Chef Lauren Jackson [source: Jackson House]
Woodinville has no shortage of tasting rooms or polished spaces for sipping Syrah, but true restaurants—those that blend a sense of place with a sense of occasion—remain surprisingly rare. Enter Jackson House, the latest creation from Chef Lauren Jackson, whose name will be familiar to anyone who dined at Valdemar Estate’s former restaurant, where she earned a loyal following for her deft, globally inspired dishes.
Now, she’s struck out on her own, transforming the former Valdemar dining room into something altogether more personal—a warm, softly lit lounge that feels equal parts neighborhood haunt and refined hideaway.
Jackson House in Woodinville’s district flats [source: Jackson House]
The lighting is gentle, the music hums at just the right level, and the energy at the soft opening was palpable: locals leaning into conversation, cocktails in hand, as if Woodinville had been waiting for exactly this.
Jackson’s menu reads like a reflection of her own confidence as a chef—unfussy, assured, and full of flavor. We began with a smoked black cod dip, its silky richness cut by a whisper of lemon and served with crisp, house made crackers that disappeared far too quickly. The za’atar cauliflower arrived next, roasted to a perfect char and mingled with chickpeas and a drizzle of tangy yogurt, a dish that somehow manages to be both earthy and elegant.
Chef Lauren’s lamb chops.
Then came the showstopper: charred lamb rib chops, tender and perfumed with just enough smoke to tease out their natural sweetness. It was the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-bite, recalibrating your expectations for what Woodinville dining can be.
Dessert, a pumpkin burnt Basque cheesecake, walked that fine line between comfort and sophistication. Creamy, lightly spiced, and caramelized at the edges, it felt like fall distilled into a single, indulgent spoonful.
The drink list is thoughtfully composed featuring a mix of local Washington wines and European selections, joined by a confident cocktail program that’s clearly been designed with both the oenophile and the after-hours crowd in mind.
Chef Lauren Jackson (centre); Paige (left) and Allison (right) at the former Valdemar Restaurant.
Chef Jackson has created more than a restaurant. She’s created a gathering place, the kind of spot where a glass of wine can stretch into a long evening among friends. If the soft opening crowd is any indication, Jackson House is poised to become one of Woodinville’s essential new addresses.
In a town defined by its wineries, Lauren Jackson has given it a heartbeat after dark.
17409 133rd Ave NE #1203
Woodinville, WA 98072
E: info@jacksonhousewoodinville.com
Hours: Wed-Thu 5pm-10pm • Fri 4pm-10pm • Sat-Sun 3pm-10pm
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