Walkie Talkie Blog
NEW BUSINESS >>> Some bosses shell out boring, tedious tasks. Mine, lucky for me, sends me on culinary explorations that entice my taste buds. When I received a message from Pappi Swarner to check out Masaala Chai Cafe in Lacey, I smiled and off I went. Masaala Chai Cafe opened its doors Monday,
Walkie Talkie Blog
TASTING NEW DISHES >>> Since summer of 2011, Marrow Kitchen and Bar has been tempting taste buds with artful, compelling and quite frankly, delicious masterpieces. The dishes are inventive. The mood it creates is lively and engaging. Dining out at Marrow is more than dining out; it's a full-on social event
Walkie Talkie Blog
CH-CH-CH-CHANGES >>> Since X Group Restaurants took control of the historic Engine House No. 9 in June 2011; we've seen many subtle changes - in ambiance and its stable of nibbles and libations. The dessert menu received one of the initial changes. E-9 went from serving premade frozen sweet treats to housemade
Walkie Talkie Blog
CROWDFUNDING FOR BEER >>> Kickstarter has helped many big thinkers get the funding necessary to make hopeful projects come to fruition. The crowdfunding model sprung up in part due to the squeeze of the financial collapse. Small business loans have become more difficult to get in the wake of the recession;
Walkie Talkie Blog
THE MORNING AFTER >>> Huzzah! You've almost made it. You've almost survived another year. New Year's Day arrives Tuesday. You just have to get pass New Year's Eve with its night of kissing strangers, knocking over tables and next day hangover when you're feeling like a Mac truck full of manure
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THERE THEY GO A-WASSAILING, OR SOMETHING >>> Tomorrow, burlesque troupe Gritty City Sirens will shimmy-shake its way through Tacoma bars, singing carols and spreading holiday cheer to those who drink beer. And wine. And booze. The troupe's Caroling Pub Crawl launches at 7 p.m. inside Puget Sound Pizza, then hits The Office Bar
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EAT FRESH, DRESS WARM >>> Last night's snow is a good indication that summer loving, or even mild, pleasant weather is officially over. With that, we will be bidding adieu to the weekly Proctor Farmers Market. Proctor Farmers Market is Tacoma's only four-season market, running every Saturday from March to this Saturday.
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I LOVE THIS JOB >>> In case you haven't notice I have bourbon fever. I've applauded local distillery endeavors and reported on bourbon dinners. Because the Weekly Volcano is an equal opportunity rag, I turn my attention to the translucent liquids. No, no, not H2O silly. I'm talking to you vodka and
Walkie Talkie Blog
GOING BIG >>> There isn't a shortage of Thai restaurants in the South Sound, especially in Olympia. Choosing from quality options, you must factor in a key ingredient - ambiance. Every place has a different vibe and The
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FILL 'ER UP >>> The South Sound has been on a slow crawl toward a food truck culture downtown. Permanent taco trailers are scattered here and there. A mobile food court in downtown Olympia officially opened in the summer of 2011. Moveable Feasts, a pop-up food truck festival, saw long lines
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SHARE THE SPIRIT >>> The holidays are officially, officially upon us. If the hustle and bustle of trying to find the perfect gift is making you wonder what the holidays are really about, you might want to consider the less fortunate. There's nothing like giving back to make you thankful for
Walkie Talkie Blog
SLOW FOOD OLYMPIA EVENT >>> Hot tea has played an intricate part in our lives for generations. Teas have been intertwined with spiritual experiences. They've been used as tinctures of health and wellness. And for some they are simply a part of our daily routine. Slow Food Greater Olympia has a mission
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BEAN THERE, DONE THAT >>> Northwesterners love coffee as much as Sasquatch, flannel and karaoke. In fact, Coffee houses in the Pacific Northwest are as omnipresent as slot machines are in Vegas. They line the streets vying for your attention. They beckon you to sip its brews, utilize its Wi-Fi and
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IT'S ON TONIGHT! >>> "Honey, Parkway ruined your Thanksgiving ... again," - famous last words to be spoken by an attendee of another Thanksgiving eve at Tacoma's Parkway Tavern. The event is aptly named and according to manager John O'Gara, "It all started a few years ago as a bit of an
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NEW DRINK MENU ALERT! >>> I love the change of seasons from summer dresses and sunglasses to stylish coats and comfy scarves. With the change in weather comes a change in my libation choices. Blustery, grey skies beg of me to sip on flavorful, warmed cocktails. "Come in from the cold," they
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COOKING SHOW MANIA >>> It would seem that the South Sound region is making it big as far as culinary broadcasts are concerned. Two weeks ago, Guy Fieri bopped around Tacoma, Olympia, Puyallup and Lakewood. This past week celebrity chef Roger Mooking visited Olympia. Canadian chef, and super approachable Mooking is a
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YAY LONGEVITY ... AND BUBBLY! >>> Champagne is most widely considered a libation for celebratory purposes. The sound of the cork popping renders excitement and reminiscing of New Year shindigs. Saturday, the Black Door Wine Company will give you an excuse to indulge in the bubbly with an annual Champagne tasting of
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FOOD NETWORK VS THE SOUTH SOUND >>> There's been some excitement buzzing around the South this week about a certain 1967 Chevy Camaro SS Convertible cruising through Tacoma, Puyallup and Olympia. Not because it's a sexy hue of red and hot, but rather it sports the license plate FLVRTWN. Wait. Guy Fieri -
Walkie Talkie Blog
I've been noticing a trend lately — one I'm quite fond of — the pairing of delicious dishes and libations in the form of tasting events at local establishments. You can find beer dinners, wine tastings and now add to the list the Kentucky Bourbon Trail this week at
Walkie Talkie Blog
Tighten up your laces and prepare to walk your way through a poetic adventure with Tacoma's Walk Poetic event, set for Wednesday. This free event encourages participants to journey through 1.5 miles of the streets of Downtown and Hilltop, visiting local historical landmarks and parks in search of inspiration. Walk
