When Jason Farrish opened The Crawlspace Gastropub, he wanted to create something that felt both deeply personal and wildly inviting, a place where bold Korean flavors met the comfort of a neighborhood gathering spot. Less than a year later, that vision has translated into major recognition: The Seattle Times named The Crawlspace both Best New Restaurant and Best Korean Restaurant in the 2025 Best in the PNW Awards.
For chef and owner Jason Farrish, the recognition is more than a win for his team. “It feels like a Mercer Island accomplishment,” he says. “Our community made this possible.” To Farrish, the accolades still feel surreal. “It’s a moment of gratitude,” he shares. “These awards tell us that people connect with what we’re creating — the food, the hospitality, the atmosphere. It means everything.”
From day one, Farrish opened The Crawlspace with a clear vision: introduce Korean flavors in a way that felt approachable, comforting, and unmistakably American in presentation. “Korean food outside of beer and soju hasn’t always been shown in a super mainstream way,” he explains. “I wanted pub food, comfort food — pan-Pacific, pan-Asian — but with an American experience wrapped around it.” The result is a menu rooted in Korean technique and spirit, with nods to Hawaiian influence, all supported by Farrish’s own upbringing in the restaurant world. “We ate whatever tasted good. No pretense. Just be yourself, relax, enjoy great food and great drinks.”
The restaurant quickly earned not only critical praise but a loyal community following across Mercer Island and the Eastside.
As for what’s ahead? New collaborations with local chefs, seasonal menu expansions, and more immersive culinary events, always with a spirit of curiosity. “These awards are encouragement,” he says. “They push us to keep evolving, innovating, and honoring the flavors that brought us here.”
Farrish is already designing and testing monthly menu specials, wine and spirits pairing dinners with producers, and new dishes such as a Blackened Rockfish Sandwich. Catering has become a significant demand, from large-format takeout to private in-home chef dinners. A fully enclosed patio allows for year-round dining, and Jason’s wife and business partner, Robin, will continue to bring her festive decorating magic to delight guests.
For Mercer Island diners, The Crawlspace is more than a restaurant making headlines, it’s a new culinary anchor in the neighborhood, one that celebrates culture, community, and the joy of good food made with heart.