At the J&M.
  • At the J&M.

• The J&M in Pioneer Square, which closed down and had an auction this past summer, appears poised to reopen and serve drinks again. The building’s owner, Jack Buttnick, was a bit cagey (if courtly—this is a man with a wonderful manner) on the phone, saying, “It’s a possibility. It could happen.” He says we’ll know more in a couple weeks.

• Sharp’s Fish Market—the upscale seafood place planned for the former Troiani location downtown—has been called off. The plan from the El Gaucho people was for a “more accessible” restaurant “with seafood entrees at approachable price points—in the mid-$20s on average” (which doesn’t seem all that damn approachable). Chad Mackay, CEO of Mackay Restaurants (a.k.a. the El Gaucho people), said by phone that they “looked at risks” and decided to focus on their “core profitable operations.” Smart move, Mr. Mackay. They run El Gaucho, the new El Gaucho Bellevue (which is said to be doing quite well), El Gauchos in Portland and Tacoma, Waterfront Seafood Grill, and I think one more that I cannot for the life of me remember right now. Are you still reading this? They closed Sea Grill in Tacoma last March.

• Sitka & Spruce is leaving Eastlake on December 30th, reopening in the spring (hopefully) at Melrose Avenue between Pike and Pine, alongside Tamara Murphy’s new Terra Plata.

• Smith on Capitol Hill has another new chef, Chris Howell of Lola. Hopefully he’ll be able to keep the place at last, actually, really good.

• The new Toulouse Petit Kitchen and Lounge on lower Queen Anne—from the owner of Peso’s—is offering all breakfast entrees at the low introductory price of $5 from 9 to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday, from now until the end of January. There are seven kinds of eggs Benedict on the gigantor menu. More details over here.

• In case you missed it, another faux-independent owned-by-Starbucks cafe has opened on Capitol Hill at the north end of Broadway: Roy Street Coffee and Tea Inspired by Starbucks.

• The Rose Garden on Lake City Way may be getting a new lease on life.

And, as previously noted on Slog:

• Cafe Septieme: closing on New Year’s Eve.

• Tacos el Asadero: MLK Jr. Way branch shut down by the health department, Rainier location still open.

• I Love New York Deli: opening on Capitol Hill. YES.

10 replies on “The J&M May Rise Again, Sharp’s Is a No-Go, and a Ton More Chow News”

  1. The new pizza place in Fremont where Mad Pizza used to be serves Chicago Style Pizza and it’s GREAT.

    They only take cash, but do have pick-up orders if you phone in, named something like Lisa’s Chicago Pizza.

    Went there last night and highly recommended (even if we three got a thin crust pizza).

  3. The not-Starbucks Starbucks has a Clover, which means I might go there. Damn, brewed coffee from a Clover is really good. My tiny town’s local coffee house has one, and it’s worth the $4 for one of those occasionally.

  6. #2 – you are totally correct .

    Both my mom and my granny are better cooks than she is.

    A great cook really must do something wonderful with an array of foods.

    Tamara should stick to pot roast. and bundt cake.

  7. The new Roy St. Coffee is actually a nice comfortable space. Much better than 15th St. Coffee if you ask me.

    And Will, the pizza place is called Kylie’s. It’s where a Mad Pizza used to be next to Dad Watson’s. No liquor license or website yet though.

  8. Jack Buttnick is an awful awful man. He is a thief. If he wasnst such a greedy bastard, there would still be an J&M. He is a sad sad pathetic person.

  9. Sarah in Seattle is mistaken. Jack is a wonderful man who is very generous. Jack is a very religious man and could never be accused of thievery. The J&M is back and better than before.

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