Infinite Soups Lunch Counter at Sanford and Son

Infinite Soups’ new satellite location opened last Monday in Sanford and Son’s Commerce Street floor level. Ten or so rotating soups are offered at the lunch counter, scents mingling in the marble floored dining area. Heavenly. My query of “What’s the Roman artichoke like?” was answered swiftly by Laura Adams’ friendly, easy smile and outstretched soup sample. How is such a simple vegetarian soup, containing only soft curled tortellini and hefty chunks of tender artichoke heart swimming in seasoned buttery cream, so complex in flavor? Similarly, coconut milk adds depth to Jamaican Black Bean and Rice, an otherwise standard vegan soup. That’s the magic of Infinite Soups — turning varied ingredients into delicious, belly-warming creations. Try breads and cookies from Corina Bakery, too. Infinite Soups Sanford and Son location is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cash or check only. NO CREDIT CARDS. — Jennifer Johnson

[Infinite Soups Lunch Counter at Sanford & Son, 744 Commerce, Tacoma]

Merende happy hour

Monday through Friday, chef Jeff Bishop and his crew over at Merende Restaurant serve delicious happy hour dishes all hovering around $5. Although several of their happy hour dishes are miniature versions of their dinner entrees, many of these “small plates” are big enough to call lunch.



My two favorite happy hour dishes right now are the meatballs and tagliatelle with ragu and bolognese. Both ring in at $5.



The spicy Meatballs are a blend of ground chuck, pork, and veal, some onions, garlic, oregano, thyme, eggs and breadcrumbs. Bishop doesn’t overwork them so they’re not tough. Sometimes he’ll add smoked mozzarella for a surprise.



The bolognese is a blend of ground lamb, veal and pork. Tomatoes, mirepoix, veal stock, tomato paste, oregano, nutmeg are added with a bit of heavy cream. Bishop slow cooks the sauce for at least four hours. Add the tagliatelle pasta and it can substitute for a meal.

Best of all, Merende’s happy hour prices run 2 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 p.m. to close Friday and Saturday. So if the boss is too bossy, you can blow the office off and start happy hour early. — Ron Swarner

[Merende, 813 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.722.1993]