West Seattle restaurants: Irashai confirmed for ex-Mawadda space in Admiral

Thanks for the tip that the signage is up for Irashai, taking over the former Mawadda Café space at 2352 California SW in The Admiral District. When last we reported on this space in March, Mawadda’s proprietor indicated they would soon shut down – which they did – but wouldn’t confirm that Irashai was taking over, though a liquor-license application was already in the works. Now, there’s also a remodeling permit on file. We haven’t made contact with Irashai’s proprietor(s) yet but will update when we do. One more thing the signage reveals, besides the name – sushi seems to be part of the plan, underscored by the one detail in a document found online related to the remodel – “install sushi bar.”

N. AD Dad May 18, 2016 (8:32 pm)

Sushi in the N.AD hood? Yes! Glad to see those shops beginning to be filled up. New Leaf is pretty good. I was surprised Zats Bagels left that strip. What was the reason for that? My kids miss that place.

Perhaps that strip doesn’t see enough traffic for the restaurants to survive. Royal India was ok, not as good as Maharaja, but it was always empty. The Cask was another spot that didn’t last. Seems if you are in the business of coin op laundry then you will survive that strip.

Also, what is going on with the space that used to be the BBQ joint next to Admiral Pub? The For Lease sign came down a while ago but still nada in that space.

WSB May 18, 2016 (8:52 pm)

The project at 2310 California SW that we first mentioned last fall is still making its way through the system, with back and forth discussions with the city.
Bonnie May 18, 2016 (10:09 pm)

I rarely go to Admiral because of parking. I like it there but parking is a nightmare.
- JanS May 19, 2016 (10:53 am)
  
  exactly, Bonnie. They keep advertising the underground parking off 42nd by Bartells, but it’s dark and creepy at night.
  - Bonnie May 19, 2016 (3:20 pm)
    
    Sorry 935 to highjack the thread. Did not mean to do that at all!
newnative May 19, 2016 (8:19 am)

Zatz went bankrupt and closed a while ago. The Brickyard has people living on the premises. I think anything that maintains a low overhead and is responsive to its customer base has a chance. There is tons of foot traffic and plenty of us on the block appreciate a good place to frequent. The Cask was good until there was drama. Mawadda was overpriced and the service was terrible, I loved the original Royal India, the second owners were mediocre. New Leaf has a very good crowd and I think they are great for the neighborhood. Too bad Itto’s wasn’t in Admiral. That place is wonderful.
- lfauntleroy May 19, 2016 (4:15 pm)
  
  Good Riddens to Mawadda the service absolutely the worst I have EVER seen. So bad that it was scarey to even complain. We actually wanted out of there as quick as possible. The food was awful. Hot stuff cold in the center and ew. They were down right rude. Really happy to see a new restaurant go in that space. I hope to goodness it’s not the same ownership.
  - WSB May 19, 2016 (4:19 pm)
    
    If you read the story linked in this one, our original report about this restaurant’s likelihood, you’ll see it’s not.

Ilasdad May 19, 2016 (6:11 am)

There is a large parking garage under the bartell’s parking lot. Maybe The admiral restaurants should work out some kind of deal to let customers park there i.e. validate parking or just charge $1. Right now it is mostly unused

Bonnie May 19, 2016 (6:52 am)

I refuse to pay to park in my own neighborhood.
- HelperMonkey May 19, 2016 (9:27 am)
  
  Bonnie – every time I’ve parked in that bartell’s underground lot the pay station has been broken. consistently. I’ve never paid to park there although was prepared to pay…
- Mickymse May 19, 2016 (4:25 pm)
  
  If it’s actually your “own neighborhood,” then why the heck are you driving? (Obvious exemptions for elderly and disabled.) Or do you mean that you live elsewhere across West Seattle, in which case why shouldn’t you have to pay for parking in someone else’s neighborhood?

Wsgal May 19, 2016 (6:57 am)

Ditto on the parking- it’s a hassle. I like going to admiral later in the evening but it’s also partly that there is so much more stuff in the ALaska junction (imho) bummer that cask closed, we are starving for accessible music venues in WS.

JanS May 19, 2016 (10:57 am)

then original proprietors at Cask sold out to someone else, who changed everything…the good food was gone, the relaxed atmosphere, the music. They turned it into just another ordinary (VERY ordinary) beer joint, and voila, failed. Who woulda thunk.When Matt and his wife were there it was really nice, and, oh, her chocolate mousse…it was a sad day when they moved on ..

Wes C. Addle May 19, 2016 (9:12 am)

I find that parking is only terrible in Admiral between Friday afternoon and Sunday Morning. The other days there is usually plenty of parking on California or just go one block east or west. I’ve never parked further away than that.

JTB May 19, 2016 (9:49 am)

Bonnie, I’ve always thought of my neighborhood as the area where I can walk conveniently.

Bonnie May 19, 2016 (3:24 pm)

I don’t live in the Admiral District so walking from home isn’t an option, so that is rarely why I go to the Admiral area. I love it and it’s where my husband grew up but the parking situation is just too dense. Pretty soon it will be as bad as Wallingford in some areas. I feel bad for those who live near California and everybody is taking up the parking in front of their homes.
- newnative May 19, 2016 (4:10 pm)
  
  Your comment about refusing to pay for parking in your own neighborhood suggested that you live here, hence the confusion.
  
  While parking seems to be threadjacking, it’s a common enough complaint that accompanies a lot of discussions about restaurant/business openings.
  - Bonnie May 19, 2016 (4:30 pm)
    
    Well, I do consider myself to live in WS even though I don’t live in the Admiral District walking distance within walking distance.

MO May 19, 2016 (9:54 am)

The parking situation is a big problem. It’s an inconvenient truth, but ever since the Brookdale apartments displaced parking in Admiral, it has been very difficult sledding for commerce in that area.

newnative May 19, 2016 (11:13 am)

Brookdale Admiral Heights has been there over ten years and very few residents drive as it’s a retirement community (w/ Assisted Living). There is an underground garage that serves not only the few residents that still own cars but some/many of their employees and the nearby tenants of the same building (land office and Head to Toe Spa). Visitors do impact parking as any business in a business district would.

Wes C. Addle May 19, 2016 (11:12 am)

The reason I don’t necessarily think that parking is that bad of an issue is that many businesses there are busy. Copper Coin, Admiral Pub, Angelina’s, New Leaf and both Pizza joints seem to always be busy. They places that weren’t busy are the places who had mediocre service or ridiculous prices ; i.e the Cask, Mawadda, & Brickyard.

Brewmeister May 19, 2016 (12:10 pm)

Wes C Addel is correct. The parking issue is overblown. If the restaurant is good, it seems to do just fine. Simple as that. All the places that have gone out quite frankly sucked with the exception of Zats. That had nothing to do with parking.

Wes C. Addle May 19, 2016 (12:26 pm)

Yep. Zatz was popular in the community and filled a niche. I think that they were just too expensive. It was almost $5 for a jalapeno bagel w/ cream cheese. You could get a similar tasting one at Safeway for a buck. Personally I think Angelina’s isn’t very good and overpriced but they have a really good client base, decent bar, and nice staff.

935 May 19, 2016 (2:55 pm)

Is this article about parking ?

Huh. . .thought it was about a new restaurant.

lol – #threadjack

Wes C. Addle May 19, 2016 (3:39 pm)

I’m excited for a good sushi place in this junction! ;)

Gina May 19, 2016 (4:21 pm)

If it is good, the people will come.

If many cars are parked on the street, that means people. Bird on a Wire has zero parking, and does quite well. Circa does well. How the business is managed has more to do with success than parking.