Yesterday I attended a function at the Lobster Shop at 4015 Ruston Way along the waterway. I love their crab dip! There are two Lobstershop Restaurants. The original opened in Dash Point in 1977 and this one opened in 1981.
El Paraiso Fish Taco & Mexican Food at 2510 84th Street in Lakewood had been on my to do list ever since I read a review in the Tacoma News Tribune.
Today we had some time to spend before a movie so we stopped in and had the fish tacos. They were indeed very tasty and also reasonably priced. The setting isn’t fancy, but that is more than offset by the food, the price and the friendly staff. And, if you are curious, Paraiso translates to Paradise!
El Paraiso Fish Taco & Mexican Food at 2510 84th Street in Lakewood had been on my to do list ever since I read a review in the Tacoma News Tribune.
I love the Over the Moon Cafe at709 Opera Alley (Court C) and don’t know why I haven’t been there in a couple of years. But today I joined some delightful friends for an early dinner and had a great time! The Cafe keeps their lunch menu in effect until about 4:15 and I enjoyed a scrumptious 1/2 a grilled cheese and a cup of lobster bisque. Besides wonderful food their decor is quirky and inviting, and they have the nicest public bathroom that I’ve ever been in!
http://www.overthemooncafe.net/
Dear daughter wanted Mexican food and I wanted a new place of the day. Taqueria El Grande at 7202 South Park Avenue had caught my eye earlier because, well its a bus and the building next to it is an amazing orange color. But we had never been in and were surprised to discover that customers actually go into the bus. It was very clean and I loved all the chrome. The woman who took our order was really nice and service was fast. We could have eaten there, but we got it to go. One of the other customers was telling me that she only brings her closest friends to the Taco Bus and it was the only Mexican food that she would eat in Tacoma. I can see why, it really was pretty darned good. We’ll be back!
About once a year or so, dear daughter and I stop at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts by the Tacoma Mall. I remember when Krispy Kreme came to Washington State. I dragged my dear husband up to Issaquah to check them out! We must have stood in line for almost an hour, but it was like a party with everybody happy and visiting. Of course, it didn’t hurt that they handed out warm, fresh doughnuts to everybody in line! Now that there are 8 locations in Washington State the novelty has gone away.
This afternoon when we stopped at our local Kripy Kreme, there were only two other customers in line, a father and his wide eyed son. But the doughnuts are still good and I look forward to next year when we go again!
http://www.krispykreme.com/home
I didn’t realize that Bertolino Bros. Coffee at 2421 South Union in the Tacoma Central Shopping Center was open 24/7 until I made a quick stop. Good to know. I don’t usually have blended drinks, but the green tea cream just looked so good that I gave in. This family owned and run business has a wonderful feel about it and the staff and food are great.
http://www.bertolinos.com/owner.html
The first Friday that feels like Spring and we decide to celebrate with milkshakes, one chocolate mint and the other vanilla. This Jack in the Box at 2420 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, is pretty much like the rest. I haven’t gone into this store in forever because, to be honest, it doesn’t feel completely safe to me especially in the evening. But the drive through is fine and the drive through workers are friendly and do a good job.
Days when everything goes right deserve a treat, so dear daughter and I stopped at a new to us place in Freighthouse Square called Seasonal Delights Cafe & Espresso Co. We shared this wonderful, still warm cinnamon bun and half was plenty. Next time we’ll go for dinner or lunch and try the crepes!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seasonal-Delights-Cafe-Espresso-Co/135368629853945?sk=photos
Ha! Nobody has ever accused me of being cutting edge, but two days after we were there the Tacoma News Tribune reviewed this restaurant 🙂
Update June 2013: Sadly when I stopped by this week to buy a pie, Season Delights was gone. It appears that they vacated the space in April or May.
The tea was an experience! Much more refined than our usual Starbucks break with a gorgeous, classic interior and dignified, warm service. They seated us by the window and we happily visited and watched the city walking by us. There was a pianist for most of the time that we were there.
As for the tea, it included five types of finger sandwiches, a marvelous scone and assorted treats. I’m embarrassed to say that we ate almost all of it! We were sent home with two boxes of tea to help us recreate the experience
http://www.fairmont.com/empress/GuestServices/Restaurants/AfternoonTea.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Empress_%28hotel%29
Two sweet words… spring… break. And time to go a little further afield. Today we hopped in the car and drove up I5 into Canada. Then we took the Spirit of British Columbia Ferry and over to Victoria. Our delicious halibut and chips dinner was at Nautical Nellies. Dear daughter and I shared a meal and a dessert and it was more than enough.
http://www.nauticalnelliesrestaurant.com/
