The Emerald Northwest Grill & Public House
Location: 179 W. Washington St.
Phone: 360-504-2083
Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Happy Hours: 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-close
“I’m so happy to be open,” said an ebullient Danielle Thompson, owner of the new Emerald Northwest Grill & Public House at 179 W. Washington St. in Sequim. “It’s been an 18-month process and a lifelong dream! I really love what I do and I’m so happy to share it with everybody!”
Thompson, a 30-something Sequim native, has been in the restaurant business since her college days and upon her return to Sequim in 2006, worked as a server in several eateries.
“I realized how much I loved the business — it doesn’t feel like work. Eventually, I decided I had a concept and I needed to go for it and do it,” Thompson said.
She settled on a public house or pub because “a public house to me utilizes lots of local ingredients. I wanted a place locals could feel comfortable but also where tourists could get the Northwest experience, so the ‘Emerald in the alley’ has a little bit of something for everybody. ‘Northwest’ to me says freshness, the outdoors, mountains and water — to bring food to people in a fresher way.”
Thompson proudly proclaims that she buys from as many local purveyors as possible, including Misty Isle Farm black Angus beef, Washington-grown pork and chicken, and fruits and vegetables from local growers such as Nash’s Organic Produce. Even the ice cream and cheese are sourced from Washington and Oregon.
“It was important to me to know where our ingredients come from,” Thompson said. “Head chef Cody Haeg, a local talent, possesses true culinary vision combined with traditional cooking techniques. He has created a menu that delights and satisfies, committed to providing high quality food prepared with integrity.”
Since late spring, she has worked with designers and local craftsmen to create a Northwest feeling in the restaurant and its adjacent bar, with rich mahogany accents, a dual-sided fireplace, a soothing waterfall and a color palette of warm cream, soft grey and forest green. Several skylights keep the building bright and accent the high wood plank ceiling.
The full-service barroom is cozy, embellished with a floor-to-ceiling, mirrored bar.
“My concept was to bring the outdoors inside,” Thompson said.
She added she’s quite pleased with the soft opening the Emerald had on its first day, Sept. 2, where her well-trained staff served 40 for lunch and 100 for dinner. The restaurant seats 85-90 and is airy and spacious.
Next spring, Thompson will offer al fresco dining.
The versatile menu, which includes gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan fare, features nine appetizers, several soups and chowders, a soup/salad bar option, seven salads, seven sandwiches, six burger varieties, Angus steaks served with house-made sauces, and six “pub fare” items, plus a children’s menu.
“I wanted to keep the price point comfortable so people with families can come back and enjoy our food as much as they like,” Thompson said.
“I’ve worked with all this staff and we have a great working dynamic because they all have a passion for this on their own level. It’s all part of putting out a welcoming atmosphere at the Emerald in the alley.”
Ample parking is available in the Gazette’s two parking lots, the lot next to Blondie’s before 4 p.m. and parking lots of two nearby banks after 5 p.m.
