Mai Thaiku has finally opened in the former Gaspare Italian Ristorante space at 6705 Greenwood Ave. N. It is the reincarnation of Thaiku, which was in Ballard for a decade before closing last year.

This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago as landscapers worked out front.

The restaurant has also revived its celebrated bar, Fu Kun Wu, although in a smaller version. (The bar in the former Thaiku was named one of the “Best Bars in America” by Esquire magazine in 2006 and 2011).

Mai (“new”) Thaiku uses original family recipes from Thailand. The menu categories include: Gahp Glam (bar food that goes well with drinks, $8-$12); Yaang (grilled on skewers, $2-$4 each); Som Tahm (seven different kinds of green papaya salad, $8-$9); Yum (various types of salad, $8-$12); Guaytiaw (noodles, $9-$12); and Ahaan Piset (special dishes, $11-$14).

General manager Unchalee “O” Ayucharoen was born and raised in the Jantaburi province of Thailand. Ayucharoen also managed Thaiku at the old location. The chef is Anne Sawvalak, who was born and raised in Bangkok.

Mai Thaiku is open seven days a week; from 12-11 p.m. Sunday, 4-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. Friday, and 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday. Happy hour is from 4-6 p.m. Phone is 206-706-7807. See their Facebook page for updates.

Mae’s Phinney Ridge Cafe, famous for its breakfasts, cinnamon rolls, and Wisconsin cow-themed interiors for the last 25 years, is for sale. Owner Jeanne Mae Barwick tells us she has put the restaurant at 6412 Phinney Ave. N. up for sale.

Barwick says she listed the business for sale just this week. She hopes to have a sale done by April, when she will celebrate her 66th birthday. From her email:

Retirement? Never even considered it until recently. Actually, I’ll look for a job, but one that does not include managing employees and dealing with rising food costs and equipment failures and…dumpsters and grease traps and, well, you get the idea. I’m hoping to have a “Open House and Garage Sale” at Mae’s sometime during March. This would be my official farewell to the neighborhood. If I find a buyer that wants a fast turn around, I might not be able to do the special party and what if they want to keep my salt and pepper shakers and other miscellaneous moo-morabilia? It could happen!

Barwick is also famous around the neighborhood for calling the monthly Bingo Karaoke at the Greenwood Senior Center. (Seriously, if you haven’t gone, you MUST – it’s an absolute hoot!)

Thai restaurant Thaiku, which closed its Ballard location last December, is taking over the former Gaspare Ristorante & Bar at 6705 Phinney Ave. N. It is planning to open in early 2013.

The press release did not give the exact location, saying that information would be released later, but the Washington State Liquor Control Board shows Thaiku applied for a liquor license application for that site in early November.

“We thank our regular customers of nearly 20 years for their suggestions and continued support on the reincarnation of Thaiku. It has been an overwhelming response with a seemingly endless number of possibilities for new locations,” says Jon Alberts, proprietor and jazz musician. “We’re looking forward to a new beginning in the new year.”

A selection of Thaiku’s favorite dishes will be offered, in addition to a more specific genre of authentic Thai cuisine based on original family recipes. The bar will offer the herb-infused cocktails from Fu Kun Wu, Thaiku’s former resident bar, along with new Thai-inspired libations.

General manager Unchalee “O” Ayucharoen says, “Our family of staff continues the commitment to the authentic culinary and cultural traditions of Thailand while our restaurant evolves. We are humbled to offer this unique culinary experience to our loyal customers and new friends in our new home.”

Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant (Ethiopian)
10002 Aurora Ave. N. (map)
Seattle, WA 98133
(206) 402-3058

Yelp: “…We ordered the veggie combo, as usual and it was delicious. The stewed dishes were bomb and the injera was a great consistency…”

(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)

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Gaspare Ristorante & Bar at 6705 Greenwood Ave. N. is closing Saturday night. Co-owner Dianne Trani told me by email this morning that reservations are recommended for their last few days, as lots of people are coming to say goodbye. Gaspare is open from 5-10 p.m.

But Dianne says while she and husband Gaspare are retiring from the full-service restaurant business, they’ll offer catering in time for the holidays. The new catering menu will be online in a few weeks.

Trani says they own the building, and will be landlords to a new business coming soon. Stay tuned for more details on that.

Kalbi Grill Express at 8202 Greenwood Ave. N. has reopened, nearly four months after closing when a car accidentally crashed through the front door. Kalbi had opened just two weeks before the crash.

Jeanna Lee from Kalbi tells me they had their “soft” reopening last Friday. Current hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The Korean restaurant’s menu includes items such as Kalbi (marinated beef short ribs), Bulgogi (marinated beef), Bibimbap (rice, vegetables, meat, and a fried egg), and Soondubu (soft tofu soup).

The Pig ’N Whistle at 8412 Greenwood Ave. N. recently closed and will reopen Saturday night as The Angry Beaver.

New owner Tim Pipes, who was born and raised in Canada, tells me he wanted to open a traditional Canadian hockey bar, complete with a lot of hockey and football on the six big screens, and standard French-Canadian fare like poutine.

Pipes says the name comes from Canada’s national animal, the beaver, and “angry,” which refers to hockey.

The Angry Beaver will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday. Pipes says the the Angry Beaver will officially open for business at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Dick’s restaurant on Holman Road is adding restrooms, an ATM and some other upgrades.

According to the sign in the window, construction should be done by November. They’ll be posting updates on their Facebook page.

Kalbi Grill Express opened today at 8202 Greenwood Ave. N.

It’s in the former location of the Kabab House, which closed in February.

Thanks to LS and Fergus for the tips, and LS for the photo!

Ridge Pizza (Pizza)
7217 Greenwood Ave. N. (map)
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 687-7621
RidgePizza.com

Yelp: “…I especially like the community pizzas where they give a buck to a specific charity if you order a specific pizza…”

(16 votes, average: 4.31 out of 5)

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An East Coast health care company is shooting a commercial at Carmelita vegetarian restaurant at 7314 Greenwood Ave. N. today.

Here’s the equipment being set up outside.

And here’s a scene from inside, where the commercial is about a man proposing to a his girlfriend inside a nice restaurant.

Thanks to James and Linn for the tips, and to Kathryn at Carmelita for the photos!

Tim’s Tavern (Bar)
602 N 105th St. (Map)
Seattle, WA 98133
(206) 789-9005
TimsTavernSeattle.com / Facebook / @timstavernon105

Yelp: “…Local drafts, liquor and great value Walla Walla wines by the glass. The epitome of a great neighborhood bar…”

(3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)

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