BIZNOTE: West Seattle Junction restaurant Fresh Bistro has closed after 9 years

Thanks for the tips. We just confirmed that West Seattle Junction restaurant Fresh Bistro has closed after nine years. Proprietor BJ Duft talked with WSB by phone. He opened Fresh Bistro on the ground floor of Mural (on 42nd SW across from Jefferson Square) almost exactly nine years ago. He said there are multiple reasons they decided to close – last night was their final night – but didn’t elaborate; he said he’s grateful for “nine fantastic years” and that they appreciate the community support. Since the building was new when Fresh Bistro opened, they were the first restaurant in the space; what’s next? That’s up to the building’s owners, Duft said.

63 Replies to "BIZNOTE: West Seattle Junction restaurant Fresh Bistro has closed after 9 years"

  • JanS May 21, 2018 (5:18 pm)

    what a shame. I always enjoyed going there. Good food. It’s difficult to keep  things going in this economy. Betting the rent has multiplied atrociously. Good luck to him. Hope he keeps the catering going :)

    I know , for my part, I almost never choose the junction now for eating out. Yes, there are good restaurants, but I am disabled, and not able to walk from a far away parking spot. I suppose growth is good, but not when it keeps patrons away from the businesses. :(

    • fundamental May 21, 2018 (5:57 pm)

      Yeah, the junction is so busy nobody goes there anymore.

      • JanS May 21, 2018 (6:28 pm)

        there is no need for sarcasm.  For abled bodied people  it’s fine.  For people like me it’s damned difficult to find parking close by where you’re going. I use a walker outside my car….it’s a reality that I certainly don’t wish on you, my friend.  I was talking about me, not about anyone else. Why the snark? Can’t find it in your heart to be nice on a sunny day?

         Geez. End of rant.

        • fundamental May 21, 2018 (8:27 pm)

          “I was talking about me, not about anyone else.”

          Oh, sorry.  When you wrote this:

           “I suppose growth is good, but not when it keeps patrons away from the businesses.”

          I didn’t realize you were talking about yourself and nobody else.  (Something about the word “patrons”.)

          But since you were only talking about yourself, a suggestion, if I may, directed to you: you might want to try a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft–they are much cheaper than you might think, and you could always incorporate the cost into your eating out budget–for example only go out 1/2 as much but take a for hire car there.  Just a suggestion!

          • Bob May 21, 2018 (9:57 pm)

            You mean. 

          • YourMother May 21, 2018 (10:10 pm)

            Surely your intention is not to belittle a person who is challenged to just enjoy the act of going out to dinner like I assume you do. Instead of being snarky or sarcastic, I’ll be earnest. Stop it with the “schooling” of people. It’s obnoxious and reeks of entitlement. 

          • Tony S May 22, 2018 (7:52 am)

            I found Fundamental’s post refreshing and honestly pointed. 

          • WS Guy May 21, 2018 (11:15 pm)

            You should have stopped at “oh sorry”.

            Go back to your Futurewise blog and leave our neighbors alone please.

          • WestSeattle92 May 22, 2018 (8:30 pm)

            Good points not withstanding, I would hope that
            we could all get away from telling a disabled woman who, when she brings up
            accessibility issues to restaurants in the Junction due to parking, how she
            should be budgeting her money to compensate. 
            She is talking about accessibility issues, not how she should budget her
            money.   I would hope accessibility is an
            issue of importance to the City.

        • fundamental May 22, 2018 (8:37 am)

          YM:

          You are correct, it was never my intention to belittle her.  I had absolutely no issue with the first paragraph in her first post.  But when she wrote:

          “I know , for my part, I almost never choose the junction now for eating out. Yes, there are good restaurants, but I am disabled, and not able to walk from a far away parking spot. I suppose growth is good, but not when it keeps patrons away from the businesses. :(“

          I felt compelled to respond because I have seen SO MANY anti-growth “there will be no parking for anyone” comments proliferating in these forums.  And so when I see them I try to meet them head-on.  

          Let’s be quite frank: JANS claimed that she used to eat out at the junction restaurants and now she does not because of issues with parking (due to growth).  I am challenging this.  I think that claim is wrong–I think that parking (especially if one has a handicapped permit, as she would) is not prohibiting people from ever eating at Fresh Bistro.  And if one wants to go out but doesn’t want to park at all, I stand by my earlier claim–go out less often and take an Uber.  This is not snark, this is not schooling, this is directly responding to someone’s complaint.

          • s May 22, 2018 (1:23 pm)

            I thought Fundamental was giving good and sincere advice on Uber…not everybody knows about it and it might be very useful for a disabled person

          • Hugh Jass May 23, 2018 (3:32 pm)

            As someone who uses a wheelchair, the junction is AWFUL for handicapped parking. I have a disabled permit, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come to the junction unable to find an open handicapped spot and had to keep driving. There are only a handful around the junction. Ive used Uber, cabs, etc, not all of their cars can accommodate my special wheelchair. And I know LOTS of other people who can’t use any of those services because they have wheelchairs that need a special attachment to your car or a trailer hitch. You think you can just order that on Uber? Try again genius.

            Accessibility is not just a problem at the junction, that’s MOST of Seattle. Some people successfully sued the city due to lack of accessibility. I still haven’t seen much improvement since the lawsuit.

            https://www.rootedinrights.org/seattle-sued-over-inaccessible-curbs/

            Uber and Lyft might work for SOME disabled people but not all of us. So until you’re in the same position as a disabled person, keep your suggestions to yourself. Most disabled people (fortunately not me) have limited income and resources. It’s no big deal for you to suggest how to manage someone’s money. However you’re not taking into account THE MEDICAL BILLS (I’m already up to $20k in co-pays this year WITH a gold insurance plan) and other expenses that disabled people incur that able bodied people don’t. 

            Going out to a meal, shopping, concerts, etc, all those things lift my spirits. I’m stuck at home most times due to my disability. For people like me, getting out is a big part of battling the SERIOUS depression associated with being disabled. You how many times I’ve contemplated suicide because of this? I’m lucky I have a loving family, great community and financial resources to help me navigate this crap. LOTS OF PEOPLE DON’T!! 


            BTW, I ALWAYS disagree with JanS but for once I’ll defend this person! 

      • Dan May 22, 2018 (2:10 pm)

        I remember when The Junction wasn’t busy, but there were only a couple of good places to eat and/or shop.  It’s a shame that this place is closing, but it was growth in The Junction that made it possible for it to open in the first place.

  • Oakley34 May 21, 2018 (5:30 pm)

    Best beet salad I ever had.

  • Abbyk May 21, 2018 (5:52 pm)

    Oh so sad!! He was our wedding caterer 17 years ago. We loved that place, the food, atmosphere. Everything perfect. We’ll miss it!

  • Admiral mom May 21, 2018 (6:24 pm)

    Noooooo

    Gwen’s Rx cocktail was the bomb

  • Marc May 21, 2018 (6:27 pm)

    Well that explains a few things about our experience there Saturday night. The food was not good. The wine list was “a little different” than what was on the menu. And tre beet salad…. as a counterpoint to a previous poster, was 90% arugula (which, actually, I love, but the salad was called “beet & haloumi,” not “arugula with a hint of beet”), with a bit of haloumi and an even smaller bit of beet. 

    Hopefully if the catering business is still going, that food is better than what I just ate. 

    It seems for a place that lasted that long and had a good reputation, maybe a going-away bash would have been better than silently closing the doors. 

  • KD May 21, 2018 (7:34 pm)

    Sorry to hear about the closure, but for huge portions of good food and big variety menu, just go around the corner from Bistro to Great American Cafe. I always try something different there every time, although I CRAVE their chicken/shrimp pesto, but I walked past the Italian Restaurant up the block and wanted to go into where the owner always treats you right, had the hankering for spaghetti, thought I’d get a normal plate of usual blah like other restaurants.. the BEST spaghetti I’ve ever had! Better than any Italian resteraunt also. Way too much to eat, to-go box on the way home with me now! I’d really like to see GACafe survive. It hurts to see great places and nice owners fold up due to different circumstances.

    • Bob May 22, 2018 (5:10 pm)

      KD, I was wondering what Italian restaurant you are referring to? 

    • DH May 23, 2018 (5:34 pm)

      Tastes vary but I went to GAC once and thought it was awful. You couldn’t pay me to eat there again. 

  • justme May 21, 2018 (8:48 pm)

    KD: Out of the 5 times I’ve eaten at GAD I’ve only had good service once. I honestly tried to be a regular, but won’t be back.

    I’m sorry to see Fresh Bistro go. They had a genuinely unique menu and excellent service.

  • Mmarie May 21, 2018 (9:51 pm)

    Just went twice to Fresh Bistro. The food was good as I recall but the service the times I went (2016and 2017) was not great – not necessarily slow,just server who did not seem to want to be there.  Not sure if my experience is unique, but there are so many great places to dine that if it’s not right by the second try, I will go elsewhere. Best of luck with the catering biz and I hope employees can pick up other good jobs soon. 

  • SeaSpade May 21, 2018 (10:33 pm)

    And yet Chipotle lives on…

    • Lia May 22, 2018 (7:59 am)

      *sobbing*

  • Onion May 21, 2018 (10:49 pm)

    My wife will be really bummed. Good food and cocktails, and one of her favorites. I liked it also, but found the menu a bit limited for too many repeat visits. Best of luck to their crew.

  • Admiral Gal May 21, 2018 (11:05 pm)

    Used to love this place, but service was uneven. This especially explains an experience we had a month ago, similar to Marc’s upthread, where the wine list “hadn’t been updated” and which ended with a huge “misunderstanding” about the cost of the bottle our group ended up choosing. We complained about what felt like a bait-and-switch but as everything took forever to arrive and we were on our way to a show, we couldn’t listen too much longer to the server who came back to blame us for the mishap, so we ate the considerable cost.  It left such a bad taste in our mouths and I wondered what was going on. I too, don’t understand the silent closure, for such a long-lasting neighborhood biz, just an unfortunate way to go all around. 

  • T May 22, 2018 (2:05 am)

    We had a really bad experience about 5 years ago (our kids were there too). I emailed the manager and got a really great reply. Still, we never went back. Of course it’s reasonable for businesses to have a bad day but this was exceptional. Kind of surprised they lasted as long as they did..

  • Joanne Brayden May 22, 2018 (6:30 am)

    I am sorry this place didn’t make it. i think it was one of the restaurants that helped raise expectations of local diners.

  • Tom V May 22, 2018 (7:04 am)

    So upset…this was one of our favs.  Wish the owners and staff the best as they venture on to new and exciting endeavors.  The community will miss you!

  • airwolf May 22, 2018 (8:04 am)

    Hopefully a new Pizza Place opens up there

    • Luke May 22, 2018 (7:43 pm)

      I seriously just laughed out loud reading this and startled my wife. 

    • RayWest May 23, 2018 (9:18 am)

      Yeah, we need more pizza places.  That is my fear, that yet another pizzeria place or something Asian will go in.  That’s what I liked about Fresh–it went against the norm in cuisine choices here.  Sorry to see them close, but it seem like most restaurants have a limited life-span. Some last longer than others but eventually competition, rising rents, or a changing clientele and food trends does them in.

      • dawsonct June 3, 2018 (9:35 pm)

        A Korean place would be awesome. And knowing I won’t have to wrestle with you over a table makes it just a little bit more enticing.

  • Wes C. Addle May 22, 2018 (8:05 am)

    One of my go-to Breakfast spots for sure.

  • Brenda May 22, 2018 (8:10 am)

    Bummer! We loved Fresh Bistro, many great brunches and dinners eaten there over the years. Thank you!

  • WS love May 22, 2018 (8:39 am)

    So sorry to see Fresh Bistro close. It was my first restaurant to try when I landed in WS 5 years ago. It was my first choice when dining out. Also sad to see local, small business leave the area. Please, no chain to replace it.

  • dhg May 22, 2018 (9:32 am)

    We used to love going there.  We had our wedding dinner there and we were semi-regulars for many years.  But two months ago it was a different experience.  The food was sub-par.  I ordered the soup as a starter but it wasn’t what was advertised on the board.  When I asked the waiter, he was surprised that I thought it would be something different.  Where  did you get that idea? he asked.  I pointed to the chalk board above my head.  Bistro had either lost its spirit or had lost the talent and found fill-ins who did not have the talent to produce good food.

  • Michael Waldo May 22, 2018 (9:34 am)

    A pizza place combined with a nail salon – Just what the junction needs

  • L's Mom May 22, 2018 (9:36 am)

    Fresh was our go to spot whenever family was in town. So sad to see it go

  • Monica May 22, 2018 (9:39 am)

    I’m hoping they’ll put a parking lot there. More parking! More parking! More parking!

  • Sad May 22, 2018 (11:10 am)

    While I didn’t frequent Fresh as the parking was definitely a challenge, I did find their food to be quality and unique. It’s sad to hear of all these small business’ closing, and he had other business’ to support his endeavor here. I think it’s honestly a slap in the face to compare Freah Bistro to the diner, although I’ve had decent food there, it’s Cisco, dinery and it’s kinda gross inside- bathrooms look like they’ve never been clean which makes me suspect about the kitchen. BJ did inteteresting things to local, sustainable foods. The diner does. It have any where near this focus. 

  • Steven H. May 22, 2018 (12:34 pm)

    I personally thought food quality was high and priced right.  Staff was great. The only thing my wife and I wanted was a better quality wine selection but it never happened.  We thought location wise it was great.

  • happyspider May 22, 2018 (1:21 pm)

    I am so shocked to know Fresh Bistro is closed!!! That is one of my favorite dinner places!  We love the mussel fries there! So sad :(

  • seaopgal May 22, 2018 (2:22 pm)

    Perfect place for a Veggie Grill. Pretty please!!

    • Luke May 22, 2018 (7:46 pm)

      YES +1!!!

      • AT May 23, 2018 (5:48 pm)

        Get investors and go for it!

  • thee May 22, 2018 (2:36 pm)

    A couple things here:

    1. To say there is no close-in parking is simply not credible. There is plenty. 

    2. The food was OK. Solidly OK. Service was usually above average. 

    3. Price point’s were good. People flock to EBay Brewing and that place has (usually) disappointing food and similar price points. That place is packed. 

    4. As usual in failed restaurants, this place failed to do outreach. Their marketing was non-existent. There was little connection to the community.

    5. The casual dining niche which they coveted was usurped by the likes of Raccolto, Itto’s, Jaks, Ma’ono as well as the newer, hipper joints like Supreme and New Luck Toy. They did not react and got left behind. 

    6. After a while this place became not exciting. The decor didn’t change. The menu didn’t change. Nothing changed and slowly, things began to slip. Here we are. 

    –finis–

    • WSMOM May 22, 2018 (11:21 pm)

      Just to speak to point 3  – EBB is great for families, they have the we have kids, wants some drinks, some food that we and our kids will eat down. Hence the wait every weekend.

    • Steve May 28, 2018 (5:33 pm)

      Totally agree about the marketing. I loved that place, but forgot it was there when making my choice on where to eat.

  • Oldtimer2 May 22, 2018 (3:57 pm)

    JanS I’m with you. As a long time resident who, yep, long’s for the  “good old day’s” I hear you!. I also understand that WS has, and will grow.  The message that fundamental, and others spreads is that if you stand in their way or disagree with them  you’re a nimby, you’re a whiner because you’re not “physically fit” like they are. The message I hear them say is: don’t complain about parking-move to a nurseing home” 

    • KM May 22, 2018 (4:24 pm)

      There is literally a parking garage across the street, in addition to on-street parking and two additional lots within 1 block in either direction. I’m sorry you cannot park in the restaurant.

    • good old days? May 22, 2018 (5:42 pm)

      WS Since 1952.

      Yes that makes me an old timer also.

      I just lack the rose colored glasses of such a past.

      I recall the era when if one wanted to go out to dinner, one left West Seattle (and that was before the convenience of the West Seattle Freeway Bridge).

      There were decades when you could count the number of West Seattle restaurants with your fingers.  Now there are scores of dining choices that never existed before.

      I have never felt the need to consider parking as an issue for visiting the Junction.  There still is always available parking.

      For those of us unable to walk a block to our destination or are planning to drink, there are the inexpensive new options such as Uber and Lyft  (I also remember there were not even taxis available on our peninsula in the good old days).

  • Azimuth May 22, 2018 (4:29 pm)

    Bummer, I always enjoyed my visits there. Come to think of it I haven’t been there in a year or two, which probably is indicative of why they shut down… heck of an Old Fashioned though!

  • YourMother May 22, 2018 (6:10 pm)

    Instead of “challenging” Jans’s statement, how about asking her. Since she is the person with the disability and you are not – she surely knows more about it than you.  Or do you not trust that she knows what’s best for her and her situation? Try civility. 

    • S May 22, 2018 (9:23 pm)

      I saw it as Jan saying “I don’t go to the Junction because it is too hard,” and Fundamental saying “here is a way that could get you to the Junction.”

      • WSMOM May 22, 2018 (11:22 pm)

        It seemed like schooling not from a helpful place IMHO

      • Hugh Jass May 23, 2018 (8:21 pm)

        I already posted this up thread but now I’m getting really irritated by able bodied people who seem to know what’s best for a disabled person. As someone who uses a wheelchair, the junction is AWFUL for handicapped parking. I have a disabled permit, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come to the junction unable to find an open handicapped spot and had to keep driving. I also NEED a handicapped spot to have SPACE to get out of car—a regular spot doesnt work most of the time. There are only a handful of handicapped spots around the junction. Ive used Uber, cabs, etc, not all of their cars can accommodate my special wheelchair. And I know LOTS of other people who can’t use any of those services because they have wheelchairs that need a special attachment to your car or a trailer hitch. You think you can just order that on Uber? Try again genius. Accessibility is not just a problem at the junction, that’s MOST of Seattle. Some people successfully sued the city due to lack of accessibility. I still haven’t seen much improvement since the lawsuit.https://www.rootedinrights.org/seattle-sued-over-inaccessible-curbs/Uber and Lyft might work for SOME disabled people but not all of us. So until you’re in the same position as a disabled person, keep your suggestions to yourself. Most disabled people (fortunately not me) have limited income and resources. It’s no big deal for you to suggest how to manage someone’s money. However you’re not taking into account THE MEDICAL BILLS (I’m already up to $20k in co-pays this year WITH a gold insurance plan) and other expenses that disabled people incur that able bodied people don’t. Going out to a meal, shopping, concerts, etc, all those things lift my spirits. I’m stuck at home most times due to my disability. For people like me, getting out is a big part of battling the SERIOUS depression associated with being disabled. You how many times I’ve contemplated suicide because of this? I’m lucky I have a loving family, great community and financial resources to help me navigate this crap. LOTS OF PEOPLE DON’T!! BTW, I ALWAYS disagree with JanS but for once I’ll defend this person! 

      • Hugh Jass May 23, 2018 (8:36 pm)

        I’m so tired of able bodied people making decisions and suggestions for disabled people. READ MY REPLY IN THE FIRST THREAD to JanS and Fun-dumb-mental. I’m disabled and use a wheelchair. Uber, Lyft, cabs don’t accommodate ALL disabled people. Especially people with wheelchairs that need a special attachment to your vehicle or a trailer hitch. You can’t order a trailer hitch on ANY of those ride services. I’m sure it’d cost an arm and leg if they did!Not only that, MOST disabled people live on a limited income and can’t afford to splurge on extras like car services. For people to condescendingly say ”manage your money better” Screw you!! I’m very fortunate to have the money to afford to be disabled and enjoy life. That’s not the option for most disabled people. To put it in perspective my medical bills to date in 2018 are almost $20k WITH A GOLD INSURANCE PLAN. I pay $600 a month on that plan too BTW. I can afford that but most disabled people aren’t as lucky as me!! I still have more money that will be sucked out before the end of the year.Disabled people and their families experience higher levels of stress and depression. Getting out to enjoy a meal, to go shopping, to go enjoy a park are luxuries when you’re trapped in your body and mostly stuck at home. I’ve contemplated suicide on many occasions but I have a loving family, supportive community and the money to enjoy things in life that others don’t. Most disabled people are not in the same boat as me. For them to get out to enjoy a nice meal might take several months of savings. NO ONE UNDERSTANDS UNTIL YOURE IN THAT POSITION. So for all of you jerks that continue to belittle JanS—I hope you’re never in our situation because I guarantee it will change your life. Not for the better mind you. And good luck navigating a city that is NOT disabled friendly or up to code. 

  • Michael May 23, 2018 (10:55 am)

    VEGGIE GRILL!!!!!!! We need more veggie/vegan choices in WS. Used to love St. Dames over on MLK, but they closed a few years ago. No more pizza, PLEASE!

  • 4thGenWestSide May 23, 2018 (4:44 pm)

    “Why can’t we all just get along.”

    Rodney King, American taxi driver and police brutality victim

  • Jose May 28, 2018 (8:01 pm)

    Seriously another pizza place!Fresh Bistro had wonderful food and a great staff.  Wine dinners, brunchs, happy hours, always good food.  I am very sad. West Seattle needs more nice places to eat not more chains or quick dinning experiences. American Diner is awful.A little bit of class in this community would go a long way!  

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