Once upon a time two scruffs - John Xitco and Jeff Paradise of Tacoma's X Group restaurants - had a few beers with two beards - Justin and Robbie Peterson of The Eleven Eleven on Hilltop Tacoma. The result was the new and improved Valley Pub, which re-opened at 3 p.m. today at 1206 Puyallup Ave., close to the Tacoma Dome.

I never dreamed of such a merger, but it makes complete sense. The creative minds behind X Group's Asado steakhouse, Masa modern Mexican fare, Choripan at the Museum of Glass and the historic Engine House No. 9 restaurant matched with the Peterson brothers, who in addition to being craftsmen, grew up watching their dad, Bob Hill, with Gayl Bertagni and Jack McQuade, take The Swiss Restaurant and Pub from a mess to success. The X Group and Petersons bleed Tacoma. Their styles aren't that different. Yet, they understand different markets. Combined ... wow.

Weekly Volcano scribe Jackie Fender chatted with Xitco two months ago regarding the new venture, in which he discussed taxidermy on the walls, 12 draft handles, something called the "Pillars of Pennies," booze on the shelves and pub grub similar to the Eleven Eleven.

Today, it's all there, and more, including outdoor seating with an outdoor dart board. Good to see Bandito Betty behind the bar training folks. There's a limited menu for now.

Here are a few photos we snapped during The Valley Pub's first half-hour of business.

>>> Jeff Paradise, Justin Peterson and Robbie Peterson are proud owners of The Valley in Tacoma. Photo credit: Kate Swarner

>>> Here are the first customers at the new Valley Pub. Photo credit: Kate Swarner

>>> Eric Willard, sales and distribution head honcho with Two Beers Brewery and Seattle Cider Company shares a beer with Garrett Davis, sales manager with PBR, at The Valley Pub in Tacoma. Photo credit: Kate Swarner