AMERICAN

ALFRED'S CAFE AND BUBBLE ROOM (402 Puyallup Ave. East, Tacoma, (253) 627-5491) - Alfred's Café and Bubble Room's menu is so extensive, we frequent the joint frequently.  In fact, sometimes it's near impossible to decide what to chow on with more than 10 appetizers, five salads, 12 types of hand-thrown pizza, six entrees and 10 sandwiches.

When you drop in for the weekend breakfasts, the triple-decker Monte Cristo with ham, turkey, Swiss and cheddar cheeses is a stack of sandwich devilry - grilled on all six sides like a cubic block and served with requisite raspberry jam. Pancakes are huge, bacon is peppered and everything else good diner fare.

Very popular breakfast during Seahawks season before boarding the Sounder train to Seattle.

Barbecue Inn (8102 Maple St. SW, Lakewood, (253) 584-0832 ) - Family owned and operated, the Barbecue Inn in Tillicum is considered an area landmark. You can see the Barbecue Inn's sign from the freeway. It's a place everyone knows about; yet, it sits on the road less traveled, because let's face it, unless you live in Tillicum, on base or nearby, or work in the area, there's no reason you'd take exit 123.

Much of the menu items are made home style in the kitchen: salad dressings, three hot sauces, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, corn bread, ribs, baked chicken, you name it.

Their pulled pork sandwich arrived on a grilled sesame seed bun includes tender meat piled up thick, liberally wet with barbecue sauce and smothered in melted cheddar. Crisp, lightly salted French fries got dunked in ranch and blue cheese.

Bruceski's Buffalo Wings and Pizza (1584 McNeil St., Suite 100, Dupont, (253) 912-4305) - Bruceski's Buffalo in DuPont serves up freshly made Buffalo wings. Big deal, you're thinking, right? Wrong. The wings at Bruceski's are not the once frozen variety. Thinly breaded to order and flash fried, wings don't drown in sauce either; you can actually taste this meaty affair.

Lunch specials run till 2 p.m. and allow combinations of pizza by the slice, a five wing order and 24-ounce fountain drink for under $10. Military receive ten percent discount on Mondays and delivery service is available in DuPont and to JBLM.

Cheers South Hill Grill (4110 S Meridian, Puyallup, (253) 770-0461 ) - Winning touches at Cheers South Hill Grill include: melon pico de gallo atop Jamaican jerk chicken, smoked Gouda potato skins, grilled Asian pear and flame broiled burgers. Speaking of burgers, "South Hill Stuffers" are hand-formed burger patties crammed with your choice of bacon, cheddar, salami, fried mozzarella sticks, jalapenos and cream cheese or mushrooms. Steaks, ribs, chicken, pasta, desserts and a kid's menu round it out.

A massive lounge and bar offering beer, wine and liquor are separate from a spacious and comfortable family-friendly dining room.

Crown Bar (2705 6th Ave., Tacoma, (253) 272-4177) - This is comfort food with an exotic bent. The menu is chock full of great late night treats. We adored the fried oysters, roasted garlic tartar and Creole slaw. The oysters are crisp, not greasy. Crown's earthy zihua mushroom quesadilla and creamy Cougar Gold mac and cheese complement bartender Dino's new creations. They added several burgers, too.

Marcia's Silver Spoon Cafe (2601 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, (253) 472-0157) - Marcia's Silver Spoon Cafe is a need-to-know kind of place.  Meaning, if you aren't a local with a fair understanding of the Nalley Valley, you'd never know that the area's best greasy spoon exists. Tucked along industrial warehouses, Marcia's Silver Spoon Café serves large platters of hot off the grill specialties such as hand-rolled omelettes, hotcakes, patty melts, fish baskets and more.

The country fried steak swims in gravy with two eggs, hash browns and toast - but mostly, it takes nearly two plates to hold up the goods. The omelets are equally large, and the ingredients inside are surprisingly fresh and crisp. The Denver omelet is one of the best we've tried

Mikie Burgers (4915 Center St., Tacoma, (253) 564-8661 - Appearing as just another strip mall eatery to new eyes, you won't want to pass up the classic taste of the Mikie burger, crisp hot fries, specialty sandwiches and rich custard sweets - not to mention the fair prices. Wondering why the Mikie is so special? Canadian bacon and Swiss cheese top the burger patty; shredded iceberg lettuce, a slab of tomato and diced white onion lay underneath on a Mikie sauce smeared toasted sesame bun. It's greasy and fresh - a magical combination.

The Hub (203 Tacoma Ave. South, Tacoma, (253) 683-4606) - Another favorite restaurant of ours that had a rough start and worked through its growing pains. As younger sister to the Harmon Brewery, they serve great beer (doy) and top-notch wine. Breakfast is our favorite meal at The Hub. Order the Traditional Breakfast Pizza, topped with sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, 3-cheese blend and finish off with Hollandaise.

Asian

Galanga Thai Cuisine (1129 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, (253) 272-3393) - This restaurant balances the four great flavors of Thai cuisine - hot, sweet, salty and sour - to create dishes that are simple without being plain, complex without being mannered.

House of Phó  (5700 100th St. S.W., Suite 510, Lakewood, (253) 983-0365) - Unlike most Vietnamese menus with page after page of colorful dishes, the menu at House of Pho has just under 54 choices, more than half of them soup. To dedicate such space to a single dish demonstrates just how revered this comforting concoction is in its East Asian homeland.

By itself, the soup is comfortingly mild. Tripe is sliced into tender threads that melt into the broth, and fatty flank adds depth. A hint of allspice or cinnamon lingers, evidence of Vietnam's prominence among spice exporters. A plate of garnishes makes the dish interactive - and ups the flavor ante considerably.

K & C Burkie Burgers (12926 Bridgeport Way SW, Lakewood, (253) 582-9250) - Friendly faces serve standard American food alongside Korean, Chinese and Japanese dishes at K & C Burkie Burgers just outside McChord-Field gates. The small, clean and casual eatery does a good job with both East and West offerings - corn dog or gyoza, California wrap or spicy tuna roll, chili cheese dog or chicken teriyaki, curly fries or scallop roll.

Many fast food places have value meals. At K & C Burkie Burgers meals are a reduced price combo of burger or chicken nuggets, fries and soda.

Vien Dong Restaurant (3801 South Yakima Ave., Tacoma, (253) 472-6668) - When we wish to dine in another world, slightly Third World, steamy, exotic, Asian - as if out of a movie - Vien Dong in the Lincoln District fits the bill. Vien Dong envelopes the senses. The atmosphere takes us immediately to Vietnam without passing go.

For a sure thing, order the red curry with prawns. Hot and hearty, the meal combines well with the hot summer weather. The soups are delicious. Vien Dong understands culinary craftsmanship.

Wendy's II (5015 Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma, (253) 471-0228) - Owner Wendy Au began serving delicious Asian food at her walk-up counter in Freighthouse Square food court more than 20 years ago.  While Pearl Jam was still ruling the charts, she opened Wendy's II, a sit-down restaurant near the Tacoma Mall. Both locations are popular among those looking for a tasty, fast and affordable bite to eat. Freighthouse does a solid bustling lunch business while the Tacoma Mall location offers a more leisurely dining experience with later hours.

Three Sisters Tacoma Szechuan (9601 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, (253) 581-0102 ) - Folks, this is as real as it gets around here. Chinese (Sichuan) with a huge menu, well over a hundred options, and the portions are big and the flavors fresh. Their idea of a starter soup is more trough-like than cup. Crispy pork & tofu with hot tomato sauce, hot pepper fried shredded potato, eggplant in hot garlic sauce - they excel in hot and spicy.

Gari of Sushi (1209 South 38th St., Tacoma, (253) 475-3456) - We love sushi. If we could marry sushi, we would if we weren't already married. While the outside of Gari is very yellow and unique, don't let that deter you. The sushi is fresh and the rolls are amazing. Maki sushi with funky names and great presentation, make Gari a must blip on your food radar. Quirkiness abounds with G4's Ninja Warrior on the tube and our desperate need to dim the lights at night. Domo arigato.

TWOKOI Japanese Cuisine (1552 Commerce St., Tacoma, (253) 274-8999) - This Japanese restaurant, housed in the historic Calton Building in downtown Tacoma, must have had a bamboo smart bomb explode inside as the floors, key walls and the bar back are covered in it. This open concept treat offers inventive sushi, sashimi, and tuna and salmon carpaccio, plus teriyaki, tonkatsu, yosenabe, salads and starters. Full bar with 40 sake varieties, sake cocktails, beer and wine.

Bistro

Affairs Cafe & Bakery (2811 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, (253) 565-8604)  - Affairs Café & Bakery is a comfy place to catch up with a friend over breakfast and lunch.  Also, their chocolates are as close to a vice as you can get without actually sinning.

Cafe Divino (2112 North 30th St., Tacoma, (253) 779-4226)  - Tacoma's first wine bar. It beckons you like a beacon with its friendly service, delicious bites and tasty sips. If the lasagna is on the sheet, fire that up. Yum!

Corina Bakery and Bistro (510 South 6th Ave., Tacoma, (253) 627-5070)  - It's sweet-meets-red velvet-bliss. You can taste it in every mouthful of hummingbird cake or the berry cheesecake with a hint of almond that smoothes over the tart, rough edges you may find in other cheesecakes. Pounds come and go, but pleasure is timeless. They serves Valhalla coffee and Mad Hat Tea. As well as bistro entrée such as quiche.

Dockside Bistro & Wine Bar (501 Columbia St. Northwest, Olympia, (360) 956-1928) - Rain or shine, views of the Puget Sound and boats lift the spirits, and with an interesting wine list, the Dockside is all about spirits. We also enjoyed the intimate room with dark woods and large, expansive windows. Are spirits are high with knock out dishes such as butternut squash ravioli with boulder-size chunks of Wynoochee River blue cheese, curried sea scallops, and blackened salmon sandwich. The staff is as knowledgeable as anyone can be about 70-plus types of wine, and eager to turn you on to something new.

Laura's Bayview Bar & Grill (229 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, (253) 327-1015) - Laura's Bayview Bar & Grill is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast includes all the typical items, including the four-egg "Big Daddy's omelet ($8.95). Lunch and dinner includes soups, salads, a burger, fish and chips, chicken Parmesan and the aforementioned items.

Pour At Four (3814 North 26th St., Tacoma, (253) 761-8015) - At Pour At Four, everything just comes together. Small plates like the truffle ham, Brie, mushrooms, caramelized onions, fresh rosemary, and olive oil flat bread pizza is amazing and the crab cakes are packed with REAL crab. Hey you winos, don't miss Pour@4!

SideBar Bistro (1101 Tacoma Ave. South, Tacoma) - A new restaurant has arrived on Tacoma Ave. South, in Red Kelly's old spot near the County-City Building. The restaurant is the SideBar Bistro - note the legal theme - with cherry wood furniture, slate floors, fixtures that look as though they came from Restoration Hardware and three meals a day. JoAnna and Tom Irick - who also own Hot Rod Dog, with locations on Pacific Avenue and next door to their new venture - quietly opened the SideBar Bistro a couple weeks ago, which features Northwest-ish dishes, a full bar, an espresso machine and a gorgeous view of the mountains.

Upper Crust Bistro (2714 North 21st St., Tacoma, (253) 752-0900) - Upper Crust Bistro is a casual, eclectic Tacoma neighborhood destination spot - a bakery, pizzeria, wine bar, coffee shop and bistro rolled into one.

The small restaurant enjoys full seats much of the time due almost entirely to the cultish frequency that repeat customers drop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Items made from scratch using organic products and hormone free meats populate the menu with a strong focus on ingredient quality and freshness.

Indian

Curry Corner (9408 Martin Way E., Suite 2, Olympia, (360) 455-8776) - Meat, rice, vegetable. Repeat. Meat, rice, vegetable. Sounds boring, doesn't it? Curry Corner in Lacey takes these three simple standards and makes magic happen. Tucked back off the main drag in an unassuming strip-mall along Marvin Road, these basic ingredients are tandooried, simmered in yogurt sauce, sautéed with raisins, broiled with creamed tomato, marinated in garlic and ginger, dipped in chickpea batter and fried, and stuffed with herbed potatoes. Chopping, baking, smoking, skewering, and blending lay the groundwork for a mouthwatering gastro experience.

Gateway to India  (2603 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253) 552-5022) - When we think of comfort food, we think of Gateway to India. Owner CJ never forgets a name and hands out hugs like candy. Our favorite meal is the Malai Kofta, vegetable balls simmered in a creamy tomato sauce and served with basmati rice. There was a time when we could finish the entire meal, and on occasion still do, but we prefer to save some for the next day.

Great wine selection.

Great Cuisine of India (9518 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Lakewood, (253) 581-1333) - The entire family is involved at this East Indian restaurant in Lakewood. Starting off with sweet lassi - a delicious yogurt based drink - is like having dessert first. The naan bread had minced onion, dried mango, herbs and mustard seeds baked inside. It is perfect for catching every drop of the sublimely seasoned sauces and scooping up chunks of tender lamb and delicately flavored basmati rice. The pastry pocket veggie somoso - filled with peas, onion and potato - was crispy on the outside and soft and moist inside.

The seductive smells of curry, coriander and cumin greet guests as they walk through the doors.

Italian

Adriatic Grill Italian Cuisine and Wine Bar (4201 S. Steel St., Tacoma, (253) 475-6000) - If you love pasta, garlic and the aromas, the flavors and the global influence of food from Italy and the Mediterranean, then you'll enjoy Chef Bill and Monique Trudnowski's restaurant.

The King salmon - moist and well seasoned - is fire-grilled with a lemon-herb butter, white beans, red onion, tomato, caper and fresh basil - delicious.

Other entrees include a garlic top sirloin, roasted garlic prawns, gussied-up filets and T-bones, chicken alla parmigiano, chicken fettuccine alfredo, clam linguine, and sausage and prawn pappardelle.

Basilico Ristorante Italiano (507 Capitol Way S., Olympia, (360) 570-8777) - Basilico Ristorante Italiano stands in the top tier of Italian restaurants in the South Sound. The service is better, the knowledge deeper, the care and attention given to each ingredient can be identified a mile away. And yet Basilico still feels like a special place meant just for you. That's because the first generation Italian owners ignore all the hype and just focus on the next table, the next plate, the next glass of wine.

Their northern Italian cuisine features a large selection of fresh hand made and hand cut pastas, all produced according to the old Italian tradition and with the use of specially-milled flour imported from Italy. Hang out by their "Pasta Station" and watch the magic happen before it melds with wild boar or duck.

Marzano Italian Restaurant (516 Garfield St. South, Tacoma, (253) 537-4191) - At the end of the block and looking onto Pacific Lutheran University, Marzano Italian Restaurant has been exuding gastro-charm for more than 20 years. A feel of Old World meets new radiates from one room opening onto another to create a sense of intimate dining though other diners are just feet away. Candles, soft music, and polite, unobtrusive staff provide an effortlessly classy experience. One might note Marzano is not known for health food, and that‘s not meant as a bad thing. Meat, cheese, rich sauces, truly decadent desserts - almost all of which are made in-house - excellent wine pairings, interesting ingredients, variety, and creativity - all are parlayed into an approachable, affordable menu overall.

Sorrento Ristorante Italiano (430 Legion Way SE, Olympia, (360) 352-9915) - Owner/Chef Charlie McManus and his partner Jacqueline Plattner invented the creative dining space in Tacoma when they opened Primo Grill in October 1999.

Primo balances the menu with pasta, pizza, fish and red meat so there's basically something for everyone - especially those who like a little twist on their Mediterranean favorites.

Dinner theater isn't so much the craze anymore, but it still exists in Olympia at Sorrento Ristorante Italiano.  OK, maybe it's not Shakespeare, or even Cats for that matter, but owner Franco Cannava is performing to rave reviews.  Besides delivering show-stopping food, Cannava also visits tableside for his own version of a dramatic reading - mainly the menu in one act.  He's the genuine article.

The bread is baked fresh each morning at Sorrento and is served as a mini loaf with an olive oil and herb dipping sauce.  The olive oil mix is excellent - sweet and nutty with a nice collection of Italian spices.  The bread tastes spongy and fresh and, quite frankly, can be a hunger buster if you aren't too careful.

Mexican

Josefina's (4816 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, (253) 474-7374) - Since 1986 the Garcia family has been serving Tacoma food from their small rural town of Cuautla in Mexico. This family-friendly restaurant serves typical chicken-pork-beef-seafood Mexican food in an extremely colorful environment - meaning vibrant colors. We suggest the seafood paella and chile rellenos.

Josefina's made it to the second round in our Tournament of Tacos competition in 2010.

Masa Comida Mexicana (2811 6th Ave., Tacoma, (253) 254-0560) - The environment is stylish, metropolitan minimalism with spicy and exotic Mexican fare, handcrafted, exotic drinks, and one of the most popular dance spots in the South Sound.

The red enchilada sauce works well with Masa's huevos rancheros - two thin lightly fried flour tortillas topped with your pick egg preparation, a tasty black and pinto bean puree, catija cheese, cilantro and avocado. The sauce, slightly runny, is fiery and sweet, with the earthy, roasty-toasty quality we always associate with the sun-ripened chiles of New Mexico. The dish comes with a side of soft black and pinto beans and a large mound of fluffy rice, or Masa's honey jalapeno home fries. A Masa Smirnoff Jalapeno Mary or Masa Fruit Mimosa are fine additions.

Matador Restaurant & Tequila Bar (721 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, (253) 627-7100) - Matador is a flirtatious Tex-Mex spot. It's sexy.  It's spicy. It's ohmigawd spicy with quality, fresh ingredients and interesting combinations. Large selection of tequila options, too. And it serves food into the wee hours.

Tacos Guaymas (2630 S. 38th St., Tacoma, (253) 471-2224) - The real deal.  Seriously.
Tacos Guaymas has changed our way of thinking about tacos permanently. No hard taco shell. No lettuce. No ground beef. No cheese.  In fact, there was nothing at all to resemble a classic American taco. Thank goodness.

Instead, we were given two authentic Mexican tacos. Each consisted of small morsels of charcoal-grilled beef topped with cilantro-rich pico de gallo and salsa, encased in a double wrapping of soft, warm, fresh white corn tortillas about the width of a softball.

All in all, a very casual and tasty experience.

Taqueria Burrito Loco (5502 Orchard St. West, University Place, (253) 474-1433) - Sure, this tiny joint in a strip mall behind a gas station serves damn tasty tacos, proven by their Final Cuatro appearance in our Tournament of Tacos. But it's the breakfast burrito that makes me glad we've secured a parking place in the bumper-to-bumper lot that's often populated with monster trucks. You'll find it listed on the takeout board above the counter: stuffed with Mexican sausage, eggs, rice, whole beans, onion, tomatoes, cilantro and ample sour cream. It's everything you'd expect from a bigger-than-your-head breakfast burrito - and a whole lot more.
This is real Mexican food folks.

Vuelve a la Vida (5310 Pacific Ave. E., Tacoma, (253) 473-7068) - The authentic Mexican food is fabulous.  The kitchen, open for view, prepares unbelievable carne asada, top-notch tortillas and items that you simply won't see at most Mexican restaurants in South Puget Sound, such as marinated goat meat and beef tongue tacos.

Pub Fare

Doyle's Public House (208 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, (253) 272-7468) - Doyle's offers a traditional Irish bar fare menu, not American traditional, but items such as Guinness stew, bangers and mash, corned beef - the grub you would expect at an Irish pub.

The pub also serves a bounty of tasty sandwiches.  Their popular Cheesy British sub includes mayo, mustard, pickle, lettuce and tomato portion, as well as turkey, ham, roast beef and cheddar cheese.  Easily a foot long, toasted, it arrives with either a salad or soup.

The Guinness stew is served in a bread bowl, but let's not split hairs.  The bowl was toasted, hollowed and filled with a decent stew.  The flavors were rich and meaty, and the serving size average. This won't satisfy a rugby player, but it's a good choice after a polo match.

Engine House No. 9 (611 N Pine St., Tacoma, (253) 272-3435) - Frat boys, sorority girls and "independents" come in droves to partake of the lager of their choice.  They can pick from Winter Warmer to Four Alarm Stout to Solstice Scottish Ale. The food is on par with most pub-style cuisine in the area, but the attraction may be more ephemeral.  Many people enjoy the sense of Tacoma's history in spirit, as E9 has been a tavern for more than 35 years, and in the old photographs that deck the walls and provide a distraction from that pointless obliterated conversation you began with someone in your Chemistry lab. Live music every Sunday at 6 p.m.

Harmon Brewery and EATERY (1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, (253) 383-2739) - This large, lively brewery boasts suds and grub plus a happy hour clientele of young professionals and collegians that ain't too hard on the eyes. Serving up five or so custom brews and always a few seasonal brews - from light lagers to stouts that eat like a meal - the Harmon also has an inexpensive food menu that covers everything from pizza and wings to a $5 steak and rib night on Tuesdays, and Sunday all-you-can-eat fish and chips. A full bar of liquor and wine selections round out the cocktail end of things. 

McNamara's Pub and Eatery (1595 Wilmington Dr. DuPont, (253) 964-9200) - Lizz Farrell, daughter of patriarch and 30-year gastro/dining enthusiast John Farrell, has her finger on the pulse at McNamara's Pub and Eatery, an Irish-inspired American comfort food dining spot. They serve Irish favorites and classic American comfort foods - ribs, burgers, seafood, sandwiches, salads. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

Tempest Lounge (913 Martin Luther King Junior Way, Tacoma, 253) 272-4904) - The Tempest is epitome of hip and cool with a 50s vibe. Great fresh juice cocktails and comfort food that would make your mom proud. Meat loaf, macaroni and cheese, pretzel with Gorgonzola and our favorite, sautéed mushrooms and grilled bread. The piping hot chocolate chip cookie sar eto die for. Their little kitchen does big things. It's not to be missed.

The Swiss (1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253) 572-2821) - Single lady sips chowder below Chihuly glass.  Suits discuss flow charts in the loft.  Tattoos scratch the cue ball in the game room.  Strangers discuss the game on the tube while waiting for a brew served by honest-to-god bartender types with wacky nicknames like Monkey.  The service is quick and friendly. The food crushes most taverns' fare featuring sandwiches and Italian dishes. Taco Thursdays is popular. It's one of Tacoma's most popular bars since the early 90s.

Steakhouse

Asado (2810 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, (253) 272-7770) - Asado serves exceptional South American food. The rising star of Sixth Avenue copping a reservation here proves challenging, so do you and your friends a favor and call early.

Then, be in the moment - one that fairly consistently delights - Asado rarely misses a beat. Bring a big group and order everything - moving forks of food around the table in a clockwise fashion. If you lack enough friends, we recommend the specials, or from the standby menu, the hanger steak, stuffed pork chop or lamb shank.

On the salad front, we enjoy both the Endivas Y Paltas - a marriage of endive, avocado, hearts of palm, green onions and lobster with champagne vinaigrette - and the Ensalada Hierbras - a mix of arugula, cilantro, watercress, mint, walnuts, jicama, shaved manchego cheese and a passion fruit vinaigrette. The winner was the passion fruit dressing.

Asado offers an interesting selection of desserts. The caramel crepes are served warm with vanilla bean ice cream; they really hit the spot after a filling meal.

El Gaucho (2119 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, (253) 882-0009) - The upscale steak house brings New York-ish service and ambiance to a town not famous for its posh dining. While this town has several upscale eateries, never before has it had a restaurant that creates an experience that leaves diners feeling as if they had stepped into another world, where every attention to detail is designed to make them feel pampered and important.

El Gaucho is so much more than Angus beef and fine wine - it's about a vacation resort that doesn't require a plane ticket to enjoy.

Pacific Grill (1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, (253) 627-3535) - When you're in the mood to dine with distinction, there's no better place than the Pacific Grill. Located on the ground floor of the restored Waddell building at 15th and Pacific Avenue, Pacific Grill is a man's place with dark wood and brick; it's like a supper club.  It's the kind of place where we like to order our scotch neat and start with a crab cocktail. 
It leans toward the expensive side, but the experience is worth it during those moments when kitchen, floor and wine staff hit on all cylinders together. Steaks, chops and seafood rule.

Award-winning chef Gordon Naccarato knocks us off his Pacific Grill chair with his tuna melt. The open-faced grilled ahi tuna sandwich off his lunch menu deserves to be bronzed. The combination of the vintage cheddar cheese with the soft, rare flesh of the tuna is very satisfying.

Sax Restaurant and Lounge (2303 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, (253) 572-5106) - Mixed green house salads were quite large, and the basket of hot sliced bread that arrived with them was a nice touch. If you like blue cheese dressing, this is the place for you. Sax's is made from the sous chef‘s own special recipe.

The slider trio is part of the bar menu that's available at a reduced happy hour price if you sit in the bar. We were lucky to be allowed to get it at our table. As the name "slider trio" suggests, three small burgers arrived. The little buns were toasted lightly and encased a tomato, lettuce leaf and one selection each from this carnivore's trifecta - a juicy, hand -formed beef patty; a breaded and deep-fried chicken breast; and a crab cake full of real crabmeat. Score.