West Seattle restaurants: Peek inside soon-to-open Bang Bar

(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
Very busy spring on the southeastern side of the heart of The Junction’s business district. On Friday, we got a quick peek inside Bang Bar, the Asian-fusion restaurant/lounge that has been in the works for the former Tom Yum Koong spot (that restaurant closed three months ago, and we confirmed the Bang Bar plans the next day). Manager Michael Anthony Pascua tells WSB they’re working to set up the kitchen this weekend, after completing most of the other interior work. No date set yet – like most new restaurants, they will go through a few trial runs (private party, “soft open”) before throwing open the doors to the public.

Katie says one of the features inside is a waterfall wall that “rains” instead of just having water rippling down the surface. By the way, we don’t know if it’s finalized information, but a menu has taken shape on the Bang Bar website, too.

cmc May 14, 2011 (9:13 pm)

Pictures look gorgeous! Checked out the menu and it seems pricey, but I wish you the best of luck!

raybro May 14, 2011 (9:15 pm)

Menu is a bit spendy.

Dc May 14, 2011 (9:40 pm)

Menu does look expensive, but sounds tasty

Skeeter May 14, 2011 (9:50 pm)

$16 for pad thai?

Admiral Ginger May 14, 2011 (9:56 pm)

Echoing other commanders but have to agree that the prices seem awfully high for what they are offering. I’m not exactly sure who their target audience is especially when there are proven less expensive alternatives.

I wish them the best of luck and will certainly give the place a try when they open, but for those prices the food better be great.

MB May 15, 2011 (12:07 am)

Hmmm, not sure…menu does sound fantastic and I love Thai food, so I’ll most likely try them. But even if they are super tasty, my visits will be few and far between because of the prices. I already have a handful of decent places to get my phad Thai fix with a muuuuch smaller hit to my pocket book. The hubby isnt a Thai food fan, so an order of phad Thai is my favorite “hunny isn’t home” go to meal, but I just can’t justify it regularly for $16. Bummer ;(

Jen May 15, 2011 (12:11 am)

Yum! The menu looks amazing. I agree it’s pricey, but the food seems very different from my go-to take out Thai places. I think it would be more like a date night place for us, maybe a little more upscale …

anonyme May 15, 2011 (7:19 am)

Gorgeous decor, awesome menu, but the prices are prohibitive. This would have to be a special occasion spot for me, rather than a weekly ritual. Disappointing, I was looking forward to a good Thai restaurant in the junction…

Kyle May 15, 2011 (7:56 am)

My jaw literally dropped when I saw the prices. this place is the most expensive restaurant in the Junction for sure and I’d go as far to say for West Seattle (if not, top of the list definitely). It’s so disappointing.

Michael May 15, 2011 (8:44 am)

For those that think 16 is pricy for Phad Thai you may want to note that this version is made with crab meat. I also think these prices are a little high but perhaps more in line with what it takes to cover the expenses of a restaurant with some class in today’s economy and that may allow it remain open for more than a year.

Denise May 15, 2011 (9:02 am)

This place is just around the corner from me so I was excited to hear that it would remain a Thai restaurant. Not so excited now that I see the prices.

jhdsfjh May 15, 2011 (9:33 am)

The prices are truly unfortunate. One year, two tops, and they’re gone. Know your market guys. There’s a great Thai place, Buddha Ruhksa, less than 2 miles away with very good prices.

MargL May 15, 2011 (10:21 am)

Very nice decor. From the description http://bangbarthai.com/about/ and menu it looks like they’re not trying to offer just regular ol’ Thai food, they want to be a ‘go to’ place for a special meal – like Jak’s or Fresh Bistro. Both of those places seem to be doing well so I say good luck to them!

Mike May 15, 2011 (12:01 pm)

Most expensive Thai restaurant on the planet. Doomed

toodles May 15, 2011 (12:52 pm)

Wha wha wha.. stay home.

HA May 15, 2011 (1:04 pm)

Yes, I am disappointed also… I will skip this one. Sorry guys! Well, let’s hope the next door would be fine place to go!

Andros May 15, 2011 (4:22 pm)

Yep. They screwed up with those prices. They already have superior competition with other Thai restaurants in the area. Go to Buddha Ruksa instead.

Jeremiah May 15, 2011 (7:31 pm)

Living a block away, I’ve been pretty stoked to see this restaurant open. But these menu prices are absolutely ridiculous. No thanks.

grr May 16, 2011 (12:04 am)

yup..gotta agree..the menu SOUNDS amazing, if the quality of the food matches the description. But the prices are way out of line. Even Spring Hill is less expensive.
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wouldn’t it be better to have prices that are in accordance with the main competition in the area, and have the place PACKED every night??
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I’d use Phoenecia as an example. There was never any question about the quality of the food, but the high prices made it a ‘special occasion only’ place (albiet one we went to often).– NOW, it’s prices are quite reasonable, the food is STILL exquisite, and it’s packed pretty much every night.
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Bang Bar..take a closer look.. We really DO want you to be a success. You can ALWAYS raise your prices in a year or two once you’re established and well loved :)

Jim May 16, 2011 (7:06 pm)

It’s sad to hear that people on here think $16 is too much to spend for a meal at a restaurant. Has anyone ever heard of paying for quality?

dawsonct May 17, 2011 (6:04 pm)

Actually grr, it’s easier to lower the bar once a restaurant is open than it is to raise it.
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From what I understand, this is a VERY preliminary menu, there have been a number of changes, and it won’t be a TRUE Thai restaurant, though one strongly influenced by Thai and other SE Asian cuisines.

chris May 20, 2011 (12:27 pm)

New place, new food, new competition! I am always up for something different. Whatever happen to being open minded and thinking outside the box? Imagine if everyone thought the same and matched everyone around them. That would suck….lol. If the food is good then all the other circumstances doesn’t matter. I am glad to see some diversity in West Seattle. They say it will be more upscale, so can’t wait to see what they have to offer.

dawsonct June 2, 2011 (8:57 pm)

For those anticipating failure, remember the employees who will end up unemployed.
If it doesn’t fit in to your economic niche, fine, but why speak so smugly about it’s impending failure? Pretty effing sad.
I have never eaten at Canlis; in my tax bracket, meals at places like that are prohibitive, but they are a great institution that is internationally recognized. It pleases me that a Seattle restaurant family has been such a great success.

I also find it interesting that some of you already know the quality of food to be served at an unopened restaurant, and have deemed it to be not so different from all the other Thai influenced restaurants in the city. I’d be interested in knowing how you came to such a conclusion.

Sorry, comment time is over.