Alfred’s Café cheeseburger

I, Cheeseburgermeister Meistercheeseburger, stopped by Alfred’s Cafe & Bubble Room last week after destroying 59 toys, and decided to lift a couple of pints in the white and black diner, and have a little snack.

I know that Alfred’s Cafe has a fascinating history: blah blah once was a brothel, yadda yadda, etc. I know the place is a mix between Mel’s Diner from Happy Days, Cheers and an Irish pub. And that it offers quite possibly the best Monte Cristo in the South Sound! But seriously, when you have a burger this good, you just don't need anything else! One thick patty, done medium, with plenty of cheese on a mega bun, then served on a plate with iceberg lettuce, tomato slice, three onion rings, two pickles and a side of mayo. Oh, and the sturdy, massive top bun arrives under the burger so I can make a smiling face with ketchup and mustard on the patty. That's it, and that's enough!

It rings in, with crispy fries, at $9.74. — Cheeseburgermeister Meistercheeseburger

[Alfred's Cafe & Bubble Room, 402 Puyallup Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.5491]

Lobster mac ‘n’ cheese   

Ah, weather. It’s cold, it’s aggressive, it’s bitter. Food — hot, rich, fatty and abundant — is solace right now as we live in Jack Frost’s left nostril. And what I like to eat during this cold weather is macaroni and cheese, and plenty of it.

I popped in for Stanley & Seafort’s weekly Wednesday night jazz, a 3 Drink Minimum session — which appears in this week’s Volcano issue — and their lobster mac ‘n’ cheese ($24).

Stanley’s has perfected the cheese combination — Gruyère, cheddar and fontina — adds huge chunks of lobster, truffle oil, tops it with baked breadcrumbs then arranges it with two granny apple and lobster kabobs.

The bar was packed with drinkers, festive decorations, animated music by Collaboration Jazz, and me smiling in the corner — especially after my third drink. — Ron Swarner

[Stanley & Seafort’s, 115 E. 34th St., Tacoma, 253.473.7300]