Openings & Closings: New Tom Douglas Restaurant in the Works, Gator to Go in Shoreline

Looks like Tom Douglas will be whipping up a new restaurant set to open around April of next year. Douglas had been spotted poking around Ballard, but not for long. Nancy Leson reports that Douglas and partner/wife Jackie Cross are sticking to their keep-em-close strategy, opening the new place next door to Etta's on the edge of Pike Place Market. Douglas emphasizes that the new location will not be an extension of Etta's, as it will offer an entirely different menu concept. What is that menu concept? A mystery...

Phinneywood readers noticed that Roosters Breakfast Club (6020 Phinney Ave. N) has closed temporarily according to the sign on its door. It is to be seen whether temporary turns into permanent.

In West Seattle news, the Thai restaurant Boontin (5258 California Ave SW), seems to be changing its name. New proprietors plan to rename the restaurant Thaitan.

In the mood for some fried alligator? Come December, Casper Townsend, who owns the infamous Casper's: A Taste of the South BBQ and Catering Restaurant, will be taking over the abandoned Wendy's in Shoreline (15226 Aurora Ave. N.) to construct another southern food-stop. The Seattle Times reports that Casper plans to keep the drive-through window open so customers can get their gators to go, along with frog legs, catfish, and (pork) ribs.