ANNOUNCER: The boys love art almost as much as they love food, so when the opportunity exists to do both in the same space and time, heck, they get excited. Inside Tacoma’s three high-profile museums diners may find three eateries turning out an array of dishes to compliment the exhibits inside. While no one suggests actually eating next to a piece of art, it’s nice to have places to rest the eye balls while stimulating the taste buds.

JASON: Where to start? At the Washington State History Museum Cascade Bagel manages the tollbooth space above the concrete amphitheater. Across the Chihuly Bridge, Gallucci’s Glass Cafe manages the Museum of Glass’s restaurant. And, up Pacific Avenue at the Tacoma Art Museum, the Untitled Café provides the nourishment. I like all three.

JAKE: Let’s tackle Cascade Bagel first. With a sister shop in Lakewood, this bagel shop understands the key to success is simple bagel flavors accentuated by excellent meats, cheeses and spreads. Baking New York style bagels with free Wi-Fi across the street from UWT, they draw a few lines at lunchtime.

JASON: My favorite bagel is chicken salad on a pesto bagel — but I find that everyone has his or her own special bagel combo. It’s only important to know that these bagels don’t have an industrial flavor, nor are they dumbed-down with softeners and fillers.

JAKE: At the Museum of Glass, the restaurant space matches the industrial look elsewhere inside and outside the museum. With space age chairs and stainless steel tabletops inside a triangular room with large windows, I wonder how cozy it might feel once winter attacks. For the summer, however, it’s cool as a dip in the ocean. The menu focuses mostly on sandwiches, salads, soups and pasta. You order at the counter.

JASON: Gallucci’s turns out a tamale of the day, which is as unique as the art inside the building. The tamales are near perfect — maybe a tad bit dry — but the fresh corn flavor and small kick offers fresh perspective for the dining scene. The Hawaiian red salt and pepper crusted salmon, however, wasn’t just a tad bit dry — the fish practically buckled. The two small medallions not only tasted overcooked, they looked like it, too, with most edges burned. The accompanying bed of wilted spinach and fennel tomato salsa, however, was a nice touch.

JAKE: Gallucci’s does a fine job with desserts — the fruit parfait arrived fresh and light with plump fruit — a treat.

JASON: Finally, the Untitled Café shared the industrial look with Gallucci’s, however a large exhibit hanging off the ceiling provides visual interest and conversation. This café is smaller than Gallucci’s and thus often crowded at lunchtime — so eat early. The menu features salads, soups and sandwiches with chicken, beef and Portobello burgers.

JAKE: A server takes care of the logistics so ordering at the table is unique here among the three museum eateries. I adored the Moroccan chicken sandwich — a combo of grilled, marinated chicken breast on warm pita with hummus, tomato chutney and feta cheese. Tangy, sweet and filling. The mac and cheese didn’t inspire — more bland pasta than anything else.

JASON: The Untitled Salad starts things off right with jicama, red peppers, orange slices, red onion and avacado on romaine and watercress with an orange thyme vinaigrette — fresh and cool. The hormone-free Ninman Ranch burger was stacked and hearty with a choice of onion, mushrooms, bacon or avocado — or pay more for all four.

JAKE: Three restaurants, great art, good food — I feel so smart.

JASON: No comment.

Cascade Bagel & Deli

Where: 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma 253.272.4242
Hours: Mon-Wed, & Fri, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat & Sun., 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cuisine: Bagels, mostly, however they also offer eggs in the morning, chips, pickles and desserts
Scene: Small room with high windows, plenty of reading material, Wi-Fi and busy counter service
Drinkies: Espresso drinks, smoothies, soda, Italian sodas, and juices

MENU

• Scrambled eggs >> $2.95
• Smoked Salmon bagel >> $8.60
• BLT >> $4.35

Gallucci’s Glass Cafe

Where: 1801 Dock Street, Tacoma 253.272.4242
Hours: Mon-Sun., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cuisine: Emphasis on sandwiches and salads with Mediterranean themes
Scene: Industrial, airy with lots of light and cold fixtures — order at the counter and take a number
Drinkies: Espresso drinks, juice, soda

MENU

• Caeser Salad >>  $6
• Reuben >> $9
• Tamales >> $9.50
   

Untitled Cafe

Where: 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma 253.272.4242
Hours: Tues-Sat, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sun, noon-3:30 p.m., Third Thursday, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Closed Mondays
Cuisine: Salads, soups, pasta and sandwiches with exotic flavor combinations
Scene: Industrial, small room with cold tables. Sit down service
Drinkies: Espresso drinks, juice, soda

MENU

• Nicoise Salad >> $9
• Mac N’ Cheese >> $6
• Roasted Portobello Sandwich >> $8