The management and staff at the new Pacific Room on Alki have taken many roads to end up at West Seattle's newest restaurant. General Manager Kurt Niemeyer has a degree in Environmental Science and Marine Ecology, worked for NOAA as an At Sea Biologist, has been a commercial diver and a boat captain. "In between I worked in restaurants and managed restaurants and then this opportunity came along and I had the experience and background to implement it since I've also done construction work and I was the general contractor for the build out." He and Manager Derek Delos Santos did a lot of the work from sanding and staining the ceiling beams to carpentry and painting.

Santos has been all over the world, working in the hospitality industry and along the way collected recipes and experiences from Culinary Arts programs he has taken that he's blending into the Alki location. "I started out as the Executive Chef at the beginning and created the entire menu. I went to WSU and have a degree in Hospitality Arts and Business Management, plus a Culinary Arts degree."

But as his role grew they found they needed to recruit top level talent and hired Executive Chef Warren Akana, "One of the best chefs I've ever worked with," said Santos. Akana has been a chef in Hawaii and elsewhere developing techniques that seem to have come to full fruition at the Pacific Room.

In a press preview Akana had a chance to show off his skills by delivering small examples of what will be on the main menu. Salmon Sashimi, Coconut Prawns, filet mignon, Salmon Filet atop risotto all prepared with a flair and degree of excellence that was frankly unexpected. The full lunch and dinner menus will be limited to 12 to 15 items said Niemeyer to maintain their focus on what they believe is a "next level" experience but at reasonable price. The prices range from $14 for a Chicken Quesadilla up to an extravagant Captains Plate for $45 with easily enough food for two people. The concentration is on extremely fresh, organic food, paired with local northwest wines and an innovative, even funny crafted cocktails. Making that part come alive are Michele Smith who is handling marketing and as former owner of Vino Bello in Burien is also a wine Sommelier and Dan Stevens, the Bar Manager whose delight in making drinks of his own design is obvious. 

A question that lingers around new restaurants on Alki is what happens when the busy summer season ends and the rains return? Santos said, "We are starting out featuring live music three nights a week and may expand that, and we are planning on doing an extensive marketing effort through social media and more. We know that people from all over the region come to the beach on the nice days but once the season is over, it's the local West Seattle people who will come here for lunch and dinner so we are keeping the price reasonable but the quality very high. We want to deliver a "Beach Bougie" experience which means it's not an overpriced, fancy over the top place that's too "Bougie" so we coined the term "Beach Bougie" to describe a moderately priced but high end restaurant."

They will have 11 beers on tap, wines from around the region, full bar, and are open from 11am to close, likely around 11pm or later depending on business. Pacific Room is located at 2808 Alki Ave SW.  Call (206) 829-9695 for reservations. The Grand Opening is June 14.

The complete menu can be downloaded here.