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| Kirkland Courier Formerly known as Triple J, the new name is ... By Pauline Thompson 08/31/2006 The votes are in. And no hanging chads to mar this election. Oriel - French for bay window - is the new moniker for the restaurant/coffee house on the corner of Central Way and Lake Street. Known as Triple J for 16 years, the iconic establishment has been renamed and remodeled by its savvy new Australian owners, who are keenly aware of steering clear of the bull-in-the-china-shop image. "It's a 16-year-old institiution," says Drew Sharp, who, along with his brother/chef Jonathan and parents have diligently graduated the coffee house from bus-your-own to a full-service dining destination. "We're aware of looking like a couple of Aussies taking over Kirkland," he says. Oriel is modeled after a successful restaurant they admired near Sydney, which Sharp says has the same demography as Kirkland. The Sharps took ownership on Nov. 15. The family put the name up to a demographic vote - well, sort of. Sharp says they polled the regulars, who pitched in names such as Lake Street Café and Sophie's (which happens to be the name of Sharp's 2-year-old daughter). But there's an Oriel café in Australia where Drew and Jonathan both worked. "It's close to the water, like Kirkland," says Sharp. "It just resonated." So, Oriel it is. All cleaned up The interior of the restaurant sports a clean coat of white paint, which offsets the colorful framed art. Two roomy, black leather couches near the gas fireplace beckon casual conversationalists or solo readers. New tables and chairs will eventually be accompanied by booths and alcove-bench seating, according to Sharp. The floor-to-ceiling windows, which Sharp admits creates a fishbowl feel, have been softened by sheer, ivory curtains. Sharp says they will be drawn at night, especially during the darker, winter months. They even spiffed up all the high chairs in deference to the high volume of families who head there after church on Sundays. Oriel now has a full liquor license and outdoor seating, both of which had to be approved by Kirkland City Council, which Sharp notes was extremely supportive. And they are involved in a school-donation program where 5 percent of their receipts are allocated to local schools. "It will take a little while to change the mindset from the breakfast-and-lunch mindset to dinner," Sharp says. But they're on the right path. Mais oui? Press Link |
 Drew Sharp in front of his new wine cabinet. Oriel now has a full liquor license. Photo by Pauline Thompson |
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