West Seattle, Washington
07 Saturday
Two biznotes this afternoon, both about reopenings:
CAFFE LADRO REOPENS TOMORROW: Last Sunday, we stopped by Caffe Ladro in south Morgan Junction and discovered it was closed, a sign on the door saying maintenance/repair work was the reason. We hadn’t checked back but learned today after a tip from John that it was still closed. So we contacted corporate HQ and just heard back from Robert Ohly: “We had an issue with the plumbing in the café that has now been resolved. We will be open tomorrow, Thursday November 9 at 5 am.”
ALKI SPUD PUSHES BACK REOPENING DATE: When Spud Fish and Chips on Alki closed for maintenance work last month, a mid-November reopening date was projected. Today, the company says it has a new date – November 24th, the day after Thanksgiving.
(WSB photos. L-R, Mark Fuller, Marjorie Chang Fuller, John Montenegro)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
It’s been almost a decade since Chef Mark Fuller and Marjorie Chang Fuller opened their first West Seattle dining/drinking establishment.
Now, they’re about to open their third, months after adding a North Seattle venture.
We sat down recently to talk with the Fullers as the new pizza-and-drinks establishment Supreme approaches its opening in the West Seattle Junction. Supreme’s head chef John Montenegro joined them for our conversation in the midst of the undergoing-renovation space at 4521 California SW.
Just yesterday, after a tip from Brad, we went over to Soprano’s Antico in The Admiral District, where the dining room has been under construction for about a year, and were told they hoped to open next week. Tonight, Brad discovered they are open now, and sent the photo: “Very friendly family owners. Interior is very detailed. I got the first pizza out of the wood oven and it is really tasty! 6 good beers on tap. I will be back.” The restaurant is in the ex-Zatz Bagels space at 2348 California SW.
When we reported in September 2016 on the plan for Soprano’s Antico to open in the ex-Zatz Bagels space in Admiral, they were aiming for “early November.” Looks like the restaurant might make that target – a year later. After a tip from Brad today that the paper was finally off the windows, we stopped by this afternoon in search of information. Crews working inside told us they’re hoping to finally open for sit-down service next week – the restaurant’s been delivering pizza a while, according to its website.
The next West Seattle business to mark its anniversary by giving gifts instead of receiving them is Peel & Press (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction. The announcement is from the always-community-minded proprietor Dan Austin:
We are so thankful for all of the support that West Seattle has shown Peel & Press the last three years. Building up this restaurant with the help of many fantastic employees has been incredibly rewarding. We feel blessed to be embraced by our community and to be shown so much love and encouragement. We recognize that earning your support is more than providing great food, drinks, and during service every visit, but is also giving back. During our Three-Year Anniversary Weekend (October 27-29th) we will be giving back 10% of our sales to the West Seattle Food Bank in the form of turkeys and chickens. Last year we did this for one day and were able to buy a quarter-ton of turkeys and chickens. Let’s see what we can do with a whole weekend to provide a great holiday meal for those in need!
Peel & Press is at 6503 California SW – see its hours here.
ORIGINAL OCTOBER 25TH REPORT: After a reader tip, we just confirmed this with a staffer at the West Seattle Papa John’s Pizza: It’s closing as of the end of the week – last day Sunday, October 29th. We’re also told they’re closing earlier each night until then, at 9 pm.
ADDED OCTOBER 30TH: As of today, the location is indeed closed, with this note on the door:
No word yet what’s next for the building/site at 5252 California SW.
Three Admiral biznotes tonight:
WEST SEATTLE COMPUTERS MOVING: This shop is moving from The Junction to Admiral, effective next Monday (October 30th), when it will open at 2735 California SW (across the street from Hiawatha Playfield, next to Freshy’s Coffee). Along with providing “a full range of technology services including PC and Mac repair, data recovery and virus removal,” the announcement says WSC is “beefing up our Help Desk, business support, and express services.”
COPPER COIN ANNIVERSARY: This Thursday (October 26th), Copper Coin (2329 California SW) celebrates its fifth anniversary by offering this deal, according to general manager Gregg Graham: “Our classic house Deluxe Burger or our new brunch sneak-peek Brioche Breakfast Sandwich for only 5 bucks all day long! We’ll also be pouring an assortment of delicious seasonal draft beverages, with plenty of fresh hop selections from the likes of Bale Breaker, Goodlife, 10 Barrel, Mt. Tabor, Double Mountain, et. al., plus some pumpkin ales too!”
PIZZERIA 22 CHANGES: Cary Kemp e-mailed this update:
I recently bought out my partner at Pizzeria 22 and am now the sole proprietor! We are very grateful for the support we received from our former partner and are excited to implement some new additions to our private dining space, our menu and events, like a late=night happy hour starting in November.
We also recently acquired the bust of a water buffalo we call “Wilma” and she is now hanging above our oven at Pizzeria 22. We import fresh D.O.C. bufala mozzarella and our customers have really enjoyed its rich, creamy texture and bold flavor.
Pizzeria 22 is in its seventh year at 4213 SW College.
P.S. Reminder that the Admiral District merchants’ trick-or-treat day is Halloween this year – Tuesday, October 31st, 3-6 pm, as previewed here.
9:25 AM: As noted in the WSB Forums, Spud Fish and Chips on Alki is closed for what its website describes as “maintenance/repairs,” so if you were planning on fish and chips for a weekend lunch, you won’t find it there until mid-November. Yes, there are other fish-and-chips options, including nearby Sunfish, but Spud has a long history – having celebrated its 75th anniversary back in 2010.
11:48 AM: Went down to check out the door sign (photo added above), which says Spud expects to reopen November 13th.
Thanks to tipster Brian Presser of TouchTech Systems in The Junction for that photo of the sign arriving for one of his future neighbor businesses, Supreme (4521 California SW). As noted back in July, it’s the newest venture for Chef Mark Fuller of Ma’ono and New Luck Toy, and it’ll be focused on pizza and drinks. We spoke with Chef Fuller today as the sign installation was under way, and he says they’re hoping to be able to open in a few weeks, late October/early November.
(WSB photos. L-R, Ed and Andrew)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Five months after we first reported that 2 Fingers Social was on its way to South Delridge, the doors open at 4 pm today.
We stopped in last night for an opening-day-eve look at what co-proprietors Andrew Spence and Ed Wheeler describe as their “esoteric” establishment, with numerous “nerdy/geeky” touches.
However you describe it, one look inside shows how they have thoroughly transformed the space at 9211 Delridge Way SW [map] – formerly home to businesses including a payday-loan operation and medical-marijuana dispensary – with countless custom creations, from the lighting fixtures to the barstools. Read More
As announced last week, this Wednesday, October 11th, is a multiple-venue fundraiser for hurricane and earthquake victims, West Seattle Night Out for Disaster Relief, organized by three local service clubs – the West Seattle Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions. Five restaurants are donating part of their proceeds, 5-9 pm, according to organizers:
Be’s Restaurant (4509 California SW; checking on hours, since it usually closes earlier)
Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW)
Kizuki Ramen and Izakaya (4203 SW Alaska)
Puerto Vallarta (4727 California SW)
Spiro’s Pizza and Pasta (3401 California SW)
At those venues, you also can drop off checks for direct donations to disaster relief – made out to the Rotary Service Foundation with the specific codes and designations mentioned on this page. We’ll have another update tomorrow.
A week and a half ago, thanks to a tip from Josh (who also sent the photo), we reported that Srivilai Thai Cuisine is on the way to the ex-Blackboard Bistro space. At the time, that’s all we knew. We promised to follow up, and have since made contact with the Srivilai family, who will be running the new restaurant at 3247 California SW. Here’s what they’ve told us in an e-mail exchange:
They’ll be serving Bangkok-style Thai food – “since that is where the family is from, but at this time the menu isn’t set” – lunch and dinner, seven days a week, “opening probably 11:00 most days, closing 9:30 on weekdays and 10:00 or so on weekends.” They plan to serve beer, wine, and liquor (and have applied for the license, though they might be open serving food before it comes through.” And they note that “since it’s Thai food, a high percentage of dishes can be made vegetarian, vegan, and/or gluten-free if the diner so chooses. That’s standard practice for Thai restaurants, so not a surprise for diners with dietary restrictions.”
We asked why West Seattle – the reply, “because we live here! Half the family has lived in WS since 2008, the rest this year – we love the area and think there is enough room for our restaurant.” They hope to be open by the end of October.
Thanks to Josh for the tip: That small sign has appeared in the window of the ex-Blackboard Bistro at 3247 California SW, just three weeks after it closed, announcing that Srivilai Thai Cuisine is “coming soon.” After receiving Josh’s note, we went over for a look, but didn’t find anyone there, and so far we haven’t found any additional information online – we’ll update when we do!
Two West Seattle restaurants are inviting you to help them raise money to help hurricane survivors:
MIOPOSTO: All four locations of this local chain, including Admiral, have five-day fundraisers starting tomorrow:
Friday, September 8 through Tuesday, September 12, $5 raffle tickets will be available for purchase at every Mioposto location. The winner of the raffle will receive a $100 Mioposto gift card as well as a $500 donation in their name to a relief organization or charity of their choice. The raffle will conclude September 12 with a Dine-Out fundraising event at each Mioposto location from 4-10 pm. Half of the profits generated that night, as well as the entirety of the raffle funds, will be donated to the Salvation Army Disaster Services fund.
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and most recently, Hurricane Irma, the mass devastation left in the paths of two of the largest storms in recent history has driven the Mioposto team to extend outreach beyond state lines.
Mioposto Admiral is at 2139 California SW; find its hours here.
B’S PO BOY: The Cajun restaurant on Alki is having a fundraiser next Monday (September 11th) for American Red Cross work to help survivors of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma: “We are donating 25% of our pre-sales-tax sales to the Red Cross … We also have some exciting items that have been donated for a ‘silent’ auction.” B’s is at 2738 Alki SW and will be open 11 am-9 pm on fundraiser day.
Three biznotes to share:
SUPREME PROGRESS: Thanks to the texter who let us know that signage starting to appear on the exterior of the future Supreme, pizza, pinball, and more from Ma’Ono and New Luck Toy chef/co-proprietor Mark Fuller. We stopped by and got a peek as remodeling continues:
This space is the former Pellegrini Market (4521 California SW).
STARBUCKS WEST SEATTLE DRIVE-THRU REMODELING: Back in March, we reported that online records showed remodeling work was on the way for the drive-thru Starbucks at Fauntleroy/Avalon/35th in West Seattle. The company wouldn’t comment. But now a sign’s up alerting customers that the work is starting.
Thanks to Anna for the photo.
ALKI URBAN MARKET: A few months back, a reader told us the convenience store at 2820 Alki SW, open almost 10 years, was going to close at summer’s end. We tried but couldn’t get the owner to confirm. Now, at summer’s end, it apparently has indeed shut down – after reader tips, we went over to look, and while there’s no sign on the door, the store is dark and the shelves are empty. No indication in public records of what’s happening in the space next.
(UPDATED THURSDAY NIGHT with garage-sale dates/times, Saturday and Sunday 10-4)
By Linda Ball
Reporting for West Seattle Blog & White Center Now
Case Justham says he doesn’t sleep very well, so he stays up and reads cookbooks all night. His mom Linda Justham says her son looks at the science of food, down to the molecular properties of a dish. Case is quick to point out that he’s not a scientist, but he likes to try non-traditional cooking methods.
Case (photo at right), a self-taught chef, is presently the sous chef and butcher at The Swinery in West Seattle. With mom Linda, sister Piper Carscadden, brother Drew Justham, and wife Amy Justham, they are partnering to open the family’s first restaurant, Brass Knuckle Bistro in White Center. Case will be the chef, Carscadden will work the front end and social media and Linda will do the books, eventually turning them over to Carscadden. The others will be mostly silent partners, although Drew has extensive front-end experience and will probably be present in the first few weeks.
The entire family lives in West Seattle but they chose what was until three months ago the location of 3.14 Bakery at 9602 16th SW, just south of Roxbury, for the bistro (and are having a “garage sale” there later this week Saturday and Sunday – more on that below).
Three West Seattle biznotes:
ELLIOTT BAY TWO-DAY CLOSURE: Elliott Bay Brewing Company in The Junction is closed today and tomorrow “for beautification and repairs,” and plans to reopen at 11 am Wednesday.
WAITING FOR MOD PIZZA? We checked to see if the pizza place signed last year for The Whittaker (WSB sponsor) is opening any time soon. The reply from spokesperson Charlotte Wayte: “This opening has been pushed out a few months, and we’re now looking at June 2018.”
NEW AT CHARLESTOWN CENTER: The second-floor corner space at 3727 California SW that housed West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) before their move to 2743 California SW a few years ago finally has a new tenant as of this month: Schoeb Chiropractic. The announcement from Ryan Schoeb, D.C., and wife Molly Schoeb says they have lived in West Seattle for more than 10 years, and he’s now moved his practice close to home, after 13 years on the Eastside. They are Genesee Hill Elementary parents and Dr. Schoeb has coached West Seattle Little League, West Seattle Baseball, and West Seattle Soccer Club teams.
(Juli and Reggie Nelson, who were in charge of the fundraiser)
Thanks to Ed Schramm for sharing the photo and report:
The Chelan Cafe held its annual Alzheimer’s Fundraiser and Auction on Sunday (August 20th).
The day started off at E.C. Hughes softball field with a fundraiser game between the Chelan Café and White Center’s Taradise Café.
It was followed by a BBQ dinner and auction at the Chelan Café. Gift baskets from friends of the Chelan, various donated services, as well as more than 12 gift cards from local restaurants, were auctioned off.
When all was said and done, we raised more than $3,000.
The Chelan Cafe then matched that amount, brining the total to more than $6,000.
The evening ended with a night of fun karaoke, hosted by P.J the D.J.
The donations are supporting the Alzheimer’s Association.
Marination Ma Kai at Seacrest was closed on Saturday, and told us that it was “in remembrance of an employee gone too soon.” Today, multiple WSB readers have messaged us to say the employee was the young man who died on Beach Drive Friday, and that the restaurant is donating today’s proceeds to his family, and they thought we should let you know. Marination Ma Kai is open until 9 tonight.
12:06 PM: The acclaimed West Seattle restaurant Blackboard Bistro has announced it will permanently close in 2 1/2 weeks. The following is the full text of the announcement we just received from its proprietors, who included the two accompanying photos:
Dear Editor and West Seattle Community,
On August 19th, Blackboard Bistro will be closing its doors for good.
The reasons for closing are simple. At the end of last year, Ginger had to stop daily operations to stay at home and look after parents full time. Due to increasing need at home and my right-hand Lady no longer at my side at Blackboard, we are having to let go of the dream…..
We have had a wonderful 7 years making friends and welcoming them into our restaurant and lives and passion. Thank you for all the support, we will miss you and being able to share food with you.
Cheers! Jacob Wiegner, Ginger Wiegner and family
We have followup questions out, including whether the restaurant is for sale, as it was for a while in 2012. Blackboard Bistro opened in August 2010 at 3247 California SW, which had been home to two other restaurants in less than three years, before Blackboard Bistro’s seven-year run.
1:49 PM: The Wiegners say yes, the restaurant is for sale.
Another big West Seattle restaurant mystery is a mystery no longer. You might recall that when we reported in mid-June that Pellegrini Italian Market (4521 California SW) had closed, its owners said they had sold it to “another GREAT West Seattle operator.” We hadn’t found any hints in permit filings but today the “great … operator” is unmasked by Seattle Met food reporter Allecia Vermillion as Chef Mark Fuller, of Ma’Ono and New Luck Toy. She reports it’s a pizza-and-drinks place to be called Supreme, opening this fall. (Thanks to Brian for spotting and sending the link.) Checking around, we find the name and owners are also confirmed by a liquor-license-application filing that’s new on the state website this afternoon.
(WCN photo from last week)
Another restaurant opening in White Center – the burger joint Li’l Woody’s opens its fourth location in White Center this Wednesday. Details are on our partner site White Center Now.
New at the crosswalk on the south side of 35th and Fauntleroy: Orange safety flags, courtesy of Pecos Pit BBQ (WSB sponsor), which has “adopted” the crosswalk.
Pecos Pit executive Jeannie Hammock says they paid for the flag basket and flags because it’s the best they could do for now – they asked SDOT to restripe the faded crosswalk but it has to wait until the Fauntleroy Boulevard project (and even then, improvements there were late additions to the plan) next year.
She notes that the unofficial “adoption” of the nearby area also includes “the installation/maintenance of landscaping in the ‘triangle’ at the entrance of the WS Bridge in order to beautify the entrance.” (That’s the area just north of the restaurant, which opened a little over a year ago.)
| Comments Off on BIZNOTES: Caffe Ladro and Spud, reopening