Some WSB readers have mentioned hearing the next restaurant in the ex-Ovio/ex-Guppy’s/ex-pizza etc. space on the southern edge of The Junction would have something to do with oysters … now the state liquor-license application files seem to confirm that, with paperwork reported this week for “Ama Ama Oyster Bar” going into that very space.
I wish all local business’s the best of luck…but an oyster bar in the junction? I don’t know. It reminds me a bit of the silly (and sad) French bistro that lasted for about a year on Alki in the old Lighthouse Grill spot (then something else, now Mexican joint). Trying to open a mid-high end French restaurant in an area that attracts pizza/burger/coffee goers (and mostly only in the summer months) wasn’t the best idea. Guess it depends how they orient this place. Good luck though, hate to see that corner turn into (or continue really) a revolving door or businesses.
P.S. I miss Guppy’s. It was a true unique West Seattle hide away. Quiet, safe, fun and a surprisingly good Sunday brunch.
I suppose if they have a nice bar that’s congenial, friendly, not too expensive, and maybe have some seafood dishes in addition to oysters, they may have a hit. But if it’s just oysters….well, the drinks had better be good…oysters don’t cross my lips :)
i know i’m not the only one disappointed to hear it’s an oyster bar. sounds a touch doomed to me. we need more places with variety. i will give it a chance, but not sure many others will.
I don’t know about an oyster bar here in WS. I’d rather go out of my way and hit the happy hour prices at the Waterfront restaurant on pier 70 for oysters when its dirt cheap or go to Jackpots. Its probably going to be pricey eating oysters in WS.
Like others have pointed out, in order for this to work it needs to be more that oysters….in fact if I were them I would leave oysters out of the name of the place. That alone is a detractor for me.
Wow…so much doom and gloom for an oyster bar. I personally can’t wait for it! Like Keith said before me, oyster bars these days serve so much more than oysters (hopefully this one will as well). I think it’s great that we’re getting more variety in the junction.
Are there any other ‘seafood’ restaurants in the Junction? I can’t think of any… that alone may give it a chance. But naming it an ‘oyster bar’ specifically does make me think anything but oysters will get short shrift.
A good friend (a restauranteur from Vancouver, BC) called Seattle the most over-rated restaurant city on the West Coast. She was more critical of the unsophisticated palates of Seattlites than the quality of restaurants. (Back in the 90’s, she worked in a Belltown restaurant called Fandango’s that produced very creative dishes. It closed after 4 years.) Fine dining goes unappreciated in Seattle.
The Curse of Godfather’s Pizza space will claim another! MMMwwwwwaaaa haaaaa haaaa.
Really, I hope them the best. Not my kid of place though.
I think an oyster bar sounds fun :)
I worked at one years ago, and we served MUCH more than just oysters. The owners of that place called it an oyster bar to indicate it was a fun & casual, uncomplicated place. Maybe this place will be similar.
Plus, it would be nice to spread foot traffic to the other side of the Junction — hopefully this will be another pull.
I liked Fandango a lot (great ceviche, moles and pippians), but there was hardly anything groundbreaking about them. Their menu was basically South American dishes done very well, but nothing innovative. It was owned and operated by the same people who own Flying Fish. Shared chefs, staff, etc. As Fandango wasn’t drawing well, they started putting their less capable staff there and that resulted in a slow decline and eventual failure.
There has always been more creative food all over this town. Cascadia probably tops my list at the moment. But for good ceviche, I now go all the way over to Bellevue for SeaStar.
It’s hard to see how a restaurant on California in that area can do well, what with the difficulties finding parking space during peak eating hours. Especially now that the big parking lot behind Petco’s is going away.
On a happier note, the Manila Cafe is back open! They’ve moved over to the southern end of 4th Ave. S, a small block south of the intersection with Michigan.
Renee, the owner, says the permitting process took forever, but they’re doing well with their new location & hours (M-F, 11am(?)-7pm). They do a ton of business during lunch.
I’m just glad they still serve Beef Inihaw. Yum! (Wait, forget I said that. She says they often run out of it by 6pm. Nevermind…)
Yet another business doomed if they don’t know what they’re doing. Oysters in the Junction? No way. Hope they have some deep pockets…..
I am devastated that Ovio is leaving! My boyfriend and I loved it, but he wanted to wait for a special occasion to go back and now its too late. I only live a block away! Will be nice to have some variety in the junction, but I love seafood and am hoping its more than just oysters! I could see myself eating there regularly. good to know they arent leaving due to lack of business – or I would have felt partly responsible for not going more often!
Sorry, comment time is over.
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