Olympia
Dockside Bistro & Wine Bar — Downtown
The Oyster House — Downtown
Puyallup
Decaterina's Market Grill And Bar — Downtown
Tacoma
The Cliff House — Northeast
Duke's Chowder House — Ruston Waterfront
The Fish House — Hilltop
Harbor Lights — Ruston Waterfront
Johnny's Dock Restaurant — Tacoma Tideflats
Lobster Shop — Ruston Way
Maxwell's Speakeasy — Downtown
Pacific Grill — Downtown
Woody's On The Water — Downtown Tacoma
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.
DECATERINA’S MARKET GRILL AND BAR
Italian bistro with excellent seafood selection. Warm, Tuscan colors with crisp linens, brick and lots of natural light. The seared scallops wrapped in bacon over crab ravioli is outstanding. The scallops arrived fresh and tender, and the large ravioli came stuffed with sweet crabmeat. Full bar with generous pours, and a worthy wine list. 328 S. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.848.1553
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
DUKE’S CHOWDER HOUSE
This Duke’s mirrors the Seattle version with blue and white checkerboard colors, heavy on the nautical motif, but this one offers large windows and an awesome deck overlooking the bay. Simple menu split between burgers, salads, some Tex-Mex, a few fish selections and, of course, the must-try chowder. 3327 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.752.5444.
THE FISH HOUSE
Choices range from fried chicken combinations to fish and all the fixings. The fish and chips come in a to-go “boat” that is nowhere near big enough to handle the amount of fish that is served. 1814 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.383.7144.
HARBOR LIGHTS
A Tacoma institution with huge, seafood entrees and lethal, we mean lethal, drinks in the lounge. The view of Commencement Bay is spectacular. Inside, it's a nautical motif right out of the '70s. Service is exceptional. 2761 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.752.8600.
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
THE LOBSTER SHOP
With a beautiful waterfront view, special early dinner deals and the best brunch in Tacoma, The Lobster Shop serves simple seafood preparations and steak in a white tablecloth atmosphere. The crab cakes cioppino and hot lobster dip are favorites. The fresh sheet shines with creativity. Ahhh … Crab Benedict. 4015 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.759.2165.
LINK: Halibut fish tacos 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.
THE OYSTER HOUSE
Ordering at the Oyster House is a blessing and a curse. The menu offers so many tempting choices that the Weekly Volcano’s foodies often become paralyzed with indecision. A safe bet is the Oyster House Feast, which features one lobster tail, oysters Rockefeller, broiled prawns, snow crab legs, clams, salmon, and halibut. 320 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.753.7000.
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: 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
WOODY’S ON THE WATER
Nautical meets hip with a view of the Museum of Glass and marinas and the game in the middle, open bar. The sampler platter arrives with Woody’s three tastiest appetizers — hot smoked salmon with dill crème fraiche and capers; ultra crispy coconut prawns topped with a wasabi orange glace; and crab cakes with a kick to them. The King Salmon with a terragon red bell pepper coulis and white balsamic reduction on garlic chive potatoes tastes even better than it sounds. The rib eye arrived just as ordered — medium rare with a blue cheese sauce to die for. 1715 Dock St. E., Tacoma, 253.272.1433.
LINK: Reviewed April 24, 2008
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