New restaurants bring ‘fit waffles,’ breakfast cocktails and bowling to Pierce County
To soak in the last of summer, a few patios have entered the South Sound scene, including a garden situation in Port Orchard, a covered option with plants and misters in Tacoma, and a relaxed place for ice cream and hot dogs in Buckley.
They are three of several new places to eat and drink in the area, from East Pierce County into Kitsap.
New restaurants this summer have also included Thai in Ruston and Gig Harbor and a combo skateboarding and coffee shop, as well as two new wine bars and a bustling biscuit outfit.
Here’s a look at recently opened restaurants in and around Tacoma.
Holy Water Heavenly Lounge
▪ 537 Dekalb St., Port Orchard, 360-908-5026, facebook.com/HolyWaterAHeavenlyLounge
Homemade Cafe, a well-loved diner in an old Port Orchard church, closed early this year. In its wake, in July the owners introduced Holy Water, a wine bar with a food menu focused on shareable plates like charcuterie boards, stuffed mushrooms, deviled eggs and garlic fries. The interior has been completely remodeled with a bar and several nooks outfitted with velvet couches and chairs, plus moody lighting. Enjoy a wine cocktail or a mimosa flight with lesser-seen juices — dragonfruit, passionfruit, pomegranate — in the secluded back garden. Currently open Thursday-Saturday 4-10 p.m.
Poquitos Tacoma / Stadium Golf
▪ 649 Division Ave., Tacoma, 253-900-2405, poquitostacoma.com, stadiumgolftacoma.com
Weimann Maclise Restaurants closed Rhein Haus and Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern in Tacoma last spring. In their stead: a seasoned Mexican concept and a debut interactive golf bar. Poquitos and Stadium Golf opened July 29. Order the Tres Amigos for a sampling of house dips and rice-fried chips, tacos with crispy mahi mahi or juicy beef barbacoa, and chile verde, a skillet of pork shoulder with tomatillos, rice and black beans. Cocktails lean into agave spirits, while draft beer includes several Mexican imports and regional choices.
Poquitos shares a kitchen with Stadium Golf, where the menu differs slightly with some overlap — nachos, pozole, burrito. Here you can catch a game from the central dining room surrounded by ample televisions, or reserve a “bay” to work on your swing: The main draw are the TrackMan golf simulators, with huge screens and house clubs. Need some coaching? Golf program manager Lindsey Gullikson is usually on-site. Look for league play, tournaments and more tech-y golf events in the coming months. Both sides open Wednesday-Sunday at 11 a.m.
Scamp Brewing Tacoma Taproom
▪ 5419 South Tacoma Way, scampbrewing.com
Auburn brewer Arthur Cohn opened his South Tacoma taproom mid-July, with Skee-ball, shuffleboard and a TouchTunes jukebox. The draft list will change frequently but will always include a few IPAs and some of Cohn’s unique specialties, such as a PB&J tart ale and a coffee imperial stout. The space boasts high ceilings, bar and table seating, with room for groups and games. There are also a couple of picnic tables out front, and Cohn anticipates bringing food trucks to the back alley, perhaps in conjunction with upstairs neighbor Discovery Cider Co., which opened in January.
Sage Room at 3uilt Tacoma
▪ 1101 Tacoma Ave. S, Tacoma, 253-301-1730, 3uilt.com
Anna Gonzalez opened the Tacoma Avenue 3uilt last fall, serving weekday brunch of grits in chili oil with fried sage and meaty mushrooms, breakfast burritos and Manifesto Coffee. She has since closed the original 3uilt inside 7 Seas to focus on this location. After additional remodeling, the Sage Room opened in the back as a full-service bar with daytime hours (for now anyway). There you can nibble on candied bacon, house-spiced nuts, vegan wings and cheesy sweet potato fries while sipping cocktails that also pair nicely with brunch fare from the main menu. Think daiquiris, the “Julius” with banana liqueur and Seville orange vermouth, or the house bloody mary. Draft beer and wine is also available. Bonus: Happy hour runs Thursday-Saturday 4-7 p.m. The restaurant is otherwise open Tuesday-Sunday at 9 a.m.
Heritage Coffee Shop and Plant House - Neighborhood Plant Project
2310 Court A, Tacoma, 253-301-2086, instagram.com/heritagecoffeeandplanthouse
Blake Mara created The Neighborhood Plant Project in 2020 as a way of sharing greenery with people who are homebound. What started as pop-ups with occasional fundraisers blossomed into a full-blown business, with a small storefront at Freighthouse Square. This summer, Mara moved into a bigger space on Court A, near Pacific Avenue and 23rd Street, where guests can relax with Kenyan coffee or tea, pick up unique pieces of African art, and take home houseplants that you can pot on-site (20 percent of proceeds fund plant delivery and cards). The mission, Mara told The News Tribune in June, is to “incorporate the local flavor of Tacoma with the beauty and quality of Africa,” all in a welcoming coffee house setting. Open Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Look for grand opening celebration this fall with vegan food, kids’ activities, tarot readings and live music.
Doxsa Nutrition - Buckley
▪ 151 S Cedar St. (enter off Pearl Ave.), Buckley, 253-389-1991, doxsanutrition.com
Describing itself as “Buckley’s hip and healthy nutrition bar,” Doxsa opened this summer inside, sensibly, a CrossFit. Swing by before or after a workout for protein shakes in 50 flavors, from chocolate-peanut butter-banana and sticky buns to blueberry and strawberry. The menu also includes acai bowls, “fit” waffles and “oatein.” Everything is customizable with boosters and fruit or nut toppings. Try an aloe-based “tea bomb” for an alternative energy boost. Owners Tori and Kevin Schneider also offer personalized nutrition coaching, as well as gym regimens. Open weekdays at 7 a.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. (closed Sundays).
The Scoop on Main - Buckley
▪ 880 Main St., Buckley, 360-761-7322, thescooponmainst.com
Scooping since July 30, Buckley’s new ice cream shop offers Tillamook and Cascade Glacier flavors, from the classics to seasonal favorites like Marionberry Pie, Maui Waui sherbet and Kona Coffee. Whether in a cup or a bowl, you can add toppings beyond fudge and sprinkles: Heath candy, pineapple sauce and Fruity Pebbles. April and Bill Rattray, with the help of their three daughters, also sling customizable mini doughnuts and boardwalk-style snacks, including hot dogs, popcorn and nachos. The space is simultaneously retro and modern, with ample outdoor seating and roll-up garage doors. There’s beer and wine as well as caffeine, compliments of Anchor House Coffee Roasters across the street. Open daily at 11 a.m.
Round1 Bowling & Amusement - Puyallup
South Hill Mall (near Macy’s), 253-446-5678, round1usa.com
Puyallup has a new bowling and entertainment center equipped with bowling lanes ready for daytime to cosmic rolling, a full arcade facility, pool tables and ping-pong. It’s the second Washington state location for Japan-based Round1, which also operates one in Tukwila. The brand is known in part for its Japanese arcade games but also the ability to do karaoke (private rooms coming soon) and bowl under one roof. Food options include pizza, mozzarella sticks and chicken wings, as well as a full bar with beer, wine and spirits.
IN OTHER TACOMA RESTAURANT NEWS...
▪ The Mill by Jack + Adeline opened earlier this year, neighbor to Infinite Soups. In addition to stocking your pantry with high-quality goods, you can also enjoy wine and beer on-site now — at a few indoor tables or on the lovely sidewalk patio on Tacoma Avenue.
▪ Following huge success with its outdoor-only restaurant, last spring ALMA reopened its intimate Lounge with a menu inspired by indigenous foodways and seasonal ingredients. As of this summer, ALMA Cafe (formerly Honey Kitchen) is open again, Wednesday-Sunday at 9 a.m., serving Olympia Coffee espresso and Civic Roasters drip, pastries and the Patio’s breakfast menu.
▪ The Pine Cone is inching closer to opening again in University Place. The owners of Dusty’s Hideaway and Zodiac Supper Club have been remodeling the interior, menu-testing and hiring staff. They recently got the go-ahead from the health department, one of the final important steps to turning on the coffee pots.
This story was originally published August 27, 2022 at 5:00 AM.