Got a paperwork trail for us to follow? Let us know.

• The mystery of the E Pine Autopro project has some intriguing new elements to report. CHS has learned that a bigtime fixture of the Seattle restaurant scene is involved in the still nascent project that will transform a former auto garage into a multilevel restaurant, “dwelling unit” and parking area at the corner of E Pine and Summit.

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CHS earlier reported on the involvement of a company registered to Capitol Hill lawyer and food+drink backer Jerry Everard and his business partner Erickson Shirley in the $900,000 purchase of the property last October. That company was simply a shell to represent an investment group, we were told at the time. Meanwhile, according to city records, the Graham Baba architecture firm is handling design on the planned $1,000,000 overhaul and buildout.

So, what are they building?

Hello Justin,  

Thank you for your interest. Seattle Investment Network is negotiating with the landlord of the building you reference for a potential restaurant venue site but we do not yet have a signed lease. 

It is the modus operandi of our business entity to maintain the quality, integrity and focus of our projects via an understated approach.  If a lease is successfully negotiated with the landlord (never a given) we would be happy to provide information about the project as it develops.  For now, nothing to report. Thank you again for your interest. 

Best,

Wood Graham

Seattle Investment Network Partners 

One new name in the paperwork is Jon Alberts. Alberts, a partner in the investment group that sent us the friendly “thanks for your interest” mail after we learned of his involvement, backed longtime Ballard restaurant Thaiku before it was shuttered late in 2011. At the time, Alberts vowed Thaiku would return:

So, is that the end of Thaiku and Fu Kun Wu?

Nope. Expect another reincarnation sometime in the coming year, insists Alberts, and stay tuned to Thaiku’s Facebook page. He reminds me it’s been a decade since he was forced to close his Fremont Noodle Housewhen the building that housed it was demolished. The popular Thai restaurant quickly relocated to Ballard, where it was rechristened Thaiku.

The partners are actively looking for another space, but they’re in no hurry to re-open right away, Alberts said, adding they haven’t exactly been idle lately, given the fall debut of their second Mexican restaurant, Queen Anne’s Mezcaleria Oaxaca — an offshoot of Thaiku’s neighboring La Carta de Oaxaca.

As you can see in the roster above, these Seattle Investment Network Partners are quite the players. The group is also behind Ballard’s Copper Gate, the olden-times dive turned “IKEA on quaaludes” bar-restaurant.

What’s coming to the Autopro space? Could be the return of Thaiku. Could be Copper Gate II. Expect at least a dozen more food+drink columns dedicated to the topic.

• Speaking of obsession, Cafe Pettirosso is, indeed, reborn. Plans call for a Tuesday, October 23rd debut of the overhauled and expanded space now powered by the sisters behind Belltown’s Bang Bang Cafe, Miki and Yuki Sodos. Expect some of the vegan charm to come along. Also expect former owner Robin Wright to be part of the new incarnation. We’ll have more on the new Pettirosso soon.
• Vegans are so lucky. Plum Bistro has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $28,000 to roll out a vegan food truck:

  (Image: CHS)

We are so appreciative here at the Plum family for all the features you guys have done on us in the past. We just launched akickstarter campaign to raise money for our food truck. We are asking bloggers, writers, friends and family to spread the word about our project. A few highlights about the campaign:

• The money will go towards: staffing, fixing, and equipping the truck as well as titles, permits and fees from the city.
• Anyone who donates $25 or more will receive a gift certificate to use at the truck once its rollin’.
• The campaign ends Nov 9th and kickstarter is all or nothing funding. That means if we do not reach our goal of 28k, we won’t get any of it.

Thanks for your time; let me know if you have any questions :)   

The campaign has a long road ahead. It’s raised just shy of $5,000 so far.

• Meanwhile, Seattle Met says Thai Curry Simple’s plans for a food truck have been parked.
• There’s this Seattle Weekly food and drink neighborhood popularity contest thing and we’re losing to the ballers in Ballard. Or something.
• Some Pike/Pine food and drink folk were ready to lose their shit with rumor spreading of a McDonald’s coming to the neighborhood. The rumor is “crazy” the developer behind the project the fast food giant was supposedly to call home tells CHS. Less crazy: the rumor that McD is destined for Broadway.
• Also destined for Broadway: an 8,000 square-foot p-patch on the roof of club Q.
• 5 signs it’s Seattle Restaurant Week. A 6th: Can’t use your Groupon.
• With Tully’s exit from Broadway and the coffee conglomerate’s bankruptcy reorganization, we’re fielding rumors about possible changes at the chain’s 19th and E Aloha location. Long ago, the space was home to Seattle legend the Surrogate Hostess.
• Coastal Kitchen knows how to keep interest high even as it remains shuttered for its 20-year overhaul. On Thursday, they’ll be shucking 1,000 free oysters to celebrate the new shell bar:

  (Image: Coastal Kitchen via Facebook)

WHAT: In celebration of Coastal Kitchen’s 20^th anniversary and the upcoming debut of the remodeled restaurant and its new oyster bar, Coastal Kitchen will be handing out 1,000 FREE oysters outside of the restaurant during its First Shuck event.

The public is invited to stop by for free oysters on the half shell and learn more about the enhancements at CoastalKitchen, including a new oyster bar and cocktail bar.  

 WHO: The First Shuck event will take place on the sidewalk in front of Coastal Kitchen. The event will present new Executive Chef Jason Jones and his staff shucking 1,000 oysters. Owners Jeremy Hardy & Tiah Holt Hardy along with long time General Manager Eli Britt will be handing out the free oysters and answering questions about the remodel and Oct. 20 reopening date.

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 18; 5 – 7 p.m.

WHERE: Coastal Kitchen, located at 429 15^th Avenue East, Seattle (Capitol Hill).

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: The event precludes the reopening of Coastal Kitchen, which will resume feeding crowds breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night on Saturday, Oct. 20. The restaurant has been closed since Sept 24 to allow for construction on a new oyster bar, new cocktail bar, outdoor seating off the front of the restaurant, new bamboo flooring in the dining room, the integration of a private dining room into the main dining room and new flooring in the kitchen.

• A double dose of Marjorie tidbits this week. First, owner Donna Moodie talks about logistics and her decision to move from Belltown. Meanwhile, this profile of chef Lauri Carter delves into what happens when the physical rigors of the kitchen force a career change.
• The Central District lost a pizza joint. RIP All Purpose Pizza.
• Across I-5, the long rule of search engine optimized 820 Pike Asian Cuisine is over. Records show Soban Restaurant & Lounge is next.
• Central Co-op hosts the Cascadia Cheese Festival this weekend:

Central Coop Presents Cascadia Cheese Festival 

October 10, 2012, Seattle, WA – Central Coop will host the Cascadia Cheese Festival on Saturday, October 20 from 11am to 4pm.  This third annual event will feature local cheese vendors and their artisan selections ranging from cow, goat and sheep milk in fresh, aged and blue varieties.  Admission is complementary inside of the store. 

In honor of the festival, the Coop will offer complementary wine and cheese pairings and as well as coupons for the featured products of the day. There will be a cheese class highlighting the best local wines and cheeses, presented by Julia Powers, The TravelingCheese Monger at 12pm – 1:30PM.  Admission is $35 and RSVPs are necessary. 

The following vendors will participate in the festival: 

• Kurtwood Farms, Vashon Island   
• Rivers Edge Chevre, Logsden, OR   
• Mt. Townsend Creamery, Port Townsend, WA   
• Larkhaven Farmstead Cheeses, Tonasket, WA    
• Tieton Farm and Creamery, Tieton, WA   
• Rogue Creamery, Central Point, OR   
• Sunny Pine Farm, Twisp, WA   
• Provvista Specialty Foods, Portland, OR   

• Bummer Bonus Item: The folks at 611 Supreme just announced their last lunch service:
  

  New hours for us, we will no longer be open for lunch beginning Wednesday Oct. 17th. Thank you to all who have been my lunch regulars for the last two plus years but unfortunately we cannot continue with lunch service.