ANNOUNCER: Sixth Avenue continues to grow in eateries, many of which help define Tacoma as a foodie paradise. One of the newer establishments, The Pinwheel Catering’s Herban Café brings a decent wine list, a few out of the ordinary entrees and great attention to detail.



JASON: The first message to greet customers is plastered across the front door encouraging all who can read the large block letters to frequent and support local business. I suppose during a recession (or whatever this is that we are in) we should all do our part to make sure the restaurants we love are still here when times get good again. All in all, I’d put the Herban Café on my list of the worth saving.



JAKE: Housed in the former Ezell’s Famous Chicken on Sixth Avenue, the café resembled a preschool as low-grade signage wallpapered its roll-up garage door. Glad to see most of it disappeared. Inside, it’s neon orange and Beatles tunes.



JASON: I find the café a nice respite — a truly local establishment where my relationship with my servers feels genuine and caring. I enjoy lounging at lunch, reading a book — nothing feels rushed. Lingering doesn’t feel frowned upon.



JAKE: I agree. You can tell the moment you walk into the Herban Café that it’s a place where people linger, where they come with newspapers and laptops in the morning, drink coffee and eat sandwiches or scones until well into the afternoon, and enjoy pot pie and wine before a show. I have spent many a Saturday-long lunch with a delicious, gourmet ham and brie sandwich, deep mug of corn chowder with big potato chunks, several glasses of Cuvee Monster Red, chocolate oatmeal cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar, and my book.



JASON: For lunch, I ordered the cassoulet — a fairly faithful rendition of the classic French slow-cooked stew of white beans, sausage and duck. It’s a peasant stand-by that on a rainy day more than hits the spot. The Herban Café’s version arrives with plenty of meat and beans and a vegetable skewer with pita bread on the side. With food prices rising, a $12 lunch still sends shockwaves; however, folks, that’s the price for good food today.



JAKE: Cheers to Herban Café for offering a daily tidbit, which was a pita triangle and pico de gallo on my last visit. The pita triangles reappeared as mediums for the garlicky Tapas Trio spreads — white bean garlic, olive tapenade and roasted garlic, as well as the foundation for the children’s quesadilla. Pita and melted cheese, fruit, chips and a box of toys keep the little ones occupied. If you need comfort, you must try the thick cream of mushroom soup with huge chunks of mushrooms, carrots and potatoes.



JASON: Dinner specials, many creative, are announced on several chalk boards. I tucked into a decadent bison fried steak with gravy over garlic mashed potatoes, a side of vegetable skewers and French onion soup. I am certain I heard my heart scream. I couldn’t finish the meal, but the breading on the bison combined with a thick creamy gravy left me swooning in a cholesterol daze. Worth every bite.



JAKE: If I could, I would spend every morning with Herban Café’s gourmet quiches, pastries, thick waffle with strawberry compote, several mimosas and their coffee bar. I would be useless the rest of the day. I order it all, every time I visit, and I lay happy as a lark as the wife vacuums around me.



JASON: This is a local business worth supporting ... though they should ditch the tacky sign.



MENU:

Skewers >>> $6.75

Tapas Trio >>> $6.75

Sunday Brunch >>> $7.75-$10.75

Ham 7 Brie Sandwich >>> $9.75

Herban Burger >>> $11.75

Cassoulet >>> $13.75

Sweet Potato Ravioli >>> $13.75

Pinwheel Catering’s Herban Café

Where: 2602 Sixth Avenue, Tacoma, 253.572.0170.

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday

Scene: Light and airy inside with attentive staff

Cuisine: Salads, soups, sandwiches, organic entrees

Drinkies: A decent wine list, beers, organic juices, coffee and teas