, including Geraldine’s Counter, Full Tilt Ice Cream, and Island Soul. The event sold out last year, but at last check, tickets were still up for grabs. All proceeds benefit the Rainier Valley Food Bank.

CORRESPONDENCE

Beth Maxey’s recent Seattle Weekly article, “How to Eat a Croissant” (June 19), has mixed it up. One reader took issue with an interviewee’s claim that croissants and sandwiches don’t mix:

Dear Editor,

As a lover of sandwiches and croissants, I took exception to your “rule” saying that such a fine pastry should never, ever be used for a sandwich. The very idea that there are “rules” to enjoying a pastry is ludicrous. If you prefer your croissant plain, then more power to you, but if you want to pimp it out with turkey, ham, pastrami, or other delicious meats, then I say go ahead and eat it proudly!

Best,

Andrew J. Lepere, Seattle, WA

E

food@seattleweekly.com