Construction News
The good news is that there hasn’t been any bad news in the construction phase–if you don’t count the floor tile shipment “somewhere on a boat from China” and rumors of Duwamish Indian bones found under the V.I. The bartenders are dreaming up drinks called the “Kenniwick Kat Bone Dry Martini” and “Slow Boat from China.” Adatto Construction and the subcontractors have been doing a great job of keeping things on a tight schedule. We are very pleased with the way things are shaping up. Kudos to Richard, Paul, and Hugh at Adatto; Brian (Fairway Plumbing), Josef (Schneider Electric), and all the tilers, rockers, painters, and helpers who’ve done excellent work. We’re very fortunate to have our long time friend, Chris Lindsley (Cooking with Wood), who did our original woodwork, to do our additional booths and benches as well as the tricky business of re-installing the bar and back bar. We think everyone will be impressed with the efforts of this master craftsman.

Chef News
We’re pleased to announce that Harrison Ripley will be in charge of our beautiful new kitchen. Rip, as he’s known to everyone, is an old friend as well. He will be a good fit for the V.I. with his experience in fine cuisine at the original Green Lake Grill and his years at the popular Maple Leaf Grill. Rip’s not talking about the new menu until the kitchen’s up and running, but it’s sure to include favorites like crab cakes and gumbo, and more bistro style dishes at night; mussels and rabbit have been mentioned.

Art News
The art news is that yet another old friend, Rolon Garner, is curating a group exhibition to be called “Old Faces/New Spaces.” Rolon curated the very first V.I. exhibition in 1981, this new show will feature many of the artists from that first show and the early years of both the V.I. and the Two Bells Tavern where he was curator, partner, and all around artbarman. See the ART page for details.

All in all a lot of folks and old friends working hard to get the doors open ASAP.

Click “contact” on the home page to get on our email list, and we’ll contact you when we’re open.

We are certainly looking forward to the new year with a lot of anticipation.

Our good news is that construction on the kitchen side of things is right on schedule. Kitchen shaft, hood, plumbing and electrical are in place, and we will be able start work on the V.I. side as planned.

We will close the V.I. at midnight (or so) on Sunday, January 13, 2008.

We anticipate that the heavy construction (floor, plumbing, electrical, handicap restrooms, etc.) will take about six weeks and that it will take us a week or so to get the doors open. If all goes smoothly we hope to be open for St. Patty’s Day on March 17, 2008. You can check the virginiainnseattle.com website for updates. If you are on the email list we will also send out a notice when we reopen.

We are certainly looking forward to the expanded menu that a real kitchen will allow as well as the upgraded facilities and utilities. We are also very aware that the “old” V.I. holds a lot of memories for a lot of people. That is evident from the many “met my true love here” and “don’t touch that foot rail” comments that we’ve been collecting. Come by in the next two weeks and raise a glass to the ol’ V.I.

- Jim, Patrice & the V.I. Staff

Construction has begun. We’re building a kitchen and the V.I. is expanding into the space next door. A shaft will be installed to the roof which will allow for open flame! A real stove! A real kitchen!

It’s been a long time coming so you can understand our enthusiasm to be underway. We’ve never had to apologize for the quality of our food, but the limitations of our “one cook galley” have been frustrating to us and to our customers. We’re excited about offering more menu choices, delivered more efficiently. Stay tuned as we work it up.

The V.I.-as-you-know-it, will remain open while construction is underway next door. We will need to shut down for 4-6 weeks because structural upgrades to the floor are required as well as new plumbing and electrical systems.

As projected now, this means that we will shut down mid-January, ‘08, and hope to reopen sometime in March.

If you would like to join our email list to be informed of “The Last Days of The Old V.I.”, “Tear Down This Wall!”, “The Grand Ole Re-Opening of the New V.I.”, the “New Spaces/Old Faces” art show, “Now Under Old Management”, and other greatest hits, please register through the “Contact” webpage.

One Frequently Asked Question: Will the “new” V.I. be different than the “old” V.I.?

Not different, Virginia, just better. It will look and feel a lot like the “old” V.I. The bar, the woodwork, the brick wall, the tile floor will be much the same. The room will be wider. The plumbing and electrical will be new. The menu will still have gumbo, crabcakes and great salads, but substantial dinner entrees, more hot lunch items and diverse hors d’oeuvres as well. The familiar faces and friendly service will be the same.

So drop on by, have a beer, and contemplate the history of a bar that’s operated continuously for over 100 years and is gearing up for the next 100 years.

- Jimmy and Patrice