For most, the term "American food" brings to mind fried food, milkshakes, burgers, dogs, pizza and meat and potato platters - probably not wow-inducing items in global culinary circles. The team behind Gig Harbor's youngest dining establishment, JW Restaurant, hopes to alter that 1950s diner perception by presenting familiar American food with a sophisticated spin.
General Manager Jason Winniford and Chef Justin Goodfellow offer easily approachable, uncomplicated dishes. Flavors are direct and delicious at $20 or less per plate.
An all-hands-on-deck service approach, which includes Chef Goodfellow bearing plates of steaming, fragrant food, allows the JW team to fluidly deliver a far-better-than-average, un-rushed dining experience. The half a roasted chicken I ordered retained tender, juicy flesh under crisp outer skin alongside peppered green beans and hand-mashed red potatoes.
The show stopper?
Delightfully good tarragon gravy. A flourless dark chocolate torte glazed with white and milk chocolate had me wanting to lick the plate.
Reservations are required to guaranteed seating in the renovated 1,100-square-foot cabin. The small, dinner-only menu at JW Restaurant means attention is placed on doing the select dishes well.
An impressive wine list and creative nightly specials sweeten the pot.
JW Restaurant is absolutely worth the drive to Gig Harbor, but don't forgo making reservations.
[JW Restaurant, 4107 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, 253.858.3529]
Comments for "BITE US: Altered perception" (1)
Weekly Volcano is not responsible for the content of these comments. Weekly Volcano reserves the right to remove comments at their discretion.
Angelena Winniford said on Apr. 21, 2011 at 3:50am
I am so very proud of my brother Joe, my nephew Jason and my sister-in-law Karen for being so amazing in what they've created. I too drove from Everett, WA to have dinner there in their first week open and I will never forget how delicious the food was. Funny, I too wanted to lick my dessert plate! I can't wait to go again. Oh and I think one of the points that makes JW so original is that they have what I call "surprise dishes" not normally listed on their menu. It keeps the customers (including myself) wanting to come back to be continually surprised. And lastly, I don't want to leave out mentioning the excellence of service the rest of the JW staff provided. Great job guys! Love you Jason, Joe & Karen XoXoX
Leave A Comment
Respond on Your Blog
Create an Account
or
Login
If you have a Weekly Volcano Account you can not only post comments, but you can also respond to articles in your own Weekly Volcano Blog. It's just another way to make your voice heard.