showcase magazine | dining & shopping 2010
dining
pacific grill
photo courtesy of pacific grill
1502 Pacific Ave, Tacoma 253.627.3535 pacificgrilltacoma.com
When dining out, striking a balance between food, atmosphere, service and dining companions is of paramount importance. If fabulous service, well-crafted cuisine and an intimate atmosphere are what you seek, the staff at Pacific Grill will take care of you. Whet your appetite with a crisp and playful Prosecco along with the fresh and fanciful Pacifica Cocktail. This is a refreshing seafood cocktail where the traditional cocktail sauce is replaced with a citrusy gazpacho-like accompaniment. If red wine is more to your liking, try a succulent Oregon Pinot Noir paired with the Blue Cheese ‘Tater Tots’. These crisp, warm and cheesy ‘Oregonzola’ potato bites are proof that love can exist on a plate. You will find them listed on the menu as a side, but your server will happily bring them to you as an appetizer. Both dishes are satisfying enough to share among your friends, although, you may not want to do so! The dinner selection is divine. You will have no trouble finding entrees to satisfy your inner pescatarian, carnivore, vegetarian, or pastafarian. Classic salads and tempting sides await the opportunity to amplify the meal, but the entrees can easily stand on their own. Slip your knife into a buttery flat iron steak cooked to medium-rare perfection. Feeling saucy? How about the Northwest Cioppino? Dungeness &
Jonah crab mingle with a shellfish medley in a finger-licking, bread dipping broth of white wine and San Marzano tomato. A generous crostini topped with aioli soaks up the savory jus while you crack open crab legs. A dessert menu is often something I will pass up following a delightfully satisfying meal; however, Pacific Grill’s thoughtful menu includes a dazzling (yet not overwhelming) array of goodies such as port and whiskey which prove enough to lower any full belly’s defenses. A highlight is the Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch—incredibly peaty, with the smoky intensity of a campfire. Pastry Chef Erin Powell contributes a lovely variety of sweet treats to round out the meal such as a rich Sticky Toffee Bread Pudding that simply oozes with warmth and comfort. Her Rustic Apple Tart takes on a delightful twist with salted caramel ice cream, and she succeeds in elevating the ubiquitous crème brûlée with star anise, topped with the ideal proportion of spoon-tapping burnt sugar crust. I urge you not to skip dessert. In addition to its dinner menu, Pacific Grill offers substantial lunch, bar and happy hour menus. With all of the tantalizing menu items, I know I will be back. I will be bringing friends to share in what I trust will be many bountiful and memorable meals. LIBBY CLOW
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