My Edmonds Restaurant News: Another Indian restaurant set to open at old Skippers Friday

Copper Pot Indian Bar & Grill
Copper Pot Indian Bar & Grill

The Copper Coffee Pot Indian Bar and Grill plans to open Friday, says owner VK Padmanabha. It’s located at 102 Main St., in the spot formerly held by Vatika Indian Cuisine.

There’s a new paint job, and the inside has been completely renovated. In a nice touch, Padmanabha kept the restaurant’s distinctive portholes, a homage to the original Skippers.

In 2010, you might recall, the Edmonds City Council toyed with the idea of purchasing the Skippers site for $1.1 million and turning it into a visitors’ center or park, among other options. The proposal died when the bank owning the property rejected the city’s offer.

Pancake Haus celebrates 45th anniversary: I have a thing for comfort food breakfast. A recent return to Pancake Haus reminded me that sometimes the best food is the most simple.

Since 1969, Pancake Haus served pancakes (try the blueberry), of course, as well as omelets, waffles with whipped cream, burgers, its famous hot chocolate, sandwiches, smoothies, shakes, etc. Good stuff. And there’s something about a restaurant founded in 1969 that still doesn’t maintain a website. It has a Facebook page, though.

Paul Meyer
Paul Meyer

“The only time we lose customers is when they die,” said Paul Meyer, who owns the restaurant with brother Larry. Wife Vicky works at Pancake Haus, as well as youngsters Kristi, Mark, and Brandon.

While Pancake Haus now is celebrating its 45th anniversary, Paul Meyer says he is already planning a 50th anniversary bash. No doubt the restaurant will be packed on that special day – five years ago, for its 40th, Pancake Haus offered 1969 prices for the entire day, and customers were lined up hours before the doors swung open.

Keep the first week of April 2019 open on your calendar …

Rumor central: Could Edmonds soon compete with Woodinville for its spirits? I’ve heard from a couple of sources that a distillery may be in the cards for Edmonds, but it’s all very hush-hush at this point.

Oso mudslide help: It’s great to see Edmonds businesses helping offering financial relief to those affected by the May 23 mudslide near Oso. Friday through Sunday (April 4-6), the Rusty Pelican will donate 10 percent of its daily sales at all three locations to Oso relief. And just this week, The Cheesemonger’s Table did the same, donating 10 percent of its proceeds from three days to the relief effort.

Bar Dojo at Seattle Restaurant Week: Bar Dojo at Five Corners will return to the spring edition of Seattle Restaurant Week. It’s actually two weeks: April 6-10 and April 13-17 (excluding Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday brunch). During that time, you can get a three-course meal for $28, not including drinks, taxes and tips.

Ready for Easter?: Easter is not too far away – April 20. Start thinking about reservations now. Scott’s Bar & Grill is now taking reservations for its Easter Bruch 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as for dinner from 2-10 p.m. If you’re a restaurant with Easter plans, shoot me an email!

walnut street
Jennifer Diehl’s new work.

Walnut Street Coffee makes the switch: Walnut recently switched to organic milk in all its drinks. Owner Pam Stuller says her stores in the first to do so in Edmonds and is one of only a handful of cafes in the Seattle area with organic. “We made the switch with limited impact to customers – 5 cents per drink,” said Stuller. “The idea being if we all contribute a little, we can all benefit. The cows too!

While you’re at Walnut, check out artist Jennifer Diehl’s new work, as she has beautifully captured Walnut Street Coffee in a new painting. It’s her second one for the popular meeting spot. You can see more of Diehl’s creations at Cole Gallery.

Edmonds represented at the Taste: Not that Taste. Edmonds’ Kafe Neo and its two sister restaurants, Demetris Woodstone Taverna (by the ferry) and Tablas Woodstone Taverna (in Mill Creek), made new friends and customers at Taste Washington last weekend at CenturyLink Field, home of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks (that last part sounds so good I had to get it in).

Soup’s On on Facebook: Check out new Soup’s on Café Facebook page. The day’s specials are posted – you guessed it, every day – so you don’t have to wonder what’s on the menu.

Portofino’s specials: Have you been to Portofino’s since the remodel? Kids eat free on Monday, if you need an incentive. New specials include $2 off any large pizza with two toppings or more, 10 percent off your check during lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and a 10 percent discount on catering orders over $100.

— By Brian Soergel

brian soergelRestaurant owners: Got a new menu? Plan a remodel? Doing something good in the community? Any news, thoughts, or tips on the restaurant scene in Edmonds, from restaurateurs and eaters alike, are appreciated. Shoot an email to restaurantnews@myedmondsnews.com.

  1. Marie: That would indeed be most excellent. The Beach Cafe is an option. Although not downtown, it’s a lovely walk.

  2. I don’t understand – if Vatika didn’t make it, why would another Indian restaurant have success? I agree with the fish and chips. I think that location is just really difficult for some people to get to. I wish the new owners the best of luck!

  3. I would guess that the ownership has not changed for the property. It is likely only a new person leasing or renting the property. Council thought about buying the property at one time but that effort got stalled.

  4. I wish an Indian restaurant would go into the old Girasol location in the Westgate neighborhood. Does anyone know if anything is slated to go into that space?

  5. Girasol was in the small strip mall next to Ivar’s, directly south and across the street from the Edmonds PCC. There’s a scrapbooking place right next to the now-vacant space.

  6. Girasol very unexpectedly closed several years ago. Does anyone know the reason why? My boyfriend and I miss it. We both wish an Indian restaurant would move into the vacant space. Does anyone know when the new restaurant in Perrinville is opening? Thanks.

    1. There is an “El Girasol” restaurant that opened not too long ago – on Highway 99 and 208th SW. The sign looks much like the one at Westgate, but with the addition of the “El” – not sure if it’s same owner(s) or not…

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