Key Takeaways
- Esteemed restaurateur Ethan Stowell is launching two new restaurants in summer 2026: Cut Club, a modern steakhouse in Downtown Seattle, and Lime Social, a vibrant Mexican concept in Kirkland.
- These new ventures mark Stowell's return to direct restaurant operations under his own name, following his step back from day-to-day management of Ethan Stowell Restaurants (ESR), which is now undergoing a rebranding.
- Stowell is also establishing Good Table Hospitality, a new consulting firm, to assist other restaurant owners with budgeting, debt management, cash flow, and investment strategies.
Esteemed Seattle restaurateur Ethan Stowell is poised to invigorate the local dining landscape with the impending debut of two distinct eateries across the region this summer. This initiative follows his significant restructuring last year, which saw him step back from day-to-day operations at the enterprise formerly known as Ethan Stowell Restaurants (ESR).
Set to launch in summer 2026, these new establishments include Cut Club, a contemporary steakhouse nestled within Hotel Max in the heart of Downtown Seattle, and Lime Social, a vibrant Mexican concept situated in Kirkland’s burgeoning Village at Totem Lake development.
While Stowell retains his role as a shareholder and board member of ESR, his new culinary venture will prominently feature his namesake. Concurrently, ESR is slated for a complete rebranding, with a new identity to be unveiled in the coming months. Ian Courtnage, CEO of ESR, has indicated that the group’s new brand will be formally selected this summer.
Cut Club: A Modern Steakhouse Concept for Downtown Seattle
Set within a 3,500-square-foot space at 620 Stewart Street, Downtown Seattle’s Cut Club aims to redefine the traditional steakhouse experience. This prime location, which has remained unoccupied since the closure of Miller’s Guild five years prior, will feature what Stowell describes as a “nontraditional” approach to the genre.
The menu is expected to highlight an extensive selection of steak cuts, complemented by refined small plates.
- Anticipated Offerings:
- Beef tartare
- Salmon crudo
- Hamachi crudo
Despite its upscale ambiance, Stowell emphasizes a strong value proposition, promising what he touts as “the best happy hour in town” for the downtown core.
Stowell is partnering with industry veterans Brandon Karow and Travis Gerber on this endeavor. Karow brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as executive chef and later Vice President of Operations within the ESR framework.
Reflecting on his continued commitment to the city, Stowell stated, “I love doing restaurants, and I still love Seattle. Downtown Seattle has been pretty vibrant. There’s a lot of people that want to do cool stuff in downtown, so I think over the next several years it will get more activated.” While the team currently focuses on these initial projects, future expansion considerations extend beyond Seattle, with interest in the Eastside and potentially other states.
Lime Social to Bring Vibrant Mexican Fare to Kirkland’s Village at Totem Lake
For his second venture, Lime Social, Stowell teams up with Ryan Donaldson, Rob Jensen, and Jim Neil to introduce a family-friendly Mexican restaurant to Kirkland. Donaldson, who contributed as a commissary operations manager for ESR from 2022 to 2024, brings valuable operational insight to the new team.
Slated for a 3,500-square-foot space previously occupied by the Lebanese-inspired Hanoon restaurant, which closed in May 2025, Lime Social will focus on light, approachable Mexican cuisine. Stowell confidently asserts the establishment will offer “the best margarita you can get.” The business model prioritizes high volume and accessibility over premium check averages, aiming to serve a broad community.
New Consulting Firm Good Table Hospitality to Aid Local Restaurants
Beyond his direct restaurant projects, Stowell is also initiating Good Table Hospitality, a new consulting firm designed to support owners navigating the complex landscape of the restaurant industry. Partnering with Paige Middleton, a former partnership coordinator at ESR, the firm will equip operators with crucial guidance and training.
- Key Consulting Areas:
- Budgeting strategies
- Debt management
- Optimizing cash flow
- Investment structure advice
Stowell elaborated on the motivation behind this venture, emphasizing its importance for the broader King County culinary community: “I want to help small business owners figure out this climate. We’re working on some stuff that could potentially shed some light on how businesses can do things differently because the way you do a restaurant now versus 10 years ago is night and day.” This initiative underscores a commitment to fostering resilience and innovation within the region’s dynamic food sector.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What new restaurants is Ethan Stowell opening, and where will they be located?
Ethan Stowell is set to open two new restaurants in summer 2026: Cut Club, a contemporary steakhouse located within Hotel Max in Downtown Seattle, and Lime Social, a vibrant Mexican concept situated in Kirkland's Village at Totem Lake development.
What can diners expect from the menus and ambiance of Cut Club and Lime Social?
Cut Club, a modern steakhouse in Downtown Seattle, will offer an extensive selection of steak cuts, refined small plates like beef tartare and crudos, and aims to provide a 'nontraditional' steakhouse experience with a strong value proposition, including a 'best happy hour.' Lime Social in Kirkland will feature light, approachable Mexican cuisine in a family-friendly setting, promising to offer 'the best margarita.'
Beyond new restaurants, what other venture is Ethan Stowell launching?
Ethan Stowell is also initiating Good Table Hospitality, a new consulting firm in partnership with Paige Middleton. This firm will support restaurant owners by providing guidance and training in key areas such as budgeting strategies, debt management, optimizing cash flow, and investment structure advice for the King County culinary community.
