West Seattle, Washington
26 Wednesday
Story and photos by Bill “Hutch” Hutchison
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
We had a chance today to catch Mulugeta “Mulu” Abate and his sister Ruth Abate as they put the finishing touches on their new West Seattle venture, Pan Africa Grill, two days away from opening in the former Ho-Win space at California/Juneau.
“The renovation is pretty much complete and we will be ready on Tuesday,” Mulu said. Here’s a sneak peek inside the Pan Africa dining room:
As mentioned in previous coverage – we first reported on this new restaurant back in May – Mulu and his family also own Pan Africa Market in the Pike Place Market area and hope the new West Seattle eatery will be another successful venture.
See more of the renovations, plus a peek at the food, and even the art, ahead:Read More
After WSB Forums members wondered about the status of Garlic Jim’s Pizza in The Junction, closed now for a week or so, and this afternoon, after a couple of exchanges with corporate HQ this morning, we have an official statement, saying basically that it’s closed till further notice:
The West Seattle Garlic Jim’s is closed. We are not at liberty to divulge any details of the situation involving the prior owner, who was an independent franchisee of Garlic Jim’s Famous Gourmet Pizza.
Garlic Jim’s is actively seeking a new owner but at this time we do not have a certain date for re‐ opening.
The former owner bears the responsibility of notifying his crew of his decision to close as we do not have any contact information. It is our understanding that the store was only staffed by a small part‐ time crew, although in this economy it is a tragedy when even one person loses a job.
We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused our customers as we have appreciated their business. For those who recently purchased Living Social vouchers – they can be used at any other Garlic Jim’s or you may request a refund from Living Social directly by calling 877.521.4191.
The restaurant originally opened in spring 2007, part of an Everett-based chain of franchises. It has undergone at least one ownership change since then; the most recent owners, who had a successful franchise in Snohomish County, took over last year amid some fanfare.
More details to come on all of these, but some quick notes before the night’s out:
NEW COFFEE SHOP IN ADMIRAL: Looks like North Seattle-headquartered Caffé Fiore is indeed the coffee shop that’s been rumored to be on the way to the new live/work/townhouse building just north of West Seattle Fabric Company (WSB sponsor) in the 2200 block of California SW. We saw the business name in DPD records a couple weeks ago and have been seeking comment ever since; haven’t received the requested comment – but tipster Jeff says a sign has gone up. (We’re heading out for a photo shortly Late-late-night photo added.)
LUMPIA WORLD COMING TO HIGHLAND PARK: They had a short-lived stint in the south-of-Junction Rite Aid parking lot, and now Lumpia World is headed back to West Seattle – not just for the already-announced appearance at Mobile Chowdown in The Junction on October 2nd. According to the LW Facebook page announcement tonight, they’ll be setting up regularly in the Highland Park Improvement Club parking lot (12th/Holden) starting on October 8th.
PAN AFRICA GRILL OPENING DATE: WSB contributor Bill “Hutch” Hutchison has been working on another followup regarding the restaurant moving into the former Ho-Win Chinese Restaurant spot at California/Juneau (here’s his original story from May). They had told him they were hoping to open next week. Extra confirmation of that apparent plan came today when an online “deal” circulated for Pan Africa, listing September 20th as the expected West Seattle opening date. They’ve just painted the front of the restaurant, too, with patterns over the distinctive “rock” siding.
Many have asked what’s happening at 9005 35th SW near Henderson, part of the former On Safari Foods space. WSB contributor Bill “Hutch” Hutchison spoke today with its new owners, sisters Muzit and Senait, who shared a bit of information about their plans to open West Seattle Fish House. They plan to primarily serve fish and chips to begin with, along with a variety of side dishes, not yet finalized, and more menu items to be added along the way as they ramp up. Muzit and Senait are both West Seattle residents and told Hutch they recognized a need for this type of restaurant in the neighborhood. Though they expect to do a lot of take-out business, there will be some countertop seating as well. No beer or wine to start, but it’s a possibility down the road.
That’s all they wanted to say till they get closer to opening, but we do know they hope to open within the next two to three weeks, depending on how inspections go.
WSB’ers are graced with sharp powers of observation, clearly! We’ve received a near-deluge of notes (thank you!) from people who saw the SOLD sign go up over the FOR SALE sign at the ex-Bohemian (3405 California SW), which closed last December. Public records yielded no information, so we checked with the listing broker, Jason Miller at Ewing and Clark. Here’s what he could tell us: The sale just closed yesterday. Miller – who lives in West Seattle – says the buyer does not want to be publicly identified yet, but is an “experienced restaurateur.” Miller says the sale took a while for reasons including, he says, it’s tough to get financing for restaurant projects right now – and unlike some properties on the market, this one involved purchasing the entire building, not just the restaurant business. More info when it’s available!
Alki’s Saigon Boat Café has expanded, a year and a half after opening at 2632 Alki SW, to add a restaurant in a separate building immediately east of the pho shop’s original location. WSB contributor Keri DeTore reports that the owners expanded to add what they’re calling a “more elegant” restaurant:
Its menu includes some Chinese dishes such as chow mein and fried rice cooked in a more “Vietnamese style,” as well as more salads, including one with mangos. She says the new restaurant also has a small back room, with antique furniture, that will be available for party rentals:
Summer hours for Saigon Boat Café and its new restaurant are noon-10 pm daily.
Update on OutWest Bar, which opened for business at 5401 California SW, albeit in “soft open” mode, last Thursday (as reported here): WSB contributor Keri DeTore says the awning’s finally been redone with the LGBT-friendly bar’s name (we saw it being painted just yesterday) and co-owners Bob Lunke and Chad Gabelein have announced their grand opening for this weekend — Friday and Saturday nights. Their official operating hours are settled, too – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 4 pm to midnight, Friday and Saturday 4 pm to 2 am, Sundays 4 pm to midnight.
(At OutWest Bar: Holly, bartender Josh, co-owner Bob)
Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Though butcher paper is still on the windows, the sign on the front door of OutWest Bar reads, “Yes, we’re open!”
By 4:00 today, patrons such as Glenn Bafia were already seated at the copper-topped bar and in the booths for OutWest’s “soft open” in the former Westside Pharmacy space at California/Brandon. He said, “I’m very excited that the gay and lesbian community has a bar in West Seattle that we can hang out in.”
Co-owner Bob Lunke greeted guests with “Welcome to your gay and lesbian bar in West Seattle!” and then proceeded to figure out how to use the cash register.
Another patron, who followed OutWest Bar’s journey via Facebook, said he came “all the way from Magnolia” to check it out.
Neighbor Lisa Laughlin says she’s been watching it “come to life. I’m very excited that it’s now open—it’s good to have a bar I can walk home from!” while Dawn Leverett, West Seattle Windermere agent, added, “West Seattle loves to support restaurants and bars and we’re excited about new venues. In this economy it’s great to see a small business open — these are the backbone of the economy. We’re very happy to have the OutWest Bar in West Seattle.”
Co-owners Lunke and Chad Gabelein still anticipate a grand opening sometime in the next two weeks. (Per their FB page, Happy Hour is 4-6 pm, Tuesdays-Fridays.) For more backstory about OutWest Bar, see our stories from May (here) and December (here).
If you haven’t seen the announcement in the WSB Forums – the Zippy’s Giant Burgers crew are giving advance warning that they’re going on vacation starting August 13th, reopening August 22nd. And they’ll be back to opening on Sundays too as of August 28th. (Got another favorite local burger to suggest people try while they’re gone? Add a comment!)
It seems to always happen this way – no matter how optimistic a restaurateur is about getting a new place open fast, it takes longer than expected. For those who have been e-mailing to ask what’s up with the plan for Pan Africa Grill to open in the ex-Ho-Win north of Morgan Junction, that’s exactly what’s going on. Three months have passed since we first told you about Mulugeta Abade‘s plan to bring something here that’s similar to his successful Pan Africa Restaurant and Bar at Pike Place Market; at that time, he had said he hoped to be open within one month. WSB contributor Bill “Hutch” Hutchison, who talked with “Mulu” for the original story, checked back with him this week. Yes, the plan is still moving ahead, but there are still a few weeks of work left. Mulu told Hutch, “We ran into some delays as these types of projects always do. I have the old Ho Win sign down and will be putting up our new one, hopefully by next week. We are aiming for Labor Day weekend to open at this point, and are excited to meet our new West Seattle neighbors.”
(Top, WSB photo; below right, MoCA photo; both from 6/25/11 festival day)
Morgan Community Association leaders and volunteers are finally recovering from their big Morgan Junction Community Festival a month ago (WSB coverage here) – and Kate Gill de la Garza wanted to share a public thanks to the food-and-beverage purveyors who participated by providing the festival’s “Bite of Morgan” freebies. Note she suggests a way YOU can say thanks too!
MoCA would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the nine businesses that
participated in this year’s “Bite of Morgan” – Caffe Ladro, Domino’s Pizza, Pet Elements, Windermere Real Estate, Abbondanza Pizzeria, Zeeks Pizza [photo right], Feedback Lounge, Kokoras Greek Grill and Meander’s Kitchen. This was our largest “Bite” ever, and we could not have done it without the generous donations made by each business owner.If you came to the Festival this year and enjoyed the “Bite,” please stop in to one of these establishments and return the favor by buying dinner or a coffee [etc.]. Please help us demonstrate that community partnership matters by saying thanks to all these great businesses!
In case you don’t know where to find them all, we’ve matched each with an infolink above (in all but one case, their own website or Facebook page).
Story and photos by Christopher Boffoli
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
On a rainy afternoon last spring, I got my first glimpse at what was soon to become one of Seattle’s newest mobile food trucks, making its debut this Sunday in West Seattle.
Parked on a quiet side street in North Delridge, it didn’t look like much at the time. The boxy, aluminum truck – which at that point had only recently been plucked off of Craigslist – still bore signs of its previous use by a plumbing company. However, like most entrepreneurs, Damiana Merryweather had vision, not to mention a contagious enthusiasm for what the truck could be. Perhaps more significantly, she also had an abundance of patience, which she would discover, is second only to money when it comes to starting a street food business in Seattle. But above all, Merryweather’s focus was on the food.
“We become deeply human when we sit down to a plate of food,” she would tell me later, in drier, more comfortable conditions: ensconced in plush chairs at a local café, with mugs of hot coffee in our hands. She added, “Food is such a catalyst for community, family holidays, friends….it brings us together. There’s a comforting human connection.”
Merryweather is an Oregon native who began on quite a different career path. Though she worked in and out of food-related jobs when she was younger, for more than a decade she had enjoyed a successful career in political campaigns and lobbying. But at a certain point she decided to come back to food. She moved to Seattle in 2006 and a few years later, was hired on as a consultant to aid the launch of the Swinery. “Working there reminded me of how much I love customer service,” she said, “And I don’t mean that in a cheesy salesman kind of way, but truly helping people. Engaging their imaginations about meals. Making connections.”
Three quick notes about local restaurants:
PORTERHOUSE MAKEOVER: Krista Maes, operations director for Porterhouse in the Admiral District, tells WSB they’ll be closing the restaurant/pub tomorrow (Tuesday) “for our own semi-extreme restaurant DIY makeover and re-opening Wednesday July, 27th at about 5 pm for dinner service. The major changes will be seen in styling, menu, and dining room layout and functionality.” Once it’s done, Krista says, “We look forward to any and all critiques,” and will offer “avenues for feedback.”
SPRING HILL AND BIN 41 TEAM UP … for monthly “Juice Salon” sessions at Spring Hill, with small bites and local wines, plus winemaker Q/A. First one is just a week away. Read about it on the Spring Hill website.
RED STAR REOPENING: After a six-day closure, Red Star Pizza in Sunrise Heights is set to reopen tomorrow, per notes on both their door and their website.
Story and photo by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
How do you like your chai? Brewed with a blend of twelve different spices? How about your Chicken Shawarma? Marinated in a mixture of twenty-five different spices?
West Seattleites will get a chance to try Chef Rami Al-Jebori’s thoughtfully crafted “Middle East cuisine” when he expands his popular Mawadda Café to the Admiral District in September, in the former Museum Quality Framing storefront.
Blending Iranian, Greek, Turkish and Mediterranean flavors, Al-Jebori will feature items such as falafel, hummus, gyros and shish kebob. There will be a variety of vegetarian options and all the food will be made following the rules of Halal (Islamic dietary guidelines). Desserts will also be offered and he points out that his Baklava recipe uses pistachios instead of the usual walnuts.
It was a short parade, but memorable – A Terrible Beauty‘s co-owner Jenna Shannon Garvey O’Brien led the way, carrying the Irish flag, as members of the Eastside Firefighters Pipes and Drums and Seattle Firefighters Pipes and Drums paraded on a Junction sidewalk tonight, from California/Alaska to California/Edmunds, where the flag was taken up a ladder for ceremonial placement on the roof by Jenna’s son Mick:
(added) Thanks to Aaron Bocchetti for this view from behind the pipers/drummers – with their detailed outfits, head to toe:
Though A Terrible Beauty has been open since Tuesday, tonight is the official “grand opening” night, and the pipes and drums were scheduled to play inside again right about now. It was a full house as the parade arrived at 7 – and as we drove along West Seattle thoroughfares from California SW to Alki SW, we noticed most places were jumping on this wonderful clear night kicking off the holiday weekend.
If you’re in The Junction around 7 pm tonight, be on the lookout for a parade. WSB contributor Katie Meyer reports that A Terrible Beauty‘s new West Seattle location is celebrating its official grand opening (though it’s been open since Tuesday) with a pipes-and-drums parade – the firefighter groups from Seattle and the Eastside will start at Alaska/California and march down the block to the new restaurant/pub, where the Irish flag will be planted. Spectators welcome!
Another update from the tiny café that’s been a huge hit with West Seattleites – WSB contributor Keri DeTore has an update on Meander’s, north of Morgan Junction (6032 California SW):
If you haven’t been to Meander’s in a while, it may be time to go back — both to see chef Miranda Krone’s new Northwest-themed tattoo, and to check out the new menu! Meander’s is going all-breakfast, all the time, dropping all lunch items (except the popular Monte Cristo) from the menu and adding a few new breakfast items. “Chicken-fried steak will be available on a regular basis” says Miranda, as is a new creation, “Afton’s Hot Mess.” Made with chorizo, spinach, black beans, grits and poached eggs, one diner proclaimed it, “Delicious! So good it’s ridiculous!” Meander’s has even better news for regulars—the café will now be open seven days a week: 8 am-3 pm Monday through Saturday and 9 am to 3 pm Sundays. Miranda will also maintain the late-night hours from 10 pm to 4 am on Friday and Saturday, but will no longer be open late on Thursday.
(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
The last of four new businesses to open in the past two months in the southeast corner of the heart of The Junction is ALMOST open. Tonight was the invitation-only preview party for the much-anticipated West Seattle expansion of Renton-headquartered Irish restaurant/pub A Terrible Beauty. (As reported here a week ago, tomorrow is the official opening.) We have photos from WSB contributor Katie Meyer – starting above with the bar, topped by clocks showing the time in Seattle, Belfast, and New York. More photos after the jump:Read More
Admiral’s new wood-fired Pizzeria 22 had a full house tonight – but don’t worry, you didn’t miss opening night. This was an invitation-only preview party, with owner Cary Kemp getting the chance to give the oven a workout:
Since we don’t dine on the job, sorry, no review (if you were there, do leave yours as a comment!), but we CAN say it smelled wonderful – and looked good even before it went into the oven:
Also looking good – though we stopped by too early in the evening for a good photo – the new blue neon sign out front, stacked letters reading simply “PIZZERIA.” As reported here earlier this week, Pizzeria 22 officially opens on Monday; lots of menu info and other details can be found online.
Next Tuesday is this year’s Spoke and Food benefit event – to encourage people to bicycle to local restaurants. In West Seattle, Chaco Canyon Organic Café is participating, and in neighboring White Center, Proletariat Pizza is participating. 20 percent of that night’s proceeds from all participants go to the Seattle Tilth Children’s Garden. Both restaurants have bicycle racks, of course! It’s 5-10 pm next Tuesday (June 28).
Next week in West Seattle – two days, two restaurant openings. We broke the news earlier that A Terrible Beauty plans to open in The Junction next Tuesday (June 28), 11 am; now we’ve just confirmed that Pizzeria 22, Cary Kemp‘s new wood-fired pizzeria in the Admiral District, is planning to open Monday (June 27) at 4 pm (barring any last-minute snags). He’s been in business with a mobile wood-fired-pizza oven, and now his dream of owning his own restaurant is coming true. It will be all-ages; the menu and hours are at pizzeria22.com; here’s our original report from last January, when he signed the lease at 4213 SW College, a few doors east of California SW. Thanks to Kim for the opening-date tip! (April photo of Cary Kemp & imported oven, by Stephanie Chacharon for WSB)
The long-awaited opening date is set for A Terrible Beauty in The Junction – the new family-friendly Irish pub/restaurant that’s been in development at California/Edmunds. Co-owner Jenna Shannon Garvey O’Brien has just told WSB contributor Katie Meyer, who’s been covering the in-development establishment since they announced their West Seattle plans 3 months ago, that they will open one week from today, June 28th, starting with lunch at 11 am. Katie visited Jenna and the crew over the weekend, while they – with the help of volunteers – were putting in some of the finishing touches prior to a round of inspections:
That’s Jenna – next photo, one of the helpful volunteers:
If you’ve missed our previous coverage – this is an expansion for A Terrible Beauty, whose original location in Renton is wildly popular by all accounts. Katie has chronicled their extensive makeover of the West Seattle Junction spot that previously housed the short-lived Table 35 – as the ATB team added highlights from Scottie Joe‘s stonework to the distinctive green paint. You can find out more about them at aterriblebeauty.com (including menu information), and they’re also in Facebook, including a page just for the West Seattle location. More to come!
It’s been more than 2 years since Rancho Bravo Tacos proprietor Freddy Rivas announced he had leased a spot in The Triangle and planned to bring one of his stands there. The plan then went on hold for so long, we stopped checking with him. Then this morning, driving along Fauntleroy Way, we spotted a Rancho Bravo trailer parked way in back of the old West Seattle Motors site (4518 Fauntleroy Way). So we detoured to investigate.
On the site, we found not only the trailer, but Rivas himself. He says he really has been leasing the site all this time – and is now considering opening a sit-down restaurant there. He didn’t want to elaborate on what kind of restaurant – he says it’s a “new concept” he hopes to open first in Wallingford, and then bring to West Seattle. Timetable? Most likely next spring. And if all works well, he might have a Rancho Bravo trailer on the site as well as his “new concept” TBA sit-down restaurant.
While we talked, he brought up another issue: You might be surprised to hear that Rivas has been active in lobbying the City Council regarding proposed rule changes to allow more street-food trucks. He’s not FOR the proposal, but AGAINST it. He says (as he had argued in this PubliCola pro-con) it would enable trucks to take street space at a ridiculously low rate, putting nearby sit-down restaurants at a disadvantage – and also potentially jeopardizing non-restaurant businesses whom, he says, could have line-of-sight blocked by trucks. He’s not against opening the streets to more trucks, he says, but he suggests spaces be made available to the highest bidder. (Read more about the city’s proposed rule changes here.)
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