West Seattle, Washington
20 Thursday
Ten years after Khalid Agour opened Itto’s Tapas at the corner of California/Genesee on the north edge of The Junction, he’s inviting you to help him celebrate. This Friday (November 21st) Itto’s Tapas will offer $10 sangria, $10 chicken brochette, free ice cream, and a $100 gift-card giveaway. He says, “We want to thank our tight-knit community for all the love they showed us, and we’re looking forward to many more years to come.” Hours will be 4 pm to 10 pm. (Last year Agour added a sibling for Itto’s Tapas next door, wine bar Itto’s Vino.)
We don’t know if this sign on the door at 16th SW and SW Holden has been up for hours, days, or weeks, but we just noticed it, pulling over after spotting it while passing by. Considering a huge WE’RE OPEN banner is hanging above the same door, it’s worth a mention. The up-and-down history of what started two years ago as Miso Chef Korea and then morphed to simply Miso seems to be in another down period; the handwritten sign says the restaurant is “temporarily closed due to difficult circumstances.” The restaurant had a temporary closure last year too.
Two biznotes:
MORGAN JUNCTION RESTAURANT: Readers noticed posters up in the window of what had been Little Prague Bakery‘s space in Morgan Junction at 6045 California SW. The posters are for The Home Skillit, whose Chef Gino Williamson has been a fixture on the local street-food scene. He sent us this announcement looking ahead to his soft open tomorrow:
Hello West Seattle. Chef Smoke here with The Home Skillit – NEW RESTAURANT on the West Side.
Please come out and Support Local Great BBQ sandwiches and Tacos. I finally got a spot to myself back here in West Seattle. After years of Pop Ups, Catering, Booth in Lumen Field, Festivals and Street Vending, I am opening a Breakfast/ Brunch/ Lunch spot. Just In time for the Holidays. This Friday, November 14th, I will be having a soft opening between 11 am and 7pm. I will be serving up some of my favorite Sandwiches and Taco’s. Just to give a little taste of Smoke in ya lives. Please come by and tell a friend that you had the best from the best Chef in the West. For a special treat I will be sampling some Creole Smoked COHO Salmon fresh from the Muckleshoot Tribe. Right here off the Duwamish Waters.
We have a message out inquiring about the days/hours after tomorrow’s soft open.
SEE’S CANDIES POP-UP OPEN: Since reporting four weeks ago that See’s would be back at Jefferson Square with a temp holiday-season shop, we’ve watched for signs of opening (since the company never answered our inquiries) and just got word a short time ago from Bryan: “I was customer #2 in See’s this morning!! Hooray!!!” He says they told him they’ll be open through Christmas Eve.
Two West Seattle food and beverage notes:
(Reader photo, September)
CAFE VERDE SOFT-OPENS: Thanks for the tips! We reported in September that Café Verde (7354 35th SW) hoped to open in November – and indeed they have, a year and a half after our first story on their plan. We heard directly tonight from co-proprietor K.C., who confirms they have soft-opened. As we’ve previously reported, Café Verde is a roastery as well as a coffee shop. Here’s how they summarize what they’re doing:
What Guests Can Expect
• Fresh-Roasted Organic Coffee: On-site roasting in a 1952 German-made Gothot roaster and served at peak freshness. Initial beans from Peru and Ethiopia, with the intention to connect the dots to decades of friendships throughout the coffee-producing world.
• Classic Espresso Bar: Traditional espresso beverages crafted with a classic flavor profile.
• In-House Baked Goods: A selection of baked goods made daily.
• Coffee Workshops: Opportunities to explore everything coffee — from brewing techniques to tasting and roasting — with workshops planned to be held weekly.
For now, Café Verde will be open 6 am-noon weekdays, closed weekends.
NEW LEAF BISTRO HOT POT: First West Seattle finally got KBBQ – now, another popular cook-at-your-table Asian cuisine has debuted here, hot pot. New Leaf Bistro in the Admiral District announces it’s offering hot pot as “dine-in only, individual servings. Choose between beef, lamb, seafood, or veggie. Includes sauce bar. Check our website for details.”
(Saturday photo sent by Tony Tschanz)
As reported here last Thursday, today is “soft open” day for Do Si KBBQ at 2516 Alki Avenue SW, where Duke’s closed in April. We went in to find out the plan for the coming days – sometimes “soft opens” don’t immediately precede “official” opens. But the staff told us this one does – they’re also expecting to be open tomorrow and beyond. This is an expansion; the original Do Si is in Kent. If you haven’t had KBBQ (Korean barbecue) before, it centers on a tabletop grill where diners cook their own sliced meat – you can order various combinations, including AYCE (all you can eat).
(Posted menu photo sent by Chris Kardish)
For starters, Do Si plans to open 11 am to 9 pm Mondays through Thursdays, until 10 pm Fridays-Saturdays-Sundays, and they told us they prefer reservations but will consider walk-ins.
Here’s a unique way to celebrate customer loyalty. Last night, the Great American Diner and Bar in The Junction was the scene of a plaque-hanging in honor four local women who have been dining together there regularly for four years.
Since 2021, Tia Rooney and her friends Miesha, Meaghan, and Ashley have been meeting at Great American Diner at least once a month for dinner, dating back to when they were new moms. “All of our kids were born about two weeks apart, and now they’re all about two and four years old. We all went through the same phases of life together.” Tia said. Having a common meeting place and time gave them something to ground themselves through the trials and tribulations of early parenthood. “As working mothers and parents, it’s important to have community.” she said. It was also a way to unwind. “We’re always meeting in the evening when our kids go to bed.” she said with a smile.
But beyond that, they also wanted to support the diner itself. “It was great to find somewhere where we can just sit as long as we want, without much pressure to leave. Excellent service.” Meaghan said. Tia shared the same sentiment. “It’s an incredible and safe space in the community. We have deep respect for the owner.” she said.
The plaque will be permanently displayed at the same booth where “The Four Moms” have met for the past four years.
P.S. We asked about their favorite menu items: Two votes for the eggs benedict, one each for the patty melt and reuben sandwich. For drinks, the chocolate milkshake and French 75 cocktail.
Thanks to Tony Tschanz for the photo peeking inside Do Si KBBQ, in the former Duke’s spot at 2516 Alki SW. The pic arrived just as we were writing this update: Six months after the news that KBBQ – famous for its tabletop grills and abundant sides – was coming to the space, Do Si has announced it is soft-opening at 11 am Monday (October 13). Hours once they officially open will be 11 am-9 pm Mondays through Thursdays, 11 am-10 pm Fridays through Sundays. This is an expansion location; they original Do Si (“the place”) is in Kent. (They’ve opened Alki reservations here.)
1 PM: Just heard from Circa (2605 California SW; WSB sponsor), where they’re having a dine-out benefit for the West Seattle High School Cross Country team all day/night – and, Circa co-proprietor Bill tells us, “Yes, we will have the Mariners game on!” (Game 3 of the American League Division series, the M’s at Detroit, starts in a few minutes.) Circa is open until 10 pm tonight.
1:08 PM: The game’s in rain delay. But the Circa WSHS XC benefit continues regardless!
4 PM: The rain finally lifted in Detroit and the game’s about to start.
7:33 PM: In case you haven’t heard, the Mariners won, 8-4, and lead the best-of-five series 2-1! And the dine-out benefit still has 2 1/2 hours to go.
Tomorrow’s the night – the Taste of West Seattle, raising much-needed money for the West Seattle Food Bank and giving you the chance to sample dozens of local restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries, and cafés’ specialties! We just checked in with WSFB’s Robbin Peterson for the final word in the final hours of advance ticket sales:
Pre-sale tickets are still available for the Taste of West Seattle — but only until midnight tonight! A limited number may be available at the door, but with nearly sold-out attendance, the safest way to secure your spot is to grab tickets now.
This year’s Taste is more than a food festival —it’s a West Seattle neighborhood celebration. Local restaurants, breweries, and bakeries are stepping up to share the best of our community. Here’s the map showing who will be where at The Hall at Fauntleroy:
On top of incredible bites and sips, guests can Have Fun & Do Good with community-powered games:
Plinko for Prizes
and
Raffle baskets loaded with gift cards from favorite West Seattle businesses and restaurants.
All proceeds benefit the West Seattle Food Bank’s programs — from groceries and home delivery to rent and utility assistance—keeping our neighbors and neighborhoods strong.
VIP entry is at 5:30 pm, general entry at 6 pm. You can also see the list of participating venues on this page, where you can get your advance ticket(s) until late tonight. WSB is a community co-sponsor this year; we’ll see you there!
Four food-related biznotes:
IN PIZZA WE CRUST REMINDER: In case you missed our update a week-plus ago, the new pizza place in the former Swinery location at 3207 California SW opens at 11 am tomorrow (Wednesday, September 24).
CHEESE RIOT PIZZA: If you’re a fan of deep-dish pizza, West Seattle doesn’t have a lot of it, but Cheese Riot Pizza – operating out of Distinguished Foods just south of the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) – has recently joined the lineup. Here’s what co-founder Rachel told us in an email conversation:
Cheese Riot Pizza is a labor of love between the two of us. Alec is the one behind the oven, and I handle the outreach. Right now, it’s just the two of us, operating out of a shared kitchen, but our dream is to one day grow into our own space and give West Seattle a new spot to gather, eat, and connect.
A little about us: I met Alec over 8 years ago, and he was first introduced to me as “the pizza guy.” His dad founded Garlic Jim’s and Jet City Pizza, so Alec grew up kneading dough, delivering pies, and working in the shop. This year, he took the leap, leaving the 9 to 5 world to pursue his passion: opening his own place, this time with a focus on deep-dish pizza instead of the thin crusts his dad specialized in. Watching him light up while experimenting and creating new recipes has been inspiring, and I couldn’t be happier to support him in our first restaurant venture together.
We’re currently open:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 4:30–9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 4:30–10 p.m.
Sunday: 12–9 p.m.
EZELL’S FAMOUS CHICKEN: The regional chain – including its California/Fauntleroy location – is offering a deal for the next week in honor of a partnership with RedBird Farms for larger “heritage” cuts. Today through September 30, according to an announcement from the company, they’re offering any two chicken pieces and a roll for $3.99 (one per person). The announcement also notes they’re selling Ezell’s-branded merch too.
MUD BAY MATCH: Here’s where the pet food comes in. It’s part of a special day at Mud Bay this Saturday:
Join us at Mud Bay Admiral on Saturday (corrected – September 27th) for Neighborhood Pet Store Day. We will be celebrating with an Adoption Event hosted by the Seattle Animal Shelter from 12 pm-2 pm. In addition, Mud Bay will be matching 100% of all pet food sales (in-store and online) with an equivalent donation of food and supplies for pets in need at our local animal shelter.
The store is – for now! – at 2611 California SW.
We reported a week ago that In Pizza We Crust was awaiting its final inspection – and now it’s announced a grand-opening date. Proprietor Stephanie Tran tells WSB her wood-fired pizza restaurant will open Wednesday, September 24, at 11 am. We first told you a year and a half ago about the longtime food truck purveyor’s plan for the ex-Swinery space at 3207 California SW. Stephanie says the hours will be 11 am-10 pm daily except Sundays noon-8 pm, Mondays closed: “Once we’ve been open a bit we may adjust the hours based on the community.”
MONDAY REPORT: Thanks to Todd for the tip. If you’re thinking about pizza for dinner, Pagliacci isn’t available as an option, unless you head off-peninsula. The West Seattle restaurant is closed through Wednesday, according to the Pagliacci website, for the installation of new ovens. (We have an inquiry out to see if the new ovens will increase capacity or otherwise affect operations.)
TUESDAY UPDATE: Pagliacci’s COO Jeff Woodruff, a West Seattleite, replied:
West Seattle will be our 7th store to transition to the new ovens. The closure lasts 3 days so we’ll be back open for lunch on Thursday the 11th.
Cooking hand-tossed pizza directly on stone is fundamental to what we do and for 46 years we’ve used a basic gas-fired stone deck oven to accomplish this. While the quality meets our expectations, these ovens are not easy to use.
In recent years we’ve discovered a conveyor stone deck oven that it easier for our team to use, produces a more consistent bake at a faster pace and utilizes less gas. It’s been a big investment but one that benefits both our employees and our customers.
(WSB file photo)
30 food and drink purveyors, all in one place! Your one chance this year to savor the lineup is the Taste of West Seattle, a benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank, now just under three weeks away – Thursday, September 25, at The Hall @ Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). It’s usually a sellout, so now’s the best time to buy your ticket, and in case you need some help deciding, the WSFB has provided the full list of participants, including notes about who’s new to the Taste this year:
Taste of West Seattle: 20 Days Away!
The Taste of West Seattle is just under three weeks out, and tickets are going fast! General Admission ($75) and VIP ($125) are both still available. VIP guests enjoy early entry at 5:30 pm, exclusive seating lounges, and a special WSFB supporter gift. (General-admission entry time is 6 pm) Guests will experience live music from local legend Jim Page, plus raffles and games with prizes from neighborhood businesses — all while sampling from an incredible lineup of local vendors and voting for your favorite across 5 categories. Every ticket supports the West Seattle Food Bank’s vital work to keep our neighbors fed, clothed, and housed. 21+ only. bit.ly/TasteofWS2025
A Butter Place
Birdhouse
Cactus
Darby Wine
Dolcetta Artisan Sweets
Elliott Bay Brewing Company
Falafel Salam
Ghostfish Brewing Company
Keautious Bakin and Kakin – new to the Taste
Ku Mana’s – new to the Taste
La La’s Lemonade – new to the Taste
The Locöl Kitchen and Bar
Mama Row’s Caramel Cakes – new to the Taste
Margie’s Café at the Center for Active Living
Mission Cantina
Molly Moon’s Ice Cream – new to the Taste
Mom’s Micro Gardens – new to the Taste
The Neighborhood – new to the Taste
Nola’s Events
NW Texas BBQ
Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce
Peninsula Soul Food – new to the Taste
The Roll Pod – new to the Taste
Ringa
Spruce Hill Winery – new to the Taste
T2 Cellar
Three 9 Lounge – new to the Taste
Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes
Viscon Cellars
West Seattle Grounds
12 years after Panda Express first considered Westwood Village, and two years after they got serious about it, the fast-American-Chinese-food chain is finally hours away from opening. We heard tonight from their PR team and it seems both this banner …
… and the Thursday grand-opening announcement are correct. The company says the WWV Panda Express is soft-opening tomorrow (Wednesday, September 3) and having the gala grand opening on Thursday (ribbon-cutting, T-shirts for the first 88 in line, music from the Japanese taiko-drum band Inochi Taiko). Ongoing hours will be 10:30 am to 10 pm.
P.S. If you’re not a frequent WWV visitor and don’t know this offhand – PE is just north of the QFC, on the east side of the center, where Pet Pros used to be.
1 PM: As reported here yesterday, the new Wendy’s in White Center was expected to open today. And a texter reports it’s indeed open, saying they’ve got “Frosties in hand.” If you missed earlier coverage, it’s at 16th SW/SW 102nd.
3:05 PM: We finally got someone over to verify and grab a couple photos:
No permanent signage outside so far but lots of banners and balloons. Here’s what the franchisee’s spokesperson told us last week the hours would be, once they opened:
Pick-Up Window:
Sunday–Thursday: 6:30 AM – 1:00 AM
Friday & Saturday: 6:30 AM – 2:00 AM
Dining Room: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (All days)
When Il Nido, the restaurant at the landmark Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge, announced they had to close temporarily for emergency repairs, the proprietors said they hoped to reopen Tuesday, September 2 – and they’re announcing today that it will indeed happen on schedule:
Il Nido is happy to announce that we’ll be re-opening for dinner service on Tuesday, September 2nd at 4 pm! We have completed our repairs and are now in the process of getting the space back in order and preparing to welcome our guests once again. Although this interruption was unexpected, our staff and community came together to help us overcome this challenge.
The outpouring of support from our guest community was nothing short of remarkable. For example, when we announced our closure, so many of you immediately reached out to buy gift cards. Your generosity truly made our reopening possible and touched us deeply.
We want to give special thanks to:
· Our faithful guests for their incredible support during our closure, especially those who purchased gift cards, sent us supportive messages, or stopped by to see us in person.
· The West Seattle Community for rallying behind us and reminding us what it means to be part of something bigger. West Seattle … Best Seattle!
· Petr and his crew who rebuilt our floor.
· The entire Il Nido staff, ‘The Crows’.
· Our Fir Lodge owners: Matt Schilling and the Schilling Family.
· Scott Grigg for helping me paint parking stripes and varnishing tables.
· Eddia A. from Bee’s Plumbing.
· Bill from AutoChlore.
· Rich Barrientos & Travis Chikamura from Electrical Systems Solutions.We truly cannot wait to welcome everyone back for dinner — you are the heart of Il Nido, and we are deeply grateful for each of you.
Cameron Williams & Chef Katie Gallego
Owners & Partners
Il Nido Restaurant
If you’re relatively new to West Seattle, you might not know about the Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge’s extensive history, including the years of uncertainty over whether it could be saved and restored following a catastrophic fire that closed it for a decade – our coverage is archived here (newest to oldest).
Thanks to the readers who tipped us about that new “LEASED” sign in The Junction (including the person who sent the photo). Permit filings indicate Dave’s Hot Chicken, an international chain with one Seattle location so far, seeks to add its second in the heart of “downtown West Seattle.” According to permit records with the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, a new Dave’s restaurant is intended for part of the former Haymaker Restaurant space at 4706 California Ave SW. The Haymaker closed in May of 2024 after five years in business. Preliminary permit records show the space would be divided between Dave’s and another tenant. (This industry-publication article notes they try to limit their restaurants’ size.)
The menu is focused around fried chicken tenders with varying levels of spice, along with sides and shakes. The Seattle location, on Capitol Hill at 12th and Pike, is owned by the Keshap Group, a California-based franchisee listed on the Junction documentation too. The group had already announced plans for new locations this year in Redmond and Tacoma, with others in Puyallup and Federal Way next year, but hopes for a West Seattle location had not been previously announced.
Dave’s Hot Chicken was started by four friends as a street food vendor in the Los Angeles area in 2017. Celebrity investments followed a few years later; a majority share of the company was sold to a private-equity firm this past June. Dave’s has more than 300 franchise locations, mostly in the US, with some in Canada and Dubai.
(WSB/WCN photo, last week)
Just in from a spokesperson for the Wendy’s franchisee that’s about to open a White Center restaurant in the ex-KFC/A&W at 16th/102nd:
Opening Delay: The restaurant will not open this coming Friday due to final preparations.
New Target Opening: Aiming for Labor Day.
Exterior Work: Pennants will be installed Thursday, and most outside work will be completed—may appear as if it’s already open.
Two special events this week at Morgan Junction restaurant/bar The Neighborhood (6503 California SW) – first, tonight, through 9 pm, they have a pop-up with Crave. The Neighborhood is usually closed on Monday nights but is open tonight especially for the pop-up. (Free appetizers for diners with reservations – check here.) Then this Wednesday night, it’s the monthly dine-out benefit night, which they’ve been doing the last Wednesday of every month. This week the beneficiary is Alki Beach Academy, the day-care center in the path of light rail. The Neighborhood will donate 15 percent of all sales – in-store and online, food and beverage – that night (August 27) to ABA. And a side note in the announcement we received of the aforementioned events: “We have redone our menu, which will be launched tonight! Some restructuring was done, we added some things, and removed some others, so come on by and check it out!”
When last we checked in with Panda Express regarding their yet-to-open Westwood Village restaurant, they were hoping for an early August opening, barring construction delays. That’s come and gone, so we asked about their revised timeline. A company spokesperson replied, “Our opening date keeps shifting … The newest Seattle location now has a tentative opening date sometime the week of Sept. 8.” It’s been in the works for almost two years.
Il Nido, the restaurant that operates in the landmark Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge building at 2717 61st SW, has just announced a temporary closure for emergency repairs. Here’s the announcement they sent us to share with you:
Dear Il Nido guests: We are closing Tuesday, August 26th to Monday, September 1st for emergency repairs to our kitchen floor. Please pardon this inconvenience, it is always our pleasure to welcome guests, but this is an unavoidable occurrence. We are hoping to reopen on Tuesday, September 2nd.
If you would like to help us reopen Il Nido by purchasing a Gift Card online, we would love your support! Your purchase will cover costs for labor, food, and beverages as we finish repairs. Once we reopen, redeem your Gift Card for dinner with us. Despite being busy, our margins are slim and this closure is financially challenging. We aim to complete repairs quickly without borrowing money. Many Seattle restaurants have closed recently, highlighting industry challenges. The Il Nido team values being part of the West Seattle community and wants to keep welcoming you to the historic Fir Lodge cabin.
Cameron Williams & Chef Katie Gallego
Il Nido Restaurant at the Alki Homestead
Owners-Partners
(The hard-hat crows are a reference to the restaurant’s logo, which includes a crow; “Il Nido” is Italian for “the nest.”)
(Added: WSB/WCN photo, today)
As we first reported in June, the former KFC/A&W at 16th/102nd in White Center is becoming a Wendy’s. A spokesperson for the franchisee just sent word of the opening date. From the announcement:
The new Wendy’s location, situated on the corner of 16th Avenue and SW 102nd Street, is scheduled to open on Friday, August 29, bringing Wendy’s signature “Fresh, Famous Food” to even more guests in the community.
The new restaurant is designed with the modern customer in mind, featuring:
-Digital ordering kiosks
-Dedicated mobile and delivery pick-up points
=An enhanced pick-up window experience …In addition to serving great food, Wendy’s proudly supports the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption®, which works to dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster -care system.
Dave Thomas was the founder of Wendy’s, which started in 1969. The franchisee that will operate the White Center restaurant, WTC Ventures, has more than 90 other Wendy’s, including the one in Burien.
If you’ve passed by Indofusion (4719 California SW) in The Junction and noticed the doors appear open … the restaurant is partly open now, full opening planned later this week. We last checked in on the new restaurant/bar in April (it’s owned by the Virk family, which also operates Maharaja Cuisine of India a bit further north). The kitchen is operating right now and serving food for takeout (Toast) and delivery (Uber Eats now, GrubHub and DoorDash “soon”). But you can’t dine in, yet. They’ll open the doors so “folks can come in, look around, and check out the place” starting around 2 pm Wednesday (August 6). Then they’ll fully open starting at 10:30 am Friday (August 8). Hours for starters, as of Friday, will begin at 10:30 am seven days a week, closing at 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays, midnight Sundays through Thursdays. Dine-in (or drink=in) is 21+ only. You can check out the menu online through the aforementioned services; we also took photos of the paper menu currently posted out front – see them here and here.
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