DINE OUT FOR ROXHILL ON TUESDAY: Tomorrow at Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) in Fauntleroy, 8 am-10 pm, 25 percent of the proceeds go to Roxhill Elementary

BADA BISTRO ADDS LUNCH: Co-owner Sharon Bang sends word that the 61st/Alki restaurant/bar is adding lunch starting today, open at 11 am weekdays and 10 am weekends.

SEATTLE RESTAURANT WEEK: This is actually a two-week promotion, Sundays through Thursdays this week and next, with “3 courses for $28” offerings at restaurants around the region, and two WSB sponsors are among the participants – La Romanza Bistro Italiano in The Junction (here’s its SRW page – note that LR is closed Mondays) and Salty’s on Alki (here’s its SRW page).

PHOENECIA ‘WHIMSICAL’ WINE DINNER: Food, wine, and – fairy tales? Phoenecia on Alki is accepting reservations for a special 6-course, $75 wine dinner tomorrow night – read about it here and then call to check if there’s room.

Three West Seattle restaurant notes this afternoon:

CHOPSTIX SETS THE DATE: Though the “OPEN” sign was on this afternoon at the new Chinese restaurant Chopstix (in the former Ho-Win/Pan Africa Grill site at California/Juneau), it’s not open just yet, but owner Mark Lam just e-mailed us this news:

I am pleased to announce that Chopstix at 5905 California Ave SW will be taking orders on April 2nd at 11 am. First 20 dine-in customers will recieve a free appetizer of their choice. And first takeout or delivery order will be rewarded with one fried rice of their choice.

Our March 7th report on Chopstix is here.

BADA BISTRO ADDS HAPPY HOUR: One week after opening, the new Bada Bistro in the former Beachside Café/Alki Bakery space at 61st/Alki SW added happy hour as of today, 2-6 pm daily, per co-owner Sharon Bang. Lunch and brunch? Not yet, she says, but soon.

LA ROMANZA TO BE PART OF SEATTLE RESTAURANT WEEK: Proprietor Aimee Pellegrini of La Romanza Bistro Italiano (WSB sponsor) in The Junction sends word that La Romanza is participating in Seattle Restaurant Week, which actually will be happening over the course of two weeks, April 7-11 and 14-18. Speaking of courses, they’ll offer a three-course meal for $28 – see the menu here.

Even before a flurry of inquiries wondering what we knew about that sign on the lower level of The Residences at 3295 – the finally-almost-done building on the southeast corner of 35th/Avalon – we’d been trying to reach the former proprietor of Redline Music and Sports, to ask if it meant his plan to “resurrect” Redline was itself revived. (It was in the works two years ago – till the building changed owners.) Today, we found a partner in the business who says, only in name. A restaurant is indeed opening there under the name Redline WS, Michael Bauer told WSB’s Katie Meyer. And former Redline proprietor Scott Goerig is involved – managing and marketing Redline WS, Bauer says. But otherwise, according to Bauer, it’ll be an all-ages family restaurant with TVs showing sports events all day long, and a menu featuring pizza and burgers, “typical Americana.” In the morning, he says, it will likely have more of a coffee-shop feel because of the major bus stops nearby. Redline WS is targeting a June opening – but things could change, so stay tuned.

(8/14 note: To check whether a business is still a current WSB sponsor, please go here)

Today we welcome one of WSB’s newest sponsors, Firefly Café and Crêperie on the north end of The Junction:

What proprietor Charell Estby hears most often from Firefly customers is: “Finally! We really needed a new/good breakfast place!” The promise of a clean, cozy café where delighting our customers is our #1 goal, with mouth-watering crepes and amazing coffee, keeps them coming back! Additionally, at Firefly we recognize and can appreciate the diverse dietary needs of our community. We believe everyone who goes out to eat should be able to find something fabulous on the menu, no matter what their diet calls for. Options are good! We’ve got ’em. For Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, as well as your average Carnivore! We’re playing with recipes and delighting our customers with new treats all the time. Don’t be surprised if we ask you to test out our crepe-o-the-day, or our soups, or muffins … the list goes on … (Here’s the menu, by the way.)

Firefly has a monthly volunteer-event program which we are just kicking off this month. Each month Firefly will sponsor and our employees will participate in a volunteer event. For March we are volunteering at the Food Lifeline in SODO. We became involved with Food Lifeline from the day we opened our doors back in November. Since then, we have donated hundreds of pounds of food & coffee. Our donations have benefited programs within the White Center Salvation Army, providing food for various dietary needs (vegan, gluten-free, meat products), regular and decaffeinated coffees, hot cereal, and many dairy products as well. It seemed a natural next step to choose Food Lifeline for our very first Firefly Café-sponsored Volunteer Event.

Firefly Café and Crêperie – now open 7 days a week – is at 4160 California SW (corner of SW Genesee), online at fireflycafe-ws.com, and on Facebook here (where you’ll see updates on daily specials). And you can now TEXT your order – 206-455-6321 – here’s how it works.

**Check out the WSB coupon! Half off your second sweet or savory crepe**

We thank Firefly Café and Crêperie for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

Following up on last week’s much-discussed preview of Bada Bistro, the new identity for the 61st/Alki SW corner restaurant that previously was Beachside Café and before that, Alki Bakery: Co-owner Sharon Bang confirms they will open tomorrow night, which was the target date when we last heard from her. She wants potential patrons to know that it’s a “locally owned and operated beachside restaurant on Alki Beach. We are dedicated to providing excellent food and beverages, and highest-quality service to our guests. Everything from our kitchen is scratch-made, as well as many of our bar items including bitters, spirit infusions, and our signature syrups. We offer many gluten-free options on our menu.” The menu is now online, including prices. They’re planning to start with dinner this week, add Happy Hour next week, then lunch and brunch when they’re ready; the hours for opening week are on their website at badabistro.com.

(Jacques Nawar with business partner Mike Look)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Jacques Nawar wants you to know that Pizzeria Credo, likely open by month’s end, is “not just another pizza place.”

He noted the “another pizza place?” concern was raised by a commenter after our first report last November about his new Junction restaurant – which you’ll find in the long-shuttered ex-Garlic Jim’s spot at 4520 California SW.

Not only will the pizza be out-of-the-ordinary, Nawar promises, so will the rest of the menu.

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Today we officially welcome Bird on a Wire as one of the newest WSB sponsors. Haven’t been there lately? It’s become much more than a coffee shop, as proprietor Heidi Herr explains:

“I opened Bird on a Wire (BoaW) in 2002 after many years in the espresso business. I literally got to the point that I knew more than someone who was about to hire me for their coffee shop … this got me thinking I should give it a whirl myself! We have been open now for almost 11 years in a amazing/small/supportive neighborhood at the south end of West Seattle – an often forgotten area of WS. With a good product and a loyal following, we celebrated our tenth year in June 2012!

“There wasn’t much down here in 2002. The ‘hood was hungry (thirsty) for something and we provided a consistent, quality product, a friendly environment, and a hub for neighbors to meet. Our quality and coffee are #1; our staff is always friendly and we keep things new and fresh. You meet people and make friends here – it’s always been that way. Their trust in me and my staff’s coffee skills has given room for us to introduce more food options – soups, sandwiches, small plates – all made IN HOUSE, as well as beer and wine!

“I support local vendors and believe in a sustainable/no-waste approach to business/life. I willingly (for free) provide coffee grounds to the local P-Patches. I believe that we need to support brick and mortars in order for our economy to be strengthened. I have lived in West Seattle since 1998 and grew up in North Seattle (Roosevelt High School).

 I am a retired founding member of the Rat City Rollergirls and currently coach for Tilted Thunder Rail Birds, Seattle’s only banked-track roller derby league. I am on the advisory board for Theatre Off Jackson – an indie theater in the International District.”

Did we mention outdoor seating as well as indoor?

Bird on a Wire is at 3509 SW Henderson (map), online at birdonawireespresso.com, and on Facebook here, where you’ll find frequent updates on food and drink highlights and also The Bird’s hours – till 9 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays, till 4 pm Mondays and Sundays.

We thank Bird on a Wire for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
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(Photo courtesy Sharon Bang)
Almost four months after announcing new plans for the former Beachside Café/ex-Alki Bakery at 61st/Alki, its owners say they’re hoping to open next week – Wednesday, March 20th. They’ve changed the new name a bit; now it’s Bada Bistro. “We will open for dinner the first week, add happy hour the following week, lunch will follow, and brunch to be added for weekends in April,” co-owner Sharon Bang tells WSB. Dinner will start at 5 pm; happy hour at 3 pm. She adds, “I realize that many were wondering what is going on in the space with no updated news for a long period of time. We really wanted to bring something special to the location, and it took more time getting things ready.” Here’s a notice Sharon says they’ve posted on the door, announcing their chef, and more about their menu and beverage plans:

John and Sharon Bang, local family restaurateurs, knew they wanted to open a Pacific Rim inspired American bistro with Chef John David Crow in mind. John David, a graduate of the California Culinary Academy, is a native Seattleite with an impressive and eclectic background. He spent years as the Executive Chef of the Space Needle as well as the Executive Chef of the Union Square Grill. He also opened The Brooklyn with Alvin Binuya, chef and partner of Ponti Seafood Grill, a mentor from whom Chef John gained much of his early knowledge of Pacific- Asian cuisine.

Most recently, John has served as Corporate Executive Chef at The Moorings Resort in the Florida Keys in addition to opening a popular Nashville restaurant, 360 Bistro, before returning to Seattle to start Bada Bistro here on Alki Beach. We describe our food as a beachside bistro, Seattle in flavor, with a definite Pacific Rim influence.

Bada is also a craft bar; we are the only scratch bar on Alki. We infuse our own spirits, use only fresh juices, and make our own syrups and bitters. Our wine list is well balanced and eclectic. We don’t chase labels, and we don’t serve merlot. We support our local brewers, while promoting global peace with a diverse line-up of tap handles.

At our Bistro we want to provide you with the opportunity to try new things, travel outside your comfort zone and enjoy a new seasoning, hop or grape. We want to make varietals the spice of life; we want to mix and match ingredients that have crossed all seven seas as well as those born and raised right here in the Northwest. The world is our oyster, and we have the best oysters on the beach.

It’s been two years since Sharon and husband John Bang, who also own Alki Café across the street, took over the ex-Alki Bakery space, whose former ownership closed it abruptly in November 2010.

If you try going to Pan Africa Grill at 5905 California SW tonight – that’s what you’ll find. We’d heard rumors they were closing, but no confirmation until the sign went up. It had only been open a year and a half, taking over the space that was home to Ho-Win Chinese Restaurant for 12 years. At the time Pan Africa opened here, it had an original location at Pike Place Market, but the owners closed that last April.

So what will happen to the West Seattle space, you ask? We do have the answer. It will be a Chinese restaurant again – called Chopstix. No, the former owners aren’t coming back; this is a brand-new venture, says proprietor Mark Lam, whose family has been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years in South King County. “West Seattle has a little bit more population density, it’s more diversified, a great place for any kind of business,” he told WSB’s Katie Meyer in a phone conversation this afternoon. He says Chopstix won’t be exclusively Chinese – it’ll veer toward Pan-Asian with “a little bit of Vietnamese, some teriyaki as well, some Japanese tempura.” No grand-opening date just yet – he just got the keys to the restaurant this week and expects to know more next week, after some cleanup, changes, and menu development. We’ll follow up, of course.

Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

It’s time for…Harry’s Chicken Joint!

Well, it’s almost time. Harry’s Chicken Joint (first mentioned here a month ago) will be running delivery-only orders down and across the street to Beveridge Place Pub Thursdays through Saturdays, starting tomorrow. (Patrons there have gotten some samples in recent weeks.) The BPP-delivery-only model will run for approximately a month while the former Meander’s/Jade West space north of Morgan Junction gets a re-do for its new tenant, so there’s no opening date set yet for their sit=down operations.

Harry’s has three items on the BPP-delivery menu for its semi-debut:

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11:58 AM TUESDAY: It’s the most prestigious award in the food world, and Bakery Nouveau‘s chef/proprietor William Leaman is a semi-finalist in the James Beard Foundation Restaurant/Chef Awards, category – of course – Pastry Chef. The winners will be announced in New York City in May, after the finalists are announced in March.

ADDED WEDNESDAY: We stopped by Bakery Nouveau this morning for a photo of the proud nominee. He says he got the word from his wife, and is most appreciative of the congratulations (and continued patronage) of their loyal customers. He says work’s going well on their expansion location in Capitol Hill and he’s particularly proud of the “Slayer” coffee machine they’re getting – a rare and amazing thing – you can even see how the deal brewed.

Two food notes from West Seattle’s lone shopping mall:

PANDA EXPRESS? Checking the city building/remodeling permit files, we discovered that an application was filed today citing Panda Express as the company that’s remodeling the south side of what had been Hollywood Video, immediately south of Desert Sun Tanning. As you may know, it’s a nationwide Chinese food chain – nearest outlet is in Burien. We have a message out to Panda Express corporate HQ; we also checked with Westwood Village management, which tells us they’re waiting for a news release to be drafted before commenting on forthcoming tenants.

NATIONAL NOD FOR GIANNONI’S PIZZA: As noted in the WSB Forums – whose members declared it an informal taste-test winner almost five years ago – Westwood Village’s homegrown Giannoni’s Pizzeria has just gotten a prestigious mention, on New York Magazine‘s food website. They listed 101 top pizza restaurants coast to coast, and included Giannoni’s!

We’ve been keeping an eye on – and getting questions about – the former Meander’s/Jade West space north of Morgan Junction at 6032 California SW. For a while now, a piece of paper in the window has read simply “Harry’s,” but we’ve had no luck reaching anyone there. Finally – a little more information has turned up in the window: The piece of paper has changed to the one you see above, reading “Harry’s Chicken Joint, opening soon.” That dovetails – or chicken-tails – with what Rick “The Psychic Barber” Cook (whose new location is nearby) told us recently, reporting that he had spoken to the owner, who told him “it will be a sort of homestyle eatery with the main focus on fried chicken and plans to be open late February.” (Just found a Facebook page too, though it has little beyond the address and phone number, where we’ve left a message.) More info soon as we get it!

4:51 PM UPDATE: Just talked, briefly, to Bruce from Harry’s – he says they’re not likely to have the sit-down restaurant open till next month because they’re doing some interior renovations, but right now they’re planning on something interim for February: Takeout chicken for patrons of nearby Beveridge Place Pub (which doesn’t make its own food but allows food to be brought in), starting within a week or so if all goes well.

Only 429 other restaurants in the entire world have what Pizzeria 22 in The Admiral District now has – certification from L’Association Verace Pizza Napoletana that it makes and serves “true Neapolitan Pizza.” Proprietor Cary Kemp explains, “We are the first and only West Seattle pizzeria to be accredited with such an honor and rare distinction. This is a goal and dream come true for me and my staff at Pizzeria 22 and we are so proud to share this certification with the West Seattle community.” Here’s his new listing on the official website (which lists fewer than 100 certified pizzerias in the entire USA); the requirements for certification include ingredients as well as prep/cooking methods. Pizzeria 22 has been open for a year and a half at 4213 SW College.

The citywide food community is abuzz today about the Seattle Times (WSB partner) report that a long-gone, much-missed French restaurant is making a comeback – not on Capitol Hill, where it was before, but here in West Seattle. In The Times’ “All You Can Eat” section, Rebekah Denn broke the news last night that the owner of Cassis, which closed in 2004, plans to bring it back at an unspecified Alki spot. Read her story here. We’ve tried to reach the restaurant-to-be’s proprietor for more information – so far, no response.

Following up on tips that the Royal India Grill in The Admiral District – on the market for months – had new owners, WSB’s Katie Meyer caught up with them for a photo and quick chat:

The new proprietors of the Royal India Grill are Baldev Grewal and his wife Rawinder. He ran an Indian restaurant in Phoenix (Taste of India) for 21 years. When asked why he left Arizona to buy a restaurant in Seattle, he told us that he used to live in Seattle, and has friends here – adding that the economy here is better than in Phoenix. He and Rawinder now live in West Seattle, and note they enjoy meeting so many “nice people here in West Seattle.”

As new owners, they’ve added Sunday lunch to their hours of operation; no major changes to the menu, but they may fine-tune it a little bit, “later on.” Royal India Grill is at 2342 California SW (and in the WSB West Seattle Restaurant Guide).

During Christmas week, we reported on the makeover and menu additions in progress for what was Coffee to a Tea with Sugar in The Junction. It’s open again as of this past Friday with something else that’s new, in addition to the remodeling and the addition of “grab and go” lunch items: A new name – Junction Bakery and Café, as is now painted over its alley entrance/windows. JB&C ownership/management says the bakery operation will retain the Sugar Rush Baking Company name.

If you’ve been through The Junction the past few days, you might have noticed the windows papered over at Sugar Rush Baking Company (aka Coffee to a Tea). Several people have e-mailed to ask if they’ve shut down. We just reached owner Jodi Baker – who says NO, they have NOT shut down – it’s a remodel.

Actually, more than “just” a remodel.

After eight years in business, Baker explains, it was time for “updating … a fresh new look.” And that means new offerings, too. After reopening on January 2nd – next Wednesday – they will offer lunches “sandwiches and soups, salads, and we’ll continue to do quiche – grab-and-go type (food). … We have a chef now.”

Beyond that, she says, they are applying for a beer and wine license, and planning to bring back music on the weekends. And they might even branch out into roasting their own coffee. “We are incredibly excited,” she told WSB.

Parents who appreciate Sugar Rush for its extensive kids’ area need not worry – it’s staying – but Baker says “we’ll have more food for the kids, too.”