If it wasn’t hard enough already to locate a pregame gathering with friends before a Mariner’s game, Centerplate and Safeco Field have just thrown Mariner fans a curveball. The ‘Pen, once a dimly lit, cramped space located just adjacent to left and center field to the home and visitors bullpen has been revamped. Revamped may be an understatement. Re-energized may make more sense. Just in time for Friday's April 8th Home Opener.
The ‘Pen is now a bright, open area with a fire pit, cocktail lounge and features destination concession – one won’t be using that word after experiencing what Centerplate Chief Design Officer explains as a unique experience to Safeco and to Major League Baseball. “Our mission was to create a restaurant style hospitality experience – the anti fast food- in a concession environment.” He said at a recent unveiling. The ‘Pen’s design is such that all fans are welcome with a natural open flow from both west and east ends making it an upscale interactive food court.
The ‘Pen not only is more open and inviting, the entire atmosphere of the area has been transformed with the removal of the chained link fence allowing fans an unobstructed view of the playing field. Very much a veranda overlooking left center field.
Centerplate brings in the big hitters
Anchoring the fire pit, a full service cocktail lounge and an open air bar featuring local craft beers on tap and wine are four destination food stands brought to you by a trio of the biggest names in the restaurant world. All four stands are themed with homage to local sourcing, honest, healthy, yet fun and fan-friendly pricing.
On the mound first is local Chef Ethan Stowell, executive to his empire well know to Seattleites with How to Cook a Wolf, Tavolata, Anchovies & Olives and Staple & Fancy Mercantile. Ethan brings in two concepts, Hamburg +Frites offering a mouth watering restaurant style burger from Northwest Grass Fed beef. Then, a few steps west La Creperie which is authentic Parisian crepes with sweet and savory fillings including naturally sourced products from Zoe’s Meats and Beechers Cheese.
Throwing in the bullpen with Stowell is a lesser named chef to the Northwest, yet surely to make his mark in Safeco Field. Yes, a well known institution on the East Coast - Modern Apizza directed for over 22 years by Chef Bill Pustari will feature New Haven-style thin-crust pizza baked in a coal fired brick oven using Grande Mozzarella and lot specific San Marzano tomatoes.
Rounding out the ‘Pen comes Chef Roberto Santibanez who is an authority on authentic Mexican cuisine having been a restaurateur, culinary consultant, author and teacher in Mexico, the U.S. and Europe and well known in New York ,New Jersey and Austin Texas food circles. Chef Santibanez brings the ‘Pen Mexican Tortas (referred to as Tortuga’s, or turtles, due to their turtle shell shaped bread) , a Mexican style sandwich with succulent braised pork, beef or chicken.
Centerplate has drafted their own team of all star players to bring the Mariner fans an experience not just on the field, but one surrounding it as well.
The ‘Pen will open one half-hour earlier than the other entrances, fans will have a chance to sip a cocktail and get a pregame bite while watching batting practice. No need to fight the lines of surrounding restuarants anymore. "Meet you at the 'Pen," will be the phrase of 2011 Mariners Baseball fans.
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