Lisa Owen, owner of The Mark restaurant in downtown Olympia. (Steve Bloom/The Olympian)

By Craig Sailor
The News Tribune

The scene: Four dining rooms create intimate spaces in this richly appointed restaurant in downtown Olympia. The front room, combined with the bar, is paneled with dark grained wood, giving it a swanky old club feel. Black leather booths contrast with leopard print chairs. Framed work by talented Olympia paper artist Nikki McClure hangs on the walls. A spacious, plant-filled outdoor dining area at the rear of the establishment makes for a convivial dining experience on nice days.

People in the kitchen: Owner Lisa Owen is the driving force behind the 8-year-old restaurant. Owen says she strives for a balance between health and decadence in the design of her menu, which has a decidedly Italian streak. That influence comes from the formative year Owen lived in Italy and her subsequent stateside stints in several Italian restaurants.

A consultation with
Seattle chef Tom Douglas persuaded Owen to install a wood-fired grill. “It keeps (the food) lean and clean and gives it a lovely flavor. I can’t imagine cooking meat otherwise,” she says.

The food: Owen’s philosophy is based on simple, high-quality, locally produced ingredients – and organic when possible. “I want to know where and how the food was produced,” she says.

=> Read more!