STEPH DEROSA: OH WE OH WE OH >>>

My dates last night at Zoobilee included not only my husband, but also Pappi Swarner, Ginger Knoxx, Chiara Wood, and The KAke.  So fortunately for the wild animals at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, last night I had to be on my best behavior.  I was fine with that, actually. Really all I felt like doing was eating, drinking, and dancing anyway.  What a perfect venue Zoobilee was for me to fulfill all my glutinous needs.

Zoobilee is traditionally voted as one of Tacoma’s “must do” events of the year.   Last night we shelled out the some-odd $200 a piece to check out what all the hubbub was about.  To me what it was all about a classier, drama-free prom.  Except this time the food was significantly better and I could legally get my drunk on.

First things first â€" as with any prom or sorority event I’ve ever been to, a pre-function (pre-func) is in order.  A deep, warm glass of Cabernet warmed my tummy at Maxwell’s Speakeasy + Lounge as my group enjoyed taking the edge off from a long Friday at work. 

The bumpy, yellow bus-ride in from the sandy go-kart parking lots to the zoo entrance made me thankful I had visited the restrooms before boarding the illustrious magic school bus.  I dusted off my freshly manicured toenails as I reached up and caught a snap of the bus crowd.

Directly inside the entrance was a table filled with champagne glasses available for a $20 purchase.  Buyers were told to keep the plastic glass, and later a number would be called (printed on the glass) for a chance to win a two-karat diamond.  My mind was not on diamonds last night, but more on finding some wine, so off to the vendor tents we headed.

My all-time favorite cupcake store, Indulge Cupcakes, was in da’ house.  I was told they had prepared for Zoobilee by baking 4,300 mini-cupcakes.  Hot damn those things are delicious. 

Other vendors made me happy with simple cheese plates to accompany my wine â€" Metropolitan market, for example.

It was nice to see the men not take dressing up so seriously last night.  I loved the short-tuxedo look.  Many men wore tennis shoes and flip-flops with their suits.  I was happy to be with Pappi and Mr. DeRosa who swore off penguin outfits this year and donned simple dress shirts with jackets. 

It was also nice to see that even the men’s restroom had a line for once. 

One of my favorite steakhouses, Goodfella’s Steakhouse, was serving up perfectly cooked steak skewers.  They also had one of the longest food lines all night, one that was well worth waiting in.

Ginger Knoxx tasted Dry Fly Distillery â€" Washington’s first distillery, and she actually liked it.  Being the boozehound that she is, this is quite a compliment.  Plenty of other Tacoma food and drink vendors were represented such as: Masa/Asado, CANS, Pinwheel Catering’s Herban Café, Pacific Grill, Ravenous Restaurant & Unique Wines, Doyle’s Public House, CI Shenanigans, Katie Downs, Duke’s Chowder House, Joeseppi’s Italian Ristorante, and The Melting Pot â€" just to name a few.  The food was decadent, the drinks were flowing, and the night was my own personal heaven â€" aside from the crowds.

Finally we scored a sweet spot on the sidelines of the Morris Day and The Time performance.  This gave us ample viewing of all Zoobilee-things inebriated.  People watching at its finest.

Thank you Zoo Society, it’s event chairs, and all the sponsors for one damn fantastic evening.  I loved my Zoobilee 2008 prom almost as much as my high school 1990 one â€"you guys really know how to throw a party!