Lately when I’ve been out and about, I’ve found myself talking people into things that I should really steer clear of myself.



But ever since I was a kid, I’ve had absolutely no control when comes to the almighty word: Dessert.



For some reason, I’ve convinced all kinds of people about where they can find some of the very best desserts in town, but maybe that’s because I’ve been sampling so many of them lately and each one has completely changed my life.



I can’t keep this information from you people, so here’s Natasha’s advice on the Scene of the Crime for T-town dessert:



I have to lead this segment off with a treat I tried for the first time just last weekend: El Gaucho’s banana bread pudding. I let bartender Howie know that I was gathering important evidence on the best desserts in town, and, without hesitation, he brought this straight to my attention, and I’m so glad he did. It’s homemade bread pudding topped with fresh bananas, carmelized sugar and caramel sauce served with Olympic Mountain vanilla bean ice cream. Get it, get it!



Next door you’ll find a stand-by that I yearn for whenever it’s been away for too long: the Melting Pot’s milk chocolate fondue. This perfect pot of warmed chocolate comes with pineapples, marshmallows, cheesecake, strawberries, brownies and pound cake, and a fondue fork for dipping. My friend Jason prefers to use his finger. Grab a friend and treat yourself, especially during happy hour when it’s wicked cheap.



I would be so very remiss (and very busted) if I didn’t refer you to the last two desserts that I think are top notch in this city because I get them all of the time:



The Pacific Grill’s warm brownie sundae and Asado’s crepas dulces.



Often when I’m at the PG, I can’t resist the brownie dessert, and when it comes out, everyone within eyesight says, “WOW!” This decadence is served in a tall fountain glass with vanilla Olympic Mountain ice cream, walnuts, bittersweet chocolate fudge sauce, and mouth-watering, warm brownies. Ahhhhh, that’s bliss.



When you hear me order the purse at Asado, I’m not talking about a new Coach bag, this is the crepas dulces, a fried crèpe purse filled with hazelnut butter, dulche de leche, pearl tapioca with pistachio ice cream on the side. This dessert always makes me giggle because I know I’m getting away with something.



But after all of that fancy stuff, I have to admit, you can’t ever go wrong with an Oreo Blizzard from Dairy Queen.



So, get off your duff and sample these sweets, along with the other treats that our city offers.

You deserve something as sweet as you are.



[El Gaucho, 2119 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.882. 0009, www.elgaucho.com/elgaucho/]

[The Melting Pot, 2121 Pacific Ave. Tacoma, 253. 535.3939, www.meltingpot.com/]

[The Pacific Grill, 1502 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, 253. 627.3535, www.pacificgrilltacoma.com]

[Asado, 2810 Sixth Ave Tacoma, 253.254.0560, www.asadotacoma.com]

[Dairy Queen, 1112 Puyallup Ave, Tacoma, 253.272.7550, www.dairyqueen.com]







Tell me where you like to party at sceneofthecrime@hotmail.com.