Picolinos adding large tent to courtyard

Geeky Swedes Ballard

Customers of Ristorante Picolinos on 32nd Ave NW will soon be able to dine under a giant tent that can be opened or closed, depending on the weather.

This morning a 30-foot aluminum mast was hoisted up and over the fence with a crane and then slipped into the footing, which is set in a 6-foot-square concrete block in the middle of the back deck. Rainier Industries is constructing the tent which has been rated for gale-force winds.

“It went through very rigorous review because it’s the only tent in the city, outside of Teatro ZinZanni that’s allowed,” Picolinos owner Tom Bailiff explains about the city permit for the project (which can be viewed here.) The mostly white tent, with a touch of forest green, will be draped over the mast and securely attached around the perimeter.

“What I’m finding is, there’s not a lot of outdoor space that you can use in Seattle consistently,” Bailiff says, “Now I have guaranteed seating, come what may as the weather, outside hurricane winds.” The tent can be opened or closed in about 20 minutes, Bailiff tells us.

Bailiff expects the tent to be operational by the beginning of May. (Full disclosure: Ristorante Picolinos is a sponsor of MyBallard.)

Geeky Swedes

The founders of My Ballard

147 thoughts to “Picolinos adding large tent to courtyard”

  2. really? 30 foot high tent? Nothing classes up a neighborhood like a giant tent looming over a low-key little business district.

    There is never much wait and they've got lots of indoor seating already — maybe they get a bigger tax write off if they have more “indoor” square footage?

  3. love in the video how the guy running the lifting of that massive post has a ciggy dangling from his lips, and how he one hands the guidance so he can flick ashes. That's old school.

  13. I've never been to Piccolino's, although I live very nearby. I know too much about how poorly the new owner treated the small businesses who previously occupied that block for decades before he “neglected them to death” while simultaneously raising the rents. I'm waiting for the karma to catch up with him, then maybe I can feel OK giving my business to whoever comes next…

    Besides – 30-feet high? Is that really necessary?

  15. What the??!!? How the hell does this fit into the neighborhood? Is there any sort of permitting process for this, why didn't it include a comment period? I walk past there daily and never saw a white board put up like they do for most construction. This is seriously ticking me off – we don't need this! There's no parking for the people who are already showing up, they're parking across driveways and crosswalks and into intersections already!

    Oo. Fuming. Piccolino's, yer pissin' off the neighborhood once again….

  17. as someone else infered, i have also heard some minor “inside” gossip about the ownership there. not nice. i would hate living next to a 30 ft tent . lame.

    that notwithstanding, i had an awful meal there, not to return. it was really bad – floppy pizza (how do you make a thin crust pizza soggy?) and some of THE worst mussels i've ever had the misfortune of smelling. seriously, stinky mussels in a seafood town? ugh.

    anyway, that place blows for several reasons imo.

  22. I'm excited to have covered outdoor seating at a great restaurant in the neighborhood. Picolinos has cleaned up that corner and made it a nice walkable restaurant in which to have dinner. Their garden was beautiful all last year.

  23. That does sort of raise a question. It looks like the tent is going to enclose a lot of space… is it going to enclose a chunk of garden, which will have to be moved or die?

  24. Something about Picolinos stinks. OH, yeah. It's everything the robber baron has done to tick off this neighborhood–where he defies anybody to stop him. I will never, ever enter the doorway of that place. I said that at meetings prior to his takeover of neighborhood businesses and I repeat it now. Ruthless, mean and nasty. A 30-foot tall tent is just another disrespectful slap in the face of Sunset Hill residents.

  25. Here come the haters. I just don't get it. I don't frequent P's, but I just can't see what there is to not like about what he has done.

    I live in the hood. I think this guy has completely classed up the joint. The building and grounds are immaculate, and it's beyond me how anyone could say with a straight face that they'd rather have the building the way it was-with the mower repair shop or the pottery studio. I'd be willing to bet $1 that more people in the neighborhood would prefer a pizza joint to go have a cold beer at than any of those former “businesses”. (Full disclosure -I admit that new energy and vibrancy in the hood do not frighten me, and I'm willing to support a business even if my first meal there was just OK. I know, crazy).

    Why the outrage about a tent (which can be easily removed and stowed when not in use, I'm gathering), when the other buildings in this “low key little business district” are all two or three stories? It always makes me laugh when people talk about the character of the neighborhood; universally rejecting any change as not fitting in with said character. What is the character of the neighborhood? The tin-siding Santa suit barn on the opposite corner? The house two doors east of there on 65th that has had a makeshift scaffolding on it for the past 6 years?

    Lastly, about the poor business owners who were so badly mistreated by Mr. Bad Landlord. Shame on all of you who continue to spread innuendo on this matter. If by “treated them very badly” you mean he ended their month-to-month tenancy with the required 30 day notice, then I say “big deal”. Did he violate any laws, either literally or in spirit? I'm talking to you, @Name. How did he “neglect them to death”? Why not specifically say what he did so we can all make informed choices about whether or not we now want to give him our business? If not, why continue to beat this drum of negativity about a couple of shops were moved along? Are you the former owner of one of those sad little shops, or what?

    If you've had a bad experience here, than by all means let us all know. But if you've never eaten here because you heard that the former pottery studio owner was bummed that she had to move along, and you are writing in to tell us you won't eat here…please. Seriously.

    Call me a hater hater.

  26. not to mention, kind of a weird idea….is that thing going to be up during the winter ie “all year long”? i can't imagine how this got approved .

    maybe i can start my own circus after all!

  27. What a bunch of crybabies…Wah…Wah…Wah…

    This tent is needed to keep the restaurant patrons dry from all of the useless, pathetic complainers tears.

    We love Picolinos and their great rissoto!

    Note to babiies…get a life and maybe an attitude check, go get a pint of brew at Piccolino's bar and take a big deep breath!

  29. well if it makes you feel better, i'm more personally offended at the repulsive mussels and somehow floppy/soggy thin crust pizza i was served then the other stuff.

    when you combine that with said other stuff, i'd rather not eat there.

  30. I read about all the restaurants that are in dire straights and using the money they collect for sales tax for their expenses. Bailiff is pouring money into his restaurant (and the neighborhood considering the restaurant is part of the neighborhood) so he must be doing well. He provides job to people who have been laid off elsewhere and he contributes to the tax base of the city and state. What is wrong with that? Would you rather he go bankrupt and put up plywood over the windows? Area people go there for a cup of coffee, lunch or dinner to have a good time. The haters on who post here must hate those people too. I almost, almost, feel sorry for them.
    Thank you MyBallard for this newsworthy article.
    Time to order a pizza to go so that we can watch the Mariners win against Oakland.
    See ya
    Bob

  32. grumpier – the paint job and the whole north end of recycle bins certainly is beautiful. Ha. You have not a clue. How wonderful it is to have been hoodwinked into believing this place is neighbor friendly.

  33. Great point and well said Bob! I've only eaten here twice and both times I had great food and a really good experience. It's a classy joint and the people working at the place were great too.

    I'll hold judgment on the tent until it's up but my first thought was that it will be a great addition to a great local place to eat. Hopefully it won't be an eyesore but compared to before this place sparkles now!

    And thanks for the video, nice touch!

  34. why yes I see now — you say that since there are other tallish structures in the area then any tall structure should fit in. So if someone built , say, a 30 foot lawn flamingo that would be just fine. Or a 30 foot pile of vomit. Thanks for setting me straight on that.

    And removing the tent seasonally does seem easy like you say, just a giant crane and big crew of chain smoking laborers.

    It's obvious what you are doing — you are convoluting several criticisms to be able to easily be able to dismiss anyone with anything less than congratulatory to say as the same generic hater. But we are saying different things. i am saying a giant tent will look cheesy, not that I dislike Picolino as it exists right now. In fact I quite like it. But I could definitely stop going if the owner (hmmmmm, and maybe his shills) doesn't care what locals think.

  35. easy guy, i'm just expressing MY experience there. i don't begrudge anyone doing well, especially a restaurant – i'm in the food business and its tough. i will begrudge being served nasty mussels.

    if you like the place, fine.

    i hate haters that accuse me of hating when i in fact only hate bad shellfish. i hate that.

  37. We ate there…once. Worst service, worst meal, yuckiest over-cheesed risotto ever. Not going back, even if they do have clowns riding tiny bikes.

  38. I support Piccolinos because not only do a good job– my family and friends have enjoyed many wonderful meals there. But equally important, they give back to the community and support many, many charities, our local schools, artist and musicians.

    I look forward to dinner under the big top. Bravo Piccolinos.

  39. Hmmm. Why couldn't he have helped tie in with the Sunset Substation and use solar panels instead of the circus tent? If you know his techniques you know the answer to my question.

  40. Please give statistics and support for your statement that Picolino's gives back to the arts, community, schools, many charities and musicians.

    And, please learn to spell the name of the friendly place where friendly people meet to eat friendly food.

  41. gee, i'm still pissed at the ballard founders taking away the land from the shilshole indians, i will never walk the neighborhood again

  43. Piccolinos uses local musicians at least three nights a weeks (check their website), they show art from local artists in their windows at no charge, as well as purchasing and displaying local art in their restaurant. If you attend any local school, church or charity auction you would see they donate generously and regularly.

    I enjoy the restaurant, the support for the local community, their friendly staff.

  44. This restaurant has the best Italian food I've had outside of Italy. I tend to find things highly rated by Seattlites bland and tasteless (High Life, La Isla, etc) so it doesn't surprise me that it's not super popular with the native Seattle crowd. I've also come to realize that any change (even one with proper permits) upsets the Ballard crowd, so I'm not surprised about that either .

  45. Remind me to avoid Italy if Picolino's is the best that country has to offer. Incidentally, I'm not upset–ruthless behavior and actions win out and are successful for that very reason: they have no regard for anyone else.

    Please, spare us, Ginny. He's looking at the bottom line and if it means donating a bit of this or that more people will see the name and assume he's a jolly good fellow.

  46. In my world, I've found that supporting the community, local charities, schools etc. is the right thing to do. Others would say it is simply good business, bottom line, in all respects.

    I think Piccolinos has demonstrated this time and time again… and I guess that speaks for itself.

  48. Actually, you misread my comment. It implies that this is the best US Italian food I've had, not representative of the best food I had in Italy. Regardless, there is no sense arguing over what is good food as it's just as subjective as art.

  54. Don't get me started on this solar substation park concept. So misguided. Knee jerk reaction by those who hate piccolinos owner and will stop at nothing to prevent him from buying that parcel. Who in the world is going to want to sit in a covered pocket park adjacent to a commercial building on a hot sunny day? Why would we spend nearly a million dollars on this tiny little space? Is the city that flush? The likely reason the owner didn't want to participate is because he thinks it would be a waste of money.

    Ah, but sadly my opinions have no street cred, because you've painted me with the “shill” brush.

  55. I love it. You ask Ginny for specifics, she gives them to you on a platter and you proceed to dismiss those specifics as further proof of Piccolinos evil. Yet you refuse to cite anything specific that supports your claim that p's is a bad neighbor. Your baseless claims look like sour grapes or some personal grudge against the owner.

  58. Seeing as how the noise ordinance was clearly disobeyed numerous times last summer, I look forward to calling DPD on Picolino's again in Summer 2010!! Woo hoo! Way to show your community spirit Mr Picolino Guy. Hey, if you're so giving, why don't you donate some money to DPD, for all the costs they are incurring to follow up on our noise and smoke complaints.
    Picolino's has shown an utter lack of respect for nearby residents. That''s not 'community'; certainly not the one I want to live in. That's just arrogance.

  59. I was there this evening with a group of other MyBallard folk to play backgammon. They let us take over their cafe space to play our games. They were extremely gracious, welcoming, and attentive. We didn't order much, but they were nevertheless charmed by our presence and told us to come as often as we wish. So, they did right by me.

    I did see the pole and it seems high, but it is also 'round back and didn't seem too bothersome. I think they intend to tent it only when weather requires it while patrons are back there. I think it would be nice to be able to plan for an outdoor wedding reception or party but have the safety net of the tent.

  60. I think the tent will rival the Fremont Rocket as an attraction. And it could keep the bumpin' midnight house party jams trapped in a cone of silence. You'll only see body movin' but hear……. nothing.

  61. yeah what's shilly about heaping vitriol on anyone who dares question whether a 30 foot tent is a positive addition to a low rise corner in a low rise hood. Sheesh.

  62. Typical Ballard whiner:

    “It's too bland, too homogenous, too Bellevue…go away!!!!!”

    or

    “It's too weird, too out of character, too tall to go with the neighborhood…..go away”

    Why don't you all go away…..move to Kent or something.

  64. does the owner of piccolinos have ANYTHING to do with the owner of the building? serious question. i thought they were two different people

  66. Vitriol, huh? Where? Can you please pull anything I have written here down in quotes as an example of where I've been vitriolic (feel free to pull it out of context if you need to, to make your point)? And regarding your 30 foot flamingo and 30 foot vomit pile that you put forth earlier; thank you for inadvertently making my point. Character of the hood is subjective and nearly impossible to legislate, so as long as something is built within the codes that we currently have in place, I'll generally be OK with it.

    Signed, Shilly Shilsholerson

  69. I live in the neighborhood and I welcome Picolinos. I have booked an event here for my company in thier private room, and my peeps loved it. My company will be using the sapce regualrily. I hope the “tent” area can be reserved for private parties as well.

    Sorry to teh complainers, but you live in a city, in a area marked for urban density. I personally love and welcome change. Not everyone here a whiner!

  71. The owner did a great job restoring and preserving that old building. The garden and planting strips are a great improvement over what was there before and i'm sure the tent will be no different.

    Just looking at the pole it seems like maybe 20% of the actual tent (cone shape pitch)will be above the existing building and with the sides open it should be more like a gazebo.

    It will be barely visible from 32nd and its certainly less obtrusive than all the three story buildings surrounding it.

  72. I cannot believe all the folks coming out in support of that hideous landscaping. Its so non-creative, manufactured, and boring! My dog sure likes it though.. she says “for me to poop on!”

  73. The tent will be no different? Really? I'll bet that most of you restaurant-next-to-someone-else's-house-lovers (who frankly have a very odd and suspicious strong pro-Picolino's stance) would definitely NOT be happy with a restuarant that puts a circus tent up right across the street from you, a), b), blocks your view, c), blows oven smoke into your windows, d), regularly violates noise ordinances, e), creates a parking problem for residents, f), is suspected of not even paying its employees initially, g), insert your own rant here.

  74. well name,

    The place was packed all summer long. Obviously a lot of us like the place and the landscaping.!

    ps: Please pick up after your doggie! That's really bad form.

  75. The owner of Picolinos doesn't give a damn about Sunset Hill, his neighbors, the shops near by or anything else – and this is one more thing. I live within a couple of blocks and nothing is more out-of-place in any neighborhood than this restautant that belongs in Bellevue *not* Ballard and certainly not Sunset Hill.

  76. Vitriol too strong? Okay then broad-brushed snotty dismissal. With attitude.

    And as for making your point for you with my examples, if your idea is that if there isn't a code prohibiting it then t's A ok I'm really, really glad you don't live on my block.

    now can we be friends? I like Picolinos — good food, lovely decore, nice staff, ugly tent.

  77. I hope it has a huge CINZANO on it… or PIRELLI ;)

    Can't be any worse than the crap looking cell towers that pop up any/everywhere.

  78. In your opinion.

    Certainly, Sunset Hill is not a gated community. And there are pockets zoned for this purpose. You certainly should have done your due diligence when you bought a house if you didn't want this type of establishment.

    Certainly Ballard is not Bellevue, but it is certain that *some* in Sunset Hill have a stereotypical *Bellevue* attitude. Snooty McSnootington.

  81. that old building.. i like it so much better with regnor and carries studio, the sigurdsons salon, the lawn mower repair shop even.

  83. i cant speak for everyone but i can bet that a large number of people that are upset with this crappy italian circus tent are the long time residents of sunset hill/ballard, while those who love it are the 'transplants'.

  85. probably didnt seem to bothersome to you because you dont live nextdoor… try telling the close neighbors that is 'didnt seem that bothersome'

  86. nothing about baliff is 'community'. he is not from sunset hill, he came over here with handfulls of cash, booted out 3 TRUE community businesses, and has been creating problems ever since. be it the illegal audio cameras, noise/smoke violations, now this tent… plus many more 'charming' incidents.

  89. does he gove money to the community? sure. and if thats enough to shut some of you up about the atrocities of this place, then youre just as disappointing, and money-hungry as he is.
    however, some of us like tradition and community more than a fatter wallet.

    did he break any laws when he ended the month to month lease of the previous tenants? NO. but anyone who knew them personally was sad to see them go. regnor was there for what, 40 years? and mr transplant gave him the boot.
    illegal? NO.
    sad/disappointing? YES. those businesses were a PART of the community. we loved them.
    how about violating noise regulations? none of you care about that? or are you all transplants who live far enough away to not have to hear it… same reason youre excited for the circus tent huh…
    and theres something a little “anti community” about opening an icecream/coffee shop across the street…
    community man my a**

    he is obviously doing quite a number on SOME of ballard, there sure are a lot of anti-picolinnos on here. maybe we just havent received our hush money checks yet… are they in the mail?

  91. so… when i bought my house in ballard, i should have done my research and should have expected that in 20 years id be surrounded by townhouses, condos, and over priced bad italian?

    oops. my bad. next time i'll bust out the calculator BEFORE i move
    *rollseyes*

  94. Manerequired…maybe you can your aniti picolinos group can buy a building for the former tenants and you can all live together forever unchanged in the sunset hills. It could be kinda of a crunchy version of the land of the lost.

  96. One should always be prepared for change. It's just a house in just a neighborhood. Life is too short to live one place forever, isn't it?

    Bring on urban density!

  97. So Mr Sunsethill? What's bothering you? That you bought your house over 20 years ago and that change happened? Well maybe you should go dig a hole and live in it, or maybe 20 years ago you should have bought the whole area up so you can smell the roses and see the same thing for the next 20 years. What really bugs you about new businesses? If you were so all and mighty and insist on monopolising this blog or anything about this new business, why didn;t you just go and buy the building yourself 20 years ago? Why didn;t you just go and pay your old “neighbourhood” businesses rent for them, why are you so bad? why is it that you have nothing to say except when something new happens you have your nonsense ready? We have heard your lies and read your lies – if I remember this new business was going to build condos in that area, if I remember this new business was going to have a night club – this all came from your mouth or hand – I see who you are – you hate the owner – but you know what – take it to him personally, don't try to use the public media to further your interests or fire massive missiles that shows the community is in uproar over anything that happens – what about the lies and innuendos that you spread together with your buddies? I have been reading your comments over the last few years – just because some of you are totally against anything the new owner does whether it is building condos, raising rent, noise disturbances – and whatever else you and your friends came up with – this is unfortunately not a dictatorship – its a democracy and there are lots of us who like the restaurant and what it has done for this corner – I love the look of it, I don;t think it is Bellevue – and so what if it is – it stills adds an ambioence and has greatly improved the street appeal. It was very interesting that when Seattle Times did their thing on Sunset hill, they took a lot of pictures of the street and all of them did not include the new business – wow – did you get to them as well and have your friends write up the article without once mentioning the new business which has beautified the area – since you don't want any change maybe you and your real good friends should think about buying some land in the San Juan islands – and maybe you can get your wish and not have anything change for a long long time. In case you didn't know you live in the city boundary and things change. Get a life, write a novel or do something else – you don't own the city and neither do you own the real estate around the main street -change happens and it is good for you. Do something nice instead of mouthing off and making us believe that you mean well. and no I dont use an assistant or a spell check – I am too old for that kind of crap.

  99. Really?! So that dog's can crap in a little park? oh brilliant! I think what he has going on will be wonderful…don't hate on it just yet…

    This restaurant has given people jobs, in a market that is tight right now, as opposed to putting in another park. Let's let the man and his restaurant, whether you like it or not, be.

  101. This thread is not about change. Stop the harangue about digging holes and dropping in and being fuddy duds who can't adapt.

    The only thing constant IS change. It's the man, the method and the meanness of the man that is the crux of the comments.

    The new residents on Sunset Hill, the updates and overhauls and remodels and the mix of old and new and the vibrancy of the addition of little kids and babies oce again; and, the community support exemplified time and again on this great website.

    Picolino's looks well done on the outside and we especially like the in-your-face view we see every day on the north side with the massive recycle and garbage containers that mix so well with the sweet flowers.

    See?? It isn't about change. It's about those who have missed the point altogether. They think Picolino owners care about this neighborhood. What a hoot.

    Enjoy your down home restaurant–you don't have to hear the noise, smell the smoke, listen to the traffic. You don't get it.

  102. I personally know that Picolino's has donated to Loyal Height's silent auctions that they've had, as well as local musicians. He has live music in the evening just about 7 day's a week.

    I'm not sure what else, but just those above mentioned things help the community!

    Only if people could be positive – see the good coming out of what this place has done and not let their emotions get wrapped up and spew out what may be hurtful things that are not true.

  104. Have you ever spoken to the owner? Do you know the real history of the building and what happened. No, of course not.

    You get your info from the local one sided coffee klatch at Walters. A daily diatrob of bitter brew and discourse.

    Your comments are no better than coffee klatch gossip.

  105. I can understand what your saying about the noise, smell of smoke and exhaust, listening to traffic…but here's the thing…if you are a neighbor to this restaurant and are complaining about what this restaurant has brought with it, than you should have thought otherwise than to move to an area where it's zoned commercial.

    There are many neighborhood's were businesses are not allowed, because they are strickly residential.

    With how much this world has changed, with how much Ballard has changed, it seems a little ignorant to think that one day, maybe just one day those small cute little businesses will no longer be, and a restaurant or some other business will overtake them to make use of the space and bring people more jobs, and a fun “walk to place.”

    Did i personally know those business owners who ended up leaving? no, i wish i had though, from what people have said, they all seemed very pleasant. I think the restaurant and those businesses have one thing in common, both brought on pro's and con's. You know what's truly a beautiful thing though? Is that, we live in a country where free speech has been earned and shared with all of us. You have your opinion in which i totally respect, and i have mine.

    My whole thing is to maybe help you see with a little more light shining. If you have been personally hurt by the owner of the building/same as restaurant and his choices, than i am sorry you have been treated that way. But i promise one thing, if you search for the good in the situation, you will find yourself happier, and enjoying life. After all, what's life all about? This kind of thing to bring people down and bummed out? I would disagree.

  106. Picolino's is a great addition to the neighborhood. A real Italian – as opposed to Italian-American- restaurant. I have dined there with family and friends many times and have always been treated well and eaten well.
    Have yet to see the tent in person, will have to stroll up there Saturady; but a busy restaurant supplying jobs and vitalizing the neighborhood seems like a plus to me.
    (Sunset Hill resident for 30 years.)

  108. This thread amazes me.
    A new restaurant comes along, provides jobs and more people on the street in theevening. A good restaurant, with a truly Euro feel.

    They put up a tent, and people go crazy over not just the tent but the restaurant, the owners and on and on.

    I have lived on Sunset Hill 30 years. I miss the mower shop, etc., but I think Picolino's is great.
    This thread amazes me.

  109. Dear “No to Picolinos”,
    When wil it be abouts the hundreds, yes hundreds, of residents and near residents who go to Picolinos and enjoy themselves while having a cup of coffee and a pastry or a full dinner? I want to say “Screw Bailiff and screw you too” it is the quality of the visitors that constitutes the community is what matters matters. But I won't.
    Maybe it is time you moved elsewhere in the city?
    Bob

  111. manerequired, You see those tall cylinders on the building on the southwest corner of 32nd Ave NW and NW 65th St? They help you communicate with other cell phome users.
    Bob

  112. Dear Mr. Thunders,
    I walk by and see the people eating there. Why don't you walk in and tell them they wouldn't eat there is they cared about the Sunset Community? That would be interesting. BTW. Who exactly are you?
    Bob

  117. You know you must be some kind of a fart who has nothing better to do then hate people and you ar edoing a great job of it. Why don;t you and your buddies show some class – oh I forgot – all that is in bellevue – as in Seattle we have no class – or is it that Sunset hill is its own city – you are not an old fart – you are moron. go find the idiots who raped this country and took your billions in bonuses and go ape at them. You need something bigger than a small store on the corner. I would definetly support you there if you go harangue the wall street idiots and the rest of the sdministration who gave them our money – maybe yours too as well since you live in seattle. what a moron you are.

  118. neither do they have idiots like you living in quiet neighbourhoods. You made it personal by trying to take all of us in Ballard and Seattle with you against a new business. Well I am making it personal with you – since you are still in the grunch era why dont you just go and get your old chum peggy whatever her name was and gave us all those lies about your brilliant hopes for this little corner. What happened to Peggy – did you ship her off to San Juan to find you and your buddies some land you can hide in. And while we are at it why dont you go and donate to the city, as you and youe buddies are sure wasting a lot of their time with nonsense. you know that water you see down by shilshole – go take a swim across that pond and you will find your land with your best friend peggy. you two deserve each other. Morons.

  119. So long time residents are somehow more valuable than non-longtime residents? How do I qualify as a long time resident? Do I join a club or something? If I am a member of the club do and I want to sell my house do I have to pledge to sell only to other members? I ould appreciate some input from a member of the Shilshol tribe here cuz I'm having an identity crisis.
    Bob

  120. Dear “Yo to Picolinos”,

    Among other things, you have twice cited the paint job and the recycle bins on the buildings north side as reasons this owner is anathema to you. You don't have to like the paint scheme, but I do think it looks better than it did when it was a near-vacant ghost town housing a vicious black dog that snarled at me and bit at the window when I walked by, daily.

    However, I'd like to introduce you to my dog. She is 9 years old, and she takes 2 to 4 dumps a day. I walk her all over Sunset Hill, generally from my house, as far east as 24th, south to the locks, north to the stair climb and west to GG park, and I am a devoted customer at Rain City. My point is, I've been throwing dog turds (hundreds) in the dumpsters at the north end of that building for 9 long years, about 7 years before the building was re-done. So will you please stop with the crying about how the new owner is responsible for those receptacles being there? They've always been there. So add that to the list of your petty complaints that have been handily dismissed on this string.

    Signed “still desperately seeking to understand what it is that has you filled with so much loathing for this business yet very concerned that you will never submit one legitimate or verifiable citation to that end”

    PS it's OK for you to hate Picolinos, just don' t expect anyone other than Ballardmecian and Manerequired to agree with you, with their incoherent and unsubstantiated rants.

  122. Yup, a real travesty. Imagine people enjoying a nice meal under the cover of a tent.

    Yeah, really awful. We better get the police over here right away.

    I'll dial “9-1” and then when I say go….you dial the last “1”.

  123. I live nearby. Bailiff is class-less: revolting Italian food, a dirty business owner, and now a gaudy tent to go with his gimmicks. Last I heard, former employees were taking him to court for sexual harassment and wrongful firings.

  124. Kristin,

    I've been sitting back watching the comments unfold.

    You are probably a very nice young lady, but you are speaking out of anger. These are very serious accusations and reflect very poorly on the person saying them. You need to be aware that making untrue statements can be actionable.

    There is a difference in expressing dissatisfaction and making these types of statements.

    I would ask that you remove the comment as there is no truth in the accusations.

    tom bailiff

  125. Whew!! What a read!

    Thank Goodness this is NOT a gated community… otherwise sounds like there'd be bloodshed over this. =|

    Ballard has and always will be in a state of change – every community is. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower but always changing. It seems the biggest argument here is “I don't Like Change”.

    In Vino Veritas! Keep it flowing Picolinos!!

  127. Want to know why people do not tell the story of this block? See the post by Picolino owner, Tom Bailiff, down near the bottom of these comments.

  128. Hang on a second, Mr No Name. what if I reported out on the web that you raped so and so – don;t you have a right to defend yourself and see the proof and the evidence – one just can't throw accusations out that are criminal in nature and then sit back and think that all is good and when the owner decides to respond to the charges you think that's bad. How about the time you raped the 10 year old boy while he was attending your soccer camp. Why don;t you try to defend that. What an asshole you are? Show us the proof and the evidence and then we can judge – but writing nonsense like look at his response – and you think you are right or Kristin is right? Well Kristin how about showing us the proof? Or else shut up and retract your story. Don;t write nonsense unless you can prove it or you have evidence.

  130. Great, they already don't provide any parking for their patrons, imposing on the neighborhood and the people who live, work, and shop in that area. Now they'll raise a huge mast to increase their capacity, inviting even more people and traffic, and illegal parking to that area.
    Wish you'd picked another neighborhood in Seattle to inundate!
    I wonder who Bailiff has paid off at city hall to get out of having to provide parking, given the capacity of his restaurant.

  131. I was down at city hall renewing my dog license.

    I'm pretty sure I saw the owner in a red suit with a devils pitch fork in the lobby. He was chatting with the Prince of Darkness, the mayor and other city officials . He had a big wad of 20's and was handing them out right in the middle of the lobby.

    I think he was also working on some legislation which allows 100 story condo towers, without parking and some type of device which will blot out the sun over most of seattle.

    But before I could snap a picture he disappeared in a veil of smoke.

  132. Kristin,

    Before my friend was attacked by a small group of kids with a vendetta against him for enforcing some rules at his job, I would automatically believed these rumors. But now I know it is a very easy thing to put this out there in the ether. I am no fan of the restaurant or the tent at ALL. And I have no reason to believe that the owner is NOT the center of the accusations put forth. But my in all fairness and in accordance with my moral code, I need to caution everyone that saying something does not mean it is even remotel true. I would love to see anything legitimate that substantiates this. But until then I would say that…. well there is a reason for things to be “stricken from the record”.

  133. Exactly. And please, know that I am sorry that the mower shop is gone, and that there's not some more casual place there that all of us could afford. That is, I cannot afford eat out at all (if I want to keep my house). So restaurant schmestaurant. I have just seen this happen lately, the really scary power of cyberaccustation – and we need to all be vigilant about this. I learned the hard way not to listen to anything and everything you hear on the Slog, however much kind of hope it's true/want to believe it.

  135. I am stunned. And appalled to the extent that I will personally contact the mayor's office to file a complaint. Tent? That tentpole could easily be a cell tower. Someone in the permit office has lost their mind. How utterly disrespectful to the neighbors. I will guarantee that something about this tent enables Mr. Bailiff to qualify for the outdoor music license that he was denied last year.
    No one begrudges an ethical person's right to make a profit, but the facts here are plain: get the real story about Lily, the building's original owner, and learn how her will stipulated the way she wished her legacy to the community to be executed. Then you will understand the reason there were artists in those spaces. Find out the details of the evictions, and appreciate how authentic Ballard character was summarily erased from our neighborhood and replaced by faux gentrification. Mark my words: as soon as the economy begins to get some traction, Bailiff will try once again to develop the property for condos. A matter of time.
    I weep for this neighborhood. It is losing its authenticity more each day. And I'm sorry; that circus pole is an obscene and idiotic eyesore. Shame on you, Bailiff.

  136. FYI–There are two cell towers on the blue apartment building directly north of the restaurant. I'm not sure how you turn a tent pole into a cell tower, but I guess you explain that to us later.

    Do you have a copy of the will, because it kind of sounds like you do or are you just sort of winging it here on the blog. Why not put a copy of it here on the blog for all of us to see? Then we can make up our own minds.

    The tenants weren't evicted. They left because the the cheap rents dried up. They had a great deal it seems for a long, long time and when it ended they packed up and left. Are new owners obligated to subsidize cheap rents?

    I'm curious, is it normal for a property owner to rehab a building and go through this whole process to tear it down and then build a three story condo. It just doesn't make sense to me?

    Not a lot of what you are saying makes sense to me. As Judge Judy says, if it doesn't make sense it didn't happen as you say.

  137. I recommend you be careful when alleging that a restaurant owner is selling “stinky” seafood. Statements or inferences that a restaurant is selling bad seafood seems to be a thinly veiled allegation of a health code violation. If I was the owner I would consider contacting my attorney … and they can track you down.

    I live in the neighborhood within a half mile of Picolino's. I have had many many enjoyable meals there including both the mussels and pizza. In fact I eat at Picolino's almost every week, largely because I LOVE the pizza, which is from Dino Santinicola who was the force behind Via Tribunali.

    By the way the crust when made by Dino is always crispy when it emerges from approximately one minute in the extremely hot woodburning oven. However it can get soft with time depending on the liquid in the sauce and toppings — Artichokes, mushrooms etc.

  138. I feel a lot of frustration from a few people who live around Picolino's but to be fair, the immediate neighbors of the restaurant live adjoining a commercial district the commercial occupants of which in years past included a machine repair shop, a used piano shop and a pottery studio all with their own negatives. This area is also close to a busy train corridor, smoke from the firepits at Shilshole and woodburning home fireplaces, and exposed to periodic odor from nearby water treatment. In view of those facts it is hard to take the stated nuisance arguments seriously. I haven't seen or smelled any significant smoke from Picolino's and I haven't heard any significant noise in many many evenings at the restaurant.

    I also don't believe that use of the new cover to the outside gardens area is going to block views of anything for any of the immediate neighbors. I am thinking primarily of the apartments behind (to the West of) the restaurant who previously looked down at a derelict lawnmower repair shop and overgrown chain-link-fenced utility substation. As I recall there are also a couple of single story mid century houses just north of the restaurant across 65th. What southern view do those properties have that would be blocked by the tent?

    You suggest that supporting Picolino's is odd or suspicious. It is transparent that you mean that anyone who does so is somehow affiliated with the restaurant and therefore their views are invalid. I have no pecuniary interest in the restaurant. I am just a satisfied customer who lives in Ballard and who likes the folks at Picolinos. I have as much a right to defend the place and people I care about (and who, it must be presumed, successfully jumped through the necessary hoops to operate where they are) as you do in raising your concerns.

    ***

    To this poster, the others in this thread and to the GeekySwedes. I see a fair amount of using this forum to suggest health code or other legal violations. The potential legal consequences of doing so should be obvious.

  139. Gooner, he has everything to do with the place. I worked for him for awhile, and he is one of the most tempermental and rudest people I've ever met. And believe me when I say he takes joy in pissing off the neighbors…

  142. The broken down piano store, the lawn mower repair shop, and the pottery place that was never open? I bet those places were bringing MILLIONS in to the neighborhood. What the hell is a “true community business” anyway?

    Cameras with audio in public spaces are not illegal. I'm sure you know that, but someone should correct you anyway.

  143. When you give everyone on your block free reign to make any changes they see fit to your house and property, then you get the right to dictate how Picolinos uses theirs.

  144. When you give everyone on your block free reign to make any changes they see fit to your house and property, then you get the right to dictate how Picolinos uses theirs.

  145. When you give everyone on your block free reign to make any changes they see fit to your house and property, then you get the right to dictate how Picolinos uses theirs.

  146. When you give everyone on your block free reign to make any changes they see fit to your house and property, then you get the right to dictate how Picolinos uses theirs.

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