THE NOODLE BAR IS SET TO OPEN >>>

Blame the economy's downturn. Or blame creative thinking. Whatever the reason, pop-up restaurants - temporary restaurants in private homes, other restaurants, galleries, street corners, abandoned buildings and, hopefully, the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters lunchroom - seem to be all the rage, at least in the major cities. Pop-up restaurants are a great way to allow chefs to experiment with new menus without the risk of bankruptcy. And, unlike underground supper clubs, they're legal.

Beginning Thursday, a late night pop-up restaurant will, er, pop-up inside the Pacific Grill in downtown Tacoma. As promised back in January, the Noodle Bar will finally take over Pacific Grill's bar every Thursday with ramen bowls, which PG patrons have enjoyed on the bar menu since January. PG owner Gordon Naccarato has added Asian street food and small plates to his Noodle Bar pop-up, an expansion of his original concept. Chefs Naccarato and Ian Thompson know Thailand and Japan like the back of their noren. They found the sheer variety of curries, seafood, noodle and rice dishes offered at the myriad of "food courts" and open markets in these countries gives them an exciting culinary tinge. They're eager to introduce their honed Asian street food skills in the form of tonkatsu, Asian slaw, snake beans, quail eggs, fish balls and more.

Patrons will be able to customize their ramen bowls, choosing from chicken, spicy curry coconut, organic miso or classic ramen broths for chukka or udon noodles that will swim with eight different vegetables. Ramen additions, for an additional cost, include soft-boiled egg, rock shrimp, pulled pork char sui, duck, chicken, beef or all of the above.

Most Noodle Bar offerings - as well as Japanese sakes and beers - will be at happy hour prices, which translate into half off.  

Pacific Grill Noodle Bar

Thursdays, 9 p.m. to midnight
1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
253.627.3535

LINK: Previously on Spew