BIZNOTE: West City Sardine Kitchen closing

The sign on the door confirms it: West City Sardine Kitchen at 3405 California SW is closing after tomorrow (Thursday) night. Its building has been sold; it’s been on the market (as a blind listing) for more than a month and a half. We haven’t been able to contact the restaurant/building owners; the two employees working when we stopped by a short time ago said the staff got the news of the impending closure a few days ago, although at the time it didn’t seem the closure would be quite this fast. What’s next for the site? No info on that yet – no public filings of any kind so far. West City opened almost six years ago, two and a half years after the abrupt closure of another venue, The Bohemian, in the same space.

28 Replies to "BIZNOTE: West City Sardine Kitchen closing"

  • David June 12, 2019 (7:00 pm)

    Sad to see them go. This was one of the special places for birthday and anniversary dinners.

  • Westside June 12, 2019 (7:20 pm)

    I’ll miss their sardines!

  • slc June 12, 2019 (7:57 pm)

    This makes me sad – I love this place!  Great food, drinks, and atmosphere.  A lovely oasis inbetween the two junctions.  I am so sorry to see them go.  

  • David June 12, 2019 (8:03 pm)

    Boooo, sad news. You will be missed, always a great meal.

  • Trufflefrylover June 12, 2019 (8:03 pm)

    Does that mean Prost will go to?? So sad. 

    • WSB June 12, 2019 (8:24 pm)

      Different owner, separate building, but that building also has been for sale, for a much longer time. Or at least had. No evidence in county records that it has changed hands, but for quite some months, its owner was posting a new ad on CL for the building almost daily.

  • Jon Wright June 12, 2019 (8:25 pm)

    They were always a good place to bring the kids, too. Delicious food + family friendly is not easy to come by. My family will miss them, too.

  • DaPuffin June 12, 2019 (8:26 pm)

    I will miss this place.  Always the choice for special occasion meals and to bring out of town visitors.  😢😢😢

  • PS June 12, 2019 (8:31 pm)

    SHOOT. So few good ones in WS and this was one that was consistent and had it all. VERY SAD about this!!!!! Enough with Pizza and Sport bars and  Hamburger joints etc. We need great indi restaurants!!!!

  • Quora June 12, 2019 (9:09 pm)

    Uggggh please do not tear those establishments down and build more apartments. PLEASE! West City was great; Prost is one of my favorites. 

  • Kathy June 12, 2019 (9:25 pm)

    So sorry to hear this. It’s been one of our favorite spots for great food, cozy atmosphere and warm service. Will be missed!

  • Nw mama June 12, 2019 (9:41 pm)

    Dang.  I always wished they would have opened for breakfast on weekends. I imagined it to be delicious!

  • Calires June 12, 2019 (9:45 pm)

    I’ll miss bringing out of town guests here.  I never had a bad meal or service at West City or its predecessor, The Bohemian.  I wouldn’t be surprised if that whole half block with Spiro’s, West City and Prost made way for apartments.

    • Rick June 14, 2019 (4:26 am)

      Of course we need more 200 square foot “apodments” aka dorm rooms with no kitchens or parking. Only about 65% of those units will have at least one car to help fill your neighborhood. Developers; here are the keys. We actually gave them to you about 40 years ago.

  • KG June 12, 2019 (9:53 pm)

    The perfect neighborhood bistro.  Our hands down favorite, any season, any night.  Great staff, cozy and charming, and consistently good food. Not sure how to live without their truffle fries and duck confit.  Reopen please!!!

  • Amy June 12, 2019 (9:53 pm)

    This made us so sad. West City Kitchen is part of our community, and a staple of great dining. We went for a last dinner and had a proper toast to our favorite neighborhood establishment. They will be missed. 

  • Dan Keller June 12, 2019 (10:54 pm)

    Prost is right next door.  Is this part of the sale as well?

    • WSB June 12, 2019 (11:18 pm)

      As noted above, different ownership of that building, which is also a separate structure, BUT it had been for sale for a long time. Nothing on record, so far.

  • Anw June 12, 2019 (11:43 pm)

    Awww, sad to see you go! Delicious cocktails and food with a great atmosphere and service.  You were our choice this last Valentine’s Day. Good luck to all of you!

  • Mapa June 13, 2019 (6:48 am)

    So sad! The food was so good! We will miss coming here for date nights! 

  • Lna June 13, 2019 (10:05 am)

    So sad to hear. These spots are rare in West Seattle. It was a go-to for any time we wanted something a little more special. 

  • newnative June 13, 2019 (10:28 am)

    Any chance that they can relocate? This menu was a great one, comfort-y and healthy at the same time. 

  • MaryAnn & Larry June 13, 2019 (3:42 pm)

    We are so very sad & disappointed to learn of WestCity Sardine Kitchen closing!!!!!  It has had great ambiance, great staff & great Manhattans, in addition to many other culinary delights. We will feel a big void ourselves and it’s a place we liked to take our out of town guests.  We hope some of those involved will open another good restaurant here in West Seattle!  Thanks for 5+years!!!

  • Kaya (& Ellen) June 13, 2019 (11:22 pm)

    Aw, man. This is really sad news. We loved everything about this little gem. Down to the whimsical paintings on the wall, appreciating the creative libations as a sober non-drinker, & our favorite server being interested in our dog rescue work. This city and the whims of developers and real estate speculators – and the ripple effect of consequences – is really bumming me out more and more. Thanks for being such a great neighborhood restaurant, West City. Bummed we didn’t come in tonight after we missed out Tuesday in having our anniversary dinner cos of being short on food. 

  • Steve June 14, 2019 (7:46 am)

    Where’s Kashama Sawant when we need her!But seriously, I’m sorry to see them go. I enjoyed talking guests there.

  • Ginger the Q June 14, 2019 (9:01 am)

    I agree, what our favorite place in WS. What a loss for us. It’s so sad to see all these neighborhood places go. I hope we’re not losing our charm that makes WS so special. We don’t need more condos or apartments!

  • dhg June 16, 2019 (2:58 pm)

    Oh No!! We love that space.  We loved the warmth from varnished wood, its understated elegance and delicious food. There is no other place like it.  One summer’s day we were entertaining two out-of-town guests and took them West City.  We were seated at the table just to the right of the door, against the open window.  The waitress would take our orders and serve us from the window because it was easier access than the other side of the table. As it turned out, it was a perfect spot to enjoy the cooling evening air while dining. We lingered over coffee and desserts.  It was a special and memorable evening.    

  • Krissy June 21, 2019 (3:53 pm)

    I am so sad to hear this. West City Kitchen was consistently good. It was my go to date night place. Loved the sardine butter and bread, brussels sprouts, stuffed mushrooms, salmon, burger and so much more. Ugh!!!!

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