insiderseattle
Chef Aaron Willis gets his grill on with the launch of global menus at Ciudad Grill and rotisserie chicken at Bar Ciudad
Chef Aaron Willis brings his appetite for the spices and flavors of the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia to the new menu at Ciudad Grill and starting Thursday, February 16, 2017, the rotisserie chicken and sides that will be available at next door sibling, Bar Ciudad.
A native Washingtonian with a penchant for travel, Aaron has worked in the kitchens at regional ski resorts: Big Sky in Montana and Brighton Lodge in the big Cottonwood Canyon Range in Utah and Crystal Mountain in Washington’s Cascade Range. He lived in San Diego and graduated from the San Diego Culinary Institute; opened a restaurant and lived in Bali, Indonesia and spent time in Berlin, Germany and touring Western Europe. Along the way, Aaron became certified as a sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and earned Level 2 certification from the International Sommeliers Guild. In 2012, Aaron became executive chef at Delicatus in Pioneer Square and later helped open The Kitchen by Delicatus. He left in in 2015 to start his own company-The Generous Chef, where he executed pop-up dinners, catered events and provided restaurant consulting.
Willis’ menu is centered around Ciudad’s hardwood-fired grill (apple wood, grapevine and cherry) and focused on vegetables and proteins (chicken, prawns, pork shoulder, hanger steak) available by ¼, ½ and full pound weights. The meats are supplemented by an assortment of small plates, grilled vegetables and sandwiches with warm, house made flatbread. Willis makes 10 sauces that are the perfect foil for the meats; like tomato pistou, burnt honey and chimichurri along with 8 side dish options. A favorite way to taste the full grill experience is with the Family Style Menu; chef’s choice of dishes that cover every category ($35 per person; whole table participation required).
At next door sibling, Bar Ciudad, diners can count on an assortment of draft beers to forge the perfect bond with Willis’ rotisserie-grilled chickens (all natural and hormone free) that are dry-rubbed with his blend of Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian spices. The birds are available inside and from the take-out window. Seating is available in the outside courtyard (weather permitting). A la carte add-ons include dirty rice, potatoes cooked in rendered chicken fat or vegetarian, wedge salad and 4 kinds of sauces (chimichurri, puri puri oil, roasted garlic aioli, mojo verde). Whole roasted chickens are $18 and $24 with 2 sides or $10 for half chicken; $13 with 1 side.
Cocktails are fashioned by barman, David Ramirez, who has been a bartender at Brambling Cross in Ballard, mamnoon and Café Presse on Capitol Hill. Slushie cocktails like a Hibiscus Margarita and Irish Lemonade, will accompany drinks like the Jamiroquai of dark rum, yellow Chartreuse, lime and honey or a Side Whip of Hennessey, citrus liqueur, lemon and falernum.
About Ciudad Grill
Ciudad is a full-service restaurant and intimate bar located in the Georgetown neighborhood at 6118 12th Avenue South. The restaurant is open Tuesday-Thursday from11am-9pm and Saturday from 11am-10pm. (206) 717-2984. ciudadseattle.com
About Bar Ciudad
The perfect stop for a beverage and rotisserie chicken, Bar Ciudad is located at 1210 South Bailey Street. The bar is open Tuesday-Saturday from 3pm-10pm. barciudad.com