West Seattle restaurants: Jade West Cafe proprietor hurt in crash

(photo by Paul Sureddin, taken early 2008, added 11:58 am)
ORIGINAL 2:52 AM REPORT: We will work today to see what more we can find out about this. But wanted to pass along for starters the news from Tom at West Seattle Cellars, who says:

Our good friend and neighbor Wah Wong, proprietor of the fabulous Jade West Cafe, was injured in a terrible traffic accident. Apparently he and his son were struck by a drunk driver, and his wife was also injured. One of my customers at the wine shop came by to tell me that they were at Harborview.

Tom included a link to this Seattle Times (WSB partner) story earlier this week regarding charges in the crash, which happened on Beacon Hill; the original report says the restaurateur and his son were hit in their own driveway. Tom also says “there’s a note on the cafe door (6032 California SW) saying that it’s closed due to ‘injuries’.” We featured Jade West here last February, in an affectionate review written by Fairmount Springs’ Paul Sureddin. 11:49 AM: We went to the cafe’ to look at the note that Tom mentioned. The door also includes a flyer expressing love and get-well wishes for Wah Wong:

The other note on the door says a notice will be posted soon about plans for reopening. 12:17 PM: The note on the door directs inquiries to Dave McDaniel, a neighboring business owner; just talked to him and he hopes to have more information soon on whether the family needs anything and how you can show support. We will publish updates with whatever more we find out.

28 Replies to "West Seattle restaurants: Jade West Cafe proprietor hurt in crash"

  • morcaffeineplease December 19, 2009 (6:05 am)

    Mr. Wong always makes you feel like you are family when you sit at his counter. He prepares your meal with care and personal attention. I am so sorry for him, his wife and his son. I hope they will be able to recover and return to Jade West soon. We are thinking of you, Mr. Wong.
    As for the drunk who slammed into them: you’re driving a ‘vette drunk?a prior drunk driving conviction too? Idiot. You’ve ruined three lives, now what? Throw him in jail, make him get treatment, no more driving. Ever.

  • miws December 19, 2009 (8:06 am)

    How sad! :(

    .

    I read about this incident when it first happened and had no idea that it was Mr. Wong and his family that were the victims.

    .

    I have to admit, I haven’t eaten at Jade West in years, due to my size, and slight claustrophobic issues. The place is so small, and I’d literally be bumping elbows with those on the neighboring stools! But, the smallness of the place is also it’s big appeal. I do, however, get a happy feeling whenever walking by, and seeing Mr. Wong with a counterful of customers.

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    Sending healing thoughts to Mr. Wong and his family.

    .

    Mike

  • rnl December 19, 2009 (8:49 am)

    We love Wah! – We are praying that he & his son & wife are all OK – Please send your prayers –

  • grr December 19, 2009 (11:11 am)

    damn..just heard this.. Jade West is a staple in our diet. Will try and see if they’re taking visitors.

    they need to throw this dirtbag drunk in jail for a very, very long time. I’m so fed up with our slack DUI laws in this state.

    • WSB December 19, 2009 (11:45 am)

      Grr, P and I went down to see what it says on the door. There is a contact name and number that I will be trying shortly to see if I can get information about anything they need and if at the very least there is an address for cards … TR

  • Mary T December 19, 2009 (11:49 am)

    Oh no! So sorry to read this. : (

  • grr December 19, 2009 (1:19 pm)

    Thanks WSB..please let us know. If Mr Wah is still in the hospital and able to have visitors, we’d love to go see him.

  • buddy g1234 December 19, 2009 (3:25 pm)

    never been but going now GOD BESS U MR WONG

  • TaylorB1 December 19, 2009 (3:43 pm)

    Very sad to hear this…he is a real gentleman and runs such a wonderful little restaurant. I hope he’ll be on the mend very soon!

  • buddy g1234 December 19, 2009 (3:51 pm)

    WEST SEATTLE LOVES THE JADE EAST & KOOL KAT MR WONG YOUR THE VERY BEST KAT EVER I LOVE U MAN GOD BLESS 2U AND YOUR LOVE ONES TOO FOREVER I CAN’T WAIT 4 MY SUPER ALLWAYS GREAT LUNCH IN 2010 HEEL UP,TRY 2 REST SOME WERE ALL COMMING TO LUNCH GET WELL SOON MY NEW PAL U ROCK!!!!!! 12-19-2009 3;50PM ps. I Love U Mr.Wong

  • don'tdrinkanddrive December 19, 2009 (6:14 pm)

    So sorry to hear about this. We will support him in anyway possible.

  • marilyn December 19, 2009 (6:32 pm)

    Has any one arranged for donations for the family? He is such a sweet person, it is horrible what happened.

    • WSB December 19, 2009 (6:44 pm)

      Marilyn – As noted in the story, I spoke with the neighboring business owner who told me they’d asked him to keep an eye on things. He did not have any information on that but was going to find out and let me know (and if anyone else hears something sooner, I hope they will pass along the news so we can share it). He was also thinking of putting a card on the cafe’ door for people to sign – we plan to check a bit later while out and about, to see if that has happened yet. He was very happy to hear that people were expressing their sympathy and concern (thanks yet again to Tom from WS Cellars who shared the news with us so we could help get the word out) … TR

  • Jacob December 19, 2009 (8:18 pm)

    So sad to hear this :(

    Jade West is my favorite little hole in the wall in all of WS, and Chef Wah is quite the character. Get well soon Wah & Family, let us know if there is anything the community can do to help.

  • Mike December 19, 2009 (9:25 pm)

    Sad to hear about this accident. I wish the Wah family well and a quick recovery.

    For those like myself who have never had the opportunity to eat at Jade West yet, here’s the Yelp page with reviews and directions. For those that have been there, write reviews!

    http://www.yelp.com/biz/jade-west-cafe-seattle

    I plan to go there when they open up again. Sounds like my kind of place.

  • jeunglady December 20, 2009 (12:11 am)

    I am also saddened by this news. I ate at his restaurant a couple years ago and ended spending a good hour or so chatting with Mr Wong. He is a very sweet man. I wish him and his family a very speedy recovery.

  • karla December 20, 2009 (11:50 am)

    If anybody learns if there is any way to help Mr Wong and his family, monetarily, please make sure to share that information in this blog.

  • robin December 20, 2009 (4:27 pm)

    Wah and family get better soon. pat and i send our love. we will stop by next time we are in town. much love, pat and robin

  • Katie December 20, 2009 (4:58 pm)

    How terrible. I used to go in almost weekly to see Wah — such a kind, lovable person, so wonderful. I’ll keep them in my prayers…

  • Gatewood Too December 20, 2009 (5:57 pm)

    any new news???

    • WSB December 20, 2009 (6:09 pm)

      No. Same note on the door and I have not heard back from the contact, with whom I will check tomorrow if I don’t hear from him sooner.

  • Heather December 20, 2009 (8:02 pm)

    I ate there about 6 months ago & he is so funny & really nice. He entertained as he cooked & the food was delicious! I hope he & his family fully recover quickly.

  • West Seattle Sun December 22, 2009 (10:13 pm)

    The Beacon Hill Blog has recent information related to charges against the drunk driver:
    http://beaconhill.seattle.wa.us/2009/12/16/pedestrian-injuring-corvette-driver-charged/

    My prayers and best wishes to Mr. Wong his wife and son.

  • west seattle golfer December 23, 2009 (5:45 pm)

    Any update on their health? I wish them a speedy recovery!

  • grr December 24, 2009 (5:25 pm)

    we’re going to try and see if the hospital will give us any info on Saturday and maybe visit if possible. Went by the shop today but didn’t see any new notes on the door or anything. Sigh…our hearts go out to the family. I hope they lock the dirtbag drunk driver up for a VERY long time.

    • WSB December 24, 2009 (6:12 pm)

      Thanks – I have not been able to get any new info either.

  • Lived above the key guy January 3, 2010 (11:16 am)

    Wah you always made us feel at home in your cafe. Get well Wong family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  • jp January 7, 2010 (7:28 pm)

    his son is a senior at the UW, athletic and everything. my heart breaks for this family, will pray for speedy recoveries
    :(

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