DO YOU KNOW YOUR TACOMA HISTORY ... AND LOVE FOOD? >>

Foodcaching is a new smart phone app alerting customers of awesome food deals at 15 restaurants in the greater Tacoma area. You may download the app for free on your iPhone and Android here.

The Weekly Volcano teamed up with Foodcaching for the True Tacoman game. For the last two months on Spew, we posted Tacoma history trivia provided by the Washington State History Museum. If you knew the answer, you ran to one of the 15 participating restaurants, came clean with answer and received points on your Foodcaching app, which you downloaded free here.

The person with the most points by Dec. 31, 2011 will be crowned the True Tacoman and be flooded with various food prizes.

We have hundreds of folks tally up the scores and will announce the winner soon.

Friday's True Tacoman trivia answer

Before we announce the winner of the True Tacoman game, we must come clean with the answer to the final question of the game, which we posted Friday. We asked:

Annie and Fanny are:

• A) A double drink served at the Tacoma Hotel in the 1940s;
• B) Two statues at the north end of Wright Park named for Annie Wright and Fannie Paddock;
• C) Nicknames of the wives of Chief Marcelles Spot.

You spent the last days of the game telling the restaurants listed below Annie and Fanny are the two statues at the north end of Wright Park named after Annie Wright and Fannie Paddock – and, thereby you scored points on the Foodcaching app.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the True Tacoman champion.

Oh, you can download the free app here.

Participating restaurants

• 1022 South, 1022 South J St., Tacoma, 253.627.8588, Facebook
• Capers Cafe & Take Home, 2602 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253.761.4444, Facebook
• Dirty Oscar's Annex, 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.0588, Facebook
• Dorky's Arcade, 754 Pacfic Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.4156, Facebook
• Harmon Brewery & Eatery, 1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.2739, Facebook
• Harmon Tap Room, 204 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.212.2725, Facebook
• The Hub, 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.683.4606, Facebook
• Massimo Italian Bar & Grill, 4020 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.503.1902, Facebook
• Marrow Kitchen & Bar, 2717 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.267.5299, Facebook
• Over The Moon Cafe, 709 Court C/Opera Alley, Tacoma, 253.284.3722, Facebook
• Pacific Grill, 1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.3535, Facebook
• The Social Bar & Grill, 1715 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.301.3835, Facebook
• STINK Cheese & Meat, 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.426.1347, Facebook
• Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe, 3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1502, Facebook
• TWOKOI Japanese Restaurant, 1552 Commerce St., Tacoma, 253.274.8999, Facebook

A TOUCH OF FRANCE ON ITS WAY >>>

Their women are loose. They don't bathe. Their cooking is the best in the world.

These and other choice stereotypes about the French have been flying about for a long time, carried to a level of absurdity when the French government challenged the American line in the Middle East.

But it's hard to argue that the French can seriously cook. Generations of French have labored not only to collect knowledge about all things culinary, but also to sanctify it and put it in words - intricately detailing the best way to create a dish, as well as the second, third and fourth best way to create it. In regards to Americans, many French believe we would still be eating canned corn, sliced ham topped with pineapple rings and Hostess fruit pies seven days a week without their influence (hello Saint Julia).

Whatever.

I love French cuisine - mother sauces, truffles, escargot and dishes done en croûte. I especially love anything with lardoons. And to a point, I agree that the French invasion of the American culinary scene was advantageous to all concerned. I also love lunching at a Parisian bistro, soaking in the food, culture and people for several hours at a time - as the French do.

Ah, to curl up with an afternoon book, listen to hot club jazz and dip a spoon into a French onion soup (toward the back end of the cup - natch) while ripping into a baguette and sipping anything out of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

In these here parts, that's a dream unfulfilled. (Though I have had many a wonderful meal at La Crème Brulee in Steilacoom. And there's a rumor it will open for lunch soon. Mais non ...)

I'm thrilled to report a French-style bistro will open in the Proctor District in the next couple weeks. Chef William and Shannon Mueller, the talent behind Dinner Solutions and Babblin' Babs Bistro, tell the Volcano they plan to convert their formal dining space in the back of Babs into a Parisian-style bistro called Secret. Barely large enough to seat the French Olympic volleyball team's starting lineup - at separate tables - Secret will pack plenty of joie de vivre. Sink into the comfy leather couch, sip a café crème and daydreaming of Paris and Jean-Luc.

The Muellers will serve classic French food, leaning toward the peasant side. While the final menu is still be tested on friends, you probably will enjoy a glazed Cognac pate ($9), Escargot Provence ($12), French cheeses, French onion soup ($8), exotic mushroom crepe ($10 and delicious), ratatouille with sun-dried tomato crepes ($10), rooted vegetables cassoulet ($10), pork cutlet with Vermouth cream sauce (412) and Steak Wellington Goes Naked ($20) - all prepared as if the dishes were meant to hang at the Musée du Louvre.

The coffee will be prepared as they do along the Seine. The wine will be imported from the many regions of France.

And the Muellers say they'll wrap it all in a stress-free, cozy, soothing environment.

"Americans need to slow down," says Chef William. "It takes 25 minutes to cook real food. People should expect to enjoy a 40-minute experience. They need to pull their fingers of the keyboard and have a conversation."

He's not joking. Electronic gadgets will not be tolerated at Secret.

"We're drawing the shades and swirling low-volume jazz in the room, which will be for adults only. I want people to unwind and enjoy our French food," says Chef William. "You want be able to find this environment to sip coffee anywhere in town."

The small room has several two-person high-top tables, an antique chair, a comfy leather chair and two-person couch. Scenes of France hang on the walls. The lighting is low. And the sliding door seals off the din from adjacent Babblin' Babs Bistro.

The Muellers have priced the food below what they should considering what they're paying to import the French treasures. Grab a friend, a bottle and share a pumpkin bread pudding with caramel apple sauce ($8), trio of mousse ($9) or an assorted cookie plate ($4) and catch up.

Secret will be open Tuesday through Friday for early and late lunch. The Muellers, apparently, want to ease into it ... like the French.

[Secret, opening soon, lunch Tuesday-Friday, 2724 N. proctor St., Tacoma, reservations only, 253.761.9099]

SIX AREA WINE BARS WORTH YOUR ATTENTION >>>

Tacoma and Olympia's wine bars can be the perfect places to gather with friends or with a date. Most are small, providing intimate and cozy atmospheres. The best of the best offer both a list of wines worth sipping and small bites or meals worth splurging on.

Café Divino

Old Town Tacoma is hard to beat for cute atmosphere, and its resident wine bar doesn't disappoint. Here you will find wines from all over the world, but mostly regional varietals. It's the menu at Café Divino that just might surprise you. For such a small place, the menu is large, including everything from baked brie with pears to a hot pastrami sandwich. Plates start at about $10 and go up from there. Café Divino is just a block up from the waterfront, too, if you fancy a stroll after you wine and dine.
[11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, 2112 N 30th St., Tacoma, 253.779.4226]

Cork! A Wine Bar

This wine bar has contended in the Best of Western Washington (placing fourth). While you may not find a huge wine list, you will find some specials, like 50 percent off flat breads on Mondays, free wine tasting on Thursdays, and all-night happy hour on Fridays. On Saturdays, there is live music.
[2-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 2 p.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday, 606 N. State St., Tacoma, 253.212.1492]

Enoteca

We adore Enoteca wine bar. It's an ideal place to linger with old friends. Bill Bonnie opened this wine-and-cheese treasure in January 2006, next to his Tacoma Wine Merchants store. Enoteca is a tiny, intimate joint. Be careful walking into this long, narrow space - the door barely misses the best table in the house.  Low lighting has the effect of making the snug room feel even smaller. Enoteca offers grilled paninis, sandwiches, fresh salads, cheese, fruit and meat plates, soups and dessert. The three-ounce samples of three cheeses mixed with house herbed olives, pickles, grapes and bread runs $12 or $7.50 for a half order. If Taleggio cheese is on the cheese board, buy it. Smoked salmon plate ($8), brushetta with tomato and goat cheese ($6), walnut and pear salad ($8), and muffaletta sandwich ($8) are winners, too.
[11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 21 Tacoma Ave. N., Tacoma, 253.779.8258]

Pour at Four

Pour at Four is surprisingly affordable. The menu includes tapas and appetizers that start under $10 - and entrees don't go much above that price point. Better yet, there are cheese samplings here to go with the wine list, which has glasses starting at $5. And even better, if you are not a huge wine fan, Pour at Four has a beer list starting at $3!
[2-10 p.m. Monday, 2-11 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 3814 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.761.8015]

STINK: Cheese and meat

For those wondering how a wine bar, a deli and a restaurant will fit in the one space Kris Blondin and partner Jack Noble secured in downtown Tacoma, it's simple ... it won't. "STINK is not a bar, it's an elevated deli. Not a restaurant, not even your typical deli, we're taking it farther than that," says Blondin (who, full disclosure, has contributed to the Weekly Volcano in the past). STINK - Cheese & Meat has seating for around two dozen people. It featurse an industrial-style deli with old-world cured meats and gourmet, handmade cheeses you just can't get at the grocery store. The menu of "eclectic comfort food," as Blondin refers to it, includes lunch and light dinner fare, and conversation-inspiring beer and wine selections.
[11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.426.1347]

Swing Wine Bar & Café

For ambiance, it's hard to beat Swing in Olympia. It's located in a cute bungalow perched above Capital Lake. The wine list includes a balance of local choices with international ones, and the menu is large with a definite ritzy air to it. Entrees can be ordered as small plates, which is a nice touch. Wednesdays bring live music, and Tuesdays have half-price wine.
[4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-11:59 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 825 Columbia St. SW, Olympia, 360.357.9464]

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

MONDAY, JAN. 2, 2012 >>>

1. With three different singers, dual lead guitars and a solid rhythm sections around, Enumclaw's Palmer Jct blues band will fill The Swiss with, um, blues, but also soul, funk and a bit of jazz beginning at 8 p.m.

2. Drop-In Volleyball at the Center At Norpoint begins at 6 p.m. Dig it.

3. Put down the ice beer in 2012 and become the drinker you've always wanted to be. Start at the 1022 South lounge on Hilltop Tacoma.

4. Go to the Java Jive dressed as Neo, drink PBR, and play pool. But do it when it’s just you and a few friends, Junior, and two mentally questionable but enthusiastic “musicians.” These two should go by only their first names — one of them preceded by the title “Rockin’“ or “Crazy.” Get three Red Vines for 25 cents. More awesome ideas can be found in our 85 Things To Do In Tacoma Before You Die.

5. Ya ya ya - Rockaraoke at Jazzbones at 9 p.m. But have you actually gone? You'll be surprised at its awesomeness.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Subscribe to our music stories

LINK: This week's freebies

OUR CONTINUED LOVE AFFAIR WITH DIRTY OSCAR'S ANNEX >>>

Since taking the lead in the kitchen almost six months ago, Chef Aaron Grissom of Dirty Oscar's Annex has seen firsthand how easily faces come and go in the restaurant business.

"It's hard to find someone that fits with the other personalities that can cook too," says Grissom of hiring kitchen staff.

Getting employees that "meld well together" is trickier by far, yet his recently assembled team is exactly that.  

"I feel lucky to have them. Nicole, Tim and even Bryan were friends from the industry and the timing just worked," says Grissom.

Hiring Bryan Way and former executive chefs Tim Moisio and Nicole De La Paz this fall meant Grissom might relax a bit on his days off. With more than 20 years of combined experience, Grissom's kitchen staff excels at elevated bar cuisine.

"Tim Moisio has run a magnitude of kitchens over the years. He has a great grasp of how flavors work together," says Grissom of Moisio who cut his teeth at C.I. Shenanigans, Lobster Shop and Stanley and Seafort's after studying culinary arts at Le Cordon Blue and Scottsdale Culinary Institute. Dirty Oscar's operator Jake Barth gives a nod of approval, "Tim shows up consistently, puts out good food, and does it fast."

In a graceful move that looks less like stepping down and more like simply wanting something quite different, Nicole De La Paz resigned as executive chef at Puyallup's HG Bistro in early November to become Grissom's sous chef. As De La Paz hustles around the kitchen there's an intense energy about her. It's apparent she cares what she's doing.  Grissom says she brings passion, creativity and experience - all things that strengthen his team.

On Saturday and Sunday Dirty Oscar's, a bar for those 21 and older, opens at 8 a.m. to serve an eclectic breakfast menu until 4 p.m. Cook Bryan Way arrives to begin prep work while most of his industry peers are still in solid slumber.

Barth and Grissom agree; Way knows how to bang out breakfast in prompt fashion, each plate looking and tasting as good as early morning patrons have come to expect. "I tip my hat to cooks that dominate me on the breakfast field," says Grissom of Way, "Bryan owns breakfast."

When asked for something interesting about his years cooking, Grissom shares that he catered the 2010 U.S. Amateur Open golf championship at Chambers Bay under Chef Dustin Joseph and personally cooked a five-course dinner for Tom Waits' bassist. He laughs adding, "I think we've all cooked for famous people actually."

Barth reports Grissom's new Deep Winter menu featuring braised lamb, pulled elk, Korean short rib, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes is being received well. That's a testament to clientele that by all outward appearances just want to drink and hang-out being willing to try new things and branch out beyond hot wings, flat bread and cheesy fries.

"We all bounce ideas off each other and bring different elements to the table. Together we want to continue bringing good food to people, and it's not going to be your average bar cuisine," says Grissom.

The team came up with a New York strip loin topped with Danish blue cheese in port butter. And it's delicious.

Dirty Oscar's Annex

4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Friday
8-2 a.m. Saturday-Sunday
2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
253.572.0588

DO YOU KNOW YOUR TACOMA HISTORY ... AND LOVE FOOD? >>

Foodcaching is a new smart phone app alerting customers of awesome food deals at 15 restaurants in the greater Tacoma area. You may download the app for free on your iPhone and Android here.

The Weekly Volcano has teamed up with Foodcaching for the True Tacoman game. Every Tuesday and Friday right here on Spew, we post a Tacoma history trivia provided by the Washington State History Museum. If you know the answer, run to one of the 15 participating restaurants, come clean with answer and you'll receive points on your Foodcaching app, which you downloaded free here. We'll be running the True Tacoman trivia game through the end of the year.

The person will the most points on Dec. 31 will be crowned the True Tacoman and be flooded with various food prizes.

Tuesday's True Tacoman trivia answer

Tuesday we asked: How many lost their lives when the Narrows Bridge collapsed in 1940? You spent the last three days telling the restaurants listed below only one dog perished – and, thereby you scored points on the Foodcaching app. It was an easy task – a lot easier than surviving a fall from said bridge.

Today is Friday, which means we post another trivia question as part of the True Tacoman contest. Sadly, it's also the last question of this two-month long game.

Today's True Tacoman trivia question

Annie and Fanny are:

• A) A double drink served at the Tacoma Hotel in the 1940s;
• B) Two statues at the north end of Wright Park named for Annie Wright and Fannie Paddock;
• C) Nicknames of the wives of Chief Marcelles Spot.

Answer the question correctly at one of the 15 participating restaurants below and score points - besides scoring awesome food deals from the restaurants. The correct answer will be revealed Tuesday, Jan. 3 on Spew. 

Oh, you can download the free app here.

Participating restaurants

• 1022 South, 1022 South J St., Tacoma, 253.627.8588, Facebook
• Capers Cafe & Take Home, 2602 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253.761.4444, Facebook
• Dirty Oscar's Annex, 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.0588, Facebook
• Dorky's Arcade, 754 Pacfic Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.4156, Facebook
• Harmon Brewery & Eatery, 1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.2739, Facebook
• Harmon Tap Room, 204 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.212.2725, Facebook
• The Hub, 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.683.4606, Facebook
• Massimo Italian Bar & Grill, 4020 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.503.1902, Facebook
• Marrow Kitchen & Bar, 2717 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.267.5299, Facebook
• Over The Moon Cafe, 709 Court C/Opera Alley, Tacoma, 253.284.3722, Facebook
• Pacific Grill, 1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.3535, Facebook
• The Social Bar & Grill, 1715 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.301.3835, Facebook
• STINK Cheese & Meat, 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.426.1347, Facebook
• Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe, 3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1502, Facebook
• TWOKOI Japanese Restaurant, 1552 Commerce St., Tacoma, 253.274.8999, Facebook

SLICE BY SLICE >>>

A look back at the cheesy, saucy, crusty events that shaped South Sound pizza in 2011.

January

Martin Osborn and Shannon Stragier start the year as new owners of Puget Sound Pizza.

In early January, Meme Rincon and Stephen Ferruzza opened Al Forno Ferruzza at 408 Fourth Ave. E. (the same address that formerly housed both the A2 and the Clubside Café) in Olympia. The restaurant shares a wall and window with the popular Eastside Club, allowing service to bar patrons. Ferruzza imports olive oil from cousins in Sicily, and makes pizza the way his father taught him, with fresh ingredients and their trademark high temperature oven. "It's fresh, it's simple, it's an art," says Ferruzza.

Francesco Chiechi and Carlos Morist opened Pizzaria LaGitana in Yelm during the last week in December 2010 serving Italian wood-fired pizza.

February

The Papa John's pizza chain offered a free pizza to everyone in America if the Super Bowl went into overtime, which it didn't.

Oldschool Pizza was named best pizza in the Weekly Volcano's 2011 Best of Olympia issue.

March

Katie Downs won the Weekly Volcano's 2011 Tournament of Pizza - this year's incarnation of our annual March Madness-themed food throwdown where eaters from the South Sound weigh in on the best of the best, whittling a field of 64 competitors down to one champion through daily, heated voting. In 2011 we put pizza in the crosshairs, and throughout the Tournament of Pizza competition Katie Downs again and again pounded all challengers, including second place finisher Apollo Pizza & Pasta in Olympia. Look for the Volcano's Tournament of Breakfast coming in March.

April

Nick-N-Willy's Pizza in Tacoma's Proctor District closed. A Subway now sits in the space.

Guy Snell opened Petey's Pub next door to his Garlic Jim's pizza joint on Sixth Avenue serving pizza among wings and sandwiches. Snell named it after his dog.

May

Business owners Brad LaRue and Clint Owen opened a second Infernos Brick Oven Pizza location in Lacey at 8825 Tallon Lane N.E. They opened their first Infernos in Tumwater in 2007.

July

The Milton Tavern was named as serving the best breakfast pizza in the Weekly Volcano's 2011 Super Best of Tacoma issue. Puget Sound Pizza was named best pizza.

Massimo Italian Bar and Grill opened in University Place in the spot formerly occupied by Captain Nemo's on Bridgeport Way serving thin-crust pizza in seven-inch and 12-inch options.

August

The mobile food court at the corner of State Avenue and Adams Street in downtown Olympia opened consisting of four mobile food trucks including Ricardo's Wood Fire Pizza Express.

September

O'Malley's Irish Pub owner Pat Mawhinney and staff opened Medi's Pizza and Pasta family-friendly restaurant focusing on Italian pasta dishes, grinders, calzones and pizza in the space that housed Sluggo Music for more than 30 years.

Native New Yorker restaurant, a New York Buffalo wings restaurant and sports bar franchise that serves new York-syle pizza opened at 4441 Pacific Ave. SE in Lacey.

October

Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza created a pizza called the "Tasty Cancer Fighter" for the month of October and donated $6 for every 12-inch and $10 for every 16-inch of that pizza sold to the Karen Mullen Foundation.

November

The Cloverleaf celebrated 50 years in business. "The Cloverleaf was established in 1951 and began serving our World Famous Pizzas in 1961. ...The purpose of this celebration is to thank our loyal customers. We could not have made it 50 years without them and that is why we are hosting this celebration, in their honor," stated a release from the Sixth Avenue joint.

What 2011 pizza event did we miss?

LINK: South Sound restaurants serving pizza

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Washington State Redistricting Plan: The fallout. (News Tribune)

Republicans Rally In The 10th District: Stan Flemming and Dick Muri will do battle. (News Tribune)

Syria: Syrian security forces opened fire on protesters in a Damascus suburb today as Arab League monitors arrived. (CNN)

Iowa Slash And Burn:  Six of the major Republican presidential candidates are barnstorming across the state today against a changing political landscape. (CNN)

Mr. Monti Money Man: Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti calls for a "united response" to the eurozone debt crisis as he outlines plans to get Italy out of recession. (BBC)

Dumb But, Well, True List: Seven least wanted celebrity neighbors. (BuzzFeed)

Really?: Jesus Christ Superstar reality casting program. (Playbill)

Video: What happens to your luggage while you sip expensive drinks. (Laughing Squid)

Design: The best of 2011. (Core77)

Japanese Kid's Beer Commercial

DO YOU KNOW YOUR TACOMA HISTORY ... AND LOVE FOOD? >>

Foodcaching is a new smart phone app alerting customers of awesome food deals at 15 restaurants in the greater Tacoma area. You may download the app for free on your iPhone and Android here.

The Weekly Volcano has teamed up with Foodcaching for the True Tacoman game. Every Tuesday and Friday right here on Spew, we post a Tacoma history trivia provided by the Washington State History Museum. If you know the answer, run to one of the 15 participating restaurants, come clean with answer and you'll receive points on your Foodcaching app, which you downloaded free here. We'll be running the True Tacoman trivia game through the end of the year.

The person will the most points on Dec. 31 will be crowned the True Tacoman and be flooded with various food prizes.

Friday's True Tacoman trivia answer

Friday we asked what prevented Tacoma's huge 50-gun salute on Independence Day in 1883. You spent the last four days telling the restaurants listed below it was because the guns, borrowed from the state armory, were taken to Eastern Washington for a potential fight with Native Americans – and, thereby you scored points on the Foodcaching app. It was an easy task – a lot easier than trying to move 50 guns across the Cascades in 1883.

Today is Tuesday, which means we post another trivia question as part of the True Tacoman contest.

Today's True Tacoman trivia question

How many lost their lives when the Narrows Bridge collapsed in 1940?

• A) 1 person and 1 dog;
• B) 13 people;
• C) 0 people, but 1 dog.

Answer the question correctly at one of the 15 participating restaurants below and score points - besides scoring awesome food deals from the restaurants. The correct answer will be revealed Friday, Dec. 30 on Spew. Also, keep an eye on this blog for bonus game points and a special invite to the True Tacoman Game Party in early 2012.

Oh, you can download the free app here.

Participating restaurants

• 1022 South, 1022 South J St., Tacoma, 253.627.8588, Facebook
• Capers Cafe & Take Home, 2602 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253.761.4444, Facebook
• Dirty Oscar's Annex, 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.0588, Facebook
• Dorky's Arcade, 754 Pacfic Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.4156, Facebook
• Harmon Brewery & Eatery, 1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.2739, Facebook
• Harmon Tap Room, 204 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.212.2725, Facebook
• The Hub, 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.683.4606, Facebook
• Massimo Italian Bar & Grill, 4020 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.503.1902, Facebook
• Marrow Kitchen & Bar, 2717 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.267.5299, Facebook
• Over The Moon Cafe, 709 Court C/Opera Alley, Tacoma, 253.284.3722, Facebook
• Pacific Grill, 1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.3535, Facebook
• The Social Bar & Grill, 1715 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.301.3835, Facebook
• STINK Cheese & Meat, 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.426.1347, Facebook
• Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe, 3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1502, Facebook
• TWOKOI Japanese Restaurant, 1552 Commerce St., Tacoma, 253.274.8999, Facebook

DO YOU KNOW YOUR TACOMA HISTORY ... AND LOVE FOOD? >>

Foodcaching is a new smart phone app alerting customers of awesome food deals at 15 restaurants in the greater Tacoma area. You may download the app for free on your iPhone and Android here.

The Weekly Volcano has teamed up with Foodcaching for the True Tacoman game. Every Tuesday and Friday right here on Spew, we post a Tacoma history trivia provided by the Washington State History Museum. If you know the answer, run to one of the 15 participating restaurants, come clean with answer and you'll receive points on your Foodcaching app, which you downloaded free here. We'll be running the True Tacoman trivia game through the end of the year.

The person will the most points on Dec. 31 will be crowned the True Tacoman and be flooded with various food prizes.

Tuesday's True Tacoman trivia answer

Tuesday we asked if skiing above Paradise on Mount Rainier was popular in the 1930s and 1940s. You spent the last three days telling the restaurants listed below it was, in fact, popular – and, thereby you scored points on the Foodcaching app. It was an easy task – a lot easier than trying to ski above Paradise.

Today is Friday, which means we post another trivia question as part of the True Tacoman contest.

Today's True Tacoman trivia question

In 1883, Tacoma organized a huge Independence Day celebration. It was hoped that the day could be ended with a 50-gun salute. This did not happen because:

• A) The guns, borrowed from the state armory, were taken to Eastern Washington for a potential fight with Native Americans;
• B) No one remembered to purchase gun powder;
• C) There we not 50 guns in the territory.

Answer the question correctly at one of the 15 participating restaurants below and score points - besides scoring awesome food deals from the restaurants. The correct answer will be revealed Tuesday, Dec. 27 on Spew. Also, keep an eye on this blog for bonus game points and a special invite to the True Tacoman Game Party in early 2012.

Oh, you can download the free app here.

Participating restaurants

• 1022 South, 1022 South J St., Tacoma, 253.627.8588, Facebook
• Capers Cafe & Take Home, 2602 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253.761.4444, Facebook
• Dirty Oscar's Annex, 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.0588, Facebook
• Dorky's Arcade, 754 Pacfic Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.4156, Facebook
• Harmon Brewery & Eatery, 1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.2739, Facebook
• Harmon Tap Room, 204 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.212.2725, Facebook
• The Hub, 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.683.4606, Facebook
• Massimo Italian Bar & Grill, 4020 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.503.1902, Facebook
• Marrow Kitchen & Bar, 2717 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.267.5299, Facebook
• Over The Moon Cafe, 709 Court C/Opera Alley, Tacoma, 253.284.3722, Facebook
• Pacific Grill, 1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.3535, Facebook
• The Social Bar & Grill, 1715 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.301.3835, Facebook
• STINK Cheese & Meat, 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.426.1347, Facebook
• Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe, 3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1502, Facebook
• TWOKOI Japanese Restaurant, 1552 Commerce St., Tacoma, 253.274.8999, Facebook