COMFORT DINING AND OLD FAVORITES >>>

Sue Glenn is not new to the restaurant game. Owner of The Green Turtle in Gig Harbor, Glenn knows a bit about good food, atmosphere, staffing and ambiance. Earlier this year she became the proprietor of one of the 253's nicest dining views - the Cliff House Restaurant on Marine View Drive in Northeast Tacoma. Live plants in the bistro, a rock garden in the entry and a two-tone light jade paint job, along with the talent of The Green Turtle's Executive Chef Roman Aquillon, have brought a breath of "comfort dining" to the restaurant.

The bistro menu still has many of the same items from the days of Guido (owner for 30 years), and pizza, chicken piccata with cappellini and pastas like seafood linguine have been added to the menu. Burgers have been  improved with a better patty.

"We got a great response on that one - couldn't believe how many burgers we sold," laughed Aquillon in a phone conversation this last Tuesday. "Depending on what's in season or available is what I run for specials," Aquillon shared.

Surf and turf and a macadamia nut-encrusted halibut dish with pineapple chutney are hits. Cajun spiced scallops and prawn puri are lightly breaded, pan-fried and served with roasted jalapeño and herb puree. Entrée prices may raise eyebrows at $20-$32. But happy hour includes half-off all appetizers 3-6 p.m. Lunch is served daily in the lower bistro; enjoy live jazz and blues Friday and Saturday evenings.

[The Cliff House, 6300 Marine View Drive, Tacoma, 253.927.0400]