The West Seattle dining boom

Lately, our ears keep perking up at the constant mention of West Seattle in food and dining news. There are so many spots that have been announced or “about to open,” we thought it best to put them all in one place so we can collectively drool, daydream and complain about their tardiness together.

Ready?

We’re pretty excited about the Kikuzi (formerly Kukai) Ramen set to open any day now at 4203 SW Alaska Street. We love the savory chicken ramen option at the Northgate location. At the top of our list, however, is Raccolto, the third restaurant from Brian Clevenger, master of Italian cookery and owner of Madrona’s Vendemmia and its oyster bar-seafood stand neighbor, East Anchor Seafood. Clevenger announced this week that he’s opening Raccolto this summer in West Seattle.

The 1,700-square-foot restaurant will be located at 4147 California Ave SW and will feel a lot like Vendemmia in terms of the menu: heavy on seasonal vegetables and eight or so fresh-made daily pastas ranging from $10-$13 a bowl. Protein emphasis will be on fresh-catch seafood, according to Clevenger, who has lived in West Seattle for the past two years.

We continue to wait with bated breath for Dumplings of Fury, the quick-serve Asian-style dumpling shop in the ex-Quadrato space at 4302 SW Oregon in The Junction, where the windows are still covered in paper and the liquor license is proudly displayed. The latest update, according to West Seattle Blog, is that owner Ben Jenkins is getting closer to opening day. Jenkins cited setbacks and normal snafus in scheduling but assured folks that they’ll be in the kitchen testing out the menu come spring. Can’t wait to get our ‘Fury’ on.

Finally, the most anticipated West Seattle restaurant (at least for us): New Luck Toy, a dive bar that will serve Chinese food located in the old Chopstix at 5905 California Ave SW. Yes, a marriage of two of our favorite things: Chow mein and stiff cocktails. Seattle Met reports that Ma’ono chef-owner Mark Fuller and Rhino Room partner/builder Patric Gabre-Kidan hope to open the space as early as June with solid cocktails and staples of Americanized Chinese food, like the aforementioned chow mein, salt and pepper squid, and crispy duck with plum sauce and pinch buns, they say.

Be still our impatient appetites.

Until then, we can get our feast on at a new West Seattle restaurant that is actually open. Maree Bistro & Bar replaced Cassis on Alki Beach in West Seattle earlier this year. Chef Andy Dekle and his wife Megan Hartz opened the space after working at Cassis during its entire run on Alki. You’ll find the same seasonal, market-driven French classics including grassfed beef and sustainable seafood. Look for sensational house-made pate and crispy chicken cracklings, both available during happy hour, 5 to 6 p.m. daily. 

That should keep us occupied.