A Perfect Fit

The Bravern Brings New Level of Sophistication to Bellevue

THE SHOPS AT THE BRAVERN Louis Vuitton Say “Louis Vuitton” followed by “handbag” and watch ladies swoon. The Louis Vuitton legacy began in Paris is 1854 when he made trunks and continues today in many more modern ways. Durable and stylish bags, luggage, ties, sunglasses and more can be found at The Louis Vuitton boutique at The Bravern, one of only three stores in the Northwest. Hermes Hermes is making its Northwest debut at The Bravern in its 2,100-square-foot home. Founded in 1837, the European fashion fixture will bring a level of sophistication and style Eastsiders previously had to travel out of state to find. The boutique offers high-end handbags, scarves, women’s shoes, men’s clothes and more. Salvatore Ferragamo You can thank Salvatore Ferragamo for those wedge heels that make your legs look long and lean, but don’t hurt your feet — he invented that style of shoe. Ferragamo opened his first shoe shop in 1927 and as his reputation began to grow, so did the number of his stores around the world. But he never lost sight of his roots, as all of Ferragamo’s shoes are still manufactured in Italy and easily sell for $1,000 a pair. Jimmy Choo “Sex and the City’s” character Carrie Bradshaw and friends were obsessed with Jimmy Choo shoes. Now Eastsiders don’t have to go far to pick up a pair of Tahiti glitter peep toe heels or sexy sling backs. Biker babes will go ga-ga over this season’s Wylie Boots adorned with a studded eagle and matching leather bag. Piazza Sempione High-quality, handcrafted, fashion-forward clothes and accessories can be found at Piazza Sempione, a boutique that’s headquartered in Milan. That’s also where all of the clothes are still made — from fiber to finish. Fans of Piazza Sempione include some members of the “Desperate Housewives” cast and soon the ladies of 425.  Tory Burch Classy, yet comfortable is reflected in most everything Tory Burch does — from stores that feel more like personal living spaces to ready-to-wear clothes for women of all ages that look good and feel good. You often see celebrities sporting the classical American Tory Burch brand. Look for vertical stripes, bold military-inspired boots and fringe on her handbags this fall. This is the first Tory Burch store to open in the Northwest. Brooks Brothers Country Club It all started with a stylish golf wear line in the 1890s. Since then, Brooks Brothers Country Club has been dressing men in the best sweaters, pants, ties, resort wear and more. And there’s fashion for boys and women, too. Make sure to check out their line of fragrances. When you visit Brooks Brothers, you’ll feel like you stepped into a country club pro shop!  DNA 2050 What’s your “jeanetics?” At DNA 2050, the staff can decipher yours so you get the best designer jean fit. The edgy boutique chain features top brands like Joes Jeans, Taverniti, G-Star and Justin Timberlake’s William Rast. In addition to jeans, DNA 2050 has items from other top designers, like John Varvatos’ Converse line and Susana Monaco. Teens are going to love it — and so will their designer-denim loving moms and pops. Wolford Austrian luxury brand Wolford is opening its first Northwest store in the Bravern. 425 women with refined taste will appreciate the high-quality leg wear, body products, lingerie, swimwear and clothing. Wolford fans swear the hosiery — which the brand is well-known for and easily cost $40 or more a pair — is worth every single penny. LTJ Arthur Look good and feel comfy thanks to LTJ Arthur which offers underwear, pajamas, robes, loungewear, beachwear, socks and more for the whole family. The first store opened in 1992 in Paris. The clothes are so cozy, you won’t want to wear anything else. And if you’re one of those people who are frequently spotted running to the store or hitting the town in your PJs, now at least you’ll look good doing it. Sur La Table You love visiting Sur La Table when you’re at Seattle’s Pike Place or in Kirkland — and now you have a Bellevue store to get the latest cookbook, gizmos or gadgets or gorgeous martini glasses for your upcoming party. Eye Society Sarah Palin’s eyeglasses were the talk of the nation; maybe yours will be the talk of the 425. Eye Society, a distinctive eyewear boutique that displays glasses and more like art, is opening in the Bravern adjacent to Neiman Marcus. In addition to getting classy eyewear, they offer an on-site lab and exam room. Silberman/Brown There’s something special about getting a thank you-card, letter or invitation on a quality piece of stationery. Silberman/Brown has been a Bellevue institution since the 1970s. Now visit them in The Bravern and get your inkwells, pens, desk accessories, stationery and much more and get back to the beautiful basics. Anthropologie Everything ladies like is at Anthropologie — clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories and even fashion for the home — lots of upscale shabby chic. The two stores in Seattle are popular, but now 425ers won’t have to cross the water to enjoy them. Trophy Cupcakes and Party Sweet tooth? No need to drive to Seattle to get your cupcake fix. The sugar rush is on the Eastside now, too. Yum.

The Bravern is a fitting name for the new 1.6-million-square-foot mixed-use development that’s bringing high fashion, luxury living, new restaurants and extra office space to downtown Bellevue.   

Developer Schnitzer West, founded in 1997 by Seattle’s Dan Ivanoff, dubbed the project The Bravern to “reflect the region’s entrepreneurial spirit.” The Bravern itself encompasses that same spirit — it’s unlike anything else you’ll find in the Pacific Northwest. The retail area opens Sept. 12.

The uniqueness is evident the moment you arrive at the entrance and look up at the cursive Neiman Marcus sign — it’s the 126,200-square-foot anchor store and the first Neiman Marcus to come to the state. It’s in among several other high-end shops making their debut on the Eastside, such as Hermes, Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton.

There’s an open-air setting with little bistro tables, bubbling fountains and well-dressed valet attendants waiting to park your car at two ceremonial entrances. The large white building with its high arches and bronze railings feels luxurious, classy and oozes with European panache with its sexy curves and grandeur. When you sip a latte in the courtyard and nibble pastries, pretty shoes, handbags and jewels seduce from strategically placed storefront windows.

“Ultimately, it’s about the experience. We really built this around this gracious outdoor retail setting that doesn’t really exist in an urban environment anywhere else on the Eastside,” said Tom Woodworth, senior investment director and partner at Schnitzer West. “Part of what we’re doing is creating the energy you’d see at a place like Rockefeller Center — that kind of meeting place, or intersection point where all kinds of visitors, people who work there, people who shop there and people who live there meet.

 “It’s exciting and will be the destination people go to,” he added. “This is where it will be happening. This is where the events will be. This will be a focal point, a special place for the Eastside community and the Northwest.”

Plans to build The Bravern began shortly after Ivanhoff purchased the land in 2000. Research and focus groups helped shape the project. And when talks began with Neiman Marcus, the vision became clear — Eastsiders wanted high-end shopping. They wanted a place to gather, mingle, walk and window shop. A place where the outdoors and indoors were almost seamless. They wanted something they previously had to travel to Beverly Hills or further to get.

In 2009, when businesses were cutting back or closing down, The Bravern construction was in full swing. High-end tenants continued leasing space.

The Bravern can house about 40 businesses in the retail area and it’s already 84 percent leased. So far this year, seven new tenants have signed on. “It’s probably the most retail leasing activity on the West Coast. I don’t know anyone else who has had as many deals as we have,” Woodworth said. “It speaks volumes about the community, location and the desire to access this marketplace.” The office space is 100 percent leased by Microsoft. The residential area is still under construction until next spring, but people are expected to start moving in this January.

The Bravern is beautiful and inviting from every direction, thanks to big-name architecture firms hired by Schnitzer West, including Callison Architecture, which has offices throughout the world, including Seattle. Callison also has designed for Boeing, Nordstrom and Microsoft. Joining them was NBBJ, whose clients include Reebok, Starbucks and many state-of-the-art health facilities. The contractor was Skanska USA, one of the world leaders in construction.

The development also features The Bravern Signature Residences and The Bravern Office Commons. The Signature Residences will be housed in two 33-story high rise residential towers where life will be more like living in a luxury hotel — think around-the-clock concierge service, amazing city views, and of course, a lifestyle center including a fitness center, spa and more. The 455 new homes are expected to be completed next April, but folks will start moving in this January. Homes range from 601 square feet to 8,235-square-foot penthouses.

Microsoft is already calling The Bravern Office Commons home. The towers make up 750,000 square feet of office space on 34 floors. The towers are wired so workers can step away from their desks and work outside their offices.

Hungry? New restaurants, including John Howie Steak, Wild Ginger and the Artisanal Brasserie and Wine Bar will bring more great eats to the Eastside. You can work it all off at David Barton Gym — the health facility that has spicy ads and a reputation for results. Or perhaps after a long day of shopping you need some TLC. The first Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa in the Northwest will help melt the stress away with their world-renowned services and help you look beautiful with their products.

 “It will be intimate, elegant sophisticated and inviting,” Woodworth said about The Bravern. “You will feel comfortable in jeans as well as being dressed up, because the quintessential Northwest way is kind of, come as you are.

 “The spirit of The Bravern brand is about entrepreneurism. About being brave enough and smart enough to take the right risks — it’s what the Northwest was built on; Microsoft, Costco, Boeing, Paccar, Expedia, they’re all world-class companies, born and raised right here,” Woodworth said. “That’s the spirit we captured.”

Modern Luxury
Neiman Marcus Arrives in Bellevue

Neiman Marcus has been providing customers with luxury merchandise and impeccable service for more than 100 years — and now Washington will finally have its very own.

“There will be personal shopping areas for both men and women, including spacious fitting rooms that can be customized for customer events,” said Peter Schuette, vice-president and general manager of the Bellevue store. “There will be beautiful spa treatment rooms for personalized beauty services. The men’s store will have a beautiful men’s club room, and offer made-to-measure custom services in clothing.”

Neiman Marcus will consist of three levels. On the plaza level, there will be fine apparel, dresses, a sports shop, contemporary sportswear, intimate apparel and a children’s world. On level one, there will be cosmetics, fragrances, a ladies’ shoe salon, designer handbags, accessories and the jewelry salon. Level two will feature the men’s store, sportswear, men’s furnishings, men’s shoes, gift galleries and a fine-dining restaurant, Mariposa.
Neiman Marcus will feature designer exclusives not found anywhere else in the Northwest, including jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier, as well as apparel by Eskandar, Georgio Armani Black Label and more.
Kenneth Downing, senior vice president and fashion director for Neiman Marcus stores, attends all the major fashion shows in New York, London, Paris and Milan. He’s a Seattle native and he frequently appears on
“Oprah,” E! Entertainment and more.

“Every city has its regional, eccentric style. I have always been impressed with the casual elegance that defines the Northwest — there is an ease to how people translate fashion trends in that part of the world,” Downing said. “Bellevue is an exciting city that is growing faster than the speed of sound and with an opportunity like The Bravern, to be neighbors with so many specialty stores and restaurants, it was the perfect fit.”

Downing’s Top 10 Fall Fashion Picks

1.    A flirty red dress from Zac Posen.
2.   Stella McCartney’s coated wool purple motorcycle jacket. You will toss it over everything.
3.   A cozy knit coat in smoky shades of gray from Philip Lim.
4.   The must-have of the season? Leggings from Alice and Olivia in stretch leather and knit.
5.   Manolo Blahniks leopard flats – comfy, chic and adds the perfect punch to your fall wardrobe.
6.   Sophisticated and sculptural — Bottega Veneta redefines the little black dress with major attitude.
7.   Grommets and studs define the accessories look of the season. Prada gives you instant cool with its studded bag.
8.   Christian Louboutin’s pewter, strappy platform — sexy and aggressive, it is the perfect juxtaposition to fall’s sophisticated look.
9.   Shift in shape is fashion’s major message, starting with the shoulder. Embrace this new confidence in Balenciaga’s sure-shouldered jacket with dramatic collar.
10.  Bold gold and shiny silver are the look of the season. Mix metals with Alexis Bitar’s carved acrylic cuffs for a look that will bring polish to everything you wear.

Look Better Naked
That’s the David Barton Gym Promise

David Barton Gym can be found in New York, Miami, Chicago and now — Bellevue. The 37,000-square-foot facility will offer everything from heart-pumping cardio machines, classes galore, muscle-making strength training, a yoga studio and personal trainers. Each gym’s design is unique, but all are state-of-the-art and fabulous.

Pampered and Pretty
Unwind at Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa

In the 1920s, Elizabeth Arden took cosmetics off the stage and into the hands of women who desired to look more glamorous every day. Beauty was her mission. Makeup became a fashion accessory. But she wasn’t done. She not only wanted to accentuate women’s beauty, she wanted to improve it. She created skincare products and opened salons and spas, too.

The first Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa in the Pacific Northwest will open at the Bravern this September. There will be nine treatment rooms, manicure and pedicure stations, relaxation lounges, a full-service hair salon and more in the 6,000-square-foot facility. Let the pampering begin.

Destination Dining at The Bravern
Three Chefs Share Their Craft

Most people know about all of the exciting new shopping options available at the Bravern, but what about dining? With all the new delicious options popping up in Bellevue over that last couple of years, Eastsiders have had more reasons to save themselves a trip across the bridge. But with three new restaurants opening at the Bravern, Bellevue is sure to become a dining destination for the whole region. Celebrated chef Terrance Brennan will introduce his first restaurants outside of New York, Artisanal Brasserie and Artisanal Table. Chef John Howie debuts his new restaurant, Steak. And chef Jacky Hon-Yip Lo will run the long-awaited Eastside location of Wild Ginger.

Chef Terrance Brennan

425: Tell us about your culinary beginnings.

Terrance Brennan: My parents were restaurateurs in Annandale, Virginia so that was my introduction to the restaurant industry. Then I began cooking at the age of thirteen. I knew that I wanted to be a chef when I was a sophomore in high school. I got a taste for cooking while working with a professional chef in a hotel kitchen, which is where I learned about fine dining. While working in some of Europe’s greatest kitchens, including Taillevent, Le Tour d’Argent, Moulin de Mougin, Gualtiero Marchesi and La Gavroche I was able to work all the stations, which allowed me to really get the total experience rather than being pushed to the side doing menial work. Working under Alain Salhac at Le Cirque was amazing training. I remember being in the weeds every night. It was the first time I saw great ingredients, like white truffle and soft shell crab. At the end of the night I would actually get a rush – a rush from the adrenaline and the intensity of it all. I couldn’t wait to do it all over again the next night.
425: What inspires you in the kitchen?

TB: It’s all about the ingredients. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. I am extremely passionate about what I do, and that passion comes from the creative process, which is based on high-quality ingredients made with integrity and pride. It’s no secret that I love Mediterranean flavors - garlic, olive oil, herbs, great seafood. Olive oil rules in my kitchen. It’s a constant discovery – one ingredient can lead you to another.

425: You are famous for your outstanding restaurants in NY, Picholine and Artisanal. What do you expect will be different about the Northwest diner?

TB: I really don’t want to come in as an outside New Yorker. I want to be a part of the community – the Bellevue community. I will be working closely with local people – artisans, chefs, cheesemakers, farmers.; and use local products, like seafood, wine and beer just to name a few items. I adapt very quickly to my surroundings and if most people are like the majority of people I’ve met out here, then that’s even better. I’m also very in tune with my guests. We will utilize comment cards and our Web site to allow guests to give us their feedback, both positive and negative. We take that all very, very seriously. If something isn’t working, we will adjust it for the customer. It’s important that we fit in well with the community and become a part of its culture.

425: What can diners expect at your new restaurants?

TB: Excellence. They can expect a fun festive atmosphere, a menu featuring robust French flavors, high quality ingredients, knowledgeable and hospitable staff and good value.

425:Do you have a favorite cheese that makes you absolutely weak in the knees? If so, what makes it exceptional?

TB: I love Bonne Bouche. It’s an ash-coated, flat disc of goat’s milk made by Alison Hooper at Vermont Butter and Cheese, and it’s absolutely sublime. As time passes, the discs ripen and mature – the end result being a soft, almost liquid consistency with a silky texture and a bright, lemony flavor profile.

425: Are there any trends going on in the artisanal cheese world that readers should know about?

TB: There aren’t any major trends. There are more cheese affineurs popping up. For a while, I’ve been saying that cheese is the new wine. We are doing interesting pairings, like cheese and sake pairings, beer pairings and even cocktail pairings. We mature a lot of our own cheese which gives us the opportunity to work meticulously on these pairings.

425: What's the most important thing to look for in choosing a good artisanal cheese for home.

TB:Balance in the cheese. Like a wine you can tell if it’s off. Make sure it’s truly artisanal and that you are purchasing a good, well-respected brand. Trusting your cheese monger is key. If it’s matured properly they will know. The most important thing is your relationship with the cheese monger. Going to a farmer’s market is good because many cheese makers go there. Purveyors and farmers who are selling to high end chefs are in a business of integrity and excellence, too. They are usually passionate, as well. There has to be integrity. If it says it’s organic, then it’s organic. If it says it’s hormone free, then it’s hormone free.

Chef John Howie

425: Tell us about your culinary beginnings.

John Howie: I actually started working in a small restaurant on Main street in Bellevue in 1975 called The Refectory. But my first true culinary experience was when I was five years old in Chicago. My babysitter burned the popcorn and I had to show her how to make it. This was way before microwaves, back when we used hot oil and a covered soup pot. It came out perfect.

425: What inspires you in the kitchen?

JH: Fresh local products. Local farmers, fishermen and foragers all bring us such great seasonal foods. I’m inspired to take the great local products and bring out their flavors using a variety of global cuisines. I love to eat, I have a passion and a palate for great tasting foods. My mom was a great home cook and she always made everything taste great. Although she is no longer with us she still inspires me to do great things with the bounty of foods we have in the Pacific Northwest.

425: Seastar has made a big name for itself on the Eastside and in Seattle. Why John Howie Steak?

JH: I love great food and I really enjoy a great steak. I also wanted the challenge of creating a classic steak house with amazing world class service and food. Not just the steaks, but all of the food served at John Howie Steak will be made from the best available products by the best chefs. Plus I already have a great seafood restaurant.

425: What can diners expect at your new restaurant?

JH: The absolute best quality steak, poultry, seafood and pastas. I just spent a week in Omaha, Nebraska ensuring that we will be getting the best USDA Prime Steaks available, as well as Kobe Beef from America and Japan. Unlike many steakhouses we will be making everything from scratch, from our fresh baked breads and desserts to our pickled vegetables and charcuterie, to the four-day sauce reductions. We are using a charcoal grill for our steaks and an apple wood fired grill for poultry and seafood. Steaks will be our focus but everything else we serve from the Jidori chicken to the Kurobuta pork to live Maine lobster will be the best products available. Service will be classic and attentive with a friendly Northwest flair, not stuffy or overbearing. The wine list created by award winning sommelier and wine director Erik Liedholm will be the best in the city, with an eclectic variety of old world and new world wins with all of your local favorites, too. The environment is luxurious but comfortable, with live piano music in the lounge and intimate dining booths and tables in the dining room. The restaurant is big enough to feel grand but still very intimate and warm.

425: Why did you choose the Bravern for John Howie Steak?

JH: The Bravern is going to be the Northwest’s choice for luxury shopping and dining. The incredible shops and restaurants will make The Bravern a destination stop for anyone visiting or living in the Northwest. I think people are ready to get out and treat themselves a little and The Bravern and John Howie Steak are going to treat them like no where else!

425: What's your favorite cut of meat? Why?

JH: I’m a big fan of the 42 day dry-aged New York Strip, in my opinion it has the best flavor with a firm yet tender texture. Char grilled over a hot mesquite charcoal grill there is nothing better. But I have recently been introduced to the bone-in filet mignon, and the fro the people who enjoy this tender steak there is nothing better than the bone-in filet.

425: Are there any new trends going on in the beef world that readers should know about?

JH: Over the last few years we have seen the introduction of Kobe beef or Waygu beef, pure-breed Japanese cattle and the cross bred Angus and Waygu cattle offer a unique dining experience from the ultra-flavorful to the ultra-rich. We will be offering both of these steaks at John Howie Steak. There are always new fads out there, but the traditional corn-fed, Nebraskan USDA Prime is still the best steak produced in the U.S.

425: What's the most important thing to look for in choosing a good steak at home?

JH: First you need to know what kind of steak you like, strip loin, tenderloin, or sirloin. Then look at the marbling – how the fat is distributed throughout the meat. You want a lot of thin lines of fat throughout the entire steak, not large clumps but thin lines throughout the steak, and that will usually be the best steak for tenderness and flavor.

Chef Jacky Hon-Yip Lo

425: Tell us about your culinary beginnings.

Jacky Hon-Yip Lo: I came to Seattle in 1994 from Hong Kong to study. I lived in a dorm at the time. The food in the dorm wasn't very good, so I decided to work in the kitchen and make my own food, and that's how I started.

425: What inspires you in the kitchen?

JL: The action and all the different ingredients.

425: Wild Ginger has made a big name for itself in Seattle. Why Bellevue?

JL: Many of our downtown customers live on the east side, and they have been after us for years to open over there. And personally, as a resident of Bellevue, I know there is huge demand for great Southeast Asian food there. So, moving to Bellevue is something we are very excited about, and being a part of the Bravern was something we just couldn’t resist.

425: What can diners expect from Wild Ginger at the Bravern?

JL: Well, the restaurant will be very similar and the menu will feature some of the same dishes found on our menu downtown. But there will be some exciting additions - dim sum on the weekends and a lively satay happy hour.

425: What menu item are you most excited about?

JL: What I love more than the final dishes are the ingredients that create them. Great flavor comes from great ingredients and we take great pride in working with the best ingredients. We make our own chili oil, coconut milk, sambal and oyster sauce, just to name a few. It’s the traditional housemade process that really makes the difference.

425: What kind of food trends are happening in regards to Asian cuisine that readers should know about?

JL: The dominant trend in all restaurants right now is an emphasis on fresh seasonal ingredients and sustainable products. We have employed this practice for years by rotating our menus to utilize the best fish and produce available at the time. We source all of our products locally whenever we can.

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