Once upon a time there lived a magnanimous ruler called Master Chef Thomas Mott.  He traveled from the high seas (chef of Spirit of Puget Sound Cruises) and roamed his kingdoms (Houston’s Bar & Grill in Tacoma, which is now McCabes, and six other regional restaurants).  But King Thomas was restless for more.  So he opened Winfield’s, perfect for the knights and damsels of Tacoma.  And we all dined happily ever after.



Of course I’m referring to the new Winfield’s Twisted Cue Club set to open April 1.  What was once David’s on Broadway has transformed into an entertainment epicenter, if you will.  The Weekly Volcano offers a glimpse of a restaurant extraordinaire that’s sure to be the toast of the town.



Master Chef Mott has opened seven other restaurants, including two in Tacoma, and now Winfield’s.  He was generous enough to show us around the newly remodeled mansion, which used to be the University Union Men’s Club. 



The 1888 building has kept most of its charm, including pictures of the Club’s presidents in the main entryway.  In fact, David, the previous owner and one of the last members of the Men’s Club, still resides upstairs in the mansion.  He ran the steak house for eight years until it became just a catering spot for parties and meetings.



Mott and his investors decided the place needed a bit of a face-lift in order to compete with other Tacoma eateries.  Since only the first of January they’ve come a long way.  The kitchen has been completely redone with new tile, walls and updated equipment.  There’s new carpet, paint, and even all new chandeliers throughout.  Allow me, if you will, to give you a written tour of the new digs, room by room. 



Standing in the entryway, a brown leather couch and chairs accent the huge fireplace, and a grand piano hides in the corner.  A hallway with an empty glass case sits to the right.  This will be made into a fresh bakery.  All pastries and desserts will be made from scratch by an on-site baker.  Straight ahead of the entry is the main dining room, which boasts an amazing view of the Sound.  A 1,100 square foot deck will offer prime seating in the summer months.  It’ll be a stellar view for the fireworks in July, but you’d better reserve now.  Tables will book up quickly.



Directly connected to the dining room is a full espresso bar, which will come in handy after those nights of debauchery.  Six days a week the large dining area will host a breakfast buffet and a huge brunch buffet on Sundays.  Winfield’s will open at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. on the weekends.  For lunch there will be burgers, sammies, and other midday dishes.  When asked about dinner prices, Mott says, “You can get a good steak for $15 to $20.”  But don’t get it twisted; that includes salad, soup and fresh homemade biscuits.  In fact, Mott tells us the entire menu will be made from scratch.



Just off the patio is a small reservation only area, where Chef Mott will serve special menu items.  Sounds great for parties.  If you’re looking for something bigger, there is also a rad banquet room (once the mansion’s library), where you and 85 to 100 other peeps can get your grub on. 



The restrooms are cool, and the ladies’ has a powder room connected with a small foyer.  According to Mott, in the 1920s there used to be a separate entrance for women.  They couldn’t enter until they were announced, and this is where they would wait in the meantime.  I looked up to see a beautiful cloud painted ceiling, which was done by a local Tacoma artist.



The next is perhaps my favorite room.  The “Palm Room” lounge offers a wide variety of entertainment options.  Tuesday through Thursday there will be a jazz band, and Mott says eventually there will be a comedy night.  There also will be other live bands and a good-sized dance floor — for when we’ve had one too many.  The long bar is from the 1900s, where there will be a variety of microbrews on tap. 



Although dinner upstairs will stop at 10 p.m., downstairs at the Twisted Cue Club you can eat until midnight and drink till 2 a.m.  All of the drinks, incidentally, are pleasantly affordable.  So it’s your fault if you’re still paying the morning after. 



The area is huge, and the focal point by far is the massive stone fireplace.  Since Mott and his investors are all pool enthusiasts, it’s only fitting that they have the best.  There are five seven-foot coin operated tables and a nine footer from the early 1900s.  Both are offered at a reasonable hourly rate, and leagues and team events will be held too.  There will be tabletop games for the ladies, and a separate outside deck will be reserved for smoking.



The Stadium District location is a great market for food and entertainment.  New condos are popping up everywhere, and improvements like new sidewalks, landscaping, and vintage-style light posts begin this summer.  However, Mott has big shoes to fill, and living up to the original ain’t easy (i.e. “The Godfather”). 



Winfield’s, named after Mott’s grandfather, has something for everyone.  Whether you come for the food, the antique ambiance, the entertainment, or if Mama just needs a night out, all Tacomans should come take a peek.  After all, it’s a piece of our superb city’s history.  And that concludes our tour for the day. 



[Winfield’s Twisted Cue Club, opens April 1, 539 Broadway, downtown Tacoma, winfields@comcast.net]