Visiting a restaurant on its second night open can be risky business Ones where people try for weeks to get a peek behind paper-covered windows anticipation (and expectations) running high Restaurants where the first week is a blur that feels like one of Dante’s seven circles of hell When I stepped into the newly opened Peyrassol West in Normandy Park it was like stepping into a restaurant that’s been open for decades Co-owner Sachia Tinsley chalks it up to experience Many of the faces you’ll see at Peyrassol West worked at the original Peyrassol Cafe in Renton “Much of the touches are theirs,” Tinsley said “We painted the walls the same color as our old space Hopefully the people who were our regulars will feel that comfort.” candles are lit and the staff is kind and calm. It’s a happy new beginning for Tinsley and her husband The couple opened the original Peyrassol Cafe in 2010 Located on a dead-end street with a gravel pit for a neighbor they envisioned a casual enoteca; it was meant to be Cory’s version of a wine bar while Tinsley kept her job as the executive pastry chef at Wild Ginger “But it got bigger and people wanted it,” Tinsley says “It was a restaurant desert right there; the Landing was still getting its legs So we evolved into a restaurant and now we’re evolving back into our original restaurant.” After receiving a 30-day vacate notice in Renton Tinsley and Cory looked to start the next chapter in Kent Burien and Renton before finally finding this small space in Normandy Park which “was just sitting here with our name on it,” Tinsley says It’s a much smaller space — just a capacity of 28 — and there is no hood meaning the couple downsized and adjusted their menu Fans of Peyrassol Cafe (who have been emailing me for years) will be happy to see old favorites like the wedge salad ($10) and the goat cheese provincial ($14) plus new twists on old dishes like the meatballs ($14) One bite of the goat cheese provincial — rolled in herbs and baked in a puddle of tomato sauce with roasted garlic cloves caramelized onion and Kalamata olives — and it’s easy to see why I got so many emails The creamy goat cheese is just short of oozing perfectly spreadable onto the accompanying crostini and topped with a smooshed garlic clove or olive It is a perfect cozy winter appetizer with a glass of wine The couple sitting next to me at the bar (yes this version of Peyrassol finally has a bar!) ordered the wedge salad and meatballs so I ordered the wedge salad and meatballs There’s nothing quite like a good wedge salad and this one comes with just the right amount of Roquefort dressing and thin slivers of crispy pancetta over little gem lettuce cherry tomatoes and a dusting of crunchy breadcrumbs The lamb and beef meatballs — three to an order — are a wee bit bigger than a golf ball and are served swimming in a rich brandy cream sauce the sauce was a lovely departure from marinara It was a wonderful dinner in a really lovely atmosphere but Tinsley hopes that once you walk through the doors “all that disappears,” and you’ll feel right at home In the spirit of feeling right at home — and tips from readers — I found myself nearby at Burien’s Three Tree Point Store The store is located in a beautiful old craftsman that Three Tree Point Store is now the place to grab coffee You can also hang out for trivia on Tuesday nights or pizzas on Fridays I grabbed an Italian sandwich ($14.50) piled with rosemary ham salami and provolone; and a 3TP Pickle ($14.50) with French ham pickles and a layer of Lay’s sour cream and onion chips don’t miss the 3TP — and ask for it heated up It’s packed with pickle flavor and the layer of potato chips just adds a great texture and crunch to break up the richness of cream cheese and ham There’s a really nice selection of pantry items as well as some great wines and I’ve got my eye on their flatbreads welcoming space; I wish it was in my neighborhood so I could be a regular The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times Stay secure and make sure you have the best reading experience possible by upgrading your browser Home / Rep Mia was first appointed in 2013 to represent the 33rd Legislative District of Washington state Mia has diligently worked towards increasing voter participation reducing hunger and helping local food entrepreneurs fighting for worker’s rights and tackling Washington’s homelessness and housing affordability crisis She is vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee Telephone Relay Service1.800.833.6384 (voice)1.800.833.6388 (TTY) Health & Long-Term Care, Vice-Chair Housing Human Services Rules Veterans’ & Military Affairs