A new concept in casual dining and theological outreach has opened in Renton.
The eclectic eatery known as Luther’s Table had its soft opening on March 15, serving breakfast and lunch.
It’s not a traditional restaurant and it certainly isn’t a traditional church, either. Luther’s Table is designed to connect people in meaningful ways, helping them find community, while also serving up hearty meals and drinks.
Luther’s Table hopes to model moderation for the community by serving beer and wine. The restaurant is still awaiting approval of its liquor license, which will open up the establishment to offer a dinner menu with beer or wine pairings.
Located at 419 S. Second St., the restaurant features bricks from the former Renton Lutheran Church, making Luther’s Table the church’s legacy. It has pews from the church incorporated into the design. Its only stained-glass window depicts Jesus, who looks like he’s ordering two beers, said Gretchen Mertes, pastor and mission developer of Luther’s Table.
“It’s really a testament to who we are and what we’re about in a lot ways to have the juxtaposition of having the stained-glass window over where we’re serving the beer,” said Mertes. “It’s kinda what we’re trying to do with the ministry of the place.”
Mertes said Christians are often lumped into a pile of tea-totalers, hycopcrites and other rigid categories.
“We’re trying to say no, you have to be able to be both human and divine,” she said.
Mertes is hoping the fact that they will one day serve beer will spark interest and conversation about the place.
“If you could say to somebody that doesn’t think the church is relevant,’ hey there’s this Lutheran place down in Renton that’s serving beer, can you believe it,’” Mertes said. “They’re like ‘really,’ and that ‘really’ is all it takes to have a conversation.”
The restaurant will also be a place where local artists can display their work, as it will feature a rotating gallery.
And to inspire conversation about theology, once a month they will conference in via Skype with Mertes’ fellow theologian from Martin Luther’s town in Germany where he lived and served to answer questions.
Luther’s Table will be closed to dining on Mondays, but open to worship “because we don’t ever want to have it be a bait and switch thing, where people feel weird,” Mertes said.
She said when they’re closed it’s a good time for them to have sabbath and invite people in to see why a church is opening this place.
Mertes hopes in times of national or international emergencies, Luther’s Table can be a gathering or organizing spot for people seeking like-minded people passionate about supporting relief efforts.
And, of course, there’s the food. They’re calling their theme fast-casual, bistro-style food. Breakfast features a daily foccacia egg panini and a pate brisee quiche among other choices such as locally sourced muffins and pastries.
Lunch is sandwiches and salads. Among some of the appetizing sandwiches is a prosciutto with orange fig relish, caramelized onions, goat cheese and hummus spread and greens. Or, there’s the “Saucy Loaf,” a housemade meatloaf with a spicy sweet barbeque sauce and roasted sweet onions.
Salads range from a bacon take on a Caesar salad to grilled crudite panzanella salad. There’s also the house made wedge of Mac-and-Cheese in plain, crispy parmesan and artichoke, bacon and sage, crab Mac or caramelized onion, prosciutto and thyme.
Once they open for dinner, they will serve shared portion sizes so that people have to interact with each other. No TVs were installed on purpose, Mertes said.
It is a non-tipping house. Mertes said the servers are paid a fair wage and if people want to tip, they will have a donation spot, with 30 percent going right back to a local charity in town.
They also hope to have live music from time to time, as there is a stage.
“We’re just trying to care for the people who are here and let them be how they are, but nurture and love and walk with them in their lives,” she said.
After being open a week and a half, business seems to be streaming in, said Mertes earlier this week.
“It’s been great,” she said. “We’ve had a steady flow of people and a lot of really positive feedback on the food and the service. People seem to really be enjoying the environment and the atmosphere here.”
Luther’s Table
419 S. 2nd St.
Renton, WA 98057
425-970-3157
Luther’s Table does use volunteers with the proper permits in the area of cafe, maintenance and housekeeping and hospitality. For more information check out their website.
