Reader report: Shadowland reportedly open

So says e-mail we just received from Lessie. Won’t be able to confirm in person for a while, so if you’re anywhere near The Junction, more reports welcome.

23 Replies to "Reader report: Shadowland reportedly open"

  • CB November 28, 2007 (7:36 pm)

    I wish these folks the very best. Looking forward to dining there soon. I love how West Seattle is growing and changing.

  • Alki November 28, 2007 (8:13 pm)

    I don’t get it, what’s so special about Shadowland that it gets so much coverage(seems WAY more than any other business)? Seems like it has quite a few top stories. Seriously, I am dying to know, it’s a great business (and new, albeit), but what is is that makes it such a hot story, for so long? :)

  • Adam on Alki November 28, 2007 (8:45 pm)

    Because it replaced the (long dormat) Neilson Flowers location in the junction. That corner has been an eye sore for a long time and it is great to see a fresh new spot opening up. On top of that, it is named after Francis Farmer (grew up on Pigeon Hill, attended West Seattle HS), so it has local-ish ties.

  • Jan November 28, 2007 (8:53 pm)

    I suppose it’s because of it’s central location, and the fact that it’s taken forever and a day for them to finally get here…we’re all just curious…especially since it’s a locally owned place.

  • WSB November 28, 2007 (9:08 pm)

    Actually we have fussed over many a new business in The Junction in our relatively short 2 years of publishing … from Bakery Nouveau to Ama Ama to Garlic Jim’s to Cupcake Royale and so on … as well as new businesses in other parts of West Seattle … we’re all about what’s new in general, but new places to dine ESPECIALLY are hot topics for us and the readers. For this one, besides the two observations above, the fact they have been working on imaginative exterior decor has made it extra newsworthy.

  • E November 28, 2007 (9:09 pm)

    All because of the great hand-painted decor on the outside.

  • David November 29, 2007 (12:01 am)

    I hope they can make it. It’s not a pretty industry. You’re about as well off taking your money to Vegas than opening a restaurant. The failure rate is massive. Just consider the restaurants that haven’t even make it a year. Speaking of that, the Coyotes on Alki that died, I see it’s getting worked on again…any idea what’s going there? And WHEN is that tiny market going to open next to Cactus/PetStore?

  • WSB November 29, 2007 (12:08 am)

    We still have no official contacts regarding either of those but the “conventional wisdom” re: the Coyotes etc. space appears to be that Pegasus could move there when it’s time for construction to start on their current site; no new clues on the little market – we keep going by the area hoping to bump into someone to ask in person – the city permit aps have only the names of contractors such as electricians.

  • Jan November 29, 2007 (1:30 am)

    you know…I think the Coyotes/The Point/et.al. location is perfect for Pegasus. It’s bigger, has more outdoor dining in the summer. Maybe they’ll decide to stay there after construction is done.

  • Aidan Hadley November 29, 2007 (5:57 am)

    David: While you’re generally right about the law of averages when it comes to restaurants, they seem to do fairly well in the local market, especially along this drag of California in West Seattle. Also, you can’t ignore the overall trend of over-worked, harried people eating out more as opposed to cooking at home.

  • rdm November 29, 2007 (7:21 am)

    From what I understand the Coyotes space is going to become the permanant site of Pegasus and the old Pegasus area is being torn down and turned into…anyone? anyone? Thats right class CONDOS!!

  • kmac November 29, 2007 (7:37 am)

    My boyfriend spoke to employees from Pegasus as they were moving things to the Coyote spot earlier this week. They told him the Coyote location was going to be permanent for Pegasus because the kitchen and dining areas are bigger and the outdoor dining area is better. Apparently, the new construction at the old Pegasus site is going to be condos and maybe 1st floor business(es). But definitely condos.

  • Eddie November 29, 2007 (9:44 am)

    Back to the original post – I did see the kitchen in operation and people inside at the tables at around 5pm yesterday (Wednesday). I attributed it to some sort of “soft opening” that many restaraunts do to (hopefully) wring out last minute details with their new menus, staff, layout, etc.

  • Melissa November 29, 2007 (10:11 am)

    My husband and I also noticed people inside last night. We took a closer look and, according to the sign posted on the door, last night was a private party. The sign further noted that today they will be officially open at 4pm.

  • Eddie November 29, 2007 (7:47 pm)

    Sign on the door at 7:30pm today (11/29) says “open at 6pm”. At 7:30 it was packed inside. Did a quick walk through – in and out.

    Going to have to wait for another night for us to actually check it out.

  • Sarah November 29, 2007 (8:28 pm)

    We went tonight, and it was great! Lots of familiar West Seattle faces, also. Dina was our server, who we recognized from La Rustica and Luna Park. Former Corner Pocket bartender Jay was working, and our friend Peder was working the tables, also. We ordered “small plates” and tried the poutine, seared scallops, and olives. With that and drinks (two glasses of prosecco for me, two beers for him), our bill came to just over $50 before tip. Not bad, for lots of food and drinks. Good atmosphere, and no noise from the TVs. :-)

  • willamina c. November 29, 2007 (10:03 pm)

    …because everything about this place has looked classy, cool, and awesome from the get-go.

    i can’t wait to try it and think i am detouring my weekly drinking buddies to west seattle to have an excuse to do so. plus they need to bask in the glory of late-night happy hour at the various bars on California.

  • Chris November 30, 2007 (7:37 am)

    Hopefully this is a trend of good things to come for us. I am excited to see these new “hip” places open here in our backyard and can’t wait to go and try it out!!!!

  • Serafina December 1, 2007 (11:57 am)

    We ate there last night and it was very very average and expensive for what we got. Everything we ordered fell short and just didn’t have much flavor. The scallops were $13 for three scallops in onions and butter. The rabbit stew was very bland. The clams were missing something and had a weird pasta in it that did not need to be there. I asked about the wine and the waitress had not tried any of the wines yet. Restaurant 101 EVERYONE tastes ALL food and ALL wine before you open. They were out of the mac and cheese and oddly they had a large dessert menu and said that none were available except creme brulee. Why put it on the menu if it is not available, just leave it off, very strange. I might go back someday if it seems like some of the kinks were worked out. But no time soon.

  • steve0 December 1, 2007 (10:41 pm)

    went there, drank there, loved it! Good pours from Matt, Jay, and Kyle behind the bar. a bar back, that judging from his Wilson arm band, moves his ass! familiar w.s. faces, and some good music. Shadowland is still very, very, very new, so hold your breath if you feel so inclined, but from what i witnessed, its comming along nicely. give it a spin.

  • Chris December 6, 2007 (1:18 pm)

    Dropped by last Saturday night about 9:30. We sat at a table for about ten minutes waiting for sercice, but no one came around. It looked as if one or two other tables were in same situation. At one point a waiter came out, but instead of coming to any of the tables went to the bar to chat with a friend (clearly saw us but ignored us). It was a weird experience. We evenutally just left without talking to anyone. I will give them the benefit of the doubt and try agian but I’m not too optimistic at this point.

  • Dan December 23, 2007 (11:47 am)

    Growing pains and an identity crisis, Shadow Land suffers from both of these.

    The drinks were good and the waitress we had was very nice but seemed a little lost, but that is to be expected in a restaurant this new.

    The interior is nice though it has an odd layout. The back end of the dining area has a large section of unused floor space that perhaps could have been filled with tables or a dining bar. And for goodness sake, put a door at the kitchen.

    They don’t seem to know who their clients will be and how to cater to them. The interior and music playing are both great and seems to be geared to generation Y types. But the menu is trying way too hard to be a chic, downtown, nuevo , beautiful people bistro. It all tasted good, they obviously are talented chefs, but please lighten up, Its West Seattle folks!

    My girlfriend gave it a thumbs down, I have owned 2 restaurants in a previous life and am willing to be more forgiving. It takes a while to get a system down and to find your niche. They are so close to being the cool hang out place that West Seattle needs, but they have a ways to go. Not sure if they are entertaining any plans for this, but West Seattle is craving a hang out that has live, local musician nights. Though, their space may be too small for that.
    Well, I for one am rooting for them and hope they pull it off. I will give it a couple months and try it again with an open mind.

  • Corey January 9, 2008 (8:11 pm)

    Thoroughly unimpressed with this restaurant. After two years in the making, we were anticipating something much better. The food was average at best and the music was painfully loud. And what’s up with those huge TV’s? The TV’s are entirely unnecessary and distraction…or perhaps distraction was planned : (

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