News Bites

-- New new menus menus at Cucina! Cucina! Developed by exec chef Ted Furst for what is now a nine-restaurant chain, the CC's are adding Asian Chicken Pizza, Vegetarian Calzones, Eggplant Panino and a Fettucine with Wild Mushrooms and Greek Olives, among others. Highlights continue to be the wood-burning pizza ovens and platoons of the youngwardly mobile.

-- Expect a major restaurant addition to the Sea-Tac Airport complex. Westin Hotels has reached preliminary agreement with the Port of Seattle for a $40 million (privately financed) 364-room hotel. Work on the 16-story structure, with adjoining sky bridges to the main terminal, expected to begin early next year; completion in autumn of '97.

-- The Sunset Broiler opened Monday in West Seattle, 2342 California Ave. S.W. Partners are Robert Abergel (formerly with Topolino's) and Ralph Ronstadt, innovative opening chef several years ago at Cafe 196 in Lynnwood. Ronstadt returns to Seattle after stints with Crown Cruise Lines in Florida and the Ocean Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Might give it time, but well worth a look. 932-9541.

-- Michael King, formerly with Fullers and the Painted Table, named chef at the Coastal Kitchen, 429 15th Ave. E. The Coastal shifts menus every three months; now offering the foods of Southern Mexico, through June 10. 322-1145.

-- Paul Mackay and Chris Keff, both departed from the Yarrow Bay Grill in Carillon Point, Kirkland (he was GM; she was head chef), are working on the opening of their own "restaurant, grill and bar." The Flying Fish, 2234 First Ave., plan a June opening. 728-8595.

- John Hinterberger