Features
At times I get a hair up my ass to try a challenging recipe, just to see if I can come anywhere near the picture in the cookbook. The first time I challenged myself was in the year 2000, inside our little home on Stevens and North Eighth Street. I
Features
During my ongoing attempt to travel the culinary world without having to actually travel, I have re-discovered the classic American side dish called "Pepto Bismol." Something is seriously twisted and not right with my digestive system, especially when dealing with my latest non-domestic food quest. I can handle a greasy
Features
Jennifer Johnson is a good friend of mine, dare I say one of my besties. When I asked her for a tip on a good mobile food vendor in Tacoma, without any hesitation, she declared, "Philly This!" Now, seeing as how she has been a food columnist off-and-on for 73 years,
Viva South Sound
Recently I was stalking Gwen Stence, owner of Tacoma's Rock the Dock Pub & Grill, on Facebook and took a special interest in a few particular posts of hers. I noticed there had been a string of petty thefts happening outside of her bar, which is located in a significantly
Features
I have never been so torn in my life. Chick-fil-A is coming to Tacoma and OHMYGOD I can't wait. The food in America's Southern states is to die for, even the damn fast food - including Whataburger, Taco Bueno, Schlotzky's and Chick fil-A, Tacoma's soon-to-be fast food baby. What pains me
Features
It's An internationally known fact that I am not an international traveler. I've made the people of America, and all four of you who read this column, well aware of my feelings toward international travel safety and lack thereof. I've become a huge germaphobe and wuss when it comes to foreign
Features
Vegetarian at a barbecue. There's always one. Especially here in the Pacific Northwest land of bleeding hearts. I'm pretty sure most Washington state residents would rather save a tree than cut one down to build a homeless shelter. As a matter of fact, you do know that Washington state government agencies care
Features
Enough with the praise, it's time for some tough love. Today, I feel like bitching and you're the only one who's paying attention to me right now, so you're going to get an earful. Or an eyeful. Whatever. I could give a shit if they fire me from the Weekly Volcano.
Features
The last time I tried to bring a friend to a picnic she ended up leaving early. Why? No one wants to hear about how much my ass hurts from sitting on the ground, much less while they're eating one of my homemade bologna and moldy cheese with mayo sandwiches.
Features
You go a measly two weeks without feeding the Weekly Volcano office dog and all of a sudden you are labeled as "unreliable." Punishment ensues. No funny, meaningless columns for you, Steph DeRosa. Stick me with the boring food column, Pappi Swarner, whatever. I'll show you. And guess what, Pappi,
Features
Do you ever wish you could go back to your childhood and get a "do-over"? When I replay past events in my head, I often feel both regret and pride in the same emotion. I am proud that seventh-grade Stephanie punched eighth-grade bully Heather in the stomach at the bus stop
Features
Let the truth be known: I am secretly scared to death to fly across any ocean, into any foreign country, for any reason whatsoever. Even if it's to eat the best goddamn meal I'll ever have, I will not travel. Call me a scaredy cat, a wuss, or a coward -
Scene It
As the legacy of Mandolin Cafe comes to a steady, yet screeching halt this Sunday, loyal patrons will continue to funnel through the well-loved neighborhood space to say goodbye. Notorious for holding a history of rocky ownerships, fantastic (and at times not-so-fantastic) food, liberating live music, entrepreneurial coffee roasters and
Scene It
As summer lazily approaches us here in the Pacific Northwest, a certain list comes to mind: Top 5 hidden secret decks in which to celebrate summer, all with views of Commencement Bay. I'd love to tell you all five of these hidden secret decks, but they're hidden and secret for
Stage
For at least 12 years, Gig Harbor's Paradise Theatre has been molding today's youth into tomorrow's next generation of on stage performers. From musical theater summer camps to year-round Broadway performances, Paradise Theatre has made its mark on entertainment in the South Puget Sound. Introduce your child to the art of
Scene It
There's certainly a list containing South Puget Sound's Top 25 specialty drinks, but due to space limitations (Damn editors!), I'll condense it to my top three, in no particular order: Stonegate Pizza's Rockin' Mai Tai: Developed by Stonegate's very own Jeff Call, this drink has you swimming in multiple exotic rums.
Scene It
To nail down just one place to pick up someone you could potentially "nail down" is difficult and too general. Each person has a different attraction, so why not categorize rather than generalize your potential hook up? Unless you're straight up "easy"... then any of these places will work. Dirty Oscar's
Food Matters
There seems to be an emergence of improved hamburger options in the South Puget Sound, something I'm not opposed to exploring. Since it's X-Group takeover in the past year, Engine House 9 has lived up to it's promise to raise the quality on some of their more popular menu items. The
Scene It
With this week being the issue focusing on mixed drinks and giving you lucky readers plenty of choices of places where you can find them, I decided to make this week's column a Homer Simpson-inspired visit. Bring on the suds at Parkway Tavern! First Drink: Bartender's Choice - Nikasa Spring Reign Nikasa
Food Matters
The Spar is more than just a historical, eclectic bar in Old Town Tacoma. Aside from their selection of twenty beers on tap and extremely addicting Spar Chips, The Spar has a section set aside for families and early morning risers. Monday through Friday morning-time friends, along with their kids, can