The #1 question we’ve been asked in recent months finally has some answers.
It’s been more than a year since first word that an “experienced restaurateur” purchased the former Bohemian space at 3405 California SW.
Our efforts to get more information about the buyer and the plan for the space started then. Eventually, we learned it was the same ownership as Bick’s Broadview Grill in Greenwood. Then we published a short update last January, when a name for the West Seattle space turned up in online files for business and liquor licensing: West City Sardine Kitchen.
Our efforts to contact the ownership continued, since people kept messaging us asking what’s up with the space and what kind of restaurant will it be. Phone messages, site visits, notes under the door. Most recently, when a permit application for a sign turned up online, with the sign described on the DPD page as “Westcity Kitchen,” we contacted Western Neon, which was listed on the permit application. They confirmed the name but said they couldn’t discuss it further without the owner’s permission.
The community interest has continued, with various WSB’ers even sending us tips if they spotted someone working in the space. But every time we went over, either the worker(s) were gone, or (once) we found a worker who said they had no details to discuss since they were just there to work.
Then finally today, our postal-mail box yielded a letter, on letterhead for Saltoro in Greenwood. Ahead, the transcription:
Greetings West Seattle Blog!
Recently, friends of ours helping us out at 3405 California SW (between Prost and Spiro’s) said that you had dropped by and left a note politely asking for some information about what’s happening there. Thanks for your interest.
It is basically a do-it-ourselves project, just as were Bick’s and Saltoro, so it goes slowly, as time and money allow. It will be months before we finish and get permitted. We are not making any changes to the building, just assembling some plain wooden booths and partitions to help separate the tables. We plan a simple neighborhood dinnerhouse, just like Bick’s and Saltoro. Both of those restaurants have a core menu that rarely changes, and a large chalkboard menu that continually changes, depending on seasonality, availability, kitchen interest, and what our guests like! We plan the same for West Seattle, with the menu ultimately determined by what our guests will order.
There isn’t much more to tell, at this point, but as we get closer in the coming months we will let you know what’s up. And please, if you are ever in the north end, stop in for dinner at either Bick’s or Saltoro, or both!
Thanks again for your interest,
Dan, Brad, Kevin, Kristy, Jay, Cesar, Angie, Kristin
Bick’s/Saltoro/West Seattle (we hope!) Partners
So now you know. Though we confess we do go to restaurants outside West Seattle on occasion, we haven’t been to Bick’s or Saltoro – have you? They’re less than three miles apart, both on Greenwood Avenue N. In case we don’t get up there any time soon, we’ll be postal-mailing the partners a thank-you note for sharing the info.
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