West Seattle, Washington
11 Thursday
(Photos courtesy Banh Mi XO)
Two months ago, we told you about Banh Mi XO, coming to the former Indulge Desserts and Stuffed Cakes space at 9003 35th SW. Today we got an update from proprietor Guy Nguyen: “We are set for soft opening this Saturday and Sunday with a limited menu (signature Banh Mi sandwich, Bun (rice noodle) salad bowl, plus bubble drinks and Vietnamese Phin coffee.” Guy sent photos and added, “We do have a bar-style sitting area inside, but space is limited.”
After the soft opening, the official opening is set for December 1st. Hours will be 9 am-4 pm daily (those are also the hours for this weekend’s soft open). You can see the full menu for Banh Mi XO here and here.
(Photos courtesy GH Pasta & Pizza)
The current most-asked-about restaurant opening in West Seattle is finally about to happen. GH Pasta & Pizza – in the cow-topped ex-Best of Hands building at 35th/Webster – will officially open this Friday (November 24), after several casual soft-opens (and another one planned tomorrow). The basics:
-Fresh pastas
-12″ pizzas
-Starters and salads
-Indoor seating for 40, heated outdoor patio with room for 75
-All ages (though there’s a specific “adults only” area)
-20 taps “showcasing breweries throughout Seattle and across Washington state”
-Local and Italian wines
-“Seasonal hand-crafted signature cocktails highlighting spirits from local distilleries and around the world
-Frozen drinks
-Hours 5-10 pm daily, “with a happy-hour menu 4-5 pm”
-Delivery options via Toast online ordering
As first noted here 10 months ago, his is the newest restaurant for Chef Brian Clevenger, who is also proprietor of Raccolto and Haymaker in the West Seattle Junction, as well as half a dozen other venues elsewhere in the city.
SOFT OPEN BENEFITING WSFB: Tomorrow (Wednesday, November 21st) you can get a sneak peek by dining at GH Pasta & Pizza 4-9 pm – all proceeds will be donated to the West Seattle Food Bank.
Every year, we assemble a list of West Seattle restaurants planning to be open on Thanksgiving Day. (We say “planning” because sometimes their plans change after we finish making phone calls.) If you don’t want to cook, go here to see what’s on our list so far. We have nine, and can add if you know of somewhere we missed – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
P.S. You can also stay out of the kitchen by going to one of the free community dinners at The Hall at Fauntleroy (noon-3 pm) or the West Seattle Eagles (2-5 pm).
(Also published on our partner site White Center Now)
If you’ve been in downtown White Center lately, you’ve probably noticed changes to the fire-ravaged block on the west side of 16th SW south of Roxbury. It’s been more than two years since fires ravaged multiple spaces in this block of businesses. Now seven of the spaces are up for lease to new business tenants (here’s the flyer). The spaces totaling 22,362 square feet could be leased in various combinations, the listing says … Not far south, next to Full Tilt, the Huong Xua Deli is finally getting ready to reopen, with COMING SOON signage … And on the other side of the September 2021 fire site, two venues have uncloaked with plans to share the former Bizzarro Italian Café space at 9635 16th SW:
The Alpine Diner and Bar, touting an “apres-ski” theme, and Big Mario’s Pizza. From the Alpine website:
Try our full food & beverage menu available daily from 7 AM to 10 PM, or visit the bar counter and cozy up to our vintage fireplace in the game room for ski ball and hoops. Enjoy our large outdoor patio with bocci ball and outdoor seating, opening Spring 2024. We share our space with the newest Big Mario’s location, meaning you can order from either menu.
The Alpine is from the same company that operates Lost Lake Café on Capitol Hill; Big Mario’s Pizza has a location there too, one of four in Seattle. The remodeled White Center space is expected to open this winter.
Two weeks and two days until Thanksgiving – if you’re looking for cooking help, The Skylark in North Delridge can offer you some assistance. Skylark proprietor Matt Larson emailed to say, “We will be offering take-home Thanksgiving dinner again this year featuring house-smoked turkey plus sides. Order must be in by Friday the 17th and pickup is Wednesday the 22nd. Orders can be placed on our website.” Sides available include mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green-bean casserole. (Anybody else with Thanksgiving take-home – or dine-in – offerings? Email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)
With three weeks and two days until Thanksgiving, you might be contemplating a no-cooking option. We’ll of course be compiling a list of restaurants planning to be open on the holiday; for early planning, here’s the first announcement: 
After a pandemic hiatus, the most opulent Thanksgiving restaurant option in West Seattle is back. Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) is taking reservations for the return of its Thanksgiving buffet. They’re booking hour-and-a-half seatings between 10 am and 5 pm on November 23rd. $120 for age 16 and up, $60 for age 10-15, $30 for age 5-9, free for the littlest ones (4 and under). You can see the full menu here – the buffet is grouped into Breakfast Classics, Salads & Such, Seafood Bonanza, Crustacean Station, Carved Meats, Thanksgiving Sides, Made-to-Order Pastas, the famous Chocolate Fountain, Fresh-Baked Pies, and a Cornucopia of Cupcakes. You can book a reservation online here if your group has 4 or fewer people; otherwise, call 206-937-1600.
A week and a half ago, we reported briefly that Taste of Mumbai was opening a restaurant/lounge in the ex-Yen Wor Village space at 2300 California SW. At the time, we mentioned having an inquiry out to find out more. We’ve since spoken by phone with Prasad from Taste of Mumbai, which for the past year-plus has operated out of the group kitchens at 4611 36th SW in The Triangle. Prasad says that for starters, they plan to “open for lunch buffets” until they get their liquor license for a full bar. Once that’s in, they plan on carrying on the karaoke tradition in the space and also adding live entertainment such as “belly dancing, Middle Eastern-theme nights.” In addition, Prasad says, they’re considering helping fill a late-night food void in West Seattle, potentially opening 24 hours a day on the weekends. Otherwise, hours will be similar to what they’re doing now (which already run late on weekend nights, until 3 am); they’ll be expanding the menu. They’re hoping to be open within a month or so, depending on permits to go – they’re doing some work in the space including the floors and restrooms.
Ten years ago, we reported on an application filed to turn a space on the south side of Westwood Village into a location for Panda Express, the fast-Chinese-food chain. That proposal eventually stalled, and the space became a physical-therapy clinic. Today, checking the Westwood Village map – which is where the center’s new-ish owners have first publicly disclosed future tenants – we discovered Panda Express is back in the picture.
That’s a screengrab showing a new addition to the map today – Panda Express is penciled in for the spot next to QFC that Pet Pros occupied before moving to Jefferson Square. It’s in the row that already holds many of WWV’s other food/beverage businesses – Sub Stop, Toshi’s Teriyaki, Happy Lemon, Starbucks. We have an inquiry out to Panda Express to see if they’ll comment. Their nearest restaurant is in Burien; the two existing Seattle locations are both in the north part of the city.
Thanks for the tips! Two readers messaged us this morning about the signs now up for the restaurant taking over the former Yen Wor space at 2300 California SW. Taste of Mumbai is already in West Seattle – based out of the kitchens in The Triangle at 4611 36th SW, offering pickup and delivery. (Their menu is here.) We have a message out to check on the timetable for their restaurant/lounge in The Admiral District.
We just ran up to The Junction after two tips that Pizzeria Credo (4520 California SW) was closing after tonight. One was from John, who reported, “We were just at Credo and Jacques told us this was their final night. Sad they are leaving.” At the restaurant, proprietor Jacques Nawar confirmed to us that this is closing night:
He told us his lease was ending (we noticed earlier this year that the space was listed). He’s not planning to reopen elsewhere, but he is keeping his Panterelli coffee-and-pastry shop elsewhere in The Junction. He opened Pizzeria Credo 10 years ago and has even been featured on the Food Network.
(Photos by WSFB board member Nicole Lutomski)
The Hall at Fauntleroy was full of tastiness last night as the West Seattle Food Bank fundraiser Taste of West Seattle returned to its original format, with dozens of local food and beverage purveyors serving tastes and sips to attendees. While WSFB was the biggest winner of the night, some of the participants went home winners too, as attendees got the chance to vote on their favorites. WSFB development director Breanna Bushaw sent us the list:
Best Savory: Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes
Best Vegetarian: Aroy Mak Thai
Best Beverage: Aroy Mak Thai – yes, they won two!
Best Sweet: Dolcetta Artisan Sweets
Best Pour (Wine & Beer): Darby Winery
If you missed the event, you can of course support WSFB any time – here’s how.
Some readers have been wondering what’s going on with the vacant Fauntleroy space where The Original Bakery closed in February. As we reported at the time, the space at 9253 45th SW was taken over by the same company that owns Endolyne Joe’s next door. Owner Peter Levy told us in February that they planned to open a new establishment that would serve “morning pastries and espresso,” with other details to come. But with no outward sign of activity in the past seven months, readers asked if the plan was still on. Reached by email, Levy tells us they’ve been waiting all this time for a building permit: “We finally did get approval and the final permit required was issued yesterday.” So, he says, “We will be starting construction activity immediately, with an expected opening now estimated in mid-January.” Some details are still being worked out: “What we know at this point is that we will be opening at 7 am, providing an assortment of baked goods and coffee/espresso. We are still in the development stage as to what our service will include for the lunch and dinner hours. We are at this time intending on a limited breakfast menu with the aforementioned baked goods and continuing service throughout the day and evening. Up until about a week or two ago, we were still not clear if we would be able to secure the permits required to proceed, but with permit in hand it’s full speed ahead.”
Thanks for the tip! Saturday is set as opening day for Burger Planet, going from food truck to bricks-and-mortar at 9614 14th SW in White Center, former home of Zippy’s Giant Burgers. After hearing about a note on the door announcing the date, we stopped by this evening and found owner Marco and chef Marco, who invited us in for a look:
The decor is “Star Wars”-themed, in keeping with the “planet” name. There are games, as there were in Zippy’s.
They’re planning to open 4-11 pm and promise “new menu items” in addition to what their truck has offered (you might remember it from a stint at the 30th/Roxbury gas station in 2017), along with local beer on tap.
Three restaurant notes:
MISO OPENS: The new Highland Park “K-food” restaurant at 16th/Holden is open at last, as of today. We took pics yesterday as their preparation stretched out one more day. Ben is the proprietor:
He tells us Miso (which is Korean for “smile”) will be open 11 am-8 pm Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays. We photographed the menu: here and here.
MORE ABOUT BANH MI XO: We mentioned briefly Tuesday that this sign had gone up at 35th/Henderson:
We’ve since connected with proprietor Guy by email. He says hours will be “most likely breakfast and lunch (8 am-3/4 pm).” Menu plans: “Banh mi, bun (vermicelli), fresh spring rolls, bubble-tea drinks, fruit smoothies, and Vietnamese waffles.” Guy adds, “This will be our first sandwich shop, but hope we can expand. We have been in the restaurant for 10 years+ in the past.” As for when they’ll open, “Later October/November will be our best guess.”
PORTAGE BAY CAFE: Peter from Portage Bay Café emailed us with news of a fall change in hours:
Our location in West Seattle will be shifting to our fall hours starting next week. Like our smaller neighborhood stores in Ballard and near Ravenna, West Seattle will be switching to five days a week, open Thursday through Monday. Thursday, Friday, and Monday, we’ll be open 8-1:30, and on Saturdays and Sundays, we’ll be open 8-2.”
September 26 and 27 will be the first weekdays we’ll be closed, resuming five day a week service starting on the 28th.
It’s been almost nine months since Portage Bay opened at 4725 42nd SW.
Thanks to Frank for the tip. Lily’s Salvadorean Restaurant in Luna Park has closed, but Lily’s will continue serving fresh-cooked food at Farmers’ Markets, including West Seattle, and is launching a food truck, potentially based here too, according to the announcement. Proprietor Lily Anaya opened the restaurant at 2940 SW Avalon Way a year and a half ago. The building (owned by someone else) was on the market earlier this year but the listing now has the notation “withdrawn.” Before Lily’s, the building was home to Allyum, which closed after less than a year.
Twelve days after the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Morocco, nearly 3,000 people are confirmed dead. Many more are left with injuries and damage. Here’s a simple way to help: Itto’s Tapas in West Seattle (4160 California SW) is holding a fundraiser tomorrow (Thursday, September 21st). Proprietor Khalid Agour, who is of Moroccan heritage, plans to donate the entire night’s proceeds to earthquake relief. Itto’s hours are 4-10 pm.
That photo shared by RG in a comment shows what just discovered after going over to 16th/Holden to check – Chef Korea Miso, the new restaurant in the old Wanna Burger/Teriyaki spot, has pushed back their opening a bit. It was supposed to be today; now the sign on the door says they’ll open next Wednesday (September 20th). They told us last month the menu will be “K-food.”
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 20: We just went over; they’re not ready to open yet. They tell us they’re waiting on deliveries of the ingredients needed for their dishes. Could be tomorrow, or Friday …
Thinking about weekend brunch?
SKYLARK BRINGS BACK BRUNCH: The restaurant, bar, and entertainment venue at 3803 Delridge Way SW is bringing back brunch starting this weekend:
It’s been a long time coming, but we are finally ready to start slinging eggs and pouring those mimosas again!
Starting this Saturday and Sunday, 10:00-3:00, we’ll be offering our house-smoked meats, house made gravy and hollandaise, breakfast tacos, Benedicts, Smoked Bloody Marys, 7 Roasters Coffee, breakfast cocktails, Macrina Bakery Bread and plenty more, all made with the love that you’ve come to expect from us!
We’ll also have the SEAHAWKS on the BIG SCREEN this Sunday. Plus there’s gluten-free and veggie options, as well as something for the kiddos!
It’s sort of a soft re-launch, according to the Skylark announcement: “We’ll have a whole new staff for this so please be patient and feel free to share your feedback. We will be limiting modifications for the first few weeks as well as not doing online ordering while our crew gets things dialed in, but will always do our best to accommodate our guests’ needs.”
CIRCA SKIPS SATURDAY: No Saturday brunch at Circa in The Admiral District tomorrow because, co-proprietor Gretchen tells us, Team Circa is running in the Orca Half half-marathon – and afterward, they’ll have a staff party. But Circa WILL reopen for Saturday dinner.
Five months after the Morgan Junction McDonald’s (6546 California SW) closed for an extensive remodel, readers have been asking for updates, since the site appears close to complete. Today we reached owner Alia Abboud by email. She confirms it’s “very close,” and added, “We are waiting for power to be connected via Seattle City Light. Once that is done, we will likely open two to three weeks later.”
Thanks for the tip! That’s the sign now on the door at 1513 SW Holden in Highland Pari, former home of Wanna Teriyaki and Burger, future home of Chef Korea Miso. We published an update a month ago, after talking with one of the proprietors; she explained they’ll be serving “K-food” and that they were just awaiting final permits. Now they’ve announced they’ll open September 15th – a week from Friday.
(WSB photo from 2019 Taste of West Seattle)
This year, the Taste of West Seattle – benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank – returns in its original format, one big event with dozens of food/drink purveyors offering “tastes” to attendees. Original venue, too – The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). WSFB is now selling tickets for the Taste of WS, which is set for Thursday, September 28th. $125 VIP tickets get you in first, at 5:30 pm; $75 general admission starts at 6 pm. Here are the participants the WSFB has announced so far:
Aroy Mak Thai
Bakery Nouveau
Circa
Darby Winery
Dolcetta Artisan Sweets
Dream Dinners
Elliott Bay Brewing Co.
Ghostfish Brewing
Mission Cantina
Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce
Pecos Pit Bar-B-Que
Ringa
Seattle Sorbets
Shoshinbakery
Shug’s
Sopranos Antico
T2 Cellar
The Good Society Brewing Co
The Locöl Kitchen & Bar
Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes
Viscon Cellars
…and more to come!
It’s a 21+ event, and usually sells out, so if you’re interested, go here to get your ticket(s).
Thanks to the readers who emailed in recent days about the closure of Ephesus, the Turkish-turned-Greek restaurant at 5245 California SW. Via email, Aydin from Ephesus confirmed the closure and said they didn’t renew their lease because “Our landlord wanted to increase rent 100% and we didn’t accept.” You can find the same Greek food and beverages at 210 Occidental Ave. S. in Pioneer Square.
Property records show the West Seattle building has had the same ownership for 30 years; they sold off the long-stalled building site next door last year. (The new project for that site, first noted here last year – again, under different ownership from the now-closed restaurant – is still making its way through the city permit process; here’s the new design packet for the 9 townhouses planned there.)
It’s been almost two weeks since we first reported on sewer-line repairs affecting Elliott Bay Brewing and then Talarico’s Pizza in The Junction. The work got ever more complicated, Tim O’Neill of O’Neill Plumbing Company (WSB sponsor) explained, as they dealt with, among other things, a century-old line. He sent an update today explaining that you’ll see his crews in the area a little while longer:
Both Elliott Bay Brewery & Talarico’s Pizzeria are open for business.
The EBB pipe-lining project from inside the building’s basement to the main on California Ave ha been completed.
We then moved over to Talarico’s to make similar repairs and have found additional pipe separations near the curb line that will require some equipment that is not readily available until early next week.
We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to have everything, including the cement repairs, completed by 8/31.
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