icon Grill redux celebration April 2, 2012

Exactly two years to the day after the facade collapsed, Seattle's venerable icon Grill will hold a relaunch party to celebrate its new exterior, refreshed interior and enlivened menu.

The party, from 6 to 9 p.m. on April 2, 2012, will include an auction of some of the many artworks that have adorned the restaurant, known for its abundant use of blown glass and eclectic art from many local artists. By refreshing the artwork, icon Grill will be able to feature new artists' work on a rotating basis throughout the coming months and year. Proceeds from the auction and event will be donated to Art with Heart, a Seattle nonprofit that offers therapeutic art programs to children.

Icon Grill opened in 1998 and quickly became a Seattle icon, known for its beautiful interior, theater marquee outside, and upscale American classics including macaroni and cheese, fried chicken and meatloaf. The restaurant is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. The interior even served as a set for the 2002 film "Life or Something Like it."

New artwork will also be featured at icon Grill. It will include works from Seattle artist Fran Holt, Israeli born painter Yael Zahavy-Mittelman and the late Northwest painter Edna Crews. In addition, guests will be treated to wines from Washington wineries Tefft Cellars and Fivash Cellars.

On April 2, 2010, a portion of the brick facade on the three-story building that houses icon Grill collapsed and fell to the ground. It injured three people and damaged icon's marquee and large sign of a male diver. After two years, the outside has been fully repaired and the marquee, whose messages included "I think, therefore icon," and on its first birthday, "One year old and still kicking glass," has been restored to offer more fun messages.

Official Website: http://www.icongrill.com/events.htm