The long anticipated WestCity Sardine Kitchen will open officially Friday, Aug. 2 at 3405 California Ave SW but had its soft open for friends and family on Sunday July 28. The new GM Jessica Freeman and Chef Kym Goheen (partners in the business) were on hand to greet people and prepare some of the first items from their extensive menu. While they will open then they ask that the early visitors be patient as they work out their systems and get them running smoothly. Even the sign has yet to go up, but that's coming this week.

The name comes from their first visit to the location. Freeman said, "When we walked in it was very dark and it felt like we were sardines." The decor is markedly different from the days when this location was the Bohemian Restaurant. Now it's a soft yellow on the walls, the plank flooring is much lighter in tone and booths line the south wall. There are tables of course with room for slightly larger groups.

It's a full bar and Freeman said they have a range of blended and Scotch Whiskey's that people can try plus a long wine list with 9 whites by the glass and 8 reds by the glass. They've come up with some unique house cocktails too.

The menu features smaller plates with, you guessed a certain emphasis on seafood. These are subject to change of course and this is not the entire menu but here are a few items:

Small Plates
Grand Central Baguette: Whipped sardine butter
Prawns: Andouille hash, rouille, pernod oil
Steamed Clams: Fennel, white wine fresno broth, broccoli rabe pesto
Sardine stuffed piquillo peppers:Chickpea butter, arugula, crostini

Salads
Baby Greens: Red wine gastrique, smoked walnuts, poached fig, ricotta salata
Roasted Beets: Spinach, mustard vinigarette, pistachios, goat cheese

Pastas
Linquine with grilled prawns: Truffle oil, herb buerre blanc
Smoked Salmon Garganelli: Tomatoes, capers, basil, panko
Housemade Fettucine: Sweet corn, snap peas, tomatoes, roasted garlic vinigarette.

Larger Plates
Pan Roasted Chicken: White bean-olive oil puree, sauteed swiss chard
Seared Halibut: Cauliflower puree, spring vegetables, tomato vinaigrette
Grilled New York Steak: Roasted garlic potatoes, green beans, smoked sea salt butter.

"We're trying to offer really awesome food at an awesome price," said Freeman who explained that they've given a lot of thought to both West Seattle's palate and pocketbook. "We want to be part of the community and give our neighbors something they are going to appreciate, where they can feel like they aren't breaking the bank having dinner with us." Prices range from around $14 to $24 for dinner with smaller plates and salads going for much less.

West City Sardine Kitchen (the word Sardine is missing from the logo but is represented by three fish) will be open from 5pm to 10pm daily. You can reach them by phone at 937-0155.