A crush of people couldn’t hide the beauty of the Matador at last night's private opening, with its marquetry tables and bars, exquisite metal work that took an industrial product and made it ethereal, and the literal hot spot signature fire pit, not to mention the super cool bathrooms, because according to Natasha, if you have cool bathrooms, the women will come to your bar.

All this boded well for the future of downtown Tacoma’s newest restaurant offering, which officially opens today.  Sure, we had to wait well over an hour and a half to get a table â€" the key was, we did get a table, and the food was well worth that hour and a half of mingling.

Of course, while mingling I saw some of my favorite friends: Kris Blondin of Vin Grotto and her husband Dustin, sporting some astoundingly cool new Tahitian tats (so was Kris!) and Jason Ganwich (also from V.G.), Lovely Larry and Monsoon Chris were present with Renee Seamount and Dave Meconi nearby (here I thought the tie-wearing guy was Renee’s new man, but turns out I was wrong) and Natasha. Various Tacoma glitterati were also present, joined by Seattle glitterati and an East Coast contingent. I met Zak Malang, and saw two Brian Okroys â€" the sleep deprived, unshaven worker, and the smooth-faced diner at the Table of Power.

I had my first taste of food from the glam diner Denise Tempest, who, with Michelle Douglas, was out from behind her own bar (and kitchen) for a change, enjoying the change of pace.  She offered me a bite of calamari, which I found divine, just enough flavor and heat to offset the seafood.  Pappi Swarner, Brad Allen and Wild Bill were my dining companions.  Wild Bill’s beef tenderloin was as divine as the calamari, while Brad Allen didn’t come up for air from his roasted tomatillo enchilidas and Emmalee was super gracious and shared her taco with me, oh so yummy. 

Tequila anyone? â€" Jessica Corey-Butler