BIZNOTE: Duke’s on Alki temporarily closed for post-freeze repairs
Thanks to Sally for the tip. Duke’s Seafood on Alki says it’s going to have to stay closed “for the next couple of weeks” cleaning up and repairing damage done when pipes broke in the recent sub-freezing weather. The restaurant’s announcement says the pipe breaks led to flooding. Duke’s six other locations remain open – Southcenter, South Lake Union, Green Lake, Kent Station, Bellevue, and Tacoma.
BIZNOTE: Westwood Village McDonald’s temporarily closed
Thanks for the tips that the Westwood Village McDonald’s is temporarily closed. We just went over to verify. The sign on the door doesn’t give a reason for the closure; one tipster says it’s a pipe problem. We’ll check again in a few hours; let us know if you see it reopened sooner.
YOU CAN HELP: Two dine-out benefits this week for local schools
Want someone else to do the cooking? Here are two ways to do that this week while helping local schools:
ROXHILL ELEMENTARY @ THE WESTY: Friends of Roxhill Elementary will benefit from a share of the proceeds, dine-in or take-out, at The Westy (7908 35th SW) today, Tuesday, and Wednesday (January 15-17), 11 am-11:45 pm. If you dine in (21+), tell your server you’re there for the Roxhill fundraiser; if you order take-out online, use the promo code ROXHILL.
WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY @ MOD: This Wednesday, the Westwood Village MOD Pizza (2800 SW Barton) will donate part of its proceeds for dine-in and take-out customers who mention they’re supporting West Seattle Elementary – if ordering online, use the code MODGIVES20. Here’s the flyer. The restaurant is open 10:30 am-10 pm
BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Taste of Mumbai almost ready to open
(WSB photo)
That’s a peek inside Taste of Mumbai, about to open at 2300 California SW, former longtime home of Yen Wor Village. We went over today to check on a reader tip that they’re about to open. Indeed they are, they told us – with a buffet on Christmas Day (Monday, December 25), 10 am-10 pm. After that, they’ll be open starting Tuesday (December 26), 4 pm-10 pm. They’re not ready to open the bar yet, though, but as soon as they do, they promise they’re bringing back karaoke (a Yen Wor staple). Here’s our October story with more on the plan for Taste of Mumbai, which previously had operated from a group-kitchen facility in The Triangle.
WHO’S OPEN ON CHRISTMAS? Where to find West Seattle info, and how to add more
Here’s our annual reminder that it’s not too late to let us know about West Seattle retail hours on Christmas Eve and food/drink businesses’ hours on Christmas Day. All the info we have compiled so far – including the grocery-store hours list for Christmas Eve/Day – is toward the end of our West Seattle Holiday Guide page (which has a list of church services, too, and New Year’s Eve/Day events). Direct link to our first take of the Christmas Day restaurants/bars list is here. We’re still checking for additions; if you can help by providing info, please email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
BIZNOTES: Three bites of food/drink news
Three West Seattle food/beverage business notes:
WESTWOOD PANDA EXPRESS UPDATE: Back in October, we reported that Panda Express is moving into the ex-Pet Pros spot next to Westwood Village QFC, according to the shopping center’s site map (which is the only place WWV’s new-ish owners usually “announce” new tenants). The Chinese-food chain hasn’t responded to our inquiry yet but there’s further confirmation of the plan – it’s now appeared in the city permit system.
HOTWIRE’S MANAGER MOVING ON: Hotwire Coffee wants to be sure ustomers have a chance to say goodbye to longtime manager Nicole Crisostomo – this is her last week.
Hotwire says Nicole is “moving on to a new opportunity” after 10 years at Hotwire. “Nicole has played an integral part in our journey with Hotwire, first as loyal customers and then in 2016 as owners. She was part of the deal when we took over the business and promoted her to manager,” explains co-proprietor Jeffrey Silva. “We will miss her and wish her the very best with her next adventure!”
HOLIDAY FOOD: Husky Deli is again offering to prepare a full holiday dinner for you – ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and ice cream, serves 5 – $150, last order December 22nd for pickup on Christmas Eve. … If you’d rather buy something to cook yourself, Lady Jaye‘s annual Meat Market, with wagyu beef and more, is one week from tomorrow – 4-8 pm December 19.
BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Morgan Junction McDonald’s sets reopening date
(WSB photo, added Thursday)
The overhauled McDonald’s in Morgan Junction has looked ready to open for weeks, and we’ve been getting a lot of reader questions about its status. We’ve had an inquiry out to its owner to find out when it will open – and just got a reply. “The newly remodeled West Seattle McDonald’s will be re-opening for business on December 12!” announced owner Alia Abboud. For starters, she says, “Please note that the store will open from 7 am to 8 pm and will be Drive-Thru only to allow the employees to learn the new side-by-side drive-thru and get fully comfortable with the new operations and communications system. As we move forward, we will extend our hours as we gain staffing levels to provide the best possible service to our community, to include opening the lobby for dine-in customers. We are very excited to once again be open to serve our many wonderful customers in the West Seattle neighborhood!” The restaurant closed for the overhaul almost eight months ago.
BIZNOTES: Five quick food updates
Five quick local-business notes about food:
OPENING DATE FOR NEW CO-HOUSED WHITE CENTER RESTAURANTS: As reported last night on our partner site White Center Now, Alpine Diner and Big Mario’s Pizza have announced they’ll open Thursday (December 7) at 9635 16th SW – Alpine (menu here) at 9 am, Big Mario’s (menu here) at 11.
SPEAKING OF PIZZA: Moto Pizza in The Junction is legendary for requiring orders months in advance. According to an email announcement sent to its fans tonight (thanks to Tina for the forward), that’s changing. Moto says it’s now accepting walk-in orders at all three of its locations – Edmonds and Belltown as well as the original Junction location (4526 42nd SW).
FEEL MORE LIKE TACOS? Thanks to Michelle for pointing out that La Chingona Taqueria has opened its bricks-and-mortar restaurantat 2940 SW Avalon Way, former home of Lily’s Salvadorean Restaurant (you can still get Lily’s food at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market on Sundays). Here’s the La Chingona menu.
LATE-NIGHT APPETITE? Kizuki Ramen and Izakaya (42nd/Alaska) in The Junction. is open until 1 am weeknights for late-night pickup and delivery. GM Natalie explains, “With limited food options on the peninsula after normal kitchen hours, we thought we’d give you one more to choose from. You can place your orders online at Kizuki.com. If you have any modifications to your order, please call the shop at 206-206-1838.” (Note that this is an experiment, so subject to change.)
CHRISTMAS EVE BUFFET: Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) is taking reservations for another opulent holiday buffet – a seafood buffet on Christmas Eve. (Not just seafood, the menu shows.) Prices range from no charge for kids 4 and under to $120 for ages 16+.
BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Soft open, opening dates for Banh Mi XO
(Photos courtesy Banh Mi XO)
Two months ago, we told you about Banh Mi XO, coming to the former Indulge Desserts and Stuffed Cakes space at 9003 35th SW. Today we got an update from proprietor Guy Nguyen: “We are set for soft opening this Saturday and Sunday with a limited menu (signature Banh Mi sandwich, Bun (rice noodle) salad bowl, plus bubble drinks and Vietnamese Phin coffee.” Guy sent photos and added, “We do have a bar-style sitting area inside, but space is limited.”
After the soft opening, the official opening is set for December 1st. Hours will be 9 am-4 pm daily (those are also the hours for this weekend’s soft open). You can see the full menu for Banh Mi XO here and here.
BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Opening date set for GH Pasta & Pizza
(Photos courtesy GH Pasta & Pizza)
The current most-asked-about restaurant opening in West Seattle is finally about to happen. GH Pasta & Pizza – in the cow-topped ex-Best of Hands building at 35th/Webster – will officially open this Friday (November 24), after several casual soft-opens (and another one planned tomorrow). The basics:
-Fresh pastas
-12″ pizzas
-Starters and salads
-Indoor seating for 40, heated outdoor patio with room for 75
-All ages (though there’s a specific “adults only” area)
-20 taps “showcasing breweries throughout Seattle and across Washington state”
-Local and Italian wines
-“Seasonal hand-crafted signature cocktails highlighting spirits from local distilleries and around the world
-Frozen drinks
-Hours 5-10 pm daily, “with a happy-hour menu 4-5 pm”
-Delivery options via Toast online ordering
As first noted here 10 months ago, his is the newest restaurant for Chef Brian Clevenger, who is also proprietor of Raccolto and Haymaker in the West Seattle Junction, as well as half a dozen other venues elsewhere in the city.
SOFT OPEN BENEFITING WSFB: Tomorrow (Wednesday, November 21st) you can get a sneak peek by dining at GH Pasta & Pizza 4-9 pm – all proceeds will be donated to the West Seattle Food Bank.
FOLLOWUP: Changes for White Center’s fire-ravaged block, including two new restaurants sharing one space
(Also published on our partner site White Center Now)
If you’ve been in downtown White Center lately, you’ve probably noticed changes to the fire-ravaged block on the west side of 16th SW south of Roxbury. It’s been more than two years since fires ravaged multiple spaces in this block of businesses. Now seven of the spaces are up for lease to new business tenants (here’s the flyer). The spaces totaling 22,362 square feet could be leased in various combinations, the listing says … Not far south, next to Full Tilt, the Huong Xua Deli is finally getting ready to reopen, with COMING SOON signage … And on the other side of the September 2021 fire site, two venues have uncloaked with plans to share the former Bizzarro Italian Café space at 9635 16th SW:
The Alpine Diner and Bar, touting an “apres-ski” theme, and Big Mario’s Pizza. From the Alpine website:
Try our full food & beverage menu available daily from 7 AM to 10 PM, or visit the bar counter and cozy up to our vintage fireplace in the game room for ski ball and hoops. Enjoy our large outdoor patio with bocci ball and outdoor seating, opening Spring 2024. We share our space with the newest Big Mario’s location, meaning you can order from either menu.
The Alpine is from the same company that operates Lost Lake Café on Capitol Hill; Big Mario’s Pizza has a location there too, one of four in Seattle. The remodeled White Center space is expected to open this winter.
HOLIDAY BIZNOTE: Skylark’s take-home Thanksgiving dinners
Two weeks and two days until Thanksgiving – if you’re looking for cooking help, The Skylark in North Delridge can offer you some assistance. Skylark proprietor Matt Larson emailed to say, “We will be offering take-home Thanksgiving dinner again this year featuring house-smoked turkey plus sides. Order must be in by Friday the 17th and pickup is Wednesday the 22nd. Orders can be placed on our website.” Sides available include mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green-bean casserole. (Anybody else with Thanksgiving take-home – or dine-in – offerings? Email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)
BIZNOTE: Salty’s on Alki brings back Thanksgiving buffet
With three weeks and two days until Thanksgiving, you might be contemplating a no-cooking option. We’ll of course be compiling a list of restaurants planning to be open on the holiday; for early planning, here’s the first announcement: 
After a pandemic hiatus, the most opulent Thanksgiving restaurant option in West Seattle is back. Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) is taking reservations for the return of its Thanksgiving buffet. They’re booking hour-and-a-half seatings between 10 am and 5 pm on November 23rd. $120 for age 16 and up, $60 for age 10-15, $30 for age 5-9, free for the littlest ones (4 and under). You can see the full menu here – the buffet is grouped into Breakfast Classics, Salads & Such, Seafood Bonanza, Crustacean Station, Carved Meats, Thanksgiving Sides, Made-to-Order Pastas, the famous Chocolate Fountain, Fresh-Baked Pies, and a Cornucopia of Cupcakes. You can book a reservation online here if your group has 4 or fewer people; otherwise, call 206-937-1600.
BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Taste of Mumbai’s Admiral plan
A week and a half ago, we reported briefly that Taste of Mumbai was opening a restaurant/lounge in the ex-Yen Wor Village space at 2300 California SW. At the time, we mentioned having an inquiry out to find out more. We’ve since spoken by phone with Prasad from Taste of Mumbai, which for the past year-plus has operated out of the group kitchens at 4611 36th SW in The Triangle. Prasad says that for starters, they plan to “open for lunch buffets” until they get their liquor license for a full bar. Once that’s in, they plan on carrying on the karaoke tradition in the space and also adding live entertainment such as “belly dancing, Middle Eastern-theme nights.” In addition, Prasad says, they’re considering helping fill a late-night food void in West Seattle, potentially opening 24 hours a day on the weekends. Otherwise, hours will be similar to what they’re doing now (which already run late on weekend nights, until 3 am); they’ll be expanding the menu. They’re hoping to be open within a month or so, depending on permits to go – they’re doing some work in the space including the floors and restrooms.
BIZNOTE: Panda Express back on the table for West Seattle
Ten years ago, we reported on an application filed to turn a space on the south side of Westwood Village into a location for Panda Express, the fast-Chinese-food chain. That proposal eventually stalled, and the space became a physical-therapy clinic. Today, checking the Westwood Village map – which is where the center’s new-ish owners have first publicly disclosed future tenants – we discovered Panda Express is back in the picture.
That’s a screengrab showing a new addition to the map today – Panda Express is penciled in for the spot next to QFC that Pet Pros occupied before moving to Jefferson Square. It’s in the row that already holds many of WWV’s other food/beverage businesses – Sub Stop, Toshi’s Teriyaki, Happy Lemon, Starbucks. We have an inquiry out to Panda Express to see if they’ll comment. Their nearest restaurant is in Burien; the two existing Seattle locations are both in the north part of the city.
FOLLOWUP: Taste of West Seattle winners!
(Photos by WSFB board member Nicole Lutomski)
The Hall at Fauntleroy was full of tastiness last night as the West Seattle Food Bank fundraiser Taste of West Seattle returned to its original format, with dozens of local food and beverage purveyors serving tastes and sips to attendees. While WSFB was the biggest winner of the night, some of the participants went home winners too, as attendees got the chance to vote on their favorites. WSFB development director Breanna Bushaw sent us the list:
Best Savory: Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes
Best Vegetarian: Aroy Mak Thai
Best Beverage: Aroy Mak Thai – yes, they won two!
Best Sweet: Dolcetta Artisan Sweets
Best Pour (Wine & Beer): Darby Winery
If you missed the event, you can of course support WSFB any time – here’s how.
BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: For everyone wondering about the ex-Original Bakery space
Some readers have been wondering what’s going on with the vacant Fauntleroy space where The Original Bakery closed in February. As we reported at the time, the space at 9253 45th SW was taken over by the same company that owns Endolyne Joe’s next door. Owner Peter Levy told us in February that they planned to open a new establishment that would serve “morning pastries and espresso,” with other details to come. But with no outward sign of activity in the past seven months, readers asked if the plan was still on. Reached by email, Levy tells us they’ve been waiting all this time for a building permit: “We finally did get approval and the final permit required was issued yesterday.” So, he says, “We will be starting construction activity immediately, with an expected opening now estimated in mid-January.” Some details are still being worked out: “What we know at this point is that we will be opening at 7 am, providing an assortment of baked goods and coffee/espresso. We are still in the development stage as to what our service will include for the lunch and dinner hours. We are at this time intending on a limited breakfast menu with the aforementioned baked goods and continuing service throughout the day and evening. Up until about a week or two ago, we were still not clear if we would be able to secure the permits required to proceed, but with permit in hand it’s full speed ahead.”
FOOD BIZNOTES: Opening day for Miso; more info on Banh Mi XO; Portage Bay Café change
Three restaurant notes:
MISO OPENS: The new Highland Park “K-food” restaurant at 16th/Holden is open at last, as of today. We took pics yesterday as their preparation stretched out one more day. Ben is the proprietor:
He tells us Miso (which is Korean for “smile”) will be open 11 am-8 pm Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays. We photographed the menu: here and here.
MORE ABOUT BANH MI XO: We mentioned briefly Tuesday that this sign had gone up at 35th/Henderson:
We’ve since connected with proprietor Guy by email. He says hours will be “most likely breakfast and lunch (8 am-3/4 pm).” Menu plans: “Banh mi, bun (vermicelli), fresh spring rolls, bubble-tea drinks, fruit smoothies, and Vietnamese waffles.” Guy adds, “This will be our first sandwich shop, but hope we can expand. We have been in the restaurant for 10 years+ in the past.” As for when they’ll open, “Later October/November will be our best guess.”
PORTAGE BAY CAFE: Peter from Portage Bay Café emailed us with news of a fall change in hours:
Our location in West Seattle will be shifting to our fall hours starting next week. Like our smaller neighborhood stores in Ballard and near Ravenna, West Seattle will be switching to five days a week, open Thursday through Monday. Thursday, Friday, and Monday, we’ll be open 8-1:30, and on Saturdays and Sundays, we’ll be open 8-2.”
September 26 and 27 will be the first weekdays we’ll be closed, resuming five day a week service starting on the 28th.
It’s been almost nine months since Portage Bay opened at 4725 42nd SW.
Every year, we assemble a list of West Seattle restaurants planning to be open on Thanksgiving Day. (We say “planning” because sometimes their plans change after we finish making phone calls.) If you don’t want to cook, 
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