When John Howie Steak restaurant opened on Sept. 12 at The Shops at The Bravern, it marked a reuniting of Executive Chef Mark Hipkiss and owner John Howie.

Hipkiss grew up the son of a butcher and spent his teen years packing meat and later launching his culinary career at Roche Harbor. In 1992, Hipkiss became a member of the opening team for Palisades along with Howie. The two worked together for four years, until Hipkiss left to become the chef at Scott’s Bar & Grill in Edmonds.

Fifteen months later, Hipkiss became Executive Chef at Cutter’s Bay House, and advanced to Senior Training Chef for Restaurants Unlimited, Inc.

The opportunity to lead a prime steak house came about in 2001, when Hipkiss was offered the job as Executive Chef at Seattle’s iconic Metropolitan Grill, part of family owned Consolidated Restaurants, Inc. During his seven and a half year tenure, he rose to Senior Executive Chef and then to Corporate Executive Chef, overseeing menus for 11 different venues.

In June of 2009, Hipkiss was contacted by Howie, who had gone on to open two critically acclaimed seafood restaurants and a sports bar of his own. Howie’s vision was a big one – he wanted Hipkiss to anchor his newest endeavor, a steakhouse featuring a unique four-tiered steak program and the best ingredients from around the world.

John Howie Steak is located at 11111 NE Eighth St., Suite 125, Bellevue. Reservations may be made by calling 425-440-0880.