Canlis closed its dining room to the public for the first time last night in its 65-year history, foregoing sales to feed the first-responders to a bus crash on nearby Aurora Bridge that left four young people dead and many injured.
“Thank you for understanding,” the Seattle fine-dining landmark posted on its Facebook page. “Join us in thought and prayer for the victims and their families.”
In response to today's tragic accident on the Aurora Bridge, Canlis will be closed tonight. All access to the restaurant...
Posted by Canlis on Thursday, September 24, 2015
The decision triggered an outpouring of support and praise on social media for the restaurant, one of the most expensive in the Pacific Northwest. “Integrity, compassion and community. Thank you,” wrote Darla Bratton, one of 207 people who posted comments on Canlis’ page.
The announcement of the closing drew 2,655 likes.
Another round of food being served up by @canlis to crews on the scene of the #aurorabridgecrash. So touching. pic.twitter.com/ens40o6VuD
— Heather Graf (@HeatherGrafK5) September 24, 2015
Servers from @canlis now serving food to first responders, media here at scene of #AuroraBridgeCrash#thankyoupic.twitter.com/LjBt4awQRH
— Joshua Trujillo (@joshtrujillo) September 24, 2015
The Aurora Bridge about a third of a mile from Canlis. Yesterday an amphibious “duck”-style tour vehicle ran into a tour bus packed with college students.
Fifteen people from the vehicles were still in the hospital as of this posting, and two of them are listed as being in critical condition.
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