[Seattle] Farewell & Welcome: Closings, Transformations, Openings (Part 1)

[Blue Heron]

The defunct Liberty Deli space on Alki beach, W. Seattle, is going to re-open as the Celtic Swell, a pub/grill I think. I have no idea when it will open, but if they are smart it will be sooner than later.

Edited May 13, 2004 by Blue Heron (log)

[laurel]

There's a new Moroccan place at Bellevue and Pine with "Coming Soon" and "Help Wanted" signs.

Oh, joy! This is Mammounia (or something like that, I've almost certainly misspelled it), the Morrocan place that, IIRC, used to be where Apocalypse Tattoo is now. I had a wonderful meal at the old location in around '87, and I never made it back before it closed.

I ate there last week. The place was almost empty (it was 9:30 PM on Monday, which I'm sure didn't help), but I enjoyed the food. My only other reference for Morroccon food is Marrakesh, and I think Mamounia is actually a bit better.. the flavors seem richer and more subtle.

[little ms foodie]

Has anyone actually eaten at Bandol? I'm a sucker for great French food.

Also next to Le Gourmand in Ballard is their little lounge Sambar. They have wonderful little bites from the restaurant next door, it's very small and cozy, great vibe and Justin the bartender is fabulous!! Great cocktails, ask about specials!

[tighe]

Has anyone actually eaten at Bandol? I'm a sucker for great French food.

Here's a thread on Bandol early on, some good experiences and some not so good. I'm going there for dinner on Saturday and will update my opinion after that.

[MsRamsey]

I was just in the Int'l District, and Top Gun has closed. I'm very surprised, as this place was really popular and considered by many Chinese people in this city to serve the I.D.'s best dim sum. Someone on the street told us that it moved to Factoria.

[malarkey]

So, Dolce Vita on Queen Anne closed awhile back saying they were just going to do wholesale gelato.

Well, now they are open again, and are serving not only gelato, but also panini.

[little ms foodie]

So, Dolce Vita on Queen Anne closed awhile back saying they were just going to do wholesale gelato.

Well, now they are open again, and are serving not only gelato, but also panini.

When they first opened they served great panini. I'm glad to hear that they reopened in time for spring and summer gelato runs! Yum!!!

[wesza]

I was just in the Int'l District, and Top Gun has closed. I'm very surprised, as this place was really popular and considered by many Chinese people in this city to serve the I.D.'s best dim sum. Someone on the street told us that it moved to Factoria.

MsRamsey:

Top Gun closed due to the fact that it's lease expired and the building owner is doing a major rehab/renovation on the complete property apparently.

I'm hoping that they will find another location and return to the International District.

There other location has been open long enough to become established on the east side: 12450 38th SE, Bellevue, Wa. 98006 Tel # [425] 641-3386

They operate a good Cantonese Restaurant with superior Sea Food and Dim Sum, probably now the best in Bellevue.

Irwin

[tighe]

Gleaned from the website whose name shall not be spoken.....

Jones Barbeque has opened a third location near the Starbucks HQ in SODO. Just that much closer to mi casa....

[Schielke]

I drove by Mistral last week in the evening and noticed the Sea Sound Lounge. They had a projector showing computer generated sea turtles on the wall... I am interested to try out the little bites Mistral provides. It does seem like an odd pairing though. I certainly hope the noise level isn't affected by techno music.

Not that I don't like Techno music...I just don't like it with my dinner.

[Schielke]

Kick ass Tortilla Factory/Restaurant in Everett has just opened the restaurant part of their facility.

Casa El Dorado

205 E. Casino Road Suite #12

Everett, Wa 98208

425-265-1186

Hrs: Mon-Sun 10:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

See my writeup

Ben

[PeoplesPub]

It is my sad duty to report a fellow Ballard business is leaving us at the end of this month - the Dish Urban Market on Market St. Please go on down to enjoy their 'end of the run' sale. David & Kelly and the whole staff have been good for the area and will be missed. Many have tried to copy their format (some still try to this day) but they did it best.

[LEdlund]

I drove by the Latona Pub last night and saw that the windows are all papered. Didn't see any signs indicating they are closed for good.......

[PeoplesPub]

I drove by the Latona Pub last night and saw that the windows are all papered. Didn't see any signs indicating they are closed for good.......

The Latona is remodelling a bit as it is acquiring a full liquor license and thus may have to upgrade the kitchen offerings . Not sure of the ETA for the reopening.

[little ms foodie]

Fire and Ice on 1st (formerly Ave One and then a Thai restaurant) is closed. There is a for lease sign in the window. Will something ever stick here???

[ScorchedPalate]

Two new news bits from the weekend:

According to signs in the window, Grady's Grillhouse on 24th/Montlake (next door to Cafe Lago) has been sold to the owners of the Madrona Alehouse & Eatery, and should reopen in 6-8 weeks as the Montlake Alehouse. The old owner apparently was ready to retire. We saw the old pull-tab bins on the street with a big "FREE" sign, so presumably they're going family-friendly -- no shock to those who know the Madrona sibling (aka Romper Room).

An "Irish bistro" called Maguire's is coming to 15th Ave between Thomas and Harrison. No menu posted yet, but the sign went up this weekend.

~Anita

[LEdlund]

I drove by the Latona Pub last night and saw that the windows are all papered. Didn't see any signs indicating they are closed for good.......

The Latona is remodelling a bit as it is acquiring a full liquor license and thus may have to upgrade the kitchen offerings . Not sure of the ETA for the reopening.

Drove by The Latona again last night and it is back open.....that was quick!

[Fish]

In the interests of scooping the papers, rumour has it that Thomas Soukakos, original owner of El Greco, is climbing back in the saddle and will be opening a Mediterranean deli type place on Capitol Hill sometime in the next couple of months.  Thomas is a great guy and his food is excellent - I can't wait to see what he's got for us.

Finally ! Thomas tells me that his new place, Vios, will open on Thursday. It's on the north-west corner of 19th & Aloha on Cap Hill, where the convenience store used to be. He's going to be doing Greek deli food and possibly selling some produce and supplies. It should be a good spot.

- S

[MsRamsey]

Otis on Boren near Madison is closing its doors. It was a laid-back place with good coffee and panini serving a lunchtime crowd on First Hill. Perhaps it was done in by the brand new Subway and Blue Water Taco.

[Fish]

In the interests of scooping the papers, rumour has it that Thomas Soukakos, original owner of El Greco, is climbing back in the saddle and will be opening a Mediterranean deli type place on Capitol Hill sometime in the next couple of months.  Thomas is a great guy and his food is excellent - I can't wait to see what he's got for us.

Finally ! Thomas tells me that his new place, Vios, will open on Thursday. It's on the north-west corner of 19th & Aloha on Cap Hill, where the convenience store used to be. He's going to be doing Greek deli food and possibly selling some produce and supplies. It should be a good spot.

- S

Doh ! Spoke to soon. I went in yesterday looking for lunch, and they're not *quite* ready. Tuesday next week (6/1) is apparently the day.

- S

[laurel]

An "Irish bistro" called Maguire's is coming to 15th Ave between Thomas and Harrison. No menu posted yet, but the sign went up this weekend.

I looked at the menu (we were wandering around 15th looking for somewhere to eat after doing some cleaning at our new place), and it didn't look particularly Irish. It looked limke typical Seattle upscale bar food (fish and chips, "Asian" chicken salad, etc...).

[thelastsupper]

I called Bandol this morning to see if they were open for lunch. Well, they weren't, and it turns out that they are closing soon, perhaps as soon as this next week. It's really a shame, I never even got to try it out.

[heyjude]

IN fact, this past Saturday was their last day and they are now closed. I'm doubly bummed because they had agreed to hold an author event next month. Back to the drawing board.

[tighe]

That's a SERIOUS bummer. I really enjoyed my dinner there and was looking forward to going back. I feel bad for the owner who obviously put so much into creating a beautiful space. I'm surprised that they would pull the plug this quickly, but maybe it was just that bad....

[little ms foodie]

Really I am stunned about Bandol! The food and service was very good. I think this must have come to a surprise to the staff, when I was there last week they were all very positive. And I was really looking forward to trying out both happy hour and lunch!