It's a Saturday night at an industrial looking building in SODO. There are beautiful fresh flower arrangements on a long, rustic table, a grey Seattle skyline outside the large windows, and a platter of the most perfectly plated radishes you've ever seen. You can tell there's going to be a lovely dinner party later on. In this case it happens to be a woman's 50th birthday celebration with 14 of her closest friends. But then, magic happens. Chef Bear enters the room.
"When you're a 900 pound bear, you're free to be different and try things that humans may typically find absurd," Chef Bear said of his experimental dinner parties, Cow by Bear.
The Cow by Bear experience started in San Diego, and has been running in Seattle for about a year. Chef Bear, who is definitely a bear and not a regular chef in a bear costume, says he's loved bringing the experience to the Emerald City.
"Seattle is an amazing food city and so inspiring. It’s a city that really gives me an opportunity to let my fur down a bit, and our guests are very open to trying new things."
The chef says his dinners are a tribute to his early days in Alaska.
"I come from a large family of bears," (yes, we are going to roll with the fact that he thinks he's a real bear). "One of my favorite memories is of us all joining together for huge feasts. That’s what I’m trying to replicate here, bringing humans together with food to celebrate and really just have some stinkin’ fun together."
Dinner parties are limited to 14 guests, who each pay $195 for a seat at the table. The location of the dinner isn't revealed until the day before.
"People are intrigued by the “mystery”. For me it’s practical purposes. I like to move around and keep things fresh, so a variety of locations just feels right and keeps me inspired."
Guests enjoy a five-course dinner (those with allergies are accommodated) along with at least one or two surprises along the way. The signature course is the "Cow by Bear," (get it? It's cow prepared by a bear) a 50-day dry aged roast prepared in a variety of ways, depending on the week. Chef Bear accompanies a "translator" with each dish presentation. It's an effort to remain anonymous and keep the mystery going.
If you ask the Chef about who he really is, he'll insist he was once an ordinary bear who was forced to join the circus, had an awakening where he learned to talk, and after going through a special culinary program, worked his way up the ranks at a Michelin starred restaurant.
Whether or not you play along is up to you. But one thing is certain: you'll eat outstanding food, and have an unforgettable experience.
You can book the Cow by Bear experience online.
