RESTAURANT BIZNOTE: Allyum on the way to West Seattle

(WSB photo)

For all the grief caused by the West Seattle Bridge closure, Ally Rael says it’s part of the inspiration for her new business.

West Seattle needs more restaurants given the challenge of traveling off-peninsula, she reasons.

So she’s opening a restaurant in Luna Park, almost in the shadow of the idled bridge. Allyum will take over the 2940 SW Avalon Way space that formerly housed Duos (which is consolidating its operations into its Sanctuary at Admiral venue).

Readers tipped us after spotting signage on the space earlier this month, and we finally tracked down Rael to find out about the plan.for Allyum.

The chef/owner tells WSB that Allyum will offer a plant-based menu, upscale, focused on local foods, with beverages in the spotlight too, especially wine and cocktails. Happy hour and dinner, plus weekend brunch, at least in the beginning; indoor dining, outdoor dining, and takeout are all part of the plan.

She’s a veteran of the restaurant industry, in Los Angeles as well as Seattle, where she says her resumé includes time with Ethan Stowell Restaurants.

So what might you find on the menu? We ask if there’s any “signature” dish she’s been known for. After a moment, she mentions “mushroom chicken and waffles” – a rye waffle topped by a chicken-fried maitake mushroom.

Allyum’s name, by the way, is a triple play on words – her name, the botanical name of the onion/garlic family, and of course, yum.

Rael and business partner Dahli Strayer (who owns the building) are hoping Allyum will be able to open as soon as November. No website yet, but it’s in the works.

27 Replies to "RESTAURANT BIZNOTE: Allyum on the way to West Seattle"

  • Alki Eric September 18, 2020 (10:50 am)

    Yesssss!!! So psyched, we need more plant-based restos, love Box Bar but I can only eat there so often…2x/week. Welcome Allyum!!

  • PlantBasedGod September 18, 2020 (11:02 am)

    Love this! Super excited about the growing plant based/vegan restaurants popping up here in WS! Congrats to Ally and Dahli, can’t wait for Allyum!

  • R September 18, 2020 (11:33 am)

    What! This is vegan?!! OMG my dreams of more vegan in WS are coming true! I can’t wait!

  • Jennifer September 18, 2020 (12:31 pm)

    YES!!!!!!!!!!!! You can’t see me but I’m jumping up and down! We so need more plant based food in West Seattle.  I can’t wait and maybe just in time for my birthday!! 

  • north delridge vegetarian September 18, 2020 (12:39 pm)

    yet another super excited future customer! living in north delridge means that we have to go elsewhere for meals unless we want luna park, the shack’s new incarnation, marination, pearls, ounces visiting food trucks or skylark. i am super excited to have this addition, especially as a vegetarian.  welcome to the ‘hood and bring on the allyums!

  • Daren September 18, 2020 (12:49 pm)

    Sweet!

    • oerthehill September 18, 2020 (6:48 pm)

      Ally Yum!

  • Mojo September 18, 2020 (12:50 pm)

    So excited! 

  • Lucky Day September 18, 2020 (12:54 pm)

    This idea + bacon = profit

    • WSB September 18, 2020 (1:48 pm)

      Yes! Veggie bacon!

    • Terri September 18, 2020 (2:13 pm)

      There always has to be at least one stupid bacon comment. Not sure why, as it’s never been funny, and now it’s not even  clever or new. 

      • Lucky Day September 18, 2020 (8:10 pm)

        Your negativity is bacon me sad.

    • Kevin Bacon September 18, 2020 (8:27 pm)

      A little bacon makes everything better.

  • Angela September 18, 2020 (12:55 pm)

    Yay more vegan options in West Seattle! Can’t wait!! 

  • Judy September 18, 2020 (1:33 pm)

    i don’t live in west Seattle but I’ll travel for plant based vegan food!

  • Michele September 18, 2020 (1:44 pm)

    Definitely excited about vegetarian options 

  • Rachel September 18, 2020 (1:59 pm)

    Another excited future customer! Can’t wait to have more vegan options around the corner from me. Luna Park Cafe is great as well 😃 

  • elarem September 18, 2020 (2:46 pm)

    Yes, I hope post-Covid emergency/pre-bridge fix we get more restaurant/bar options, Ballard-style! Always excited for more veggie options, too – and I’m not even veg :) 

    • Ashpnw September 19, 2020 (1:03 am)

      If only we could get a No Bones over here!!

  • K September 18, 2020 (4:22 pm)

    Bacon comments are always funny. Esp makin’ bacon!

  • M September 18, 2020 (4:41 pm)

    Super excited. Let’s turn turn West Seattle into Seattle’s plant based Mecca. Being stuck inside with all this smoke should remind all of us how plant based eating can move the needle more than anything on client change. Eat yo plants and save the planet. 

  • Luke September 18, 2020 (5:40 pm)

    Another vegan here excited to support!

  • Chris K September 19, 2020 (9:31 am)

    I’m not vegan, but I am definitely excited to see more dining options here.  Can’t wait to try this place!

  • wsresident September 20, 2020 (5:28 pm)

    Plant based food, but chicken is the signature dish – very confused. Is it vegetarian, vegan or are you serving vegetables (plant based) and meat?

    • WSB September 20, 2020 (5:59 pm)

      The “mushroom chicken” is the mushroom, breaded. Vegetarian dish.

      • AJ September 23, 2020 (10:32 am)

        Then it is not chicken. It is a mushroom, breaded. Right?

        • WSB September 23, 2020 (10:48 am)

          Yes, and I would guess that the menu might include quote marks. Mushroom ‘chicken’ and waffles, etc. Like plant-based ‘chicken’ nuggets.

Sorry, comment time is over.