A long time in the planning and development, Driftwood a new restaurant owned by husband and wife team Dan and Jackie Mallahan will open at 5pm Thursday January 5.

Driftwood is located at 2722 Alki Ave SW

The couple have an extensive background as highly trained chefs and their work with Michelin star restaurants.

Jackie said, "We're just kind of trying to bring that nicer finer dining, but still casual where you can come in off the beach and have dinner or you can come and spend your 50th anniversary.  We want it to be all inclusive, very casual, but the food's just gonna be a little more. elevated. If it's not grown. found in the state of Washington, or the Pacific Northwest, it's not going to be on the menu. Very local, very seasonal. We have great relationships with some farms Whistling Train Farm in Kent. And Little Big Farm down in Olympia. We are working with Baywater Shellfish too."

HERE'S THE PRE-OPEN MENU

 

The couple launched a Kickstarter campaign to help them get the new place off the ground and those people are honored with a large scale mural hand painted on the back wall by Sarah Robbins.Their description tells their story well.

"Dan and Jackie met in San Francisco, CA at Boulevard restaurant where they both worked. Dan in the kitchen and Jackie in the front of the house. Like many restaurant relationships theirs blossomed into more than just work friends.  After over ten years together, two countries and two babies, the duo with over 25 years of combined industry experience, have decided to take on the unbelievable challenge of opening their own little slice of culinary heaven on the beach. 

Driftwood, Puget Sound

Driftwood, located along the shores of the Puget Sound, takes its inspiration from the region surrounding it. Executive Chef Dan Mallahan aims to showcase Washington’s bountiful connection from mountain to sound, and all the wonderful ingredients that can be celebrated. Focused on regional community partnerships, Dan has brought eating local to new heights, and partners with farmers in the Deschutes, Green and Snohomish River valleys, as well as Vashon and the San Juan islands to grow fresh seasonal ingredients exclusively for Driftwood. Working closely with tribal members of the Quinault, and Makah tribes allows Dan to source some of the best fish in the world, and links Washington’s rich tribal fishing heritage to his kitchen.  Driftwood is pleased to present an exceptional oyster and shellfish program, supplied by the intercoastal waters of the Puget Sound, and the farmers who work tirelessly to protect this important resource. In the mountains of the Cascades Dan brings wild foods to the menu. By working alongside local foragers, Dan showcases ingredients which may be unknown to many, but have been celebrated by native peoples for generations.

Baby Lilly's Whidbey Island Coho Salmon and Roe

Chef Dan was born and raised in Everett, Washington at the headwaters of Wood Creek, a small tributary surrounded by mature forest, meandering into the valley below and flowing into the Snohomish River. Growing up, he spent countless hours every week with his brothers exploring the forest and stream corridor, picking wild mushrooms and berries, learning about native plants and animals, and discovering a passion for nature and its important relationship to food. This expression is what inspires his culinary execution, a tasteful celebration of Washington. 

Through Jackie's design company, Delightful Designs Decor, she has personally taken on the reimagining of our space. With a true focus on hospitality and local sourcing, she has designed a space that is both comfortable yet refined. Elevated but not pretentious, with an emphasis on service.  Soft wood tones, sea colors of aqua and green and stone all have their place in this beautifully designed space. An expansive bar takes the center of the room with fun seasonal cocktails reflective of the restaurant's theme. An open kitchen and two outdoor spaces with views of Elliott Bay really showcase the sense of place. 

The 2,200 SF space will seat 48, including bar seating and special water view counter space, and will offer additional outdoor seating for up to 22. The patio will offer semi-private dining for groups of up to 16.   Driftwood will be open from 5-10pm Thursday - Monday.  An extensive bar program will feature fun coastal cocktails highlighting spirits from local distilleries and around the world, a selection of local and domestic beers, and a substantial local wine list that features crisp whites and bold reds from Washington State.

Dan and Jackie are passionate about the restaurant's vision, and the opportunity to dictate what is important:  Supporting Local, Eating what's in season and preserving for the future.

Driftwood -- Community Driven from Mountain to Sound

The PNW is a special place, we are blessed to be able to share in its bounty. We welcome you to wash up along Alki Ave and experience all that this beautiful region can offer. We thank you wholeheartedly for your belief in us and your continued support!"

Driftwood will be open from 5pm to 10 pm nightly, offer a full bar and seating for 48, expanded to 22 more seats when weather permits on it's two patio areas. They are closed Tuesday and Wednesday.