Friday, June 3

THIS RAG'S EDITOR and I enjoyed tasty nibbles at SIX OLIVES Friday night.  This Sixth Avenue lounge rules due to the complimentary food and drink samples randomly distributed throughout the evening.  We sampled a new dessert: raspberry sorbet in a martini glass with vanilla vodka, garnished with a mint leaf. It was divine. This rag's editor called it a CAVITY IN A GLASS. Six Olives just opened their new pull-tab bar, the Elevator Room.

We ventured next door to Shakabrah Java for HEIDI STOERMER'S birthday party. Stoermer performed an emotional version of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide."  Her mama served cake and ice cream. It was obvious the people there really cared for her. Nice.  WEEKLY VOLCANO THEATER CRITIC STEVE DUNKELBERGER lamented the lack of liquor and had to settle on a beer. I itched for a smoke and just had to wait.

A block away at JAZZBONES, the FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS tore it up for the club's 5-year anniversary party weekend.  We popped in for a minute, said some hellos then hit the ENGINE HOUSE for shots with some of this rag's editor's friends.  SOUL PATCH and the fellas were a bit lit sharing stories of previous excursions that ranged from funny to macabre (when asked if you want to hear the dead cat story, say no).  Off to the soft opening of CLUB RPM, this new joint that opened in what used to be the Hotel Bar & Grill, has minimalist décor in a wanna-be South Beach color of creamy orange and white.  OMAR AND JR are giving it a go with DJs spinning old school, hip-hop, techno and dance depending on the night (see this rag's music calendar). OCEAN GROOVES may get in on the scene with a Monday night house music party. Unfortunately, our drinks were ridiculously weak. We're talking a splash of liquor. Lame. I sincerely hope they get the bartenders trained better before too long. Having a rep for bad drinks can kill a place. 

The MONSOON ROOM may be in Hilltop, er...Upper Tacoma as my real estate friends insist I call it (you're not fooling anyone), is one fine relaxing place. The inside is gorgeous with a very strong island/tiki/Bali theme. Monsoon only holds 25 people and I am glad. Really big places like the Loft can make you feel like cattle.  JEFF, co-owner of Monsoon, makes delicious drinks like the Astor (cranberry vodka, sparkling wine, pineapple, kiwi shaken in a martini glass), has good taste in music (Digable Planets), smart memory and a cool demeanor.  KATE AND JAMES BENDER (the gorgeous couple on the cover of this rag) were there, each looking fine in their stylish clothes.  Their friend and glass blower LEAH had the cutest little dog Priscilla. Monsoon will no doubt be frequented by creative, attractive people talking about inventively, brilliant ideas and just generally being fabulous. It's a gorgeous scene.

And remember, the one with the biggest sunglasses wins.

Sunday, June 5

The SEA GRILL, Tacoma's newest shmancy restaurant, had their pre-opening par-tay with so tasty hors d'oeuvre: barbequed ahi, oysters, jumbo prawn cocktail and seared filet mignon with cranberry and orange reduction.  The wine was good.  I might have hit on the hot older guy doing the pouring, but what's new. The desserts were to die for, especially bread pudding. Sea Grill is now THE place for dessert. For reals.

Of Note

I am so excited for FLOCK OF SEAGULLS TONIGHT at Jazzbones.  I'm gonna have my hair up all ‘80s angles and make it nice and wack for the night.  Yay!  FEAR TRAIN CARAVAN, who opens for the Flock,  will  break out of Tacoma with a show Saturday at the 4TH AVE TAV in Olympia.