West Seattle restaurants: Raccolto aiming to open in September

As promised, we’re working our way through a lineup of followups on all the new food and/or beverage places in the works for West Seattle. Today, we checked in on Raccolto, which West Seattle-residing Chef Brian Clevenger is building out in the floor-level space at the Blueprint building on the north edge of The Junction (4147 California SW).

(WSB photo, March 2016)

“We’re in serious build mode,” Clevenger told WSB in a phone conversation this afternoon, also sounding a refrain consistent with other restaurateurs/new-business proprietors we’ve talked with lately – city permits taking longer than expected. More than five months, in the case of Raccolto: “It was tough.”

But now, opening night is in view: “We’re aiming for next month.”

In case you missed our previous coverage back in March – Clevenger, who runs Vendemmia and East Anchor Seafood in Madrona, plans to focus on pasta, seafood, and vegetables. (Some menu items are listed online.) “I like to cook the kind of food I like to eat,” he explained. “It may sound a little strange (but … some) chefs cook food they think other chefs would like to eat. It’s easy to fall into a fad. We are the furthest away from a fad that’s possible. Something that never goes out of style – good food at approachable prices. That’s what we pride ourselves on.” Someplace, he says, that people can afford to go to weekly, not just a monthly, quarterly, annual splurge.

But if you’re looking for something really out of the box, Clevenger adds that Raccolto will have the “Chef’s Counter” experience that is offered now at Vendemmia: A nightly “kitchen counter” seating for up to five people, at 6 pm, to be reserved up to 48 hours in advance, where (after you specify aversions and allergies in your reservation) “we create something that’s a surprise … a first course of five or six items, followed by pasta, protein, dessert.”

Raccolto, with seating for about 50, also has a mezzanine for private parties, looking into the kitchen on one side and the main dining area on the other. The restaurant will be open 5-10 pm nightly and will have a full bar – “craft cocktails, local beers, wine pairing with the food.” Clevenger says he can’t wait to be able to work in the same community where he lives.

Sue August 20, 2016 (6:43 am)

Looked at the sample menu items. While it looks good, I don’t know if I’d call $21-$27 entrees “approachable prices.” I’m noticing this in a lot of the newer places. Are restaurant prices just rising in general, or is it just that they all figure that if you can afford the new $2,000/month apartments that you won’t flinch at $30/per person dinners (without drinks)?

LEM16 August 20, 2016 (9:02 am)

Prices are rising in general – they rarely seem to go down, do they? With the new minimum wage laws and intense competition to retain qualified staff, labor cost has gone up. Droughts in California and fuel surcharges drive up ingredient costs. Plus, this is new construction, which doesn’t come cheap. Restaurants are notoriously difficult and low-profit, I don’t think they are trying to gouge anyone, merely stay in business.

Meyer August 20, 2016 (8:10 am)

Looks amazing, can’t wait to try it out! I looked at the menu as well and it looks like only their steak and seafood is in the $20+ range. Everything else seems reasonably priced.

WS Eater August 20, 2016 (10:27 am)

Could not be more excited for this place! Will be such a great addition to the neighborhood. Can’t wait to try the chef’s counter.

Rick August 20, 2016 (1:19 pm)

As I’ve joked with my wife many times ( who doesn’t seem to be able to have a conversation with a friend,or anybody else for that matter, without making lunch or dinner reservations) which we really can’t afford anymore, that newbie West Seatteites will be require to have their pinkies fused. Just my take after almost 50 years.

West Sea Neighbor August 23, 2016 (9:19 am)

This is going to be great–exactly the kind of place we have been hoping to see more of around the junction. Its becoming a real hot spot. Will be nice to be able to walk to this place from home.