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Cyber Pasta Cafe Where: 430 E. 25th St., Suite 5, inside Freighthouse Square, Tacoma, 253.507.5480, www.cyberpasta.net Hours: Monday-Friday 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cuisine: Loosely Italian comfort food — pizza, pasta, panini, pastry Scene: Very inexpensive, casual order-at-the-counter cafe and coffee shop
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Amici Italian Eatery Where: 9807 224th St. E., Suite 100, Graham, 253.847.1500, www.iloveamici.com Hours: Lunch and dinner — Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cuisine: Italian American — pasta, fish and chips, wood fired pizza, salads, seafood and steaks. Kids menu available. Scene: Relaxed, casual family
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ANNOUNCER: From the folks who brought Tacoma Wild Orchid, Oriental Noodle & Grill has been open just over eight months in the James Center shopping plaza across from Tacoma Community College. Same as Wild Orchid, this new location serves tasty Asian cuisine served in a beautifully decorated setting. Given the
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World Café Where: 4102 S. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.435.8759, www.worldcafes.net Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday Cuisine: Simple and healthy, breakfast, lunch and dinner with global flavors. Scene: A casual, family-friendly, very inexpensive ethnic-inspired cafe. Drinkies: All non-alcoholic: Lassi fruit smoothies, hot tea, coffee, espresso, juices, Nantucket Nectars, Izze sodas Damage: $1.85-$6.95 ANNOUNCER: A strip
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Ranch House BBQ & Steakhouse Where: 10841 Kennedy Creek Rd SW (off Hwy 8 West) Olympia, 360.866.8704, www.ranchhousebbq.net Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Cuisine: Award-winning Southern barbecue Scene: Relaxed, very casual, not much talking due to full mouths Drinkies: Full bar, specialty cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages Damage: $1.49-$24.99 ANNOUNCER: Some may say the lush
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Hwang-Do Seafood Noodle Where: 3615 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., #102, Lakewood, 253.581.0985 Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to midnight Cuisine: Korean comfort food Scene: Casual, cafeteria-style, family friendly Drinkies: Rice wine, sake, typical non-alcoholic beverages Damage: $3.99-$39.99 ANNOUNCER: Driving along South Tacoma Way toward the B & I can feel like a trip outside the United States. Once you
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Seven-Oh-One Where: 701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.2240 Hours: 5:30-10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday. 5:30 p.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday Cuisine: American comfort food Scene: Casual and sophisticated bistro Drinkies: Full bar, teas, coffee, sodas Damage: $1.50-$20.99 ANNOUNCER: A quick call was made to Meconi’s earlier this month. “Hello, Meconi’s? What’s the name of the restaurant next to you?” “No, not
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Taqueria La Carreta Where: 8302 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.589.0760 Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday Cuisine: Mostly authentic Mexican, plus American and Mexican breakfasts, burgers, salads, sandwiches Scene: Mexican diner. Relaxed, casual, family friendly Drinkies: Fountain drinks, Red Bull, Jarritos, Arizona tea Damage: $1.25-$10.99 ANNOUNCER: The month of April
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Il Lucano Italian Restaurant Where: 3119 Judson Street, Gig Harbor, 253.514.8945, www.illucanoristorante.com Hours: Lunch: Tuesday-Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner: Tuesday-Saturday 5-10 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m. Happy Hour: Monday-Saturday 2-5 p.m., pasta, salad, bread and a glass of wine or well drink $18. Cuisine: Authentic Italian pasta, pizza, antipasti, salad, and panini
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Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill Where: 31448 Pacific Highway S., Federal Way, 253.529.4050 Hours: They didn’t want to give out their hours. Oh well. Cuisine: Fast casual, Asian stir-fry concept. Scene: Build your own bowls by choosing your own meats, spices, vegetables and sauces, then march over to a massive grill where grillmasters, um, grill it. Drinkies:
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Mandolin Cafe Where: 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma, 253.761.3482 Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m. to midnight Friday, 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday Cuisine: Coffeehouse fare with sandwiches, quiche, soups, salads and desserts Scene: A gathering spot for students studying calculus, vibrant flamenco guitar music,
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Vinum Coffee & Wine Lounge Where: 1001 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.8215 Hours: 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 6 a.m. to midnight Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday Cuisine: Meat and cheese plate, salads, sandwiches, goat cheese plate, Spanish egg roll, an antipasti plate, and morning bagel
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Il Trattoria di Merende Where: 813 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.722.1993 Hours: Lunch Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dinner Tuesday-Saturday 4-11 p.m., Sunday-Monday 4-10 p.m. Cuisine: Italian rustic cuisine featuring small-bites menu, flatbreads and full dinners Scene: Sleek decor with straw and terracotta colors, brick down the north side, blue under-lit bar and
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El Gaucho Where: 2119 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1510 Hours: Monday-Thursday: lounge 4 p.m. to midnight; dining room 5 p.m. to midnight. Friday: lounge 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.; dining room 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday: lounge 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., dining room 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday: lounge 4:30
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Joeseppi’s Italian Ristorante Where: 2207 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, 253.761.5555 Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday Dinner noon to 8 p.m. Menu: Standard Italian dishes — large portions catering to the average diner. Scene: Large deli space, open kitchen, standard green and red
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Coconut Thai Where: 3213 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253.671.8238 Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cuisine: The full gamut of Thai cuisine — 54 items Scene: A clean cut, ’60s-like décor with deep wood tones and plenty of open space. Drinkies: Adjacent bar with big screen ANNOUNCER: I know how Thai food tastes
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Massimo Italian Bar and Grill Where: 13802 Purdy Dr, N.W., Gig Harbor, 253.514.6237, Web site Hours: 11:30 a.m. to closing daily, happy hour 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday Scene: Large, three-room restaurant that looks like a beach house serving all walks of life. Menu: Southern Italian with handmade crust pizzas, traditional pasta dishes and heavy on
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The Bayview Where: 229 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.2792 Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday Cuisine: Comfort food rules with soups, salads, sandwiches, four entrees and daily specials. Now serving breakfast on the weekends. Scene:
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Pizzeria Fondi Where: 4621 Point Fosdick Dr., Gig Harbor, 253.851.6666 Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday Cuisine: Authentic 12-inch Neapolitan pizza, plus Mediterranean starters, salads and a tiramisu and sorbetti. Scene: Lofty, lively space filled with families and shoppers with fast, friendly service — almost autonomous. Drinkies:
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BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse Where: 4502 S. Steele, Tacoma, 253.472.1220 Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday-Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday Cuisine: Bar and grill fare with emphasis on burgers, pizza, and pasta. Scene: Pleasant, warm, inviting, spacious — a far cry from the Tacoma Mall interior on the
