West Seattle, Washington
12 Thursday
Don’t faint. A West Seattle-based couple is opening their own bakery — but not on our side of the bay. We best remember Stephanie Crocker and her “Sugar” creations from the Farmers’ Market last year; also, last November we told you about the pie fundraiser to help Stephanie and her husband John with expenses from his fight against cancer. That’s going well and now they’re getting ready to open their own place, Sugar Bakery & Cafe on First Hill (and blogging about it too). Stephanie tells WSB they hope to open in October – just in time for the bakery-mania of the holiday season.
Thanks to the reader tip pointing us to a website now up for Ama Ama Oyster Bar & Grill, which is following Ovio at the NE corner of Cali/Edmunds. Not much on the site except the promise “Coming in October!”
As of this morning, Shoofly Pie Company is open in The Junction, in the ex-Bobby’s Hobbies spot on Cali north of SW Oregon. We dropped in and can tell you most of what’s on the menu right now: Pies, whole ($21-$22ish) or by the slice ($3.50 for most) including shoofly, cherry, apple, strawberry-rhubarb, lemon meringue, key lime, chocolate cream, “deep chocolate tart”; quiches (same price range) are tomato goat cheese and ham gruyere; and they’re also selling cute-looking individual chicken pot pies ($5). Espresso drinks too, as well as tea and soft drinks. The decor could best be described as simple, clean, IKEAesque, with wood tables and floor, and a fair amount of stainless steel inside to echo the outer trim. Be sure to bring cash, as a sign on the register says they’re not set up for credit cards just yet (but expect to be “soon”).
OK, our early scouting party’s first report from Summer Fest in The Junction: Metro Market’s kiosk was offering free brownie samples. We’ll be going back later to look for the Rat City Rollergirls, among others.
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Next to QFC, the Pet Pros store-to-be (ex-laundromat) has a “help wanted” sign posted out front; on the south edge of WV, the suspense (?) is finally over regarding which of the new spaces next to Sally’s will be Giannoni’s Pizza and which will be Taco Del Mar:
We’ve had many a discussion here about the need for at least one or two more burger options here in WS. Check it out — this P-I article says the Blue Moon Burgers folks are eyeing our side of the bay. Maybe. Possibly. (We haven’t tried them; have you?)
Some WSB readers have mentioned hearing the next restaurant in the ex-Ovio/ex-Guppy’s/ex-pizza etc. space on the southern edge of The Junction would have something to do with oysters … now the state liquor-license application files seem to confirm that, with paperwork reported this week for “Ama Ama Oyster Bar” going into that very space.
The opening date is finally set for Shoofly Pie Company on the north edge of The Junction, and for all you former Easterners who have wondered aloud whether it will actually serve the regional treat known as “shoofly pie” — looks like it will — Owner Kimmy Hsieh Tomlinson sent us a cleverly worded press release, which reads in part: “Where wholesome meets hip, Shoofly Pie Company is opening its doors to serve the eponymous dessert and much more to the pie-hungry people of Seattle.” She goes on to describe the rest of the menu as including “‘anything in a crust’ … That includes sweet and savory pies, tarts, and even quiche.” Oh, and about that date? July 14. Hours: Wed-Thurs 7 am-6 pm, Fri-Sat 7 am-8 pm, Sun 8 am-4 pm, phone 938-0680.
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Can the Charlestown Cafe stay in its longtime home, or will the property owner continue the process of booting it so a big-box store can move in? Today’s the day Charlestown supporters plan to make some noise with a picketing demonstration along Cali in front of the restaurant. Lots of info, and downloadable sign art (example at left), at Our Town West Seattle. (P.S. to demonstration attendees: If you take picketing pix and post them to your own site or a gallery site like Flickr, please leave a comment here afterward, with a link; we’ll be away from the computer much of the day and unable to post anything you send us directly.)
A WSB reader who’s just days away from welcoming a baby, and already has a toddler, isn’t going to be cooking much this summer and wonders what we all suggest for great WS takeout food. Including, but not limited to, a “great burrito.” So, what are your favorites for takeout on our side of the bay?
Among the trio of food-related businesses-in-the-works on the north edge of The Junction, Shoofly Pie Company is first to put up its official sign …
This Saturday, 11 am-2 pm, is the big pro-Charlestown Cafe picketing rally (backstory here). So that participants can prepare, a selection of sign suggestions has just been uploaded to the Our Town West Seattle group (join it and you can download them too, while getting full details on the latest developments) — here are four of them; the last is our fave:
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A new P-I review raves as much about the cole slaw and Caesar salad at Alki Crab & Fish @ Seacrest as about the fish ‘n’ chips.
What better time than a sunny day — on the brink of “official” summer — to contemplate “the region’s hidden ice-cream shops” — that’s what the UW Daily does in this article, with Husky Deli featured prominently.
E-mail just forwarded to us. Working to confirm (8:30 PM UPDATE: it’s now posted on the Ovio website).
Dear Friends & Fans of Ovio Bistro,
They say all good things must come to an end, and so it is with sadness that we must tell you that after nearly 5 years in West Seattle, Ovio Bistro will be closing at the end of June.
It was a very difficult decision to make, but one that we feel will be best for our family at this time.
As you know, we have worked very hard and put a lot into this restaurant…we have no managers and one of us is here all the time, but our sons are older and involved in school and sports, and it is heartbreaking to not be there for them.
We have been fortunate to work with amazing people – our staff has been incredible from the beginning. The original Ovio would never have been so successful without Chef Eddie Montoya, Tony LaVelle, Michael Tinsley, Janae Hawkins, EBO Ottens and Lisa Lovering.
Others joined us at the old location – Darcey Wijsenbeek, Emily Garner, Ben Adlin, Rickey Story, Mike Bond, Bubba Schultz – and quickly became part of the Ovio family. When we decided to expand and relocate, our old staff found our new staff by inviting their friends to join the party – and Dennis McMahon, Will Green, Julie Johnson, Evan Beilke, Michael Nelson, and Will Waterstraat came to stay. The new Ovio was built on the hard work of everyone, literally! We demolished, we rebuilt and we opened with a bang! It was an incredible experience to be a part of. We have been lucky to add talented people along the way – Chef Brenda Rodriguez has been invaluable in putting Ovio back on the culinary map. Alongside her in the kitchen, we have been fortunate to have Angela Emery and Ben Pickett, and Michelle Manning. They have all done amazing things for Ovio.
We were also blessed to have so many wonderful regular customers – and you know who you are! You have been through the highs and lows of Ovio and you still come back, week after week. You have gotten to know all of us and introduced us to your families and friends. You have shared special occasions and private moments with us. You dealt with the devastation of Eddie’s death alongside us. We can never thank you enough.
We know that this is sad and shocking news to everyone, but hope that you will be supportive of us through the end. We would love to see EVERYONE in the next two weeks, and we especially look forward to a big party on Saturday, June 30th. Please join us. We will miss you all very much and can never thank you enough for being part of our Ovio family these past 5 years.
Much love,
Shing and Ellie Chin
A sign for Heliotrope Architects just turned up in the window of the future Spring Hill (north end of The Junction, ex-In Bloom). That led us to a page on Heliotrope’s site providing a peek at what’s in progress (it’s a flash site so no direct link; go here, click IN-PROGRESS, then click SPRING HILL RESTAURANT). Further investigation of info from that site led to another one declaring Spring Hill seeks to “redefine the French bistro in Seattle.”
Just saw channel 7 in The Junction outside West 5 to present coverage of tonight’s City Council nightlife-ordinance hearing; the story’s not on their website as of this writing, but you can read about what happened (minus the WS angle) at the P-I site. Also at Slog, where Skylark gets a shoutout.
TOMORROW: The West Seattle Community Resource Center at 35th/Morgan officially celebrates its grand opening (a few weeks after the WS Food Bank and Megawatt moved in) by opening the doors to all. An open house with tours, treats, and guest WS dignitaries (the press release promises Mayor Nickels and Councilmember Constantine) is set for 4-7 pm.
SATURDAY: Skylark celebrates its first anniversary with a day and night full of revelry: Brunch 9 am-3 pm, karaoke 5-8 pm, bands 9 pm-1 am (Electrochakra, Amy Stolzenbach, Brent Amaker & The Rodeo, The Delusions). Owner Jessie Summa-Kusiak also promises “prizes, and happy hour prices all day and night.” (She’s also put in air conditioning, quite visionary since summer heat arrived early!)
The Stranger finds a creative way to stir Kokoras and Ephesus into one review.
It was rumored in the comments here a month ago, and now it appears to be headed for reality — according to the liquor-license applications site, someone is applying to take over Legends Bar & Grill, and the “new business name” would be Redline Music & Sports.
With so many blossoming businesses in West Seattle — West 5, Skylark, etc. — concerned about the so-called “nightlife premises legislation” that’s been making its way through the City Council, we thought you might want to know the next hearing has just been set (June 4).
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