Located on Market Street in downtown Tacoma, nestled quietly beneath the colorful Villaggio Apartments lays a gateway to an alternative to Tacoma's commercial nightlife. The Villa Caffe & Imbibery is a discreet little coffee house and bar. Across the street from the Bicentennial Pavilion, The Villa offers a quiet alternative to the chi-chi restaurants and gritty bar scene. The booze selection is small, like the bar space, but well thought out. We sipped spirits from Rogue Ales out of Portland while catching the end of the game on the lone TV screen. Their goal is to offer housemade mixers and organic spirits from local distilleries.

In addition to the quiet ambiance and booze, The Villa fields a fine, more than reasonably priced menu covering all three meal times. English muffin sammies and breakfast croissants will have you out the door quickly, or enjoy the paper and a waffle inside. Paninis and wraps anchor lunch. Comfort food such as lasagna, manicotti and spinach soufflé dot the small dinner menu. The full gamut of espresso drinks are represented.