More West Seattle restaurant news: Table 35’s grand opening

The new restaurant/lounge going into the ex-Ama Ama space in The Junction, Table 35 (previous coverage here and here), has set its grand-opening date: January 9th. New signs we noticed tonight in the windows at California/Edmunds (map) promise brunch, dinner and happy hour, 10 am-2 am; the Table 35 website is a work in progress – the “menu” page surprised us for a moment because it doesn’t jibe with the “Continental/Mediterranean” concept mentioned last month, but on second look it appears to be placeholder boilerplate – note the resemblance (we’ll be checking).

Alki Area December 25, 2009 (1:26 pm)

I hope the food is good and they are a success. Something funny I noticed though. On their menu, they list their “famous” burgers. How can they be famous if the restaurant hasn’t even opened yet? Just say you have great, excellent, best in town. But famous? Have to wait a while for that? :)

WSB December 25, 2009 (1:32 pm)

Please look again at the link I pointed to. Basically, it appears they have cut and pasted placeholder copy from another site (an out-of-town restaurant chain), certainly not uncommon when a site is under construction (either that or you use ipsum/dolorum) – I would bet it will be replaced soon. Decided to proactively note that, so that an extensive discussion of burgers et al did not ensue …TR

J.R.A. December 25, 2009 (2:03 pm)

Being a taste tester for the Table 35 menu was amazing. The name Table 35 has a great story behind it, so if you want to know the story first hand be sure to ask when you visit.

Rick December 25, 2009 (2:04 pm)

Huh?

rnl December 25, 2009 (5:17 pm)

How can I be a taste tester?

dawsonct December 25, 2009 (6:22 pm)

Become a close, GENEROUS friend of people in the industry.

Alki Area December 25, 2009 (6:22 pm)

LOL…wasn’t trying to be hateful, I just thought it was funny. NOT a big deal.

Yeah me December 26, 2009 (10:11 am)

I think “Coming Soon” on the website would be more appropriate than taking copyrighted text from another local restaurant website.

rnl December 26, 2009 (11:06 am)

dawsonct – GENEROUS -? Meaning $ – I have great taste buds…shouldn’t that count? Not everyone with $ has good taste…….

aw December 26, 2009 (1:12 pm)

from what i hear, there is $10,000 a month rent in that spot.. no wonder why nothing can last over a year there. i hope this new place can stand the overhead. good luck!

WSB December 26, 2009 (1:24 pm)

Just for the record, it appears Ovio was in that space for more than 2 years after moving from the location that then became O2, followed by Beato, further north on California. Ama Ama was open for 1 2/3 years. I can’t find a reference for how long Guppy’s was in business before that. – TR

dawsonct December 26, 2009 (1:38 pm)

Sure thing rnl, but most of us in the industry don’t have the money for the restaurant we are opening, so the people who get invited to the tasting tends to be those with the dollars or time invested. If you don’t have the money, then you better get ready to wield a paint/scrub brush. Sweat equity is appreciated just as much.
–
I’ll put out the word when I get ready to open my place.

Ethan December 26, 2009 (1:46 pm)

I hope they arnt just trying to be another ama ama. People in the Junc dont like paying too much for food. If they go in trying the same thing ama ama did they will end up the same way.
good luck though!!!

dawsonct December 26, 2009 (6:29 pm)

It’s a damned shame, too, Ethan. Their original vision, as Paige (sp?) told me, was for a SMALL, simple oyster bar. Just beer, wine, oysters and a few other simple dishes. When the Ovio space became available they expanded on their ideas to make it a full-service restaurant/bar. That space is HUGE, with almost as much kitchen/prep space as there was service space, and when they initially opened the kitchen was VERY underutilized. In fact, there were a lot of underutilized resources in the back-of the house, but that’s a different part of the story.
–
Produced a number of entries in the “F-ups to avoid” section of my notebook.
There is value to be found in every situation.

ace face December 28, 2009 (9:13 pm)

i just hope that the lounge is nice and big. i would love to have an upscale lounge in the neighborhood where i wouldn’t feel too out of place being dressed up to have a drink or three.

Table 35 December 29, 2009 (1:20 pm)

To clear a few things up…

Table 35 has absolutely no affiliation with Bamboo.

The website is under construction and the menu items currently listed were just “fillers” the menu is being finalized today and will be available online in a few days.

The space is going to be utilized to its full capacity and will provide an upscale, lounge atmosphere.

More details coming soon.

Thank you!
Table 35 mgmt

Tricia January 3, 2010 (9:34 am)

Old time West Seattlites will remember that site was a furniture store for years and years probably up to about the late 1950’s. I think the name was Carlile’s but don’t remember for sure. Anyway that is one reason it is such a huge space.
Bon Appetit and good luck. It sounds great.

Tricia January 3, 2010 (11:41 am)

P.S It was Carlile’s. I still have my minature Lane cedar chest that they gave to female graduates of West Seattle High School in 1955.
It seems like they were still there as a furniture store in the 1970′?

Baba January 4, 2010 (4:18 pm)

Does West Seattle need another restaurant though?

Jane January 4, 2010 (4:57 pm)

I am not sure if West Seattle needs another restaurant or not. I raised my family in Bellevue (and yes they have a few restaurants too), and never went over to West Seattle, until I moved back to the pacific northwest this last year, what a great little community West Seattle is. I do know that if a restaurant has the right atmosphere, great food, reasonable prices and owners/chef that care about their patrons, it stands a chance of being a success. Restaurants are always a gamble, but this one has a good feel, and I know the owners and chef are all about pleasing the patrons. With the economy as it is, who knows what is needed for consumer consumption, but I am going to support this restaurant to the best of my ability, it’s nice to get out of Bellevue, and West Seattle appears to be where it is happening.