Your Daily Dose of Food News, Events and Must-Read Miscellany

1. The Golden Olive is moving into the former Sam’s Sushi space at 521 Queen Anne Ave N. Queen Anne View reports that the Mediterranean restaurant is set to open in January; no word on whether or not the new eatery is being launched by the owners of the Golden Olive that shuttered last year in Wallingford.

2. The folks behind The Great Nabob and The Leary Traveler are launching Traveler Montlake in the former Montlake Alehouse location next to Cafe Lago on 24th Ave. According to CHS, the American-style pub’s menu will include game meat like kangaroo sliders and roasted goose pot pie alongside a dozen beers on draught. Expect a February opening, check Facebook for updates.

3. The annual Ballard Pie Party–a gigantic sweet and savory pie buffet at Salmon Bay Ballard Eagles–happens Saturday, January 25. The fundraiser for the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research gets going at 7:00 pm and includes live music and appearances by “pie princesses” and “a la mode girls.” These pics from last year’s event should shed more light. Buy tickets here.

4. Will 2014 be the year of the cricket? The New York Times features Exo protein bars. They’re made with cricket flour containing what’s equivalent to around 40 of the little buggers per bar and can be pre-ordered on Exo’s website. Closer to home, Eater reports that crickets will debut on Shanik’s menu on January 16.