The Forum, Downtown Puyallup's newest addition to the bar scene, opened mid-July and serves up more than just beer and cocktails. Their lunch and dinner menu consists of thoughtful, well-priced menu items that take traditional bar food up a notch and is served until close.

"We look to create an atmosphere that is an extension of our guests' homes," says General Manager Jonah Elliott. "We have a full menu late into the evening that takes classic pub grub and delivers it at a higher quality than if it were made at home."

Owned by Tim Mellema and Geoff Kaylor, both newcomers to the restaurant industry, The Forum's menu was conceived by Greg Troger, former owner of franchises of The Rock Wood Fired Pizza, and current owner of Hop Jack's in Bonney Lake. The menu has a variety of choices of appetizers, soups and salads, burgers and other entrees.

On a recent visit for dinner, the Cobb salad ($9.95) was a generous portion, loaded with chicken, egg, avocado, bacon and bleu cheese, all fresh and delicious. The chicken wings ($10.95/pound) come with your choice of barbeque, sweet chili or hot sauce and were crisp and flavorful, and onion rings came perfectly seasoned.
The 21 and over bar and restaurant has communal tables and a gorgeous — and I mean gorgeous — carved wood bar back give the space a cozy, relaxed atmosphere.

THE FORUM, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 208 South Meridian, Puyallup, 253.445.6677