The weekend is and we don't want you caught on the couch. Prior planning is key, so here are a few dining and drinking suggestions around the South Sound this Labor Day Weekend.

Billed as "a world of flavors," Babblin' Babs Bistro doesn't disappoint. William and Shannon Mueller fuse French techniques with a casual flair, crafting exquisite breakfast dishes from locally sourced and organic (when possible) products.  Gracing BBB's menu are two must-eat dishes. The small Manhattan Pizza dons fresh Chelan cherries bathed in Bourbon with thyme, basil and fresh orange juice. Baked on Babblin' Babs Bistro's famous flambe tart crust and finished with goat cheese, orange segments and extra virgin olive oil, the flavors are amazing. The True Grits with Shrimp dish features shrimp marinated in olive oil and Savannah's Chill 'n' lime seasoning, oven roasted with double thick hickory bacon and placed on a bed of hominy style stone ground grits cooked up rich, buttery, and thick (not to thick). 2724 N. Proctor St., Tacoma

If you're looking for an excellent date night or perhaps just an excuse to get out on the town, check out Broadway Sizzle, a communal table dinner in the heart of Tacoma on Broadway taking place Saturday. Chef Dustin Joseph's menu makes your mouth water just reading it. "My main inspiration with the menu was to keep it local and focus on the amazing bounty of the Pacific Northwest in the summertime," he told Weekly Volcano scribe Adrienne Kuehl. Read the full feature on the Broadway Sizzle here. 915 Broadway, Tacoma

Have you tried the Upgrade Corn served at the new Hilltop Kitchen? Simplicity. Magic. Perfection. One ear of corn, cut in half, grilled then slathered with a Mexican crema and queso fresco coating that's our new comfort food. It's the new butter. Someday we'll work up the nerve to order a carton to take home.

Last, Salty's at Redondo has launched its September Seafood Festival dishes promotion. A different salmon dish graces the fresh sheet for each of the four weeks in September. Eager to get at it, Salty's jumped the gun and its Smoked Salmon Pappardelle with Pest Cream Sauce is on. 28201 Redondo Beach Dr. S., Des Moines

Here's to good eating!

LINK: Make it a staycation this weekend

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