Alvin Binuya opened Madoka, a pan-pacific restaurant on Bainbridge Island. Binuya was the opening chef at Ponti's Seafood Grill, where he spearheaded the popular northwest fusion craze in 1990.

The James Beard Foundation

Alvin Binuya and business partner Jose Gonzales opened Madoka, a Pan-Pacific restaurant on Bainbridge Island, 30 minutes by ferry from the downtown waterfront. Binuya was the opening chef of Rich Malia’s Ponti Seafood Grill, where he spearheaded the popular Northwest fusion craze in 1990. He previously worked as executive chef of Axis in the Belltown district

Owner Bob Day of the 35th Street Bistro just signed on chef Steve Smrstik, who left Christine Keff’s Flying Fish in Belltown after spending seven years there as chef de cuisine. Smrstik has been replaced by Angie Roberts, who was the executive sous-chef at Earth & Ocean for the past seven years

Lindsey Schwartz, president of Schwartz Brothers Restaurants (Chandler’s Crabhouse, Atrium Cafe, Piazza Italian Cafe), is now the chief executive officer of Daniel’s Broilers and is adding three restaurants to the company’s portfolio. To celebrate, Schwartz and his staff decided to open the Lake Union location for lunch and to renovate and freshen the decor of the Leschi Marina location. Lake Union general manager is Brian Still and Lloyd Seaton will serve as chef

Chef Gordon Naccarato and his brother, Steve, have restored the ground floor of the Waddell building in Tacoma and opened Pacific Grill. It features 17-foot-high exposed beam ceilings, glowing sea life art forms, and intimate lighting. Both brothers will continue to run their other restaurant, the Beach House at Purdy

Entrepreneur Nazir Khamisa (Beba’s, Chutney’s) opened Spice Restaurant & Lounge on the northern edge of Belltown. The elegant dining room seats 100 and includes a private bar. The menu emphasizes the foods of Indonesia, Asia, and Latin America

Sure footed: Stumbling Goat Bistro welcomes executive chef Seth Caswell, a native of Maine and most recently of Brooklyn. In New York, Caswell spent time in the kitchen at JoJo and as chef de cuisine at Nick & Toni’s in East Hampton.