The new restaurant/lounge going into the ex-Ama Ama space in The Junction, Table 35 (previous coverage here and here), has set its grand-opening date: January 9th. New signs we noticed tonight in the windows at California/Edmunds (map) promise brunch, dinner and happy hour, 10 am-2 am; the Table 35 website is a work in progress – the “menu” page surprised us for a moment because it doesn’t jibe with the “Continental/Mediterranean” concept mentioned last month, but on second look it appears to be placeholder boilerplate – note the resemblance (we’ll be checking).

Not long ago, we got a note from “Chef Pop,” introducing himself as new owner of the former Boontin (and before that, Olarn) Thai restaurant across from West Seattle Nursery, saying he was new to West Seattle and trying to find out more about the community. His is one of the few restaurants open Christmas Day – list here – so it seemed like a good time to introduce you to him.

Story and photo by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

“Pop,” the owner of the new Thaitan Restaurant (formerly Boontin Thai), explains that the name of his restaurant is pronounced “Titan,” like the powerful mythological deities. This cross-cultural playfulness finds its way onto the menu as well, where Pop, whose wife is Vietnamese, offers pho along with the usual Thai dishes. He notes that offering pho has led to “a good combination for what people want.”

Pop came to the Puget Sound region in 1998 to study automotive technology at Lake Washington Technical College. He came to this area because his mother, who owns a restaurant in Thailand, had friends here. It didn’t take long for him to realize he really disliked automotive technology, and really loved working in restaurants. Taking his skills from working in his mother’s restaurant, he worked in a variety of Thai restaurants in Seattle, Bellevue and Ballard. His goal however, was to “cook my own food for people.”

When he found out the Boontin Thai restaurant was for sale, he grabbed the opportunity to become a restaurant owner.

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

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

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

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

WAX BAR TO THE TRIANGLE: Not every day you check the latest list of liquor-license applications and discover one for a skin-care business – but that’s what happened today, when we noted The Wax Bar has applied for a “snack bar”-class license at the storefront above in The Triangle, 37th/Fauntleroy (map), between the new shoe repair shop and West Seattle Brake Service. We called The Wax Bar’s current location in Ballard to confirm. They told us they’re hoping to open in West Seattle in February, but that depends on how permits go. So what’s the liquor license for? we asked. Answer: To serve beer, as they do in Ballard (here’s a feature our partners at the Seattle Times published last year). This is part of the Triangle’s ongoing business boom, just as its first major mixed-use project (Link) begins construction (bringing 200 residential units in 2011) – Mountain to Sound Outfitters just opened at 3602 SW Alaska (and they’ve just joined the WSB sponsor ranks – more on that tomorrow); Cycle University opened 2 months ago at 4550 Fauntleroy; the aforementioned shoe-repair store is about two months old; Lien Animal Clinic just opened a brand-new building. (Wednesday afternoon note: The Wax Bar has now announced the expansion on its own website – here’s the item.)

JUNCTION WING DOME UPDATE: “Villagegreen” asked in the WSB Forums whether Wing Dome was still coming to The Junction, as first reported here two months ago – wondering whether the “for lease” sign that’s still in the window was, so to speak, a bad sign. We checked today with Colleen O’Leary of Consolidated Restaurants (Wing Dome’s parent company) – she said they have not yet finalized the lease but still expect to; since it’s not finalized yet, they don’t have a timetable for opening the restaurant. She also said they’re not planning to take the entire ex-CAPERS space.

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Finally some info this morning about what’s going into the space in The Junction left vacant since Ama Ama Oyster Bar and Grill closed in July – several people e-mailed after noticing the “For Sale” sign had come down, but we found no permit applications or other hints about what was to come. Then last night Paul e-mailed to report signs of activity inside – gone by the time we got there, but this morning WSB contributing journalist Christopher Boffoli has confirmed that a new restaurant will be opening there. He reports: “No name yet, but the menu will be a Continental/Mediterranean mix. They expect to open after the holidays.” Working on more details – but for those who’ve wondered, now you know! (And thanks for all the notes. Your collaboration is truly what powers WSB. Contact us 24/7.)

That’s Allison Rich (thanks to Krista for the photo!), co-owner of the newly remodeled Angelina’s in Admiral (2311 California SW) – she just sent word that after several nights of “friends and family” dinner rehearsals, they’ve passed their inspections and Angelina’s will reopen to the public as of 5 pm tonight. Allison says it’ll be dinner only till Monday, when they add lunch. Allison and husband Skip Rich bought the restaurant from its longtime owners and did extensive remodeling inside, including adding a bar (here’s our story from halfway through the 2-month remodeling process). 1 PM UPDATE: Just went by for a couple photos:

(Note in the dining room photo, the chalkboard on the wall in the booth, as mentioned in our earlier story – they also have portable ones if requested for the non-booth tables.) The menu’s not online yet but we took a sneak peek at that – it does indeed include some old faves from the Trattoria days (tonight’s Fresh Sheet, for example, is topped by the chicken-and-hazelnuts fettucini, but also includes steak). Their website is just bare bones now, with more to come: angelinaswestseattle.com.

RIVERHOUSE’S FINAL DAYS: Tomorrow is the final day of business for Riverhouse Creperie at ActivSpace on Harbor Ave just north of The Bridge, according to its owner Kathaleen. As reported here earlier this month, she is closing the business to focus on her health. She e-mailed to say she’s offering the business for sale or sublease, and is also willing to sell equipment. You can reach her for details at riverhousecrepes@gmail.com.

NAME CHANGE: Across the street from West Seattle Nursery, another name change appears to be in the works for the former Olarn Thai Bistro, now Boontin; an application to transfer its beer/wine license to new proprietors says it will be called Thaitan.

This morning we’re welcoming one of our newest sponsors, Endolyne Joe’s. While it’s the southernmost restaurant in West Seattle, it’s just minutes away from wherever you live. Joe’s is owned by Chow Foods, known for other popular Seattle restaurants like the 5 Spot. Endolyne Joe’s has the same manager, Dicki Crumm, who’s been there since it opened in 2003, as well as many of the opening waitstaff (photo at left: Dicki with Cindy Luby).

Theme menus are continuing, and there’s a spotlight on specials, including the Not-So-Early-Bird Breakfast. How about a goat cheese and fresh herb scramble? Or Caramel Apple French Toast with half a rasher of bacon? Or maybe the Trailer Park Benedict, a buttermilk biscuit topped with thick-sliced ham, poached eggs and cheddar cheese sauce? Any Not-So-Early-Bird Breakfast Special is $5 (including the Breakfast Burrito!), Monday-Friday only from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For dinner, you’ll find a rotating dinner menu that changes every 3 months to highlight a different region of the “Americas.” This allows neighbors and West Seattle residents to try a new menu each calendar quarter, while Joe’s also offers all of the favorite standards off of their base menu.

Endolyne Joe’s isn’t just about food. Joe’s is very active in fundraising for local West Seattle concerns. Fundraisers in the past several months have included such causes as musical instrument and art supplies for a New Orleans elementary school leveled by Hurricane Katrina, the Fauntleroy Community Association and West Seattle elementary and middle schools. Joe’s, along with the other Chow Foods restaurants, is in the midst of a monthlong campaign in October to raise funds for Arts Corps, a locally operated non-profit that provides art, music and dance programs for Seattle area schools and community centers. Visit www.chowfoods.com for more information on this effort. There is a big, big prize for some fortunate entrant!

The historic Endolyne district — where else in Seattle will you see a neon sign that says EAT AT JOE’S? — is a few blocks east of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. Find Endolyne Joe’s at 9261 45th SW (map). (206) 937-JOES. We thank Endolyne Joe’s for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; the sponsor team, with info on joining, is all here.

While we were reporting recently on the opening of Shipwreck Tavern in the Admiral District, talk turned to the fate of the former Admiral Benbow Inn nearby. We have a few more details this morning directly from Jay Wergin, who’ll be opening a cafe there (as previously revealed here) – here’s his announcement:

Coming soon to West Seattle: The Heartland Cafe, a family-friendly restaurant with a focus on great, affordable Midwestern comfort food.

Co-owner and longtime West Seattle resident Jay Wergin was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the classic dishes served at supper clubs, church picnics and back yard barbecues: bratwurst, Italian beef, chicken booyah, and of course, beer from Wisconsin, such as Leinenkugel and Milwaukee¹s Best. Together with Jeff Loren, a 25-year restaurant industry insider, who has run the show at Julia¹s and other prominent Seattle-area eateries, Wergin will open the Heartland Cafe in the heart of the Admiral District on the site of the former Benbow Inn. The iconic space is currently undergoing major renovations to restore the vintage pirate ship bar and transform the main dinner and banquet room into a family-friendly space. The Heartland Cafe is slated to open later this winter and will serve dinner during the week and breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a late-night menu on weekends. Stay tuned for updates … !

ADDED 2:02 PM: We asked Jay a few followup questions. For one, we’d heard of a “West Seattle Sausage Co.” coming to that vicinity – turns out that was an early working name for the project. For two, here’s a little more about the bar/restaurant delineation:

As for the layout of the place. A full service bar will be located in the pirate ship and will be identified as the ³Benbow Room² with the primary access to the bar (21 and older) from the alley entrance. The main restaurant and banquet room will be entered through the Admiral Street entrance (Next door to the Shipwreck).

He says the late-night all-ages dining will run to 3 am Friday and Saturday nights (of interest to us since your editor here has a 13-year-old fellow extreme night owl in the house).

Two notes, both cooked up in this WSB Forums thread but worth noting here too: Marination Mobile will NOT be at its usual High Point spot tomorrow – it’s part of the Mobile Chowdown in Interbay 11 am-3 pm (map). Meantime, a quick update on Rancho Bravo Tacos‘ plan to come to West Seattle (first reported in April); checked with proprietor Freddy and he said he’s aiming for a mid-November start. He also had a question for YOU regarding the site (the old West Seattle Motors lot [map]):

How about some ideas from your beloved readers about what to do with the building on the property since the taco stand will be outside?

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli, first published here in August)
Thanks to Don for the tip that Mashiko‘s Hajime Sato (profiled here in August, just as he was gaining widespread fame for focusing on sustainable sushi/sashimi) is scheduled to be on Food Network tonight, 9 pm. Read all about it on this Mashiko webpage. And a reminder – he’s one of the chefs participating in this Sunday’s Eat Local Now! benefit dinner/auction/entertainment event (see the lineup here) – 5 pm 10/11 at Alki Masonic Hall in The Junction – tickets available here.

Almost two weeks after West Seattleite Marty Riemer and his broadcasting partner Jodi Brothers got the boot from The Mountain, he is still interacting with fans via his Facebook page – where he’s also announced that they will host a “Marty Riemer Show Severance Blowout” party on the downtown waterfront, 6:30 pm October 22 at Elliott’s (as Marty noted, right next to the Water Taxi dock). Not a fundraiser or donation drive, he elaborated in a FB update – no admission – just be there. The two have not announced another gig yet but did post a goofy little video about “Day 10” of unemployment; see it on FB here. (Photo courtesy Marty Riemer)