Gig Harbor
Olympia
Cicada Restaurant
Dockside Bistro & Wine Bar
Tacoma
The Cliff House — Northeast Tacoma
Johnny's Dock Restaurant — Tacoma Tideflats
Maxwell’s Speakeasy — Downtown Tacoma
Pacific Grill — Downtown Tacoma
BRIX 25
We loved the fact that when we sat down at our table the staff brought us a complimentary half-glass of sparkling wine. As the name hints, the wine is always on their mind. On our minds is the Boeuf Bourguignon. The meat arrived in chunks and tore apart like a hot knife to butter. Served with roasted cipollini onions, crimini mushrooms, carrots, smoked bacon and Yukon mashed potatoes, the meat in a burgundy sauce gave me that ultimate “comfort” food feel. 7707 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, 253.858.6626.
CICADA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
Owners Billy Roberson and Lisa Smith have a treasure here. Their Northwest/Cajun fusion restaurant has an ambitious, inventive menu that hits its mark more often than not. Cicada’s breakfast menu reads like a five-star restaurant, and it delivers. The butternut squash pancake was moist, massive and decorated with curried apple sauce, honey and pumpkin seeds. The Big Easy (pictured above) tastes as good as it looks. Inventive green eggs and ham, a jalapeno scramble with corn tortillas and fixings, was extraordinary. The thick French toast with candied hazelnuts and raisin chutney belongs on a dessert menu. Hangtown Fry, biscuits and gravy and a breakfast sandwich look good enough to kill a hangover. The Sirloin of Natural Colorado Lamb and Natural Kurobuta Pork Loin are winners. Desserts and specialty drinks deliver, too. 700 Fourth Ave E., Olympia, 360.753.5700.
THE CLIFF HOUSE
Nice selection of seafood, steaks and pastas. Basic four-star fare with creative touches. Awesome view of Tacoma and Mt. Rainier. Casual bistro downstairs. 6300 Marine View Drive, Northeast Tacoma, 253.927.0400.
DOCKSIDE BISTRO & WINE BAR
Rain or shine, views of the Puget Sound and boats lift the spirits, and with an interesting wine list, the Dockside is all about spirits. I also enjoyed the intimate room with dark woods and large, expansive windows. Are spirits are high with knock out dishes such as butternut squash ravioli with boulder-size chunks of Wynoochee River blue cheese, curried sea scallops, and blackened salmon sandwich. The staff is as knowledgeable as anyone can be about 70-plus types of wine, and eager to turn you on to something new. 501 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia, 360.956.1928.
JOHNNY'S DOCK RESTAURANT
Serving Northwest and seafood cuisine in the Tacoma Tideflats since 1953, Johnny’s is famous for its seafood specials, in house baker, “Fine Mess” egg scramble during weekend breakfast and lively outdoor deck across the waterway from Tacoma’s museums. 1900 E. D St., Tacoma, WA, 253.627.3186.
LINK: Johnny's spinach salad on Spew
MAXWELL’S SPEAKEASY + LOUNGE
Hip, cool, richly decorated without feeling stuffy. Fish, chops and steaks mostly with emphasis on clean flavors. The apple wood smoked pulled pork sandwich brought tears — in a good way. Quite possibly the halibut is the best we’ve tasted. Full bar with professional bartenders and a specialty cocktail list aiming to bring back old traditional cocktails with new twists. Wine list decent. 454 St. Helens, Tacoma, 253.683.4115.
PACIFIC GRILL
1502 Pacific Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402
253.627.3535
Web site
When you’re in the mood to dine with distinction, there’s no better place than the Pacific Grill. It leans toward the expensive side, but the experience is worth it during those moments when kitchen, floor and wine staff hit on all cylinders together. Steaks, chops and seafood rule. Creative gourmet treats such as meat candy and stuffed tater tots bump their happy hour to new levels. Stellar wine list.
Reviewed in Weekly Volcano
March 23, 2006 in print version
In the ground floor of the restored Waddell building at 15th and Pacific Avenue, Pacific Grill is a man’s place with dark wood and brick; it’s like a supper club. It’s the kind of place where I like to order my scotch neat and start with a crab cocktail.
Read full review here.
When: lunch hours — Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Happy Hours — Monday-Friday 2-6 p.m., Saturday 5-6 p.m., Monday-Thursday 9-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9-11 p.m. Dinner hours — Monday-Thursday 5-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 5-9:30 p.m.
Scene: Like a men’s club with rich woods, crisp tablecloths, wide, open bar — and snappy service.
Menu: Excellent quality of steaks, chops and fish but with nice twists with uncommon ingredients, sauces and pasta.
Drinkies: Full bar and stellar wine list.
Menu: See Web site
LINK: Genius: Tuna Melt
LINK: Profile of chef/owner Gordon Naccarato
LINK: Another profile of Naccarato
LINK: Lobster for shore
LINK: Pacific Grill does lamb right
LINK: Tossing Salad: Brown Derby Cobb
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