Announcer: New restaurants tend to receive a lot of buzz when they first open in the South Sound, and sometimes those early lines and hard to get reservations are worthy - and other times they are not. WildFin's recent opening on Ruston Way kept the seats booked this past weekend, and by most measures, that attention was justified. WildFin, with locations in Issaquah and Renton, is a fine addition to the Tacoma dining scene.

Jason: WildFin has that Northwest industrial look with lots of metal and wood with high open ceilings and cold colors. The entire back wall is windows looking out on the Puget Sound and Vashon Island, with a gorgeous framing of Mt. Rainier to the side.

Jake: The menu selections match the Northwest views with a hearty focus on seafood in nearly every way imaginable.  Seafood is available as an appetizer, pasta, in a salad or even as a side. As a seafood lover, it would be difficult to make a bad choice here.

Jason: WildFin has the most extensive children's menu I have ever seen. Practically the entire adult menu is on what they call a "junior menu," and while the tastes are the same, the prices are not. This makes taking the kids out to a fine dining restaurant affordable. My son, a fan of the "wedge" salad, was pleased, and this iceberg, blue cheese, bacon and tomato combination also came with roughly four ounces of flat iron steak with balsamic glaze, all for under $10.

Jake: Interestingly enough, my son, always up for a fish taco, was suspiciously hesitant to offer a taste to me as he savored every bite.  The Cajun-seared fish topped with cabbage, avocado and a spicy aioli that really sets it apart from the others, he has devoured in the past. But it was the smokey corn salad on the side that makes the dish unique.

Jason: Spicy, but in a good way, the shrimp and grits arrived hot in two ways with a generous amount of sweet-smoked gouda and chipotle grits covered with fresh shrimp dusted in spices and a robust and decadent stew of Andouille sausage, tomato and WildFin Ale. I liked the heat but my taste buds weren't ever overwhelmed.

Jake: I visited during the brunch serving and was happily invited to order from the Bloody Mary bar where I was able to craft my own signature AM beverage.  With a choice of pickled goodies, fresh veggies, and 15 different hot sauces ranging from mild to extreme, there is something for everyone.  In addition, I selected the Heritage Smokey Bacon Vodka with bacon salt on the rim. Absolute heaven.

Jason: My favorite dish was WildFin's Alaska snow-crab-stuffed roasted cod with an amazing (see Heavenly) chive buerre blanc. The cod had a crisp shine to it, stuffed with sweet crab meat stacked on a red potato mash. But, the sauce is the star, giving the overall combination a sophistication my mouth adored. I'm putting this down as one of my top 10 favorite dishes in the South Sound.

Jake: My Northwest seafood fettuccini was piled high with fresh pasta swimming in a creamy alfredo sauce that was generously partnered with smoked salmon. The plate was then combined with steamed clams, jumbo prawns and halibut, only to be topped with fresh shaved Parmesan and basil. Every bite packed plenty of flavor.

Jason: Dessert is were I give WildFin the mix review. The donuts soaked in a maple bourbon sauce were divine, the peanut butter pie not so much. The donuts came bite-sized and eight to the plate. They were warm and light with sugar and cinnamon all over them. The peanut butter pie had a decent taste but it was just too thick from the chocolate topping to the filling inside.

WildFin American Grill, 5115 Grand Loop, Tacoma, 253.267.1772, www.wildfinamericangrill.com