Here we are in November of a year marked by unprecedented financial misery. Yet still they open, still they feed us. Man I love restaurants.

Two newbies in Columbia City: One just opened, one soon to debut. Wabi-Sabi launched about two weeks ago in the space just south of the extravagantly delish Roy’s BBQ, and from the sound of things it’s one to watch.

It’s the enterprise of Thoa Nguyen, whose name you can place as the Thoa of Thoa’s, the newish Vietnamese joint at the foot of Union Street downtown. She also gave us the pan-Asian Chinoise Cafe on Queen Anne.

This time she’s gone Japanese, with a sushi bar and a soothing brick interior. Early field reports (from my sushi-lovin’ homey Jill) say it’s pretty solid, with good sushi and a warm welcome for kids, and that Columbia City cannot believe its good luck. And pssst: Look soon for a Thai place on that same block, reportedly from the Jai Thai people.

Downtown, the big news is the November 19 opening of Sip at the Wine Bar and Restaurant at Fifth and Madison, the sibling to a restaurant of the same name that has made the Issaquah Highlands a destination. Look for approachable noshes, very serviceably done if anything like its predecessor, and, of course, wine aplenty.

Finally…the big hurrah this month will be the launch of Susan Kaufman’s long-awaited Serafina Ciccheti, next door to her elegant, eloquent Italian osteria, Serafina. Ciccheti alludes to the well-lubed Venetian small-plate style of eating, which should complement Serafina’s rustic dinnerhouse beautifully. Look for a soft opening, Kaufman whispers, her fingers firmly crossed, in about two weeks…

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