$30 Prix Fixe Before Six

The brain trust over at Sea Grill have  devised an economy-defying prix fixe dinner offered Monday through Friday, slick for both palate and wallet. Start the $30 three-course extravaganza by diving into Sea Grill chowder or Caesar salad before moving on to sautéed prawns, salmon piccata or beef tenderloin and finishing with French vanilla crème brûlée or a dark chocolate Grenache. You can afford good food AND electricity this month? What a country. — Ron Swarner



[Sea Grill, 1498 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272-5656]

Provolone sticks

Like most people I know, I don’t go to Joeseppi’s Italian Ristorante seeking gastronomic epiphanies. I go for good food, OK wine, and fun atmosphere. If I walk out with a full belly, a slight buzz, and sides that ache from laughing through dinner, I’m happy. (Something about the ever-present scent of garlic makes me easy to please.)



Last Sunday afternoon, Joeseppi’s appeared to be just my speed: somewhat frenetic, very loud, and entirely fun. Server Joe M. was amazing — quick, funny and professional. Joe also made this statement: “I’ve eaten at many places, and our provolone sticks are by far the best.”



I can’t imagine a life lived without cheese sticks. If I had a dairy allergy, I’d probably just pop some Lactaid and suffer through the ill affects.



Cheese sticks are hard to screw up, but they’re also hard to make memorable. Joeseppi’s five provolone sticks ($7.99) have a great seasoning and were fried just light enough. Joe’s right. They are the best. — Michael Swan



[Joeseppi’s Italian Ristorante, 2207 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, 253.761.5555]