New restaurant opens Sept. 27 for dinner and weekend brunch next month

Mulugeta “Mulu” Abate and his mother, Ethiopia (yes named for the nation), will do much of the cooking in the new Pan Africa Grill on California Avenue in the former Ho Win chinese restaurant location

By Patrick Robinson

Mulugeta “Mulu” Abate will bring all the training he received from his mother and his mother too to the operation of the new Pan Africa Grill opening Sept. 27 at 5905 California Ave. s.w. near Juneau Street.

It is the next step for Abate who already owns the similar Pan Africa restaurant and bar on 1st Avenue near the Pike Place Market where it has thrived for the past eight years.

  

Abate's mother, named for their African nation home, Ethiopia will assist him along with his sister Ruth and at least at first one of the chefs that works downtown, Abraham Enbaye. .

The restaurant has been completely redecorated in warm tones of red, brown gold and black, the bathrooms rebuilt and made modern and tasteful African art from the light fixtures to the art and decor complete the theme. It will have no booths but comfortable tables and chairs with African table runners. Maximum capacity will be 75 people.

It is called Pan Africa because the food served represents a blend of various cuisines from across the African continent. West African food can be very spicy and highly seasoned while food from the East can be sweet. Injera, an African bread comes from the east. Still, Abate's early learning will dominate with "a lot of food from Ethiopia."

Up front in the new business a refrigerated case will hold lamb, chicken, beef and shrimp kebabs (uncooked) to go and be where take out and to go orders will be picked up.

Abate has tried before to establish another restaurant, once in Tacoma and another in the Central area but those efforts did not work. He's more confident about the West Seattle version. "We like the space," Abate said.

They will be serving whole/half and one quarter roasted chicken in a peri peri rub (hot and spicy) or a chermoula rub (flavorful but not hot) and other choices too. Whole Tilapia is their fish of choice, salads, soups, "and a lot of vegan dishes as well, such as the peanut stew which is vegan. At the other location we offer four vegan combinations, one from each region. I know we'll do an east and a west veggie combo here."

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The restaurant will have a full bar but not at first, "that's about six weeks out," Abate explained. They will also carry an Ethiopian honey wine and a variety of unique juices.

Abate will, uniquely also offer an African cooking class for between $35 to $50 for a two hour class which includes a book and of course enjoying the food you've learned to prepare. Those will be held Sunday evenings, starting in November.

Abate will be opening with a slightly limited menu for the first few days until the kitchen can get up and running. Here are some of the menu items from the downtown restaurant many of which will be served in West Seattle too though with more space they can offer a different variety of foods:New restaurant opens Sept. 27 for dinner and weekend brunch next month

By Patrick Robinson

2011-09-27 updated 2 hours ago

Mulugeta “Mulu” Abate will bring all the training he received from his mother and his mother too to the operation of the new Pan Africa Grill opening Sept. 27 at 5905 California Ave. s.w. near Juneau Street.

It is the next step for Abate who already owns the similar Pan Africa restaurant and bar on 1st Avenue near the Pike Place Market where it has thrived for the past eight years.

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Abate's mother, named for their African nation home, Ethiopia will assist him along with his sister Ruth and at least at first one of the chefs that works downtown, Abraham Enbaye. .

The restaurant has been completely redecorated in warm tones of red, brown gold and black, the bathrooms rebuilt and made modern and tasteful African art from the light fixtures to the art and decor complete the theme. It will have no booths but comfortable tables and chairs with African table runners. Maximum capacity will be 75 people.

It is called Pan Africa because the food served represents a blend of various cuisines from across the African continent. West African food can be very spicy and highly seasoned while food from the East can be sweet. Injera, an African bread comes from the east. Still, Abate's early learning will dominate with "a lot of food from Ethiopia."

Up front in the new business a refrigerated case will hold lamb, chicken, beef and shrimp kebabs (uncooked) to go and be where take out and to go orders will be picked up.

Abate has tried before to establish another restaurant, once in Tacoma and another in the Central area but those efforts did not work. He's more confident about the West Seattle version. "We like the space," Abate said.

They will be serving whole/half and one quarter roasted chicken in a peri peri rub (hot and spicy) or a chermoula rub (flavorful but not hot) and other choices too. Whole Tilapia is their fish of choice, salads, soups, "and a lot of vegan dishes as well, such as the peanut stew which is vegan. At the other location we offer four vegan combinations, one from each region. I know we'll do an east and a west veggie combo here."

The restaurant will have a full bar but not at first, "that's about six weeks out," Abate explained. They will also carry an Ethiopian honey wine and a variety of unique juices.

Abate will, uniquely also offer an African cooking class for between $35 to $50 for a two hour class which includes a book and of course enjoying the food you've learned to prepare. Those will be held Sunday evenings, starting in November.

Abate will be opening with a slightly limited menu for the first few days until the kitchen can get up and running. Here are some of the menu items from the downtown restaurant many of which will be served in West Seattle too though with more space they can offer a different variety of foods:
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