Momoya, The Red House, Muri's, and Salima

 In the local restaurant world, one really good place recently opened not too far away, and three others are opening soon, which gives me reasons to get excited.

The place that recently opened is Momoya Sushi and Bento, at 241 Sunset Blvd N, Renton 98057. It's in the same complex as Westernco Donuts.  Momoya is not a new restaurant. They have relocated to Renton after a  15 year long run in Kirkland. They're a small place with a not very large menu. They don't need to have an large menu because these are people who know what they're doing, and put out a delicious product. Friendly, competent, and reasonably priced. The salmon teriyaki was perfectly cooked. The sushi rolls tasted fresh and were addictive.The Bento boxes are an especially good value. I'll be back.

In Renton, after something like an 18 month absence, the Red House is rising from the ashes, under new ownership, scheduled to open sometime in February. The Red House, at 410 Burnett Ave S, Renton, was a popular place for 15+ years. They're taking reservations for a Prix Fixe  dinner on Valentines day, but I'm not sure when they will be officially open. It's a cool space, being an old boarding house from the 1920's. I've had some really good food there over the years, and wish them well under new ownership.

In Skyway, Salima Specialties is opening at 11805 Renton Ave S, Seattle 98178. This is in the complex with the Grocery Outlet. They will be occupying the space last occupied by Catfish Corner Express and before that, Ezells. They are the same people who owned a well regarded place on Martin Luther King Way South in Seattle. I haven't seen the menu, but it's Malaysian, Vietnamese, and Cham cuisine. The Cham are the indigenous people of Vietnam, and practice Islam, so the place will be halal. They'll have Banh Mi Vietnamese sandwiches, but not of the pork variety. Their last restaurant was famous for their roti kanai bread and peanut sauce. It's not too far from home, and their last restaurant in South Seattle had some very loyal fans.

Finally, a little further north in Seattle's Seward Park neighborhood, Muri's is scheduled to open in February, in the Third Place Books building, 5041 Wilson Avenue S, Seattle 98118. 

Muri's will be a kosher dairy restaurant and bakery. Meaning they won't serve meat, but they will serve fish. Kosher dairy restaurants are rare. It's the same ownership as North Seattle's Zylbershtein's Deli, although that location is not kosher, nor a dairy restaurant. They're noted for their baking. How bad could it be to take a walk in Seward Park and pick up some bagels, rye bread, or pastries?