New restaurants in the neighborhood

There are quite a few new restaurants in Ballard. The first is the Ballard Loft, a very cool restaurant and sports bar that opened a couple weeks ago in Old Ballard, at 5105 Ballard Ave. We haven’t eaten there yet — I just poked my head in and looked around — but the ambience is one my favorites in the area. Plus, there’s a rolling door that opens up to a patio for summer…

Adds Elttaes in comments: “Went to the Loft this weekend. Food consists of $8-9 ‘gourmet’ hot dogs. Hopefully this is fare is just for the opening. Decent service, decent beer prices (25oz Stella available!). Met the owner, seemed really nice.” Elttaes was nice enough to take a shot of the menu, here.

On Market, right across from The Old Pequliar, is The Monkey Bridge, a new Vietnamese restaurant that has yet to open.

On Market and 8th, the Ballard Mandarin Chinese restaurant is gearing up to open. And bonus points: it has a good-sized parking lot along the side.