Tacoma Untapped » Restaurants

Puget Sound Pizza Changing Hands

Jake — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:46:31 +0000

One of Tacoma’s most popular pizza joints may be under new ownership soon. Puget Sound Pizza located in the St. Helens Neighborhood at 7th & St. Helens Ave. is now under contract for new ownership. The owner, Jim Higgins, says long time employees Martin and Shannon are the buyers of the business. If all goes as well they should own the business within 60 days.

While rumors of the sale have been swirling around the neighborhood for months, the rumors of current owner, Jim Higgins, opening a new spot have been around for longer.

From his Facebook page:

“I’ve got a few ideas for new concepts that I’ve been kicking around. Tacoma has tons of potential (and available spaces) right now
Straight away I’m just gonna take a couple months and do some fun stuff, but eventually I’ll probably (more likely than not) do something similar.”

PSP has great pizza and an always entertaining atmosphere, what would you like to see change? Or change nothing at all?

Gyros Coming to the UWT

Jake — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:37:34 +0000

“Retail spaces are empty.” “There are tons of open retail spaces along the UWT strip.” “The retail space in Phillips Hall is available, let’s fill that first then lets talk.”

Ok let’s talk!

University Gyro House is in the process of filling the vacant retail space in UWT’s Phillips Hall at 1914 Pacific Ave. Along with gyros it appears you will also be able to have a nice cold beer, as Nizar LLC has applied for a beer/wine restaurant liquor license.

So will gyros be a good fit for the UWT campus? I think so!

Out of Stadium & Into 6th Ave. for El Guadalajara?

Jake — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:59:04 +0000

It appears that the Stadium District El Guadalajara may be moving to the center of the 6th Ave. Business District. Tres Ramos El Guadalajara Inc. has applied for a restaurant liquor license with a new location at 3002 6th Ave. and appears to be taking place of the Neighborhood Market (previously on Tacoma Untapped. A business license check for the current location, on Tacoma Ave. in the Stadium Business District, says it has closed. The building where the Stadium District location was located is owned by X Square Investments II, which is ran by John & Luke Xitco, owners of Asado and Masa. Rumors from a few years ago were that X Group wanted to put an Italian restaurant in the Stadium District building once Guadalajara was gone.

El Guadalajara was recently in the news because they were required to install a sprinkler system in the building due to new nightclub laws but hadn’t done so yet. The Stadium District location has a dance floor in the bar portion of the building.

UPDATE: It appears El Guadalajara may be going into the back section of the building where Neighborhood Market is located.

Lunch Time at Asado

Jake — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:47:17 +0000

A new lunch option will appear on 6th Ave. starting June 1st. Asado will give the lunch crowd a go and start serving lunch Monday through Firday 11:30am – 2:30pm. Happy Hour will start after lunch at 2:30pm.

The new lunch menu will include: fresh fish Cuban sandwich, Asado cobb salad with smoked mahi and prawns, quinoa bowls with choice of protein, and combos of skewers or sliders and choice of salad.

Can you picture yourself on a nice sunny day having lunch on Asado’s patio? I can!

Asado

2810 6th Ave.

Tacoma, WA 98406

Minoela Coming Soon

Jake — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:17:46 +0000

The details are in on the new wine bistro, Minoela, opening in the St Helens neighborhood. As previously reported on Tacoma Untapped , Minoela will be located in the Merlino Art Center building off 6th Ave. and Fawcett Ave. , next to the Grand Cinema.

Q&A with the owners after the jump:

Here is the juicy Q&A with the owners Danielle and Mike Kartes:

Q: How did you get the name Minoela? What does it mean?

A: Minoela is my variation of the word mineola. It is a type of orange! I wanted something a bit easier for people to say! This very special type of Tangelo orange is bright, juicy, and fresh. When I think of citrus it just makes me happy. It’s exactly the kind of place we aim to be. Bright, welcoming, and fresh.

Q: Has the lease been finalized?

A: Hahaha Yes!

Q: In our last correspondence you said your new establishment will be a Bistro Wine House. Will you sell wine for off-site consumption as well as on-site?

A: On-site and off-site as well. I want our patrons to be able to pick up a few fabulous bottles they have tried at our wine house and perhaps bring them to a party or stop on their way home from work to relax at home for the evening.

Q: What kind of food do you plan to serve and at what price points?

A: We want to support local organic sustainable business, so we aim for fresh season appetizers and meals, and fresh breads. Not to heavy but defiantly not leaving you wanting more. Desserts are bing in my book so we will have THE best in homemade cakes, cookies and ooey gooey goodness. Our price points will be fair. In this economy we want to keep everything on the menu under 11 bucks! With a great Happy Hour!!! Happy hours drive the restaurant biz these days.

Q: Many people are familiar with layout of the former One Heart Cafe, will you make any changes to the interior layout?

A: You will just have to wait and see.. wink wink. It’s going to be just beautiful.

Q: What look are you going for in the interior of the space?

A: Vintage meets comfortable. We want a new fresh approach to the average wine bar. We want people to fee comfy and happy while in Minoela, so you won’t see any super bright colors or depressing artwork.

Q: What hours do you think you will be open?

A: Thursday through Sunday as of right now. Depending on business we will add the other three days of the week as well.

Q: Is this your first venture into the restaurant business?

A: Yes and no. I have been wrapped up in the restaurant biz for a few years and it is definitely not my first business project but it will be the first wine house/bistro.

Q: And lastly, tell me more about your husband and yourself?

A: I like the color green and I love cheese. I’m not a fan of itchy sweaters and I like the ocean. Home grown tomatos taste better than store bought. I like wood paneled jeeps though I don’t own one!

I am a makeup artist and I primarily have worked in LA and Seattle but Tacoma/Puyallup is my home and where I have lived my entire life. We decided it’s time to open this place I have been thinking about for years! My husband is a writer. We are the best of friends. We are very involved in the community and we want a place that gives back. We hope to supprot the local economy by creating jobs and getting as many of our supplies from other locals.

Well there you have it! Look for Minoela to open soon at 604 Fawcett Ave.

Loungin at Pacific Grill on Sunday

Jake — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:54:39 +0000

This Sunday Pacific Grill is turning into Lounge @ PG. The fine dining establishment will open its doors at 7:00pm for a social/mixer event that is to last until 11:00pm (or possibly later, I am told). They are charging a $10 cover but cover includes: 1 drink ticket, free food, raffle prizes, and a $10 gift card to Pacific Grill.

Information from the event page on Facebook:

Tacoma’s Hottest Social Event at Tacoma’s Sexiest Restaurant, Pacific Grill!

Free PG Snacks & Desserts
DJ Broam spinning the beats
$10 cover includes 1 drink ticket
$10 PG gift card (can be used on your next visit)
Great Raffle Prizes!

Lounge @ PG menu:

Salami Sandwiches
Chicken Satays
Ham & Cheese Empanadas
Charcuterie & Cheese Display
Sushi Maki Rolls
Julia Child Brownies
Rock’n Roca Blondie

What is Lounge @ PG? It is a party, a mixer, a social, a weekend wind down. Eat some great food, have some drinks, listen to the beats, and mingle with friends!

Sounds like a good time. I will see you down there.

Pacific Grill
1502 Pacific Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402

New Restaurant in the St. Helens?

Jake — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:20:38 +0000

It looks like the St. Helens neighborhood in Downtown Tacoma may be seeing a new restaurant soon. A company called Jericho Development, LLC has applied for a beer/wine restaurant liquor license. The restaurants name is Minoela and will be located in the former One Heart Cafe location at the Merlino Arts Center. Not much more info on the place other than that.

I am also working on a few other neighborhood restaurant rumors, so stay tuned!

Southern Kitchen Not Coming to Fern Hill?

Jake — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:48:50 +0000

Maybe the South End won’t be getting their catfish and potato cakes. The former Fern Hill Coffee House location was set to become Southern Kitchen’s second Tacoma location with a planned opening this Spring. Now the space is back up for lease on Craigslist. I have been telling some friends and family about Southern Kitchen opening in Fern Hill and they were pretty excited. Did the owner find another location?

TNT Diner Post: Southern Kitchen, welcome to Fern Hill