French bistro and smash burgers coming to Craft District, seafood eatery announced
Two new restaurants are coming soon to the Tumwater Craft District at Capitol Boulevard and E Street.
The first is a French bistro called Bar C’est L’eau, which means “it’s the water” in French. In June, it will fill a vacancy that was created when the Finnriver Farm & Cidery taproom moved out of the space last fall, said bistro co-owner Laura Hallett on Thursday.
Hallett is opening the bistro with fellow owner and Chef Joe Rumberger, who operates Bastard Pies at the same location. He will continue to do both, she said.
They were inspired to open the French bistro after they experimented with a Belgian-style pop-up business that found a welcoming audience. They then learned of the vacancy at the craft district and went for it.
“We had such success with that bistro pop-up, it was a no-brainer,” she said.
The grand opening is set for June and the goal is to eventually ramp up to a restaurant that is open every day, Hallett said.
The bistro will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving coffee and crepes in the morning, followed by more serious French dishes throughout the day. However, that’s as serious as the restaurant wants to be, she said.
“The goal is we want to be upscale food and dining, but you don’t have to dress up to come in,” she said. “We welcome anyone who was coming to the craft district to check it out, no matter what they are wearing. I don’t want them to feel under-dressed or unwelcome. So it’s for everyone. Same as the taproom customer, same as someone who was just stopping to get a scoop of ice cream — they are all welcome.”
Although the cidery taproom has closed, the bistro will work closely with Olympia cidery Whitewood, she said.
Sommelier Carlo Velasquez touted not only the range of wines that will be served at the bistro, but also the morning coffee and espresso because of its proximity to Interstate 5 and U.S. Highway 101.
“Get your coffee here and then decide where you want to go,” he said.
The business, too, is raising money via a Go Fund Me campaign and is hiring. If you’re interested in working for Bar C’est L’eau, send an email to info@barcestleau.com.
Brewhouse Grill and Smash Burgers
The French bistro is opening in the main, elongated building at the craft district site, while right next door will be a future America’s Credit Union and Brewhouse Grill and Smash Burgers.
Owner Juan Martinez Jr., who also runs The Grill at 507 in Yelm, expects to open the eatery in the next two months, he said.
The menu will be similar to the grill — burgers, sandwiches, salads — but with an emphasis on the smash burger. What’s a smash burger? Here’s one definition: “a burger patty that’s pressed flat onto a hot griddle or skillet, resulting in a thin, crispy exterior and a juicy, caramelized interior.”
The “brewhouse grill” name is a nod to Tumwater’s brewing history, Martinez said. He also plans to decorate the interior with memorabilia and serve classic beer that has ties to the Northwest, such as Rainier beer, he said.
The Martinez family isn’t new to the restaurant business. They also run the Tumwater Taco Co. at the craft district and Don Juan’s Mexican Kitchen in Tenino.
Seafood business coming to west side
A restaurant called Ocean 7 Boiling Seafood and Bar is coming to west Olympia, according to a banner affixed to a building at Olympia West, a shopping center at Cooper Point Road and Black Lake Boulevard.
The shopping center is also home to Barnes & Noble and Trader Joe’s.
The banner is hanging on space once occupied by Van Dorm Realty, which is now in downtown Olympia at 606 Columbia St. SW, Suite 106.
The Olympian could find very little information online about this restaurant. Stay tuned.
New home for antiques business
Lighthouse Antiques and Crafts Mall, which was forced to move from its Pacific Avenue Southeast home by the end of March, has found a new home.
It’s now located at 3700 Martin Way E., Suite 104, in Olympia, just east of Lilly Road.
Dealership remodel
Titus-Will Hyundai at the Olympia Auto Mall wants to re-brand, according to city of Olympia site plan review committee information.
Representatives met with the committee Wednesday morning. The committee provides information to businesses and developers about what will be expected of their projects under city rules should they go forward.
“Titus-Will is participating in Hyundai’s nationwide re-branding program that entails the expansion to their existing building facility and an exterior image upgrade,” the proposal reads.
The existing dealership is at 2255 Carriage Loop SW.
Here are some of the proposed changes:
▪ Demolish storage, sales desk area and entry canopy.
▪ Add a showroom and service shop.
▪ Remodel existing showroom, sales, customer waiting and service write-up areas.
People news
Olympia Federal Savings has promoted seven bank officers.
The promotions:
▪ Jennifer Arnold, executive vice president and chief operating officer, was appointed as a member of the bank’s board of directors.
▪ Lindsey Bamba, retail banking manager, has been promoted to vice president.
▪ Ryan Betz, chief strategy and marketing officer, has been promoted to executive vice president.
▪ Heidi Retzlaff, compliance manager, has been promoted to assistant vice president.
▪ Amity Muntz Reed, operations department manager, has been promoted to assistant vice president.
▪ Rachel Rudenski, Belfair branch manager, has been promoted to assistant vice president.
▪ James Vanderholm, chief financial officer, has been promoted to executive vice president.
If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "French bistro and smash burgers coming to Craft District, seafood eatery announced."
