RON SWARNER: A NIGHT AT PACIFIC GRILL >>>

In times of turmoil (economy, war, moving, holidays), I find myself searching for the calm center of solace in a safe haven. That haven can come in the innocent words of a child, the arms of a lover, or hug with nature. Haven and happiness can also be found in breaking bread with others. In the worst of times as well as the best, there are few places I’d rather break bread with the people I care most about than the Pacific Grill in downtown Tacoma.

The Tacoma restaurant raises the ceilings and the flash by several notches. It’s a big, jovial room with warm colors, towering modern lights, a sociable, occasionally boisterous bar area, and a menu to match (where else do you find meat candy (dates wrapped in bacon) on the menu as an appetizer?). To get your seafood on, start with tuna tartare â€" a grilled rare turna with crushed avocado, Walla Walla sweet onion, green peppercorn vinaigrette and crostini ($13.50). Continue your streak with lobster spaghetti â€" Maine lobster chunks tossed with spaghetti, shrimp, over-roasted tomatoes, zucchini, crushed red pepper, extra-virgin olive oil and basil ($28.95). After a brief intermission, there is a Julia Child brownie sundae, a tall glass filled to the top with homemade brownies, vanilla bean ice cream and a semi-sweet hot fudge sauce ($8.50), or a warm chocolate soufflé flourless bittersweet cake with divine espresso whipped cream ($8.50).

Last night after the downtown Tacoma holiday tree lightening I broke bread with family over the meal described above. It was the best of times.

[Pacific Grill,1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.3535]

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

Philip Stedman Wood has come full circle, and is now in Perfect Peace.

Blessings and signing off from The Sisters Heavenly Hospice Cottage

Chiara, Marsha, Polly and Zoe

MATT DRISCOLL: SALUTE THIS >>>

Tacoma was built for a band like AC/DC â€" and it shows.

For every muffler with a hole in it and every car that burns oil in Tacoma, there’s a fan of AC/DC. For every blue-collar job and every step dad in this town, there’s a fan of AC/DC.

For every can of ice beer sold …

I think you get the point.

Tonight, for the first time since 2001, AC/DC will return to the Tacoma Dome. For my full story in the week's Volcano, including reaction from around Grit City, click here.

STEPH DEROSA: EATING COD AND MAKING PEOPLE CRY >>>

Cod?  Meh.  It’s OK, I guess.  Not usually the first thing I would pick out on a menu.  Hell, it’s never something I would pick out on a menu.  Especially at Maxwell’s where there are so many decadent menu items to chose from.  Last week I was slapped upside the face with an extreme eye-opening cod experience.  Maxwell’s Speakeasy and Lounge has given me new hope for my non-Cod-loving mind and introduced me to their amazing Potato Encrusted Cod.  Fresh Cod is wrapped in thin straws of potato and pan seared to perfection.  Underneath this amazing Cod is a perfect accompaniment of Bok Choy Slaw.  The perfect tang along with the perfect sweetness â€" this was a Cod meal I had no problem polishing off.  Maxwell’s Potato Encrusted Cod is what I’ll be serving at this week’s Dinner with DeRosa.

My first guest for this week’s DWD is actually a group of guests, from one of my favorite Tacoma restaurants â€" El Gaucho.  I had the honor of catching up with Silvia Tapia, El Gaucho’s bartender, last Friday as The KAke and I gossiped over a few bottles of wine at Maxwell’s.  With Silvia was El Gaucho’s newly crowned Executive Chef, Kevin Daft.  Both Silvia and Kevin have been with El Gaucho for about two years, Kevin having been Sous Chef before claiming his title and warming up the Executive Chef throne.

Admittedly, it was the end of a very alcohol-indulgent night for me, so my apologies go out to this El Gaucho crew for any embarrassing comments or indecipherable slurring.  Hopefully at my imaginary dinner we can have a sober conversation. 

So, basically that means we need to talk within the first thirty minutes of dinner.  After that, I can’t promise anything.

Spinnin’ the new age jazz that evening at Maxwell’s was DJ Kevin.  He made the ambiance absolutely perfect.

Along with DJ Kevin was Lu Lu Spice, his girlfriend.   The dynamic duo of Kevin and Lu Lu will be in attendance for my pretend dinner this week.

A few weeks ago Mr. DeRosa did something that I thought only happened in fairy tales.  No, he didn’t rescue me from an evil dungeon and whisk me away in a white horse drawn carriage.  No, he didn’t turn into a prince when I kissed him, and no he didn’t buy me a pair of glass slippers.  Mr. DeRosa actually found a pearl in a clam!  We had purchased some clams from Brady’s Seafood in Westport, WA when he found a 5.5 mm purple pearl.  I of course immediately took it to Le Roy Jewelers for Susan Rosalie to examine.  Susan is hooking me up with a simple and beautiful mount for my purple pearl, so she is definitely invited this week.

Lastly I’ll be inviting Terri Brown from Linda’s Custom Flowers in Puyallup.  Terri plans on opening up a florist shop of her own soon and will forever be remembered in my book as the first person to ever cry tears of joy when they’re invited to Dinner with DeRosa.  I’m not makin’ this up, folks â€" she cried.  She said I made her day.  For all the non-believers, for all the poo-pooers, for all the DWD naysayers…I present you with Terri Brown. 

Mangiamo!