West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle restaurants: Sign’s up for Fiddlehead Fine Foods

Thanks to BJ, proprietor of Brunette Mix (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, for sharing the photo of her new neighbors from Fiddlehead Fine Foods and Café, putting up their sign today. We had noticed just yesterday that one of their doors was topped with a rendering of their namesake fern:

Fiddlehead is the coming-soon breakfast/lunch café that’s taken over the former Blue Willow Catering/Luncheonette spot at 4310 SW Oregon, just steps west of California SW. We’re still working to get key Fiddlehead details such as target opening date, and we’ll report ‘em when we get ‘em. Blue Willow, you might recall, moved out four months ago, saying it would continue its catering operations from a commercial kitchen elsewhere.

Zippy’s Giant Burgers: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor

Zippy’s Giant Burgers is warmly – sizzlingly – welcomed today as one of the newest WSB sponsors. They’ve been in business going on four years now, and here’s what the Zippy’s team would like you to know:

Zippy’s may be popular, but they’re not puffed up about it. Say West Seattle-residing owners Blaine and Rahel Cook (photo, front and center): “We don’t claim to make the ‘best’ burger, nor are we part of the ‘gourmet burger’ bandwagon (though our burgers are more gourmet than others) – we let our food speak for itself. Some people won’t like it and that’s OK. I guess we’d say ‘come on in and give us a try’.”

As for those who have given Zippy’s a try, and keep coming back: “They love our burgers and they like how we address them by their first names. This can be somewhat embarrassing when we’re out doing our shopping. … We believe that our ‘keep it simple’ approach to making what is already a simple meal is one of the reasons people come back. Since we really weren’t ground-beef eaters when we opened the restaurant, it was incredibly important for us to like what we make. The only way we found that we like the taste is to grind the meat ourselves. We think our customers appreciate this as well. We think we’ve made a lot of friends over the years. There are lots of customers that have moved away from us and they still keep coming back. We’ve been welcomed by both the Highland Park and White Center neighborhoods; we’re proud to be part of the community and that pride shows in what we do.”

See for yourself by checking out Zippy’s Giant Burgers, open 7 days a week at 9614 14th SW; online (including the menu!) at zippysgiantburgers.com, and on Facebook here; you can call advance orders to 206-763-1347.

We thank Zippy’s Giant Burgers for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

West Seattle restaurants: Burger truck going bricks-mortar on Delridge

The burger truck Charlie’s Buns ‘n’ Stuff has announced via Facebook that they’re opening a bricks-and-mortar location in West Seattle. While we await a reply to our request for comment, details are already in this link they shared from Seattle Metropolitan‘s website – which reports that Charlie’s has leased space at 5214 Delridge Way SW (right) and plans to open a burger/cheesesteak sitdown restaurant with room for 25 by early summer. The Charlie’s Buns truck first started visiting West Seattle last spring. It’s the third food truck working on a West Seattle bricks-and-mortar location right now (along with Athena’s and Marination).

Side note: If the Delridge address sounds familiar, that’s because it has made news in the past for previous and potential tenants, but it’s undergone a lot of remodeling and renovation work in the past year-plus.

Followup: Athena’s unveils truck mural; open tomorrow in Highland Park

Following up on her report from Tuesday (see it here) that Nick Parisi will open Athena’s in the former Zippy’s space at 16th/Holden, WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz photographed him and the newly painted truck today (the rolling mural is by Glenn Case). As Deanie’s story noted, Parisi plans to serve up Greek-themed food from the truck while the space is being readied – and she confirmed today that he’s planning to start tomorrow, serving 1-8 pm. She also reports that while the Athena’s truck usually will be closed Mondays, it will be OPEN on President’s Day.

West Seattle restaurants: Athena’s taking over ex-Zippy’s space

By Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The foreclosure more than a year ago of the Seamart building in Highland Park had neighborhood folks wondering whether this “food desert” area would ever again see the life-giving sustenance and high-voltage energy of the previous tenants Zippy’s Giant Burgers (WSB sponsor) – since owners Blaine and Rahel Cook ended up moving to a larger space in White Center.

A bank took over the property at 16th/Holden, and for the year-plus since, anxious eyes have kept watch, wondering, hoping, waiting. Then, last weekend, eagle-eyed tipsters scrambled to let WSB know that apparent tenants were actively on site, so, we were asked, WHAT did we know? We dashed over and were lucky to meet one of two future tenants who will split a three-way triple-net on the property: Athena’s owner Nick Parisi.

Nick, his wife, and their two kids are Highland Park residents, and are stepping up to bat at the charmed former Zippy’s location to bring his road-proven, Greek-themed venture home to the people of West Seattle and beyond – and you will be able to get food there sooner than you think.

Click to read the rest of West Seattle restaurants: Athena’s taking over ex-Zippy’s space…

West Seattle restaurants: Avalon closes its doors

Last night, a reader sent us this Craigslist link listing Avalon, the year-old restaurant in Luna Park, for lease. We asked its owners for comment – and just received this, from co-owner Deb Breuler:

We have decided to close. We had an OK year, but it’s just not enough to warrant going further into debt. We tried to renegotiate our rent to no avail. We had awesome guests and they made it worthwhile.

She added, “Today was our last day” (added) and just confirmed in response to our followup question, the closure has already taken effect. Avalon opened in January 2011, a few months after the shutdown of Café Revo (which had been in operation a year and a half); before that, the space had been home to a furnishings store.

Super Bowl Sunday: Compiling the West Seattle list

(UPDATED SUNDAY 2/5/2012 WITH NEW ADDITIONS)
3:55 PM: Some bars and restaurants have the big game on the big screen(s) – some don’t, and call it a day early. We’re putting out the call this afternoon for Super Bowl plans at local venues this Sunday, and have already collected a few – West 5, for example, invites you to come brunch or have a Bloody Mary 10 am-3 pm, and then they’re closing. Skylark Café and Club will close at 3 post-brunch. JaK’s Grill won’t be open at all. Where to watch – or not? Let us know here, or via e-mail (editor@westseattleblog.com) so we can fill out the list.

ADDED 5:49 PM: Additions – Thanks to HelperMonkey in the comments for pointing out that Corner Pocket in The Junction is hosting a Super Bowl event starting at 2:30 pm Sunday, with “crab cakes, pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, wings, our famous corn dawgs, drink specials.” Also on the “where to watch” front, The Wing Dome in The Junction has lots of screens and, general manager Andy Pattalochi says, the #1 Super Bowl Sunday food – chicken wings. If you want to order takeout wings for a viewing party at home, he tells WSB via e-mail, they’re taking pre-orders now through Saturday … And one more addition to the where-NOT-to-watch list, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) will be closed, so that, proprietor Jeff Gilbert quips, their loyal and talented staff can go home and “yell at the TV.” … Keep the info coming! We’ll keep this story linked in the sidebar BIG STORIES list for those seeking Super Bowl Sunday info.

ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Rocksport “showing the game on all 23 screens! Also offering Bloody Marys & Brunch 11am – 3pm, as well as full menu & new featured menu items & draft beers for February,” per comments, where there’s also mention of Bamboo Grill on Alki having a viewing party. And from Jenny at The Bridge: “The Bridge will be open this Sunday normal hours, 9 am for brunch! $3 Bud Lights and we do have Buffalo Wings as well! We are expecting a great party like last year.”

ADDED THURSDAY: Tuscan Tea Room and Bistro in The Junction has an unusual promotion: “MEN EAT FREE** 10:30 am-4:00 pm Super Bowl Sunday Brunch!! **Fine Print: With two entrees and two beverages the man’s entree is free! Two men dining? 50% off the whole bill.” … The Celtic Swell is having a viewing party with drink specials …

ADDED FRIDAY: From Pizzeria 22 proprietor Cary: “I have been noticing that many restaurants and bars in West Seattle will be closed for the Super Bowl, traditionally a very slow night for us. However, Pizzeria 22 does not have a television, one of the only restaurants in Admiral that doesn’t, by choice, and we will be open as we always are on Sunday evening at 4 pm. We are encouraging our neighbors and customers to support local business during the hours of the giant corporate advertisement blitzkrieg.”

ADDED SATURDAY: Company in White Center says, “Hey sports fans, advertising enthusiasts and half-time show trainwreck appreciators! This Sunday is the Super Bowl! Come down early for pre-game nonsense, drinks and FOOD! $2 PBR, $2 Rainier and $4 Fireball. We will also offer Swinery Bacon Dogs ($8) and 1/2 pound Painted Hills burgers ($9). Mmmmm, sporty! We will open at noon.” … From Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction, proprietor Gary reports: “Beveridge Place Pub will be hosting a potluck while showing commercials on all three screens intermittenly interrupted by a football game! Bring some food and enjoy Happiest Hour prices from noon til 6:00pm! In addition, Animal Aid & Rescue Foundation (AARF) will be serving up hot dogs – donations welcome – and raffling beer glassware, beer signs, and t-shirts!” … And after the game, Guy Olson suggests post-game karaoke at Yen Wor Village in the Admiral District: “Madonna is singing at half time during The Super Bowl. I’m singing super bad Madonna at 9:00pm. Karaoke from 9 pm-2 am.”

ADDED SUNDAY: Admiral Pub‘s Super Bowl party details are on FB … And Patty tells us what’s up at West Seattle Thriftway: “West Seattle Thriftway Deli will be offering a Hot Wing Bar…6 Different sauces will be offered!! Only $4.99 lb cooked and ready to go with you where ever you plan on watching the game! Also THE BEST cheese selection in town!”

ONE MORE SUNDAY NOTE: Shannon at Avalon GlassWorks in Luna Park says they’re open and blowing glass – if you’d like to watch something other than football. The superheated process might serve as a REAL pre-game “warm-up”!

West Seattle restaurants: Spring Hill changing name, concept

Just announced by Spring Hill in The Junction: It’s becoming Ma’ono Fried Chicken & Whisky:

Spring Hill Restaurant & Bar at 4437 California Avenue SW will be changing its concept from a modern Pacific Northwest bistro into a Hawaiian inspired fried chicken shop & whiskey bar.
 
Mark, Marjorie and team are very excited to present the neighborhood of West Seattle with ma’ono.  Spring Hill has had such a fantastic response and following for our fried chicken dinners, beginning February 8, 2012 we will begin serving fried chicken dinners seven nights a week (Monday through Sunday) paired with mid-pacific inspired food.  ma’ono, meaning flavor, will be a reflection of Mark Fuller’s flavor memories of Kauai. 
 
The bar at ma’ono will be expanding from eight bar stools to eighteen with an additional counter.  ma’ono’s mixologist MiNan Ahn will be behind the bar with an expanded whiskey selection making delicious cocktails and beverages.  Happy hour will be available in our larger bar and in the dining room.  Brunch will continue on Saturday and Sunday. 

The change takes effect next week – Wednesday, February 8th. You can see the menu on the new website that goes with the big change – go here.

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in Admiral: New WSB sponsor; grand-opening celebration this weekend!

Today we’re welcoming new WSB sponsor Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, which invites you to its Grand Opening celebration tomorrow and Sunday. Here’s what Menchie’s would like you to know about them:

Menchie’s is a family-friendly venue in which kids, teens & adults can enjoy endless self-serve frozen yogurt combinations. Our commitment to providing an exceptional experience in a fun & safe environment leaves every customer with a smile!

Menchie’s is an original idea – one of mix, weigh & pay. Our store offers frozen yogurt (fro-yo) with a twist. We are a self-service, interactive, and completely customizable experience where customers dispense their own yogurt from a choice of more than 100 rotating flavors of yogurt (14 rotating daily flavors), and move through lines to select from more than 70 rotating “wet” and “dry” toppings. Customers are free to take as little or as much as they want before heading to the cashier station, where their unique dessert creations are weighed and they pay by the ounce. This self-serve, hands-on experience allows customers to choose their own portion, build a perfect mix, and achieve satisfaction every time!

Menchie’s provides an endless number of product combinations which allow customers to “build their own” dessert. Swirl options include nonfat, low-carb, no sugar added, gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, kosher, and tart. Topping options include fresh fruits, granolas, assorted nuts, candies, hot fudges, and chocolates.

Our store offers a safe and engaging hangout with both dine-in and outdoor space for family and friends to gather and enjoy a unique, family-centered experience. A private party room is available for reservation for events such as birthdays, team award celebrations, social gatherings, and business/association meetings. Menchie’s also sells cold beverages, pre-packed frozen yogurt to go, and logo-branded merchandise. It starts with an inviting design and a friendly welcome, adds choice, affordability, great taste and health, and culminates with SMILES all over!

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt is at 2620 California SW in West Seattle’s Admiral District, with grand-opening events – including freebies! – 11 am to 9 pm both days this weekend. Full details are on Facebook, facebook.com/menchiesadmiral.

We thank Menchie’s for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

West Seattle restaurants: Ex-Bohemian = West City Sardine Kitchen

Aside from “when will the West Seattle Trader Joe’s open?” a top question landing in the WSB inbox at least once a week has been: “What’s the old Bohemian turning into?” Thirteen months after it closed, and 4 1/2 months after it was sold, we’ve continued trying to find out. Our reporter on the case has left messages, business cards, etc. No reply. We’ve received recent reports that work crews have been sighted at the 3405 California SW storefront, but there are no permits on the DPD log – might just mean they’re not doing enough work to need them. However, intrepid reader Jodee has discovered a name for the enterprise: West City Sardine Kitchen, according to state records (there’s a city business license in that name too). The names include the same person whose name eventually turned up on the deed, the owner of Bick’s Broadview Grill in the north end. Could just be a working title. But for the tidbit-hungry, that’s the latest, for now.

THURSDAY UPDATE: Just made the daily check of liquor-license applications – and even as we were publishing this story yesterday, the owners were applying for a liquor license as West City Sardine Kitchen, it turns out.

Help celebrate their 1st anniversaries: Löcöl and Avalon

Two West Seattle eating/drinking spots are marking their 1st anniversaries, and both have special events this week:

(Photo courtesy Löcöl)
LOCOL: 7 pm tomorrow (Tuesday, January 10), the cozy neighborhood spot at 7902 35th SW is throwing a party exactly one year after opening night. Proprietor Kyle Duce‘s announcement says, “Wow, it’s been an amazing year of fantastic people, friends, neighbors, wine, beer, food and support! Thank You All!! Hope to see you tomorrow night. We will be handing out Free Cupcakes from our friends @ Stuffed Cakes and will also have Happy Hour Drink Specials all night long!”

AVALON: 6:30 pm Wednesday, Pourquoi Pas will play live at the 2940 Avalon Way SW restaurant/bar, co-owner Mary Palmer tells WSB. Last Tuesday marked one year since Avalon’s official opening. (If you can’t wait till then, tomorrow is another edition of Avalon’s “Tapas Tuesday.”)

Who’s open, West Seattle Christmas 2011: Restaurants/bars

If you’re thinking about going out for dinner and/or drinks, here’s who either told us they’d be open or posted it somewhere visible online…

FEEDBACK LOUNGE (WSB sponsor), 4 pm-2 am (both food and drink)
THE THAITAN, open with full menu and delivery till 9 pm
A TERRIBLE BEAUTY, special dinner menu, till 11 pm (menu here)
BEVERIDGE PLACE PUB: Open 6 pm-2 am
THE BRIDGE: Opens at 4 pm – lounge only
SHADOWLAND: Open
TUG INN: 8 pm-2 am, “Karaoke Christmas and Ugly Sweater Contest”
YEN WOR, 9 pm-2 am. Lounge only. Karaoke at 9.
(added) OUTWEST BAR (open per Facebook comment)

We’re sure there are at least a few more, so if you know of any, please add a comment. Thanks! (If you’re looking for grocery-store info, here’s the short version – the QFCs just closed, the Safeways are open till 5, then no supermarkets are open in this area till 5 tomorrow morning.)

West Seattle restaurants: Jonny Bostons for sale, but staying open

Just one year after Jonny Bostons Sandwich Shop opened, owner Dan Atherton confirms a rumor that he will put the shop up for sale within the week. WSB contributor Keri DeTore, who reported our original stories about Jonny Bostons last year, talked with him today. She says that Dan’s message to his customers is: “We’re sorry to inform the community that Jonny Bostons is up for sale, due to circumstances beyond our control.” Dan told Keri that there are family issues demanding his attention, as well as the continuing work from his other business, Artistic Design. Dan assures WSB that his employees have been told about the change and that Jonny Bostons will stay open until it sells. He adds, “We’re trying to find a buyer that will keep the sandwich shop the way it is.” (In the meantime, Jonny Bostons, which is at 4151 California SW on the north side of The Junction, will be closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but open New Year’s Eve from 11:30 am-8 pm and New Year’s Day 11 am-8 pm.)

Zatz a Better Bagel, with bagels and more: New WSB sponsor

(Zatz manager Jason, left, with staffers Brigette and Conner)
“Even many East Coast customers mention how pleased they are by our quality,” says Zatz a Better Bagel owner Don Nolan. Zatz a Better Bagel, in the Admiral District, is one of our newest WSB sponsors, and we’re welcoming Zatz today with the customary chance for a new sponsor to tell you more about their business:

Zatz bagels “are carefully crafted locally and made with the highest-quality, all-natural ingredients,” says Don. “They are baked fresh every day, all day. You only need to see and taste them to figure out why we are often reputed as the best bagel in the area.” And beyond – Don adds, “Our customers come from all over the state to get our products.” He’s proud not only of the quality, taste, and consistency, but also of the fact that Zatz a Better Bagel is a regular donor to local charities “including the West Seattle Food Bank, which we have been doing for many years on a daily basis.”

Zatz isn’t just about bagels (by the way, theirs come in gourmet flavors like pesto, as well as the classics). As you can see on the menu posted to the Zatz website, there’s challah bread on Fridays, and takeout tubs of spreads (“shmeers”). Plus – for taking out or eating in – sandwiches, bagel dogs, breakfast “scrambagels,” soup, and espresso. Zatz a Better Bagel is a proud member of the new Admiral District Business Association. Find Zatz online at zatzbagels.com and in Admiral at 2348 California SW; call-in orders are welcome at 206-933-8244. (Holiday-season P.S. – See two special Zatz freebies here!)

We thank Zatz a Better Bagel for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

From the West Seattle Holidays page: New Year’s Eve dinner

Even if you’re not planning to party all night on New Year’s Eve, going out to dinner seems to be a growing tradition, so the NYE section at the end of the WSB West Seattle Holidays page has a growing list of who’s offering special menus that night around here. We have five so far and room for more, if you are a restaurant owner/employee, or know of something special at your favorite West Seattle/White Center eatery, please let us know so we can add it! (We’re building the list of “who’s open Christmas Eve/Day” too.) editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks! We’ll also take the opportunity to remind you about the one-week-old WSB West Seattle Restaurant Guide; thanks to those who are adding comments to their favorite eateries’ pages (advice on favorite dishes/drinks particularly welcome). And thanks for the feedback; we’re working on additions and other tweaks.

By request: West Seattle Restaurant Guide debuts on WSB

This month we’re marking a lot of anniversaries – six years since we launched this site (December 24, 2005), five years (exactly!) since the windstorm that blew WSB toward morphing into a news site (December 14-15, 2006), four years since your editor here left old media to run the site full-time (December 9, 2007), three years since the crazy snow days of December 2008 that brought community collaboration on WSB to a whole new level … But we prefer to look ahead, rather than look back, so it’s time for more milestones. Earlier this year, more than 500 WSB’ers were kind enough to respond to a three-question survey we posted here, with questions including “what’s missing on WSB?” One popular answer was, weather info. Fixed that. Another one: A restaurant section. So today – we finally have one. See it here (note “Restaurants” in the tab navigation atop WSB pages).

We’ve actually been trying for more than three years to put one together. We didn’t want to just partially launch it and keep adding. But now it’s up, thanks in no small part to WSB contributor Katie Meyer, who did the work that finally got it to the table, so to speak. It’s nothing fancy – meat and potatoes, if you will (tofu and potatoes if you’re meatless), but we believe the pages have the basics for each restaurant, and a place for your comments (please follow the posted rules!). We have pages for more than 120 restaurants, linked from the index page, and we would love you to kick the tires – let us know if we missed someone, if you see an error, etc. If you are a restaurateur or employee and you know the menu/hours are changing, please let us know so we can update the page. Except for a few establishments for which we couldn’t find web pages, we link to restaurants’ own websites, as well as Facebook and/or Twitter. Comments, corrections, etc. are welcome here or to us via e-mail at editor@westseattleblog.com.

(P.S. The guide includes a few White Center restaurants; we’ll be adding more. We also have some of the not-full-fledged-restaurant West Seattle establishments that serve a fair amount of ready-to-eat food items, and are open to suggestions there too.)

‘We (heart) Alki Crab and Fish’: Supporters rally near Seacrest

Thule the dog was the hit of this afternoon’s rally to show support for Alki Crab and Fish in its challenge to the city’s decision to award the Seacrest Boathouse concession contract to a competing proposal. About 20 people were there for the low-key gathering. ACF’s owner Eric Galanti was among them; we photographed him with diver/photographer Laura James, who organized the rally and an ongoing petition drive to show support:

As Laura had been careful to say, the gathering wasn’t meant as a protest; the diving community wanted to show their appreciation for Alki Crab and Fish, saying its owners have gone above and beyond “business as usual” in serving them over the years at the popular dive spot/pier. The rally along the pathway east of Seacrest concluded with a group photo:

As reported here earlier this week, Galanti has sent a formal protest letter to the city, as provided for in the concession-contract process. He told WSB today that nothing else has happened in the meantime, except that he has submitted “another packet,” so “the wheels are turning” as he waits to hear what happens next. The city’s decision to give the contract to Marination – whose food truck was making its regular Saturday visit to West Seattle just a few miles away, in High Point, and whose supporters also have set up an online petition – ultimately needs City Council approval, and wouldn’t reach that stage till early next year.

Seacrest Boathouse contract-controversy followup: Marination revealed as ‘new operator,’ and more

(File photos of Seacrest and Marination, both by Christopher Boffoli)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Multiple developments today on the story we reported yesterday, picking up on a report by our partners at the Seattle Times that the city-owned Seacrest Boathouse‘s longtime operator, owner of Alki Crab and Fish, lost the contract to run the site:

We’ve just confirmed with Seattle Parks that the operators of the popular food truck Marination Mobile, which has been visiting West Seattle weekly for more than a year, are the people to whom the city intends to award the contract. There’s also an online petition circulating to “save Alki Crab and Fish,” as first reported in comments on our Sunday story – and (added) one in support of Marination.

First – From Parks spokesperson Dewey Potter, in response to our inquiry this morning:

Alki Crab and Fish finished second to Marination by a score of almost 45 points. Going beyond the normal evaluation process, Parks staff had oral interviews with the top two candidates and that did not change the outcome.

We had actually sent a note to Marination last night after various things we’d heard led us to suspect they might be the winning proposer; we have not yet received a reply. However, Parks has included both the grading from the evaluation and Marination’s proposal – while we read through it to summarize, you can see the document here (PDF).

Second – The online petition is here. Diver/photographer Laura James created it early this morning. As of right now, more than 240 people have signed it. Parks says they are expecting a written protest from Alki Crab and Fish’s owner by the end of today; the formal procedure calls for that to go to Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams, who would have the final say (pending City Council approval early next year). The pro-Marination petition (also from WSB comments) was created in early afternoon, here.

ADDED 1:03 PM: Regarding the fate of Alki Kayak Tours, which has been a subcontractor at Seacrest, renting watercraft, skates, and bikes, and leading tours (with some of those services called for by Parks) – Parks spokesperson Potter acknowledges AKT owner Greg Whittaker “expressed concern that he would lose out as a result of the evaluation of the proposals Parks received … Parks staff have talked with (him) and advised him that renting boats for recreational fishing and general boating activities will continue to be an integral part of the operation at Seacrest moving forward, and that once the protest is resolved, the newly selected operator, assuming that decision stands, is interested in subleasing that side of the operation and that he is welcome to engage in that discussion about that possibility.”

ADDED 1:53 PM: Key points of Marination’s proposal, and some background for those who aren’t familiar with their operation (and ADDED 3:33 PM, more reaction including theirs plus the current contract-holder): Click to read the rest of Seacrest Boathouse contract-controversy followup: Marination revealed as ‘new operator,’ and more…

West Seattle restaurants: Porterhouse has apparently closed

After 2 years in business at 2329 California SW, it appears the restaurant/bar Porterhouse is closed. Over the past week-plus, several WSB’ers e-mailed to say they had been told by restaurant staff that Porterhouse would shut down its West Seattle restaurant/pub after Saturday night, but management/ownership did not confirm this when we asked. However, all signs point to the closure having indeed happened. For one, it was dark on Sunday during what would have been operating hours (no note on the door when we went by, though); for two, its West Seattle website at westcoastales.com switched Saturday night to an error page; for three, its West Seattle Facebook page no longer exists. No one answered the phone Sunday during what would have been prime dinnertime.

Porterhouse opened in August 2009, eleven months after Blackbird Bistro closed in that same space. Last July, it closed briefly for an “extreme makeover” and reopened with a new menu focused on burgers. The original Porterhouse in the Skagit County town of Mount Vernon appears to still be open. As for the West Seattle space’s fate – looks like it’s up for sale. (Addendum: Confirmed later Monday, when a “BUSINESS FOR SALE” sign went up in the window.)

New West Seattle restaurant: Fleur de Lys bringing Cajun/Creole

(Photos courtesy Jessep Bangham, unless otherwise credited)
By Bill “Hutch” Hutchison
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

“N’awlins” flavors are coming to West Seattle in the form of a new restaurant named the Fleur de Lys Café.

The new venture will share the upstairs of Shipwreck Tavern, at 4210 SW Admiral. Before you ask, yes, the Shipwreck is still in business and will remain so – they’re just renting out the upstairs as a separate business to Jessep Bangham and his girlfriend Liz Bowman, to start their tribute to the great cuisine of New Orleans.

The opening date is not set in stone, but they are aiming for mid-January. Liz was born and raised in NO and now lives here in Seattle. Jessep, an Alaska native, is now working as a Microsoft program manager, and is the driving force behind the operation. “The idea is to marry Northwest fresh produce and some seafood with some authentic New Orleans ingredients and prepare the best New Orleans’ style food outside of Louisiana,” he explained.

Click to read the rest of New West Seattle restaurant: Fleur de Lys bringing Cajun/Creole…

West Seattle treats: Menchie’s reveals its Admiral opening date

Thanks to Melissa for the tip: Via Facebook, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt has just announced that its Admiral store will open next Monday, November 21st. We first reported in July that Menchie’s was planning to take one of the new retail spaces on the northwest side of the new Admiral Safeway site.

West Seattle restaurants: Spring Hill brings back fried chicken

Seldom have we seen such a stir over restaurant news as the Spring Hill Restaurant and Bar fried-chicken saga. You might recall their popular Monday night fried-chicken dinners – and the frenzy that erupted when they announced they were deep-sixing the deep-fried concept last summer. But now … it’s back, with a Hawaiian twist, as of December 5th. Click ahead to see the news release we just received: Click to read the rest of West Seattle restaurants: Spring Hill brings back fried chicken…

Fresh Bistro: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

We’re welcoming one of our newest WSB sponsors today – Fresh Bistro in The Junction, on the ground floor at Mural (4725 42nd SW).

As always, new sponsors are offered the chance to share information about their business. Here’s some of what Fresh Bistro is proudest of:

Relaxed, Comfortable, Fresh
Diners can escape to an intimate environment influenced by artistic farm murals and an open floor plan and kitchen. Fresh Bistro delivers the true essence of a bistro experience with indoor and seasonal, outdoor seating, personable service and welcoming atmosphere. Our menus showcase a variety of flavorful selections for every palate, including seafood, vegetarian offerings, meat, and salads. On-the-go diners can enjoy gourmet takeout, while parties can take advantage of our private space for up to 16 guests. Each menu creation is inspired by our passion for bringing sustainable and eco-friendly ideals to the table through an innovative and savvy use of the season’s best from local food producers.

Service, Sustainability, Stewardship
Fresh Bistro staff strives to deliver the highest level of service to every guest and is equally committed to the serving the environment and community. Along with sourcing ingredients from local producers and farmers, we continuously seek new ways to use area suppliers, assisting the economy and agriculture community. We are dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint with sustainable business practices, including recycling, composting, and reuse of products.

Right now, diners can get an exclusive “25% off brunch” code by
“liking” Fresh Bistro on Facebook – facebook.com/freshbistro. Fresh Bistro also is participating in Dine Around Seattle, Sundays through Thursdays, three courses for $30 – see the menu options here. (Make reservations online by going here.) And it’s all-night Happy Hour in the bar, Mondays-Thursdays.

We thank Fresh Bistro for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.