“Eat Like You’re on Capitol Hill,” goes the Port of Seattle’s introduction for one of its newest food and drink destinations.

CHS reported on the plans for the Capitol Hill Food Hall in late 2018. After some delays, the new venue has debuted in Concourse A, “a gourmet market powered by local purveyors of exceptional food and drinks, serving up a taste of place with every bite.”

As you would probably expect, the results of such an enterprise are both completely bizarre and apropos. We can’t explain the large circular void at the core of the facade but the faux masonry certainly invokes the charm of many of the preservation incentive-boosted mixed-use projects along Pike and Pine.

Inside, the vendor list has shifted a bit. Caffe Ladro, The Bakery with sandwiches from Grand Central and baked goods from Schwartz Brothers, Chowder Shack from Pike Place Chowder, True Burger, Pizza Vino, and a General Store round out the options. Portland’s Salt and Straw — which, yes, has an outlet on E Pike — is also in the mix. Macrina Bakery, Jujubeet, and Slate Coffee were in the original plans but apparently stepped aside.

The “7,077 square-foot dining experience” is located between Gates A5 and A6 and includes “a dedicated performance space for live music.”

Meanwhile, another important component of Capitol Hill culture is also now part of the port’s booming airport food, drink, and retail business. Elliott Bay Book Co.’s Sea-Tac shop has opened in the C Gates central terminal area.

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