All-star cast at new French restaurant

We’ve been covering the transformation of the old Obermaier Machine Works building on Ballard Ave. into Bastille Cafe & Bar, a new French restaurant.

Seattle Times food writer Nancy Leson has the scoop on some of the big names behind the project. The owners are Deming Maclise of Caffe Fiore and James Weimann, who started El Camino and Peso’s, among others. And the executive chef, Shannon Galusha, has worked at Veil, Campagne, French Laundry and Rue Balzac. And that’s not all: Peter Lewis, the founder of Campagne, will help with day-to-day operations. It’s enough to Leson write that Bastille is “set to be this year’s Major Restaurant Opening.” Bastille will feature seating for 165 people in the restaurant and bar, a takeout window, authentic French furnishings and a huge rooftop garden. Lots more on Leson’s blog post right here.