Tasty lunch

Seaweed is the star of one of my favorite lunch combinations at Twokoi Japanese Restaurant. First, I begin with their sunomono salad ($7) — sliced cucumber with seaweed in seasoned vinegar and served with either octopus or crab. Crab always takes the cake with me. Then I follow with Twokoi’s tuna sashimi tempura roll ($15) — a delicious concoction of cubed tuna and tobiko wrapped with seaweed and batter-fried. This one-two seaweed punch leaves me feeling light and satisfied. — Jake de Paul

[Twokoi Japanese Restaurant, 1552 Commerce St., Tacoma, 253.274.8999]

Maxwell’s new look

Maxwell’s Speakeasy and Lounge dropped its big-ticket entrees and now only serve small plates, priced from $3 for citrus-herb marinated olives to $19 for grilled marinated lamb. In between, 15 dishes grace a long, narrow menu with such treats as cheese with whiskey-date jam ($8), roasted tomato and garlic Tuscan style soup ($7), whole grilled artichoke ($8), grilled tiger prawns ($10), their delicious slow-cooked pork sliders ($11), corner cheeseburger ($10), duk leg confit ($14) and the rolled-cut rib eye ($19).

As it was explained to me, they made the switch for several reasons. One, it’s the new trend. Diners don’t want to be tied to the traditional four or five course option. Two, diners are looking for ways to save money. After two or three small plates and a drink you’re out the door for less than $30. Three, Maxwell’s morphed its space into a more speakeasy atmosphere — the tables up front have been replaced with modern lounge chairs and low tables extending the lounge to the front door — and small plates fit the change.

Two desserts, each $5, sit on the menu too: cinnamon roll bread pudding and bittersweet chocolate brownie. — JDP

[Maxwell’s Speakeasy + Lounge, 454 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.683.4115]

Tossing salad

A good hummus plate, to me, is ranked right up there with fresh sushi, a cold beer in the summertime, and having Griffey back with the M’s. The fact that The Spar serves up a well-endowed Greek salad right alongside their hummus makes for perfection on a plate.

Let’s assume right now that there is a scoop of hummus on the plate and that it is accompanied by the standard warm pita wedges, cucumbers, etc. Yes it is good, yes it is fresh, and yes I ate the whole damn thing.

Next to said hummus and its veggie friends lies a quite substantial Greek salad, which includes romaine tossed in Greek salad dressing, feta, Kalamata olives, salami pieces, and grape tomatoes.

The Spar’s Greek dressing holds a pungent flavor I’ve come to expect from a well-made Greek salad. The best part is the fact that their culinary Spar Chip making experts don’t skimp on Kalamata olives and feta in a salad. That right there sends my taste buds into an uncontrolled state of bliss. And the salami slices? The salad would be fantastic even without these pieces of meat, but they certainly are a welcome bonus to this menagerie of Greek zest.

The Spar’s Mediterranean Plate and the Greek salad it hosts is nothing to judge lightly. It is a hearty lunch, yet light enough to not make you slide into a mid-afternoon food coma. The variety included in this salad/hummus plate combo satisfies every texture and taste my sweet little mouth could ever crave.  — Steph DeRosa

[The Spar, 2121 N. 30th St., Old Town Tacoma, 253.272.2122]

Scream! 

Life is uncertain.  Eat dessert first. 

The Weekly Volcano owns stock in that maxim.

As a newspaper, our days are make-it-or-break-it, depending on which stories and photos come through. 

But beyond our editorial hive, we know Fate and her fickle friend Mother Nature have itchy fingers, dying to reach out and touch others. 

So, we couldn’t agree more in putting the sweets before the Brussel sprouts.

We recommend you do the same.  To coax you to our way of thinking, may we suggest 31 cent ice cream.  Baskin Robbins offers 31 cent Scoop Night Wednesday, April 29.  You don’t have to sing.  You don’t have to juggle.  Just log on to baskinrobbins.com and discover which store has the goods for 31 cents. Proceeds benefit the National Volunteer Fire Council’s National Junior Firefighter Program. — Michael Swan

The Mix

What we’ve been enjoying:

The Crown Bar introduced a new side: onion rings. Seven, crispy rings for $5 with a side of rosemary aioli and chipotle ketchup. Play ring toss at 2705 Sixth Ave. in Tacoma.

Mexican street corn — a whole cob with catija mayo, paprika and thyme for $4.75 at Masa, 2811 Sixth Ave.

Fig and proscuitto flatbread with fig and onion jam and Italian gorgonzola, $12, at il Trattoria di Merende Restaurant, 813 Pacific Ave., in Tacoma.

Happy hours

Pints & Quarts Pub: 1230 College St. S.E., Lacey, 360.438.9183

Hours: 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday

Drink Specials: $2.25 domestics, $3.25 micros, $3.25 wells

Food Specials: half price apps



Linda’s Green Pup Sports Bar: 2510 84th St., Lakewood, 253.584.5600

Hours: 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday

Drink Specials: $2.50 wells. $2.00 domestics

Food Specials: check the board for specials