Phil’s Creation

DuPont is the perfect spot to stop for a bite to eat as you’re escaping out of town to the south. On a Friday evening, my family and I found ourselves past the Fort Lewis exit and heading into some grizzly traffic on southbound I-5. Taking up an hour to deter us from gridlock, and filling our bellies for the trip ahead, the DuPont exit made our dinner stop effortless — and off to a DuPontite-packed Farrelli’s Wood Fired Pizza it was.

I opted for the Phil’s Creation ($9.99) — a crisp iceberg/romaine lettuce combination tossed in creamy and sweet honey mustard dressing hidden beneath a fortune of texture and goodies. Pineapple, caramelized onions, crushed cashews, roasted chicken breast, and cheddar cheese piled charitably atop the lettuce mix — and it was at that point I figured it simply couldn’t get any better. I was wrong. With a delicious drizzle of hot bacon dressing, it did nothing but get better — WAY better. With a complex tongue lashing of sweet pineapple, caramelized onions, soft cheddar cheese, and delicious cashews, there isn’t anything I don’t like in this salad bowl. Seriously, folks, who doesn’t love the taste of cashews — those sweet, crunchy legumes disguised as nuts? — Steph DeRosa

[Farrelli’s Wood Fired Pizza, 1570 Wilmington Dr., Suite 280, DuPont, 253.912.5200]

Spicy Crunchy Roll

I’ve fallen victim and become someone I loathe: I ate a sushi roll stuffed with imitation crabmeat.  The worst part is: I liked it.  After much persuasion from my friends at Sapporo Sushi Roll and Teriyaki in Fife, I decided to instill a little trust into the hands of one very talented sushi chef, and actually allow him to serve me the above mentioned imitation crabmeat roll.  I said I wanted spicy, so a Spicy Crunchy Roll ($7.95) is what he gave me.

 My “krabmeat” nemesis is mixed with Sapporro’s spicy sauce, and then rolled inside a traditional sushi rice along with cucumber, more “krabmeat” and seaweed.  Atop this faux-crab roll is a perfect helping of light, crunchy tempura and delicious sauce.  There’s something about the combination of these flavors, and the tasty amount of non-mouth-burning (yet extremely yummy) spice. It becomes a faultless meal I hate to love. Damnit you, Sapporo! I want so badly to be the poster child for hating crab flavored whitefish rolled into pink and white logs, but you and your Spicy Crunchy Roll just won’t let me. — SD

[Sapporo Sushi Roll and Teriyaki, 4803 Pacific Hwy. E., Fife, 253.922.5656]

Strawberry and Chicken Salad

Amongst the bustle of kitchen-expansion construction, daytime Internet surfers, and small, friendly meetings, I found myself comfortably perched at my very own roomy table at the Mandolin Café where I set up shop for the day. Although Mandolin Café has a steady stream of constant traffic, it is rare you will find yourself in an uncomfortable seat. When manager Sarah Jane refused to sell me her pink hair and informed me that it was not part of the lunch selection, I opted for the Strawberry Chicken Salad instead.

The base of Mandolin’s Strawberry Chicken Salad creation begins with a spring green/romaine mixture that leans more toward the greens, less toward the romaine. This I love. Nothing is worse that the crunch of those tasteless white romaine ribs amongst a flavorful and tender array of spring greens, but I understand when restaurants feel the need to mix the texture up in order to please everyone. On top of this green bed lies fresh, juicy, and perfectly ripe strawberry slices and extremely flavorful blueberries mixed with blue cheese crumbles and strips of roasted chicken. Homemade Italian dressing can be found on the side in a small cup — right where it belongs. PERFECT! — SD

[The Mandolin Café, 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma, 253.761.3482]