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From pastry shops to large pizza chains to high-end restaurants and a few bars, much of the Seattle dining scene decided to cut service this weekend or reduce opening times due to the sweltering heat wave. In Seattle, mercury hit 104 degrees on Sunday, June 27, marking a milestone for the hottest day ever, and establishments that didn’t have air conditioning (and even some that did) made adjustments for safety reasons.
Popular Filipino restaurant Musang in Beacon Hill canceled all reservations on Saturday and Sunday, while Eden Hill in Queen Anne and Deep Sea Sugar and Salt Bakery in Georgetown did the same. Several other establishments, including Communion, Melo Cafe, and Lowrider Cookie Company, are closed early Sunday. Some of the area’s farmers markets, including the one in West Seattle, also closed early due to the heat.
“It’s been a crazy year and a half, I can tell you,” says Melissa Miranda, Executive Chef at Musang. “We’ve invested in some portable air conditioners, but we’re not sure how well they will work with six fans. It’s tough out there [patio], because there is no air out either. Most importantly, my concern for the staff … but it’s tough. The day-long closure also affects our business. And it’s tough for the guests, and they too understand that we are human and to work under these conditions is crazy. ”
The forecast for Monday is another hit, with temperatures expected to hit triple digits again. Though many restaurants usually close at the beginning of the week anyway, those that have Monday hours – such as Sichuan restaurant Chengdu Taste in Chinatown International District, Walrus and the Carpenter, and Rapport wine bar on Capitol Hill – have decided to close. Local burger chain Dick’s is temporarily closing its Broadway location, and Pagliacci Pizza closed all outposts across the city on Monday.
The Super Six Hawaiian-Korean restaurant in Columbia City, along with all of the other Marinan locations, made the same call. “[Super Six] has air conditioning, but it has problems, as do our cooling units and staff, ”co-owner Kamala Saxton told Eater Seattle. “Even with air conditioning in the kitchen, it’s just too hot and unfortunately there was another break-in this morning at 4 a.m., so that the deal was sealed when the contract was signed. Ma Kai [in West Seattle] has no air conditioning and it would have been cruel to have our employees come to work today. “
Weekend weather reports in the Pacific Northwest mentioned the millennial heat dome in the region, which experts attribute to the effects of climate change. According to Public Health – Seattle & King County, 41 people went to the King County emergency room for heat-related illness on Saturday, more than four times the amount typical for that time of year.
Conditions could also be a reminder in late summer when poor air quality due to forest fire smoke (another impact of climate change) forced restaurants and bars across Seattle to close as being outdoors for long periods of time proved dangerous. “I’m worried about the smoke this summer,” says Miranda. “We also closed for this last year. So we just keep going day by day. ”
Fortunately, the weather calls for slightly milder temperatures later in the week – albeit still in the mid-80s. Even with this slight decrease, it’s best to keep an eye on the restaurants social media pages to check the reopening status. New Seattle Bakery Saint Bread also shared some helpful information from the city about local refrigeration centers on Instagram.
