(WSB photos)
Thanks for the tip! Three months after we reported what was on the way to the ex-OutWest space (5401 California SW), Box Bar is now open.
Box Bar is a 21 and over venue. Along with drinks, they’re serving “plant-based” food – see the food menu here and here, the beverage menu here.
Caveat from the Box Bar team – that’s just the menu they’re starting with – still a work in progress. Hours are 4 pm to midnight, Tuesdays through Sundays, closed Mondays.
I hope vegans will not take offense but why does plant-based food try to imitate animal-based food? I get that you don’t want to eat cheese; I don’t get why anyone would want nut-based fake cheese. Cashews are pretty good- maybe just grind ’em up and throw ’em on top of the nachos, what? If you don’t want to eat meat, why would you want a plant in the shape of meat? Seriously curious!
Good question, I suppose- I guess the nut cheese just sounds a bit funky and I imagine melt problems. But I probably ought to try it. In the case of meat-flavored or shaped vegan products, it just seems like for those who object on ethical grounds it would also be relatively objectionable to feign the act. The bar is beautiful and the menu unique, though!
I think part of it has to do with people trying to eat less meat; become vegetarian or vegan; and such. For some, it’s like a ‘weaning’ process. Or people that are used to eating animal flesh, still like the flavor, texture or smell. No doubt there are many more reasons than what I just listed.
OOh, I know the answer to that one: Foods are best when the dishes are made to accentuate the strengths of the product, not when they’re bent to taste faintly like something else. So, for vegans, I’d look to India for recipes. Accentuate the tastes and flavors of the veggies.
Because cheese and meat are delicious? I would miss them if I went vegan. I already enjoy these alternatives occasionally.
Fair question! I think it’s more about American style-cuisine than anything else, for me. Going out for burgers? I can have a veggie burger rather than just ordering salad, for example. That said, there are a lot of meat substitute products I don’t prefer, such as Impossible Burgers—there are much better veggie “burger” options using beans and mushrooms. I don’t want it to taste like meat, I just appreciate a familiar application. That said, I’ve never had vegan nachos, just vegetarian ones. If I make spaghetti for example, I’ll just leave the meat out, rather than using a fake meat. To each their own.
Why wouldn’t you eat these amazing foods that don’t kill animals and are healthier and taste better?thats the real question…..
Cuz they are seriously boring. Hence why they try to imitate delicious meat based items. If that’s the only “food” this place has, I’ll happily pass and leave it to you vegans
Hmmm…Plant based food – boring? It’s all in the recipe and spices. My mom and I recently made a huge pot of Spiced Moroccan Vegetable Soup with Chickpeas, Cilantro, and Lemon – it was amazing! The other day I made a Cauliflower based fried rice with spicy spices and such. Yum Yum!
No, I’m not vegan, but my diet is about 90% plant based. Some other vegan recipes I’ve made: Spicy, tasty ‘meatballs’; Butternut tots with spicy Maple Mustard; Portobello Fajitas; Sweet Potato Pot Stickers; Sweet Potato Chipotle Tacos; Indian Spiced Cauliflower Rice; Blueberry spinach Salad; so many recipes…so little time!
As a vegan of ~13 years, I’ll admit that vegan meat alternatives with lots of strange ingredients aren’t my thing (I initially gave up meat as a kid for the decidedly un-noble cause of “meat’s gross”). However, the people who eat those probably have a harder time eliminating meat or want to go meatless certain days, and I think that’s super admirable! As for cashew cheese, though, it’s pretty great! And it’s nice that you often don’t have to mix it with a bunch of sketchy ingredients to replicate cheesy flavors. Macadamia nuts are also effective, as is tahini and vegan milk for a creamy sauce. (Also, lots of vegetarians, just like most humans, are lactose-intolerant, and when your options are already limited you’ll take what you can get.)Adding to the gang of people super pumped to have multiple options on a menu to choose from!
Hi! Hopefully I can help answer. Many ethical vegans go vegan because they do not want to harm animals not because they don’t like the taste of the foods they used to eat. Also the “taste” of animal products is largely due to spices and processing/preparation and not the animal flesh/meat itself. Also, people grow up with foods that become comfort foods and finding a version that is harm free still provides the comfort food feeling while maintaining ethical beliefs.
No offense taken at all, it’s a very common question. Personally, I enjoyed meat dishes, but once I actually watched videos of how animals are raised and slaughtered for food, I made the decision to not contribute to that ever again and “went vegan”. Unlike people who gave up animal food products decades ago, now we have AMAZING vegan options, so we don’t give up any of the flavors!
This sounds amazing!! Can’t wait to check it out! Welcome to the neighborhood!!
Congratulations on the opening and best of luck! I can’t wait to stop in for a bite.
Wish this was all ages. Our community is growing with more and more families. Money is being left on the table IMO.
Molly, this complaint is brought up every time a new place opens. There are lots of establishments that accept children. There are some that don’t. People may prefer one or the other. It’s not leaving money in the table—for every family that can’t go in, there’s some adults eager to visit a place with no children present (and some of these people are parents). It’s always been that way. Maybe they didn’t want a put up a barrier/wall between the bar and few tables, just for some of the small venue to allow kids? The name has “bar” in the title, after all, and was a bar prior.
Thank you KM! I would go out of my way to visit a place that doesn’t allow kids. Excited to try this place and enjoy it without children!
I suppose if they were selling happy meals you would be correct. The cost of giving up a seat to a child during the rush is immense. The check average for a child is likely 1/3 that of an adult. Factor in the fact that the most profitable item is booze and least is food, I think they will be just fine.
And there are also a lot of people (like myself and my spouse) who would never go to a bar that allows kids. So our money is ON the table. 🤷🏻♀️
We went to Good Society Brewing yesterday early evening. It was PACKED, and looked like Chuck-E-Cheese! Kids running everywhere. Parents too busy socializing to be bothered to corral their children and either have them seated with them, or in what looks like a “children’s area”.Stopped by Box Bar on our way home, and were thrilled to have a crowded opening night for this place!! Delicious drinks, and the nachos were tasty! I don’t mind being around kids, however, I am SO thankful to have so many 21+ options in W Sea! Parents don’t realize how disruptive their kids sometimes are. It’s why I mostly choose to frequent 21+ establishments.
Some folks prefer an outing sans screaming children. We’ve done our time.
We’re taking some stabs at meatless. We just had some “beyond meat” burgers that weren’t too bad. I’d like to buy some canned crickets, but they seem way overpriced for what they are. Though I haven’t had the experience, I bet a beer with some spicy crickets would be damn good.
I wish I were In Mexico enjoying some spicy chapulines with a cold paloma now
My wife and I were there opening night and the food and service were outstandingBill
Welcome! It sounds cool. I just feel sorry that they opened right when so many people are staying home. Hang in there though, this too shall pass.
We were there opening night. My favorite, the lettuce wraps, is pictured. Husband, confirmed militant meatasaurus, kept reviewing the menu wondering where the chef hid the salmon in his chickpea and carrot melt. The red lentil hummus with watermelon radishes, tricolor carrots. The crunchy salt was a great touch. Nice to have a hummus dish with veggies rather than tired, tasteless American pita. The kale Caesar was fresh, crisp, and hearty. Although I eat eggs, dairy, and seafood, having a menu with lots of choices is so refreshing as it’s so tiresome asking a chef to hold this or that, or substitute. Congratulations to the staff for a great opening.
I’m all for new businesses but PLEASE, as a neighbor who had to endure karaoke night every week at the last establishment, try to remember that people live right across the street so when you are drunk and loud after 10pm, we don’t appreciate it. Otherwise, if you are a normal person who can handle their booze act like an adult -welcome to the neighborhood!
We went in this evening and shared the lentil nachos, which were fresh and delicious! My husband really liked them too, and he doesn’t typically prefer plant-based meals. The space is nice and clean, with a mellow, low-key vibe. Our server was great, and very helpful. We only had beer, but there were numerous cocktails on the menu that looked really good. We’re looking forward to returning to try out their other menu items!
The food is AMAZING! A group of us went & we tried nearly everything! Yum!The drinks were fun & tasty too. We had a wonderful evening!Well done BoxBar Team!! 🙌🏻
Such an awesome new spot. Went with a big group. Everyone loved it. The cocktails are amazing and super creative. The food is incredible. A cool space, excellent service and a new fav hang out.
The food and the cocktails were outstanding as was the customer service. The design and execution of the build out creates a great atmosphere, congrats Box Bar team.
Went in tonight around 8, place was busy, pink ruby cocktail was delightful, lentil nachos were delicious, staff were really lovely people. Cool atmosphere. Barstools super comfy. Staff wearing gloves, switching them out constantly washing hands could be seen from the bar. Will come back to try the portobello mushroom dip sandwich next!
Doing takeout & Delivery during restaurant closure. Order Online http://boxbarseattle.com/ or by phone 206-432-9554.
Ken emailed yesterday and you’re on our list now. Thank you!
https://westseattleblog.com/2020/03/whos-open-west-seattle-restaurants-coffee-shops-other-beverage-establishments-and-were-adding-more-to-the-list/
Sorry, comment time is over.
| 50 COMMENTS