Altura makes its Broadway crossing: bigger space, same staff, and a deeper connection to another Capitol Hill chef great

(Image: Altura)

Before this fall gets away from us — and before its old space goes back into motion with a new concept, CHS should mark a milestone on Broadway. Altura has completed its move across the street into the space where its sister restaurant Carrello grew.

Remarkably, chef and owner Nathan Lockwood has brought everyone along. All employees from both Altura and Carrello have kept their jobs through the transition, according to the restaurant’s announcement. The combined team is working together in the new space, which operates six days a week from Tuesday through Sunday.

Also remarkably, Altura has expanded from its original 1,500-square-foot footprint into the 7,500-square-foot restaurant space on the east side of Broadway without bloating what has made it award worthy. Instead of using the 6,000 square feet of added room to scale up the dining room, Lockwood kept the core tasting menu service intimate by adding just five seats compared to the old dining room. Tasting menu seatings are scheduled for 5:30 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, with two seatings at 5:15 PM and 8:15 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

The rest of the expanded footprint is dedicated to the spirit of Carrello with lounge and garden patio spaces. These areas take on Carrello’s à la carte format, serving antipasti, handmade pasta, plated entrées, and desserts. The lounge and patio also host Aperitivo Hour featuring Italian drinks paired with food. In addition, Carrello’s wooden service carts have been kept over, rolling tableside to deliver cheese, caviar, and dessert courses.

The family merger means diners who may not want to stretch for the $195 a pop tasting menu can still enjoy the Altura experience with a $95/person “feast for the table” or the a la carte menu’s $20-$35 antipasti, pasta dishes, or special entrees. Fish and meat cuts from the restaurant’s “whole animal butchery program” run between $40 and $65.

Establishing it as one of Seattle’s premier tasting menu destinations through multiple James Beard Award honors and top rankings across the city’s food and drink media, Lockwood opened Altura on the west side of Broadway in October 2011, transforming the space of a former art and furniture boutique.

Altura’s new side of the street also connects Lockwood’s award winning restaurant to another Capitol Hill chef great. The new Altura space was previously home to the legendary 11-year run of Poppy from James Beard-honored chef Jerry Traunfeld.

With their fall move completed, Lockwood and team are now looking forward to the holidays and hosting their Feast of Seven Fishes for Christmas Eve as well as hosting diners on New Year’s Eve.

Altura is now located at 622 Broadway E. Learn more at alturarestaurant.com.

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