ANNOUNCER: This week the boys head out at lunchtime to two very different eateries in equally different downtown sections of Puget Sound cities. They visit The Press in Olympia and Dock Street Sandwich Co. in Tacoma.

A self described coffeehouse and lounge that serves a little food, The Press sits in Olympia’s Theatre District in a recently remodeled space retaining much of the original Security Building charm. Warm cream and brown interior colors complement a stuffed, black leather couch, wooden bistro tables and chairs. Housed on the main floor of Thea’s Landing, a slick condo high-rise, Dock Street Sandwich Co. is just north of the Museum of Glass. Strings of stars adorn the windows, and homemade fudge beckons from a display case. Both serve only breakfast and lunch, though nibbles at The Press are offered later in the night.

JASON: The Press in Olympia is class A classy. The owner, Melissa Ellyson, is a sweet little gumdrop. She made our food while we gazed at flat screens and sipped coffees she’d also whipped up. What a hot one-woman show. And my soy chai, sugar-free, vanilla iced latte was perfection.

JAKE: Are you talking about a puppy? Geez. The Press has a limited menu and becomes more limited as the day lengthens. This certainly ensured freshness; my spinach wrap was a sleeping bag for juicy turkey and ham, cream cheese, crisp red leaf lettuce and provolone. Though the wrap was served à la carte, a handful of sweet red and green grapes rode the plate in a swirl of honey. The smallish portion size made this a very light meal, more like a snack than a full lunch.

JASON: My salad was also on the smallish side. When our food arrived, I thought it was your side salad, Jake. I was glad for the plentiful goat cheese chunks and tangy citrus oil-based dressing. One speared, halved roasted fig rested on a fluffy pile of frilly green and red leaf lettuce, spinach and romaine. The fig was beautifully soft, sweet and savory, drizzled in olive oil. Man, I could have eaten five of those plum-sized lovelies. The accompanying sourdough was toasted so lightly I’m not sure it was toasted. All of the pastries were gone. No dessert for us. We made do with Rogue chocolate stout and Samuel Smith hard cider.

JAKE: Down on Dock Street, the owner proudly shared that his daughter makes their fudge from scratch. We ordered three kinds as appetizers. The cream colored lavender fudge was surprising; flavors were layered and oh so subtle. Mint and caramel were certainly good but not mind blowing. All were very rich. My Caffe D’arte cup of plain drip cut through the lingering fudgy sweetness, clearing my palate for the Cowboy. This specialty sandwich is a hot one — dripping tangy sweet barbecue sauce slathered on a pile of sliced roast beef with grilled white onions and melted cheddar cheese. Served on a French roll, the best part was the added salt kick the bacon gave it. Yes, bacon — the other white meat.

JASON: I love those TV ads — like bacon being pork and pork being white makes it healthy somehow. Excellent marketing, pig farmers. Heh. Muffuletta doesn’t appear on menus in the Northwest often. Layered among Italian dry salami, mozzarella, provolone and black forest ham, seriously tasty olive tapenade (typically mashed olives, capers, garlic and herbs) lent the panini a nice moistness. I was glad I had chosen it. I could have eaten the tapenade with a spoon.

JAKE: The apple chicken salad tasted fresh, though I didn’t care for the bleached appearance of the cold chicken slices. That screams pre-made to me, and me no likey pre-made. Orange poppy seed dressing was delicious — not too sweet. And you can never go wrong with blue cheese crumbles, slivers of red onion and pecans.

[The Press Coffeehouse & Lounge, 406 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, 360.239.4104]

[Dock Street Sandwich Co., 1701 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.627.5882]

The Press

Hours: 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays -Thursdays, 6 a.m.- late Friday and 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays;
closed Sundays
Cuisine: Creative deli fare
Scene: Hip urban cafe
Drinkies: Coffee, tea, espresso, specialty sodas, beer and wine
Damage: $.99-$8.99 (wine $5-$33)

Dock Street Sandwich Co

Hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
Cuisine: Creative Deli fare for breakfast and lunch
Scene: Casual and laid back
Drinkies: Coffee, tea, espresso, beer and wine
Prices: $1.00-$8.99
Delivery in downtown Tacoma if order exceeds $20.
(wine $5-$33)