RON SWARNER: VINUM COFFEE & WINE LOUNGE >>>

Wine bars needn’t be serious or stuffy to be enjoyable. Nope â€" that was your father’s wine. There’s no reason why wine bars can’t be playful and fun. That’s certainly the approach of Vinum Coffee & Wine Lounge in downtown Tacoma.

Last week I dropped by Annie Kim's new business for a late-night glass of Amavi Cellars Cabernet and cheese. Manager Cliff Barnes worked the crowd as if there were a two-drink minimum â€" except he made sure everyone was happy.

Housed in the spot once occupied by Aroma Café at 10th and Pacific Avenue, the handsome “lounge” has been serving breakfast and lunch for five weeks; dinner and wine for three.

They keep it simple: five white pours and six reds, all less than $10; a dozen dinner entrees listed as bites but arrive as chunks. Six cheese options arrive as three for $10 or five for $14. The three cheese plate needs two people to finish. The Spanish Egg Roll ($7) should be renamed as a log â€" a huge helping of Mexican seasoned chicken and black beans in an Asian style wrap.

[Vinum Coffee & Wine Lounge, 1001 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.8215]