Bellevue continues to be an ever evolving city, replacing the old by ushering in the new. According to Solstice Restaurant Group owner Matt Bomberger, the creator of 0/8 Seafood Grill and Twisted Cork in Bellevue, it is better to stay one step ahead then scrambling to catch up.

The new year brings big changes for Bomberger on the restaurant front with the announcement of a new expanded version of the Twisted Cork restaurant concept. The signature iron-pressed white linen of 0/8 Seafood Grill will be replace with bare tables and a new Northwest, bistro-style dining experience.

In short- Twisted Cork is taking over.

Scheduled to debut in early February, prior to Valentine’s Day, Twisted Cork will merge into the space currently occupied by 0/8 Seafood Grill (900 Bellevue Way, Suite 100). The new Twisted Cork will offer a more casual dining experience highlighting local ingredients and a fruitful wine pairing list.

Bomberger, who also manages STIR Martini + Raw Bar located in the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, decided to introduce the more relaxed dining experience in response to changes in the booming Bellevue dining scene.

Bomberger opened 0/8 Seafood Grill and Twisted Cork as two separate dining brands in one shared space back in 2007.

Times have changed.

“With the new Twisted Cork, we’re going to focus on a more approachable dining experience that will also be more affordable then what was offered under the 0/8 brand,” he explained. “We will also be bringing on an exciting new chef and overall feel of the restaurant.”

The chef in mention is none other than Erik Carlson, the long-time Seattle restaurant veteran and former executive chef for Arnies Restaurants. Carlson will take on the role of Executive Chef for both Twisted Cork and Stir Martini + Raw Bar.

“I’m not just a fan of food, I’m a fan of restaurants. I love the restaurant culture,” Carlson said. “I cook for my guests, not for me, and consider myself a minimalist. Start with great base ingredients and allow the flavors to speak for themselves.”

Carlson graduated with an Associate Degree in the Culinary Arts from South Seattle Community College and has more than three decades of restaurant experience. With an extensive background in food nutrition, Carlson plans to create a menu base for Twisted Cork that utilizes local ingredients and offers a large variety of vegetarian and vegan options.

“0/8 Seafood Grill was competing with an incredible number of Eastside fine dining restaurants, however our wine bar, – which is decidedly more casual, has always drawn a loyal and lively crowd,” he said. “Evolving the Twisted Cork concept to offer a bistro style menu based on local ingredients allows us to fill a niche – an Eastside destination where our guests experience the best of Northwest wine, cuisine, and service – all while keeping a familiar name.”

Along with the revamp of interior space, Twisted Cork’s menu pricing will receive an overhaul, with entrées priced from $15 to $24, and small plates priced from $6 to $13.

According to Bomberger, the extensive wine list currently offered at Twisted Cork will remain the same, with a strong focus on Washington wines along with top California and international wines and the new menu options will allow for a broader array of food and wine pairings. Twisted Cork offers 85 wines by the glass and more than 400 wine labels by the bottle.

“We don’t see this as closing a restaurant, but more as expanding on an already successful brand that really aligns with what Bellevue is becoming,” he said.

Twisted Cork recently received the Award of Ultimate Distinction from Wine Enthusiast, one of only 36 restaurants in North America. Other awards given to the Bellevue restaurant have included the 2009 Grand Award by the Washington Wine Commission and the 2009 Award of Excellence, for the third year in a row, by Wine Spectator.

Lindsay Larin can be reached at 425-453-4602.

Twisted Cork is located in the Hyatt Regency Bellevue just off of N.E. Eighth and Bellevue Way. Open Monday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.; and Sunday, 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For reservations, call 425-637-0808. For more information and menus visit www.twistedcork.com.