Catch a new buzz at an old spot

We've all been there.  Saying to ourselves, "Oh, I'll just meet friends for a quick one after work," and before we know it a polite server is handing out dinner menus as the sun sets. It happens, especially if the conversation is flowing and the location is comfortable. The new happy hour at Pomodoro Restaurant & Bar in Tacoma's Proctor District could very well turn into dinner. The drink prices and selection will certainly do their part.

Pricing is enticing: $3 well drinks and draft beers, $4 house wine and, whoa, all other wine by the glass is only $5. Columbia Crest, Ravenswood, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Red Diamond, Villa Toscano and Sageland grace the wine menu.

After a couple $2 bottles of Peroni or Stella Artois you'll want to sample the $4 munchie menu of breaded and fried green beans, cheesy pizza bread, calamari and meatball sliders.

Here's Pomodoro's happy hour catch: you must sit in the bar or on the outside patio in order to get the Monday through Saturday happy hour prices.

Happy hour runs 3-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 3-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Dinner is served all day Sunday without a happy hour.

[Pomodoro Restaurant & Bar, 3819 N. 26^th St., Tacoma, 253.752.1111]

New Dog & Deli

With no prior restaurant or professional cooking experience, Brian and Susan Large took the plunge on July 6, opening Dog & Deli in Freighthouse Square's food court.

"I sell food I like to make and eat," Brian Large confides with a chuckle.

They pride themselves on slow cooking their creations: "Our Philly cheesesteak is our most popular. We thin-slice rib eye steak and actually slow cook the onions, peppers and cheese into it - not just put them on top. It takes longer, but it's worth the wait."

You won't find vegetarian or vegan dogs at Dog & Deli - it's all about the meat. Standard Nathan's Famous quarter pound beef dogs are $4.99 to $6.99. Hot dogs named for cities are served with ingredients specific to that region's tastes. Take the Atlanta Dog smothered in house-made sweet coleslaw. From neon relish and sport peppers to poppy seed buns and celery salt, Chicago Dog ingredients are imported and oh-so-authentic. The Larges also offer Italian sausage and Polish dogs.

For $5.99 you can get sandwiches and subs with a half pound of non-processed deli-shaved meat with a side of chips or potato salad. Susan's own recipe for American potato salad tastes slightly sweet with just a little hardboiled egg for flavor.

Bowls of smooth Coney Island sauce-style beanless chili are topped with cheese, onion, tomato and jalapeno. The same Coney meat sauce is used on the second most popular dog - a Vienna True Foot Long Coney Island Dog. - Jennifer Johnson

[Dog & Deli, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, 430 E. 25^th St., Tacoma, 253.363.3812]