As we reported in February, Corina Bakery is one of our favorite places to stop when stretching our legs. Recently, a couple of new owners have been coming around the operation and are making a few changes, improving on an already great idea. Julie Rex, who was hired on as a baker last year, now runs the place along with co-owners Mike and Molly Ott. Among those changes are the introduction of menu items geared to people with special dietary needs. Julie told us over the phone that over the next few weeks, you can expect to start seeing gluten-free (GF) breakfast items, as well as GF cakes and cookies. And to, er, “sweeten” the deal, she will be rolling out desserts made with alternative sweeteners, such as fruit juice, agave nectar and honey.

–James

A few weeks ago, we mentioned that Pat Nagle was busy putting the finishing touches on his latest culinary endeavor. Well, the place finally opened and has been named Harmon Hub. They’ve got pizza, beer, mismatched chairs and a kids’ menu. Tacoma Mama, always on the alert for a scoop, was there on the restaurant’s first day of business. Read her report here at Tacoma Mama.

–James

Wi-Fi is as essential to a cafe’s survival as cream and sugar. Numerous local cafes and eateries around town help you stay connected to the Internet via a free wireless Internet connection. Here’s a great map, courtesy of the News Tribune that can help you find one nearest you. If your favorite spot is not on the map, an easy mechanism allows you to add it. Judging by the number of laptops flipped open on those café tables, I’d say that the blogosphere (including this site’s contribution to it) wouldn’t be nearly the phenomenon it is without these caffeine-fueled literary havens.

– James

When it comes to dining out, I have to admit that I’ve had my fill of the chop suey/industrial complex that represents Chinese food that came of age during the Cold War. I’m looking for something a little different. More importantly, I’m looking for something authentic. (I heard recently that China does not have a big restaurant take-out business, ironically enough.) And then I popped open a recent issue of the Weekly Volcano only to discover Ken Swaner’s review of Tacoma Szechuan at 9601 S. Tacoma Way:

“Hot Pot, a Chinese favorite, epitomizes both Sichaun cuisine and Tacoma Szechuan. Practically hedonistic, the fondue-like meal of meats and veggies dripping with orange oil from the chilis brings the table together in conversation and camaraderie. I’d start there with a group of friends, then return to [Tacoma Szechuan] often, traveling through the menu like Marco Polo, experiencing China without the 17-hour plane ride.”

Yeah. That’s what I’m talking about.

–James

More and more of our guests are asking us to direct them to eateries and grocers who can accommodate various food allergies and diet needs. Gluten intolerance seems to be the leading dietary need, and Tacoma is admirably stepping up to the plate to help. (I don’t know which is worse: having a food allergy or dreading eating out because of the strange looks you get from onlookers while asking wait staff to guide you through the menu choices.) Tacoma Mama has a special page set up for wheat-free dining choices. Her latest addition points visitors to The Red Hot, where there’s always a wheat-free brew on tap and where they serve Vienna Beef hot dogs, which contain no wheat, dairy and other potentially harmful ingredients. Chow down!

–James

Sure, Doyle’s and Paddy Coyne’s are great places to tip a pint. They exemplify all that we hope to find in an Irish pub, and you can bet your bottom shamrock that they’ll be crowded to the ceiling on St. Pat’s Day. Instead, why not zig where all others zag and head for “neutral” territory? I’m talking about the Swiss Pub, of course. With dozens of beers on tap and by the bottle, they can well keep you occupied any night of the year. And while I love trying out new places, I’d like to raise a pint to The Swiss, who have been at it for 15 years.

-James

When Pat Nagle opened the Harmon Brew Pub 11 years ago (where did all THAT time go?), he permanently changed the landscape of downtown Tacoma. These days, if you use the name “Nagle” and “visionary” in the same breath, most Tacoma-ites will know exactly what you mean. And it looks like he’s at it again. Pat recently purchased the former St. Helens Café at 203 Tacoma Ave. South and plans to open his own eatery by St. Patrick’s day. The place will serve wood oven pizza and Harmon’s own beer (plus wine and cocktails) in a full-service atmosphere. He’s got everything he needs, it seems, except for one thing: a name. Got any suggestions? Post them here on the blog and I’ll be sure to pass them along to Pat.

-Dale

We regularly hear two things from our guests: (1) Tacoma is a great walking city and (2) they’d love to see more places to visit that are within walking distance. Visitors are getting their wish, as more and more restaurants and tourist spots open nearby. The latest addition to our walking tour is Corina Bakery, a mere 10-minute walk away at 510 6th avenue. It’s just the kind of place that Tacoma is becoming: a great bakery coffeehouse with a young entrepreneur owner, serving politically correct (fair trade, organic, etc.) coffee from Café Mam. The News Tribune had some nice things to say as well. I’d tell you more about it, but suddenly I feel the need to go stretch my legs….

-James

It finally opened. I’d heard rumors that Seattle-based Matador Restaurant and Tequila Bar would be coming to our fair city nearly two years ago. Its exceptional Tex-Mex menu kept me happily driving north to its original location; but with over 75 choices in its famous Tequila Bar, the drive home was what had me a bit daunted. Now that Matador is at 721 Pacific Avenue I (and my gas tank!) are a lot happier. And if you call “Andale!” to the bartender too many times, you’re just steps away from the free Tacoma Link.

- James

I have some very good news for latte lovers. Satellite Coffee serves up brew the good old fashioned way: with lots of love and slightly left wing politics. This is the place to go for a superb cup o’ joe and to hang out with whatever indie rock band, up-and-coming artist or attorney in disguise happens to be on hand. Coffeehouses have always given forward thinkers a place to get out of the cold (some historians say that the French Revolution wouldn’t have occurred without them), but for me, the best part is that they grind up beans from Portland’s Stumptown Roasters – coffee so good it’s got its own cult following.

-James