Archives
As I was exiting the doors of the Federal Way Commons (formerly known as SeaTac Mall), I noticed a dining establishment taking up an eighth of the block called Jasmine Mongolian Grill. I was too early to physically open the doors, but I did manage to press my greasy nose
We Recommend
Is knitting still big? For some people, it's never been small, nor has crocheting, quilting, weaving or any of the fiber arts. Thursday, new and veteran craft enthusiasts can get their fiberful fill during author Blair Stocker's take and make event. She invites everyone to craft an original creation using
Archives
Somewhere along the walls of the Weekly Volcano's vodka storage area/employee restroom the words "Matador's happy hour motherf***ing ROCKS" are carved into the faded baby blue 1984 wallpaper. These words, in all their utterly candid descriptiveness, spoke to me. If someone, whoever that loyal employee/vodka drinker may be, had the
We Recommend
The Weekly Volcano staff crosses Flett Creek during daily trips for Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccinos. We don't give Flett Creek much thought, because all we can think about are Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccinos. John Flett and his family couldn't enjoy the sweet awesomeness of Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccinos during their
Music
Jerry Miller, one of the founding members of Moby Grape and number 68 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, will be at Ted Brown Music in Tacoma on Friday, April 11, to share music, advice and anecdotes. "Moby Grape had a huge influence on their
Archives
No polite, legitimate, non-douchey business owner cares what race you are, what religion you fall victim to, or if you make your money workin' the pole in stilettos with a fishbowl in the heel - as long as you're spending that money in their establishment. Thankfully, the people at Primo
Archives
Other than the time an anonymous Weekly Volcano employee pooped on my desk, I have never been more sickened and appalled by something. That is, until I received notice that Harbor Lights had NOT yet been visited for 3 Drink Minimum. Yes indeed, my fair alcoholic friends, it was a sad,
Archives
Bartender Tony from McGrath's Fish House has officially made the "Steph DeRosa Top 10 Bartenders" list. Yes, there is such a list; I would never lie about something like that. Lie about my age? Yes. Lie about how many drinks I've had? Of course. But lie about my obscene amount
Archives
This southern girl has finally been conditioned to the Pacific Northwest. I no longer have the local suicide hotline on speed dial, and the carpet has started to perk back up in the corner where I used to curl up and cry for days on end. That being said, every
Features
There are restaurants I have to ease into slowly, coming around to their flavors or unique takes on cuisine by the end of the meal. There are other restaurants that win me over quickly - love at first bite, or damn close to it. Typically, the latter has to due
Archives
Inside my driver side car door compartment, shoved alongside crumpled Kleenexes, old gas station receipts, and a few crusty, dried up pens sits my 2010 Entertainment Book. For years I've ridiculed local cheap-asses and their incessant need to always dine at establishments with a coupon in the Entertainment Book. Well,
Archives
This is hands down, one of my all-time favorite dining establishments. Even after watching the creepiest of documentaries Food, Inc. and subsequently swearing off all recognizable forms of animal muscle for a short while — I still found orgasmic pleasure in the taste of Ranch House’s meat last week. A
Archives
The entire Johnny's empire confuses me, I'll admit it. Though it's not hard to confuse me, when it comes to Tacoma's Johnny's, the gridlock in my brain reaches an all-time high. One name - "Johnny's" - can encompass all of the following establishments: Johnny's Dock, Johnny's Seafood, Johnny's in Fife,
Archives
Not one for hanging out all girly-style, I often find myself amongst men when it comes to social situations. My few close girlfriends, whom I call "close girlfriends," are labeled as such because they enjoy the same things in a friendship: no drama, no dumb bitches, and no judgments held.
Archives
After an indulgent foodie-filled weekend celebrating The KAke’s 40th birthday, cooking dinner on a Monday evening was the very last thing Mr. DeRosa and I wanted to do. Although we’re not as old as Tacoma’s newest AARP member, The KAke, our bones were still weary from all the hustle and
Archives
An obvious stop for three delicious drinks will always be The Red Hot, and I avoided visiting owner Chris Trashcan’s cool frothy concoctions for this column longer than I reckoned I would. In ways, I’ve grown into a better person for withstanding severe cold-beer temptation. Yet, in other ways, I’ve
Archives
Last year, after analyzing extensive locally-drawn anonymous polls, I determined The Dock was one of Pierce County’s top dive bars. Shortly after The Dock achieved their illustrious “Top Dive Bar” status, ownership changed hands from the fine people of Johnny’s Dock to gorgeous newbie Gwendolyn Stence, who renamed the bar
