West Seattle restaurants 1559 results

WEST SEATTLE BIZNOTE: The Neighborhood planned for ex-Peel & Press space

Four months after Peel & Press closed at 6503 California SW, a new plan for the space has emerged. It’ll be a restaurant called The Neighborhood, whose proprietors Jenny & Ahmed Almukhtar announced the following via both a note on the door and in social media:

We’re hard at work getting ready to welcome you! Our goal is to open by April, and we can’t wait to share our vision with the Morgan Junction community….

Our Mission:
At The Neighborhood, we’re creating a community-driven, welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant dining destination in West Seattle’s Morgan Junction. Our focus is on delivering great-tasting food and beverages, exceptional service, and genuine hospitality. Rooted in community, we aim to become a local favorite by prioritizing quality, consistency, and connection. We will initially offer pizza, pasta, and our take on Italian classics, eventually branching out to feature American and global fare. To complement our menu, we will also offer a carefully curated selection of spirits, beer, wine, and mocktails. Looking ahead, our long-term goals include offering brunch on weekends and hosting pop-up restaurant concepts on Mondays and Tuesdays. On these days, The Neighborhood will also be available for private event bookings, giving you the opportunity to host your own customized gathering in our space. All ages are welcome, and we look forward to serving everyone in the Neighborhood!

They’re planning to be open 3-9 pm Wednesdays through Sundays. Our archives show their local hospitality-industry involvement has included The Bridge (whose current owners include Peel & Press’s former proprietor Dan Austin). We have a message out in hopes of talking with The Neighborhood’s proprietors.

Seven local businesses participating in dine-out benefit for immigrants’ rights

Thanks to everyone who’s sent tips about this. Around the region, more than 100 food/beverage businesses are participating in a dine-out fundraiser starting tomorrow (Friday, February 7), donating part of their proceeds to nonprofits fighting for immigrants’ rights, primarily the Northwest Immigrants’ Rights Project. The updated list of participants in the “Seattle Hospitality Fundraiser” includes seven West Seattle/White Center venues as of this writing: Dough Joy Donuts, Driftwood, Li’l Woody’s, Marination, Mioposto (WSB sponsor), Moonshot Coffee, and T’Juana Tacos (based in WS but donating part of two other sites’ proceeds). Details of each venue’s planned participation may vary, so be sure to ask when you arrive.

Circa, with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, the West Seattle restaurant Circa (2605 California SW). When new sponsors join, they get the chance to tell you about themselves – so here’s Circa‘s story:

With nearly 27 years in the Admiral District, Circa is a community hub filled with cheerful regulars, from-scratch cooking, and the best service in town.

Co-head chefs Bill and Gretchen Evans have owned Circa for the past 9 years, although Gretchen worked as a server for a decade before purchasing. Born and raised in New Orleans, Bill brings his own style and quality to many dishes at Circa, while Gretchen’s PNW roots keep things local and dialed in. Their 3 teenage boys attend West Seattle High School and keep them constantly engaged in and working with the West Seattle community at large.

Circa is open 7 days a week at 9 am! Weekday breakfast has a variety of dishes, from omelets & scrambles to pancakes and country fried steak. Beignets and Anson Mills white corn grits show Bill’s southern influence. Biscuits & Gravy and our vegetarian Potato Works can’t be beat. The Standard breakfast is anything but, with Stiebrs Farms eggs, Daily’s bacon, and house-made biscuit or coffee cake as a bread option.

At 11:30 they go right into lunch, where you can try many specialty sandwiches, salads, fish-n-chips, and soups (including Bill’s famous Gumbo YaYa). Happy hour starts at 2:30 and runs until 5:00 M-F!

Every Thursday, besides the regular menu, Circa offers the very popular 3-Course Thursday Lunch menu for $27! You choose between 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts. Different every week. Always delicious and very fun. A great deal, too.

Weekend brunch brings all the specialty breakfast dishes and plenty of lunch items and runs from 9 am-2 pm (dinner resumes at 5:00). Fried oyster benedict, crab cake benedict, Eggs Sardou, all kinds of omelets, and much more. Weekend brunch has been served at Circa since 1998, so it’s always lively and the coffee stays hot and full by the fantastic and long-term waitstaff.

Thank you for your patronage, West Seattle!

We thank Circa (2605 California SW) for supporting community-collaborative news by sponsoring WSB. If you’re interested in joining our sponsor team too, call 206-293-6302 – thank you!

BIZNOTE: The West Seattle restaurant/bar that says it’s not raising prices

Camp West in The Junction (4539 California SW) asked us to share this with you:

No Price Increases in 2025 – Increased cost of dining out is affecting everyone. We know that dining out should be enjoyable and affordable. That’s why we’re keeping our prices steady for at least the first part of the year. We’ll do our best to extend this as long as possible. This is our way of thanking you for your support and making sure you can continue to enjoy what makes Camp West special.

The 21+ restaurant/bar also wants you to know it’s expanded its non-alcoholic-beverage menu, with “craft beer and refreshing mocktails.”

BIZNOTE: Bel Gatto closes in Fauntleroy after less than a year (updated Tuesday)

(WSB photo)

ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: 10 months after it opened, Fauntleroy bakery-café Bel Gatto has closed, blaming new city wage/tax rules. Bel Gatto – operated by the owner of CHOW Foods, which also owns Endolyne Joe’s next door, took over the space where The Original Bakery had been for ~90 years. The closure tip came from Rich, who sent this photo of the note we have since confirmed is on Bel Gatto’s door:

When Bel Gatto opened last February, it had been a little over a year after The Original Bakery closed. We have an inquiry out to owner Peter Levy regarding the space’s future and whether any of his other venues are making changes because of the factors cited for Bel Gatto’s closure.

SIDE NOTE: This is the fifth West Seattle food/drink business to close in less than a month, after Locust Cider, Alki Beach Café, Pecos Pit, and Bebop Waffle Shop.

ADDED TUESDAY: Owner Peter Levy sent responses to questions we asked:

-The space’s future:”There is no decision yet as to what we will be doing with the space that housed the bakery. That will be determined in the next several weeks.”

-Money matters: “I do want to mention that prior to closing we assured that we had adequate financial resources to pay all of the employees and vendors in full. As far as business levels, we were approaching close to a break even status in the last quarter of 2024, but the requirement to absorb another $4,000 per month in payroll expenses with the new mandate by the City put a break even further from our grasp which is what led to the closure.”

-Are other CHOW Foods restaurants making changes because of the city rules he cited as a reason for closing? “At our other two Seattle restaurants, in anticipation of these wage/salary increases, we have had to review and alter the breadth of our menus, our menu pricing, physical plant layouts and personnel requirements. These are rather extreme issues to address that we have not had to consider in our Tacoma restaurants where we had a 2.3% increase in wage rates vs close to 20% in Seattle.”

We also asked if he had had any contact with the City Council regarding concerns about the new rules, before they took effect: “I sent all members an email in the early fall stating our case for consideration of extending the allowance of tips and benefits to be included in overall compensation, but all I got was crickets – not one response.”

BIZNOTE: Alki restaurant/bar Driftwood about to mark a milestone

The Alki business district has undergone a lot of change lately – one grand opening, two closures in the span of one week – but today we have news of a celebration. Driftwood proprietors Jackie Mallahan and Dan Mallahan are about to celebrate their venue’s second anniversary, with three days of special events, followed by a four-week shutdown for maintenance. Here’s the announcement they asked us to share with you:

January 5th, 2025 will be Driftwood’s 2nd anniversary. We would not have been here without your support and are grateful to have you alongside our journey.

To celebrate, we are having some special events, and have just released tickets for them!

Meet the chefs on Friday and Saturday 1/3 and 1/4 with an Anniversary Tasting Menu
• Both days will have a 5 pm seating and a 7:45 pm seating. You’ll enjoy a 5-course tasting menu with optional beverage pairings. We will showcase some of our favorite dishes as well as some specialty products and exclusive ingredients from our wonderful farm partners in the area.
• There will also be opportunities to hear from the chefs about the dishes themselves and what inspired their creation. An event not to be missed!

You’ll enjoy a tasting menu that includes
• 4 savory courses
• 1 dessert course
• Additional Wine / Cocktail pairings available for purchase

On 1/5 (our actual anniversary date), from 4 pm-8 pm, we’ll host an open house-style reception with bubbles, passed apps, coffee, music, live-fire grilling, and lots and lots of shellfish. This style of event is meant to be casual, community-focused, and fun. Looking forward to seeing all of our supporters whom we love so dearly. Food is included in the ticket price. Beverages can be purchased throughout the night.

We look forward to celebrating Driftwood’s birthday with you soon. Warmest wishes for the Holidays.

Holiday hours:
Closed our normal Tuesdays and Wednesdays (12/31, 1/1) as well as 1/2 to prepare for our Anniversary events.

Driftwood will be closed 1/6-1/31 for round 4 of repairing our floors. Excited to welcome everyone back on February 1st! Reservations are available 30 days in advance.

Driftwood is at 2722 Alki SW; find ticket links for the events mentioned above from this page.

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Indofusion Kitchen and Bar close to opening in West Seattle Junction

Thanks to Ian for the photo and tip that signage is up at 4719 California SW, where Taqueria Guaymas closed three years ago, with the building’s then-new owners announcing they wanted to open their own restaurant there. Now, after a few pre-opening name changes, signage has just gone up and the restaurant is close to opening. Signage on both sides of the building carries the name Indofusion Kitchen and Bar.

The owners, of both the building and the future venue according to online documents, are the Virk family, who also operate Maharaja in The Junction. Work at Indofusion is continuing; we asked on site tonight about estimated opening date, and were told that they’re hoping to be open by New Year’s.

BIZNOTE: Pecos Pit shuts down (updated with court cases, City Light response)

MONDAY: We got questions over the weekend about this year’s second wave of social-media rumors that Pecos Pit was closing. This time, they were true – a reader tells us last night was the finale, and tonight this sign is posted at the 35th/Fauntleroy location:

It’s been almost 10 years since we first reported that the barbecue restaurant was moving into the Seattle City Light-owned location previously occupied by teriyaki restaurants (Beni Hoshi, preceded by Yasuko’s). The site is now in the path of West Seattle light rail’s planned Avalon station.

ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: With the Alki Café eviction, this is the second West Seattle restaurant closure in less than two weeks. Meantime, a check of court files shows cases against Pecos Pit involving their Kent location – described online as the company HQ – and Federal Way. The Kent case was filed as an eviction (“unlawful detainer”) action in September, and as of October alleged that the company owed more than $72,000; earlier this month, a motion for garnishment was filed, alleging no payments had been made. The Federal Way case alleges breach of lease.

TUESDAY UPDATE: We asked the property owner, City Light, about their plan for the site post-Pecos Pit closure, and whether they had been current in their rent. Here’s the response we received from SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang:

As a public utility, we have the responsibility on behalf of our ratepayers to ensure the timely, in-full payment of any lease agreements for City Light property. We have worked with the restaurant ownership to accommodate their needs over several years, but in recent months have needed to enforce the lease terms through the proper legal process. We will focus on the removal of the business’s possessions from the location prior to making any decisions about its future use.

FROM OUR HOLIDAY GUIDE: Restaurants, bars planning to be open Christmas Eve and/or Day in West Seattle

December 22, 2024 4:12 pm
|    Comments Off on FROM OUR HOLIDAY GUIDE: Restaurants, bars planning to be open Christmas Eve and/or Day in West Seattle
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

If you’ll be looking for someone else to do the cooking – or pouring – on Christmas Eve and/or Day, our annual list is now up – linked in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, or go directly to it here. We may have some changes/additions, so check back before you go. The coffee-shop list will be up later tonight; the guide already features grocery stores’ hours for Christmas Eve/Day.

La Chingona Taqueria: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor!

As we head into the weekend, we welcome our newest WSB sponsor, West Seattle restaurant La Chingona Taqueria. New sponsors get to tell you about themselves, so here’s La Chingona Taqueria‘s story:

Sandra La Chingona and Edgar, Executive Chef and owners of La Chingona Taquería, located on Avalon Way, boast over 20 years of experience in the food industry.

Their expertise encompasses catering and food trucks, complemented by a vibrant restaurant featuring an exquisite menu crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Signature dishes include Mole, Enchiladas, Pozole, Carne asada, and fresh margaritas, as well as their famous Tacos, wet burritos, quesadillas ,including their number one fish taco, filed and breaded in-house with all fresh toppings.

La Chingona Taqueria serves the best Mexican Brunch in West Seattle every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8 am-2 pm, offering Mexican coffee, mimosas, french toast, Chilaquiles, omelets, pancakes, house-made 3 leches cake, flan, and churros.

The restaurant features stunning murals and an altar honoring their heritage and loved ones. A heated, covered patio is pet-friendly. They also have a permanent food truck location in Bellevue that operates Tuesday-Sunday.

For catering services, their food wagon, Tacos On Wheels, offers a unique menu for parties and corporate events. Please email info@lachingonataqueria.com for a quote and catering menu.

La Chingona Taquería lives up to its name ‘Bad ass woman.’
2940 SW Avalon Way, Seattle,
Tuesday-Thursday 3-8 pm
Friday-Sunday 8 am-9 pm,
Happy hour daily from 3-6 pm

They are very grateful for being part of the amazing West Seattle community.

Thanks to La Chingona Taqueria for sponsoring community-collaborative news on WSB. Interested in becoming a sponsor too? Call 206-293-6302.

BIZNOTE: Alki Café closed after eviction notice posted (updated)

ORIGINAL REPORT, FRIDAY: Thanks for the tips. The handwritten sign on the front door of Alki Café (2726 Alki SW) says “SORRY-CLOSED,” next to an eviction notice posted by the King County Sheriff’s Office this morning. These types of notices are usually posted following court action in an eviction case, technically known as “unlawful detainer,” so we looked up the case. It goes back 10 months; documents say the building owners, Alki Shores, wanted to end the restaurant’s tenancy in February. No specific amount of potentially owed money listed, other than to say the café’s base rent was $7,422 plus $1,337 in “other recurring charges.” In their response filed in June, the restaurant owners – who documents identify as Alki Beach Restaurant Café and NRBM LLC – said they had been dealing with alleged electrical and plumbing issues causing “periodic closures” plus improper electrical metering that they said had likely caused them to be overpaying for that utility. They estimated the alleged issues had cost them about $80,000. The case kept making its way through the system, according to documents, until an order following a six-minute hearing on November 21st, saying the restaurant owner’s allegations were not an excuse for the “failure to vacate” and ordering the eviction. We’re seeking comment from both the building owner and the restaurant owner.

ADDED SUNDAY: The restaurant was sold to NRBM LLC in 2020, noted a representative of the other named entity in response to one of our inquiries, and says it hasn’t had anything to do with the restaurant since then. NRBM LLC is listed with the state as having been “administratively dissolved” – by the state itself – in October because an annual report due in May allegedly hadn’t been filed.

BIZNOTES: Mission Cantina’s treat for City Light workers; Itto’s, Camp West anniversary deals

Three restaurant biznotes:

MISSION CANTINA’S TREAT FOR CITY LIGHT WORKERS: Just announced by the Admiral District restaurant/bar:

In the wake of last night’s windstorm that left many in the region without power, Mission Cantina and Harbor Foods are teaming up to show their appreciation for the tireless efforts of Seattle City Light employees. These workers have been out in the field restoring power and ensuring the community’s safety during challenging conditions.

As a heartfelt “thank you,” Mission Cantina and Harbor Foods are offering free burritos to all Seattle City Light employees today and tomorrow, 11 am to 10 pm. Employees can enjoy this small gesture of gratitude by ordering take-out or dining in. Seattle City Light employees can:
-Order online at order.toasttab.com/online/mission-cantina on our Grab’n Go Menu
-Call us at 206-937-8220 for take-out
-Dine in person after 4 pm at 2325 California Ave SW

Employees must present their official SCL badge to claim their complimentary burrito. While supplies last. One per SCL badge.

ITTO’S TAPAS TURNS 9: They’ll celebrate with you tomorrow (Thursday, November 21), with $9 food and $9 cocktail specials. Itto’s Tapas is at 4160 California SW, open 4 pm to 10 pm. (Ever wonder about Itto’s backstory? Here’s a WSB story from 2015.)

CAMP WEST TURNS 2: The Junction restaurant/bar at 4539 California SW is celebrating its second anniversary this week. Through tomorrow, they’re offering s’mores and bottles of wine at half price. They also want you to know about their new hours – earlier, on Friday at 12:00 and Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00, with brunch to come sometime next year.

BIZNOTE: Double birthday deal at Aimee Owenz

(October photo courtesy Aimee Owenz)

Last month, we reported on the opening of the Aimee Owenz food truck at 35th/Barton. Today the sibling operators are offering a deal in honor of their shared birthdays:

We (my brother and I) at Aimee Owenz happen to share a birthday November 6th (not twins) and are offering a special to celebrate our birthday with everyone! We are selling the Owenz Sandwich (steak) for $11 and the Aimee Sandwich (tofu) for $6. We also added a website for online ordering aimeeowenz.com and Door Dash should starting this week. I know the election stuff has got everyone feeling all types of ways, but hopefully we can bring smiles and full happy bellies with our sandwiches!

Birthday siblings Jenn and Zach operate one of two food trucks in the lot outside the former Tony’s Market,

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: JaK’s Grill reveals moving timeline

Thanks for the tips on an update from the parent company of JaK’s Grill about their impending move:

We first wrote almost two months ago about a new tenant for the ex-Lodge space at 4209 SW Alaska; commenters said JaK’s Grill planned to move there from its original nearby location, and we soon discovered a permit filing confirming that. Now the parent company 509 Hospitality has revealed more in a newsletter update:

After nearly 25 years, JaK’s Grill West Seattle is moving across Alaska Street to the former Lodge space! This new location gives us the chance to bring you an even better dining experience in a bright, modern setting—while still staying in the neighborhood we love. Although we initially planned to renovate our current space, this opportunity felt like the perfect fit.

We’ll keep things running through the transition, with a short closure in late March 2025 before reopening in early April. Come by our original spot before the move, and join us in April for the same great food and drinks in a refreshing environment.

The Lodge closed at the end of last year.

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Ephesus Restaurant close to reopening

(WSB photo from February)

Back in February, we reported on Ephesus Restaurant‘s original owner planning to reopen, after Ephesus closed under different ownership the year before, and readers have been asking frequently for updates. We finally have one. A liquor-license application appeared online today. We reached proprietor Hasan Ocak by phone. (He founded Ephesus as a Turkish restaurant in 1995.) He says he has remodeled and overhauled the restaurant at 5245 California SW (just south of Rite Aid) and now is waiting for his chef to arrive, and for the assembly of a kitchen staff. His timeline for opening will be determined by how all that goes – could be a week, could be a month, he told us. The staff availability also will determine what hours/days they’re open – probably 4-10 pm, he said, whichever days it turns out to be. Will the menu be the same as the old days? “Different,” he told us – how different depends on when he and the chef get together and compare ideas.

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Luna Park Café finds its second owner, after 35 years

(File photo)

Three months ago, we told you that Luna Park Café proprietor John Bennett had, after 35 years, decided to find a new owner for his restaurant. Now the search is over. We discovered this via a routine check of liquor-license applications – one way to learn about new establishments or new owners for existing ones – and followed up with Bennett, who confirmed the sale:

I did sell Luna Park Cafe after over 35 years of ownership. I started building out the restaurant in 1988 in what was Pat and Ron’s tavern. I opened the day after St Patrick’s Day 1989. I carefully vetted all the people who made offers. I feel I picked the right person to take over for the next 35 years. I physically worked at the restaurant for 4 months before I sold it. It was great to talk to all the longtime customers and work with an amazing staff. It was bittersweet to sell, but I need to move on toward retirement.

The new owner is Heong Soon Park, already an accomplished restaurateur – his restaurants include Bacco Café at Pike Place Market, Chan Seattle in the Paramount Hotel, and Cheese Room Seattle on Capitol Hill (which took over the longtime Ristorante Machiavelli space). Via email, we asked the new owner if any changes are ahead for Luna Park Café. He replied, “Luna Park will stay the same, I will be working on improving food and some service, but only to make it better, I promised John to keep for another 30 years to keep his legacy and I want to keep my promise.” For now the hours will remain 8 am-3 pm daily, but Park adds, “We are planning to open for the evening next year. I have a lot of things to digest before I go further.” But he stresses he’s in it for the long haul: “I am improving Luna Park to make it better and can last another 30 years. Who know who will be taking over after 30 years; hopefully my kids. But give me some time, I will promise you to make it better in every way and be the #1 West Seattle go-to spot!!” (Never been to Luna Park Café? 2918 SW Avalon Way.)

FOOD BIZNOTE: Burbs Burgers’ West Seattle expansion site revealed

The man who revived the once-hot smash-burger joint Burbs Burgers has revealed his West Seattle expansion site. Three weeks ago, in a restaurant-opening roundup, The Seattle Times noted Bersain Gutierrez‘s revival of Burbs and mentioned in passing that he expected to soon expand to West Seattle. We’ve been working since then to find out where – many readers emailed us to ask – and just talked with Gutierrez tonight. He is a former Burbs employee who bought the brand to bring it back. Similar to his first revived Burbs Burgers, which shares space with Last Call in Frelard, he says this one will share space too – with Ounces in North Delridge (3809 Delridge Way SW), which has long offered food from a rotation of trucks. Gutierrez says Burbs will take over the Ounces truck space. hopefully in just a few weeks if permitting goes well.

Why West Seattle? Turns out he’s a WS resident! If you’re not familiar with the Burbs backstory, it was founded in 2020 by Josh Henderson of Skillet (etc.) fame, and had five locations before he closed them all earlier this year. (If you’re not familiar with smash burgers, here’s an explanation. We asked Gutierrez about his most popular burger. “Definitely the Special,” which includes onions, cheese, secret sauce, lettuce, and pickles, on a potato bun. The Burbs fried-chicken sandwich comes in second. He says they’ll have some “free food” events before opening, so watch for word of that. He’s “super excited” to be able to cook up Burbs Burgers in his own neighborhood and expects to operate seven days a week.

BIZNOTE: Morgan Junction restaurant Peel & Press to close at end of October – but successor’s already set

Morgan Junction’s pizza-and-more restaurant Peel & Press will close at the end of October, 10 years after it opened, proprietor Dan Austin announced late today. But the space at 6503 California won’t be empty for long, and Austin isn’t leaving the hospitality business. He will remain sole owner of the Flight Path bar in Boulevard Park and part owner of The Bridge in West Seattle and The Point in Burien. But closing Peel & Press, Austin says, will give him more time with his family – in his announcement, he notes, “I opened this place with a 5-month-old daughter and a wife already pregnant with another baby on the way … I have missed out on a lot of time with my wife and kids, and it is time to change that.” He adds, “I am proud of the restaurant’s ability to support the community. We have been a gathering spot for celebrations. We have been a spot for grieving. We have been a place that focused on a core principle. ‘We have no right to make money from a community that we don’t give back to.’ We focused on supporting the West Seattle Food Bank, local schools and many other local organizations. We rallied a group of other owners to help produce over 4,000 free meals for first responder and hospitality employees who were laid off at the start of the pandemic.”

As for what’s next in the Peel & Press space, Austin says, “I can’t tell you yet. I have worked to get an amazing owner in here and to bring something into West Seattle that I personally think we have needed more of for far too long. I will let them make the announcement, but I personally couldn’t be more excited!” He describes it as “a business that I think West Seattle will be really excited to add to its food scene.”

In an email conversation after his announcement, he told us a few more things. For one, he wants to be very clear that unlike some closures, this has nothing to do with lease matters – “I have an amazing landlord … a very fair lease with a great local building owner!” And he says some Peel & Press favorites will live on at his other establishments: “Some of my classic dishes will be run as specials at my other locations. Also, the West 5 Mac and Cheese will be available at The Bridge along with some of our specialty cocktails that people love,” starting shortly after Peel & Press’s last day on Sunday, October 27.

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Work under way at Westwood space listed as future Panda Express

For those who have asked “whatever happened to the plan for Panda Express at Westwood Village?”, our photo has two signs that work is finally under way at the former Pet Pros space, just north of QFC. (Plus, a reader walking by over the weekend reported seeing a handwritten sign on the inside of the door bearing the Panda Express name.)

We first reported last October that the space had been labeled as Panda Express on Westwood Village’s directory map, the only way the center’s semi-new owners have “announced” new tenants in recent years. The map spot labeled Panda Express has remained through multiple updates of the map since then, as well as a listing on the center’s leasing flyer (note page 4), but no signage or permit applications have appeared, nor have there been signs of work – until now. The chain has 72 locations in this state already, including Burien just to the south; to date they haven’t responded to inquiries, but we’re trying again.

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Last day for Azuma Sushi’s founders before ownership change

That’s a photo of Azuma Sushi proprietors Jennifer and Harry on their first day in business 24 1/2 years ago, on January 18, 2000. And here they are today:

This too is a momentous day – the couple’s final day before turning over their restaurant (4533 California SW) to a new owner, as they announced earlier this month. The new owner, Jenny, is a former Azuma employee, and as noted in Jennifer and Harry’s announcement, the restaurant will close for four weeks starting tomorrow and will bring back sit-down dining. Harry will be there after the September 28th reopening to help with the transition, but Jennifer told us she plans to travel to see family in China and Australia. You can stop in to say goodbye today – they’re open for lunch takeout until 2:30, then again for dinner takeout 4:30-9:30 pm.

BIZNOTES: Tony’s Market closing, Raccolto reopens, Bonjour Vietnam semi-opens

Three biznotes this afternoon:

TONY’S MARKET CLOSING: Thanks to the readers who pointed out that sign at 35th/Barton on Wednesday. After a couple trips, we caught up today with Tony’s Market proprietor Raz Vorng. He and wife Sandy Saeteurn took over the produce stand last spring from longtime owner Joey Genzale. Raz says the produce business will close sometime in the next few weeks, no set date yet. But they hold the lease for the site for a few years so he’s exploring other possibilities. In the short run, he says, it’ll host at least two food trucks – a taco truck is there now and a “Cuban sandwich” truck is on the way.

RACCOLTO REOPENS: After a monthlong closure for plumbing repairs, the pasta-focused restaurant at 4147 California SW on the north edge of The Junction reopened earlier this week.

BONJOUR VIETNAM SEMI-REOPENS: Readers have been asking what’s going on with the restaurant opened by Jade Nguyen two years ago at 4509 California SW, where her parents operated Be’s Restaurant for ~35 years. Jade explains via email that the summer began with some equipment trouble, and she took the occasion to embark on some remodeling, then to “change the concept a bit.” Bonjour Vietnam is currently “open on Fridays and Saturdays for Karaoke 9-1:30 am. Our host from Yen Wor, Loretta Jones, is hosting. I am hoping to open fully with bistro bites and 21+, French fare,” but no set date yet. (Her speakeasy bar The Alley, behind BV, remains fully open.)

From White Center Now: Another fried-chicken closure

Thanks for the tip! The White Center KFC and A&W location at 10050 16th SW has suddenly shuttered, and that big banner explains why. This is WC’s second fried-chicken closure in less than three weeks, after Bok a Bok. We’ll be adding details on our partner site White Center Now as we get them. (West Seattle’s KFC closed six years ago; Habit Burger is at that site now.)

BIZNOTES: Camp West adds hours, The Good Society adds smashburgers

Two food biznotes:

CAMP WEST: Toni at Camp West sends word that the Junction restaurant/bar at 4539 California SW has made some additions:

We started opening up early on Saturday and Sunday at 12:00. We also started a late-night food happy hour from 10-11. We will extend the late night happy hour in the fall and winter.

GOOD SOCIETY: From Nick at Admiral brewpub The Good Society (California/Lander):

We are debuting our own smash burger pop-up at The Good Society today at 4 PM. We are calling it SmasH After the MASH. Since we don’t have a hood in our kitchen, it will be a somewhat random pop-up when we feel like having some fun. Our full menu will also be available. People can find more info, schedule, etc., at smash.goodsocietybeer.com.