Celebrate Valentine’s Day in unexpected ways at these Tacoma-area restaurants

Tacoma’s go-to date-night restaurants might be booked well in advance for Feb. 14, but the trick of the trade is to avoid the day-of hullabaloo.

El Gaucho, for instance, is full-up on Valentine’s Day for parties of two. But you can still snag an early or late reservation on Friday night, while it’s open-season on Sunday, Feb. 15.

A similar scenario is playing out at Corbeau, Field Bar, Primo Grill, Asado, en Rama, West 122, Lobster Shop and Marzano in Tacoma, as well as Oxbow Urban Kitchen, Toscano’s Italian Grill and Perry’s in Puyallup — all places worthy of a date-night no matter the occasion.

The field is a little bit tighter at Over the Moon Cafe, the petite, two-floor bistro in Opera Alley, which only has availability Wednesday, and at Cuerno Bravo and Woven, both only with open tables during the week.

I’m glad to see these restaurants and many others not mentioned here drawing crowds (of two!) in the name of love, but remember that business tends to slow in the winter, and restaurants (and yours truly!) would like to remind you that other days deserve your dollar, too.

May I suggest equally awesome alternatives? Building off my list of special-occasion restaurants around Pierce County (a few of which are mentioned above), here are some “if not this, then that” suggestions for a February dinner-date, whether on, before or after Feb. 14.

Instead of El Gaucho or Cuerno Bravo… Jack’s BBQ or Woobling BBQ

• 35731 West Valley Highway S., Algona, 253-249-7728, jacksbbq.com/algona
• Monday-Thursday 5 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 5 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
• 12115 Pacific Highway SW, Lakewood, 253-625-7580, jacksbbq.com/lakewood
• Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m, Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• No reservations; order takeout online or by phone

A barbecue joint might sound unromantic to some for Valentine’s Day, but if you’re after meat, well, Jack’s has the meats — and they’re largely sourced from Washington’s own Double R Ranch. The atmosphere is casual, but the portions are generous enough that perhaps the cook in your couple will rise early the next morning to whip up some steak and eggs. Share the Double Trouble (two-meat platter with two sides) or Texas Trinity (brisket, ribs and sausage with two sides), sip on smoked old fashioneds and finish with a peach cobbler for two.

KBBQ beckons groups, but for Valentine’s Day, Woobling BBQ at Tacoma Mall will offer its $58 premium all-you-can-eat package. In addition to short rib, steak and lamb chops, create your meal with dishes like mini pancakes (Korean-style with seafood or kimchi), beef tartare, scallops, ramen and egg souffle. A special Valentine’s Day offer includes two each of appetizers, proteins, entrees and desserts, plus a bottle of wine and a mystery gift for $159/couple.

Instead of Marzano or en Rama… Manuscript

• 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253-212-0779, manuscripttacoma.com
• Wednesday-Friday 4-10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Reserve online or by phone; order takeout online

Manuscript isn’t Italian in quite the same way that Marzano and Macaluso’s in Ruston are, but that’s a good thing. The kitchen makes most everything from scratch — importantly, pasta. The current menu features housemade bucatini four ways, including with a classic, luscious tomato sauce or rich Parmesan cream sauce with ample rosemary and Fresno peppers. Start with a darn fine Caesar, oysters and delicata squash rings with herbed goat cheese. The bar does it up, too, whether you order from the menu or veer toward the “Alchemist’s Draft,” a dealer’s choice cocktail built based on your preferences. Wrap things up with a spiced mole tiramisu or winter-fruit bread pudding. Or skip the whole dinner idea and go for brunch!

For a more casual night at home, order takeout — sandwiches and the Roman-style pizza would travel well — and the special “Defiant Valentine” takeout-only deal. For $50, take home a bottle of Dahlman Cellars red wine and your choice of either classic or dark chocolate-mint tiramisu. All proceeds benefit the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and Lake Street Council, a nonprofit supporting immigrant families in Minneapolis.

Instead of Corbeau or Field Bar… Morso Wine Bar

• 9014 Peacock Hill Ave., Gig Harbor, 253-225-7807, morsobistro.com
• Monday-Saturday noon-8 p.m., Sunday noon-7 p.m.
• Text 20-30 minutes prior to arrival to secure a spot on the waitlist

Morso used to abstain from reservations but instituted a reserve-by-text system that feels just laissez-faire enough for the right kind of Valentines. Message the restaurant at least 20 minutes prior to arrival to snag your spot on the waitlist. Then snack on warm olives, salmon cakes and homemade meatballs before a main event of wild mushroom bucatini with sundried tomatoes and lacinato kale, grilled steelhead or a hefty sirloin burger with Swiss and caramelized onions. Sip wine, of course.

Instead of Over the Moon Cafe... Lake City Pub

• 9106 Veterans Dr. SW, Lakewood, 253-267-1309, facebook.com/TheLakeCityPub
• Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
• No reservations

Sometimes the pub is as cozy as the cafe. Head into a quiet corner of Lakewood, near American Lake, to discover this hidden-gem pub — reimagined by owner and musician Lauren Lively over many slow-but-steady years. She and her staff decorate for every major occasion, and attentive table service feels unexpected but wholly welcome. The menu feels like a warm hug, from bangers and mash to a winter special of a whole game hen with roasted veggies, pot pie and homemade mac and cheese. Sandwiches, salads and a clever, baked, potato-chip wing round out the menu. The beer is local, and the cocktails are as much of a draw as the food, the service and the bar itself.

Instead of Ruston Way waterfront... Gino’s at the Point

• 6912 Soundview Dr. NE, Tacoma, 253-242-7951, ginosrestaurants.co
• Sunday & Tuesday-Thursday 4-8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 4-9 p.m.
• Reserve online or by phone

It’s not quite the same view, but this Dash Point restaurant was once another outpost of the original Lobster Shop. Chef and owner Gino Rivera infuses his Peruvian heritage into the menu in both obvious ways (lomo saltado, ceviche on special) and discreet (pineapple, mango and coconut sauce with sea bass). The beet salad with blood oranges, pistachio-hazelnut goat cheese all tossed in an agave vinaigrette should not be missed, along with a starter of zesty calamari with jalapenos and a sweet-chili sauce. Mains offer a little bit of everything, from steak and seafood to pasta with one or the other. Have a pisco sour and soak in the nighttime view of the Sound from a fresh angle.