JAKE AND JASON DE PAUL DIG IN >>>

ANNOUNCER: For over four years, the Macau Casino off Interstate 5 in Lakewood has aimed to attract gamblers and card game lovers. With the dining menu and kitchen now in the hands of award-winning Chef King Heun Wai, Macau may also attract lovers of food. The revamped Asian menu reaches beyond commonly known Chinese dishes to various hot pots, wide noodle chow fun, Chinese pizza and curry and Thai dishes, too. American food is also served. Dinner seating for 16-20 people has partial view of the bar. The boys only sampled the Asian cuisine since they agreed it would be wrong to order a BLT where 87 different Chinese items are offered.

To read Jake and Jason's full review click here.

[Macau Casino, 9811 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood, 253.983.1777]

James Goldman's The Lion In Winter is about nothing so much as legacy. The year is 1183. Henry II, who won the throne by strength of arms, aims to leave behind the one thing his life has lacked: prolonged, lasting peace.

Standing in his way? Pretty much everyone else. Three sons, each vying to be declared heir-not that any is likely to honor declared succession after his death. A Queen, Eleanor, whose primary goal is to thwart Henry in whichever direction he turns. A youthful French King, Philip, who's looking for whatever alliance will regain him the French lands held by Henry's troops.

The mortar of Lakewood Playhouse's production, directed by John Munn, is the barbed dialogue between Joseph Grant's Henry and Syra Beth Puett's Eleanor.

To read Joe Izenman's full review click here.

[Lakewood Playhouse, The Lion of Winter, through May 15, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $17-$23, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd., Lakewood, 253.588.0042]

THE POLLS ARE NOW OPEN >>>

Spring is in the air.

This means lust is in the air - and in the pages of the Weekly Volcano.

Once again, the Volcano is unleashing The Sexy Issue, giving one and all the chance to gaze at the sexiest people in the South Sound - as voted on by all of you, our dear readers.

Our annual celebration of the flesh, The Sex Issue is the Weekly Volcano's way of showcasing the South Sound's sexiest denizens - and by denizens we don't mean celebrities; we're talking about regular dudes and dudettes who just happen to look sexy as hell. Not just cliché sex appeal, of no relation to AXE Deodorant Body Spray campaigns, and certainly much more than mere looks, the Volcano Sexy Issue attempts to answer simple question: What defines sexiness in the South Sound?

This year, we are asking you to nominate the person who makes you all hot and bothered in the following categories: Bartender, Barista, Delivery Person, Real Estate Agent, Athlete, Servicemember, Drummer, Tattoo Artist and Mom.

On Thursday, June 2, the Weekly Volcano will publish The Sexy Issue, immortalizing the sexy, chosen few forever.

Help us find them.

Voting ends May 12 - so help the Weekly Volcano find the South Sound's hottest citizens. Vote today!

Vote for the South Sound's sexiest people (please include where they work):

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Peg Doman, in response to our selection of Carrs' pancakes and sausage as one of our 50 favorite dishes in the South Sound.

Doman writes,

We recently went to Carrs with some friends on a Sunday morning at noon. I wish I'd read your article before we went. It seemed to us that the waitress didn't turn in our order because people were served who came in well after us. I was not charmed with my meal. There is literally, almost a ton of food on each plate, but the hash browns were not even up to Sherri's standards. Carrs' hb were a huge mound of white and uncooked middle with a thin layer of browns to fool you. I realize it was Sunday afternoon and any time after 10 a.m. on a Sunday is a guaranteed wait, but the waitress did not even acknowledge the extraordinary wait we had and I was severely disappointed in the hashbrowns. Quantity does NOT make up for poor quality.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment actually comes from Van A Hurst ... an emailer so incensed over a recent Ragnet crime column that he/she felt compelled to speak out.

Hurst writes,

I find it interesting that you folks bash the residents of Kent. Yet you are based in Lakewood, The only city in Washington that has the same name as an unincorporated area in Snohomish county. Maybe you should look a little closer to home before you infer that being a resident of a particular city is lesser than you are. You really should pay more attention to your local news if you want to find issues to comment about. I see a bunch more camo hats in Lakewood than I ever see in Kent.

Enjoy your glass house.

ACCESS SOUTH SOUND DRINK SPECIALS IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND >>>

The Weekly Volcano Happy Hour App has up-to-date listings of happy-hour offerings from bars, clubs, taverns and restaurants from Tumwater to Federal Way, from Gig Harbor to Bonney Lake. As of now, some 160 happy hours are listed - with more being added on a constant basis.

Your smart phone tells the app where you are, you specify any special happy-hour needs you might have, and - voilà - you've got a detailed list of every happy hour around, including specials and when that happy hour ends. The list is sorted by distance from your current location, and you can turn your phone sideways for a Google map of the nearest picks. Can't decide which one to try? Give the phone a good shake and the app will randomly select a happy hour for you.

The Weekly Volcano Happy Hour app is available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry. And no matter what platform you use, it's free - so you can save your money for that last half-price margarita or two-for-one beer special of the night.

The Happy Hour section at weeklyvolcano.com has been redesigned to carry the same information as the phone app.

More good news: Because the Weekly Volcano has partnered with GoTime.com, our happy hour app doesn't only work in the South Sound; it also works in 160 other cities around the country.

LINK: Download the app to your phone

LINK: Our new nifty happy hour section

LINK: Scenes from the App Launch Party

Here's something to watch

TUESDAY, APRIL 5: WE HAVE A WINNER >>>

After three weeks of voting the Weekly Volcano readers have picked the most popular pizza joint in the South Sound.

The Tournament of Pizza Championship match pitted longtime Tacoma favorite Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant against the Westside Olympia powerhouse Apollo's Pizza & Pasta.

Yesterday's championship battle saw the most online voting before dinnertime (5 p.m.) of the tournament. Katie Downs had a commanding lead by time the voting switched to the live ballot voting at 6 p.m. during the Tournament of Pizza Party Inside The Schooner Pub in Lakewood. At the party, folks filled out pizza voting/raffle ballots when they weren't pounding beers and screaming at the televisions. The pizza voting couldn't help but supercede the ugly NCAA Men's Championship hoop game in which UConn held the Butler Bulldogs to a title-game record-low 18.8 percent shooting.

But, as promised, we tallied the on-location votes during halftime of the hoop game, which ended up dead even.

Representation from Apollo's Pizza & Pasta and Katie Downs were in the house. Apollo's arrived early with a stack of piping hot pizzas. The Olympia pizza joint passed out free slices to the crowd, showing their hospitality and their skill at pizza pie perfection. The Katie Downs crew arrived halfway through the first half of the basketball game - also sporting pizzas. The crowd didn't leave hungry. The free pizzas were a surprise to all. The Weekly Volcano would like to extend a special thanks to The Schooner Pub for being cool with the pizzas.

At halftime of the basketball game, Pappi Swarner jumped behind the bar, grabbed the house PA, and gave away 10 or so raffle prizes, most to the lucky former Clover Park High School coaching staff contingent in the house.

The Weekly Volcano staff quickly downed their drinks and tallied the ballots. After combining the ballots with its 79 percent vote lead accumulated online, the winner of the 2011 Tournament of Pizza was announced:

Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant.

Both South Sound pizza joints will be receiving Tournament of Pizza trophies after completion of the engraving. Also, look for an upcoming feature on Katie Downs in the Weekly Volcano.

Katie Downs congratulates Apollo's Pizza & Pasta for a good battle.

Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant staff

So it's official: Katie Downs is the winner of Weekly Volcano's 2011 Tournament of Pizza. Eat it up, South Sound.

Thank you!

We would like to extend a special THANKS! to al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine for sponsoring the Tournament of Pizza. When you are in downtown Olympia, stop by al Forno Ferruzza for a slice or two.

Also a big thanks to The Schooner Pub in Lakewood for hosting our Tournament of Pizza Finals party last night. Good times.

But most of all, thanks to all the awesome folks who voted. You rock.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31: BAKED EIGHT >>>

For the last two weeks we presented you with a compelling question: Who makes the best pizza in the South Sound?

Well, we're closer than we've ever been to finding out - at least based on the voice of you, the readers and voters.

Today is a very special day in the Volcano's Tournament of Pizza - the Baked Eight. Yes, only eight out of an original 64 area pizza joints remain, each doing battle today to stay alive and fight on toward ultimate Tournament of Pizza glory.

If we were you we'd just call in sick, grab some Rolaids and watch it all unfold.

Short of that, a good place to start would be by voting below.

Yesterday's Results

Aversano's vs. Rollies Tavern

Despite a late push from Sumner's heralded Aversano's, Rollies and its large, devoted, strongly Air Force following proved too powerful in yesterday's action, catapulting into the Baked Eight with a resounding victory. Rollies is known for toppings, toppings some might say cover more than 63 percent of the delicious pizzas. Strangely, that's exactly the percentage of the vote Rollies received yesterday. Weird. Today Rollies will face Trackside.

Louie G's Pizza vs. Trackside Pizza

As you may have gathered since Trackside will be competing against Rollies today, Puyallup's favorite pizza joint (at least based on Tournament of Pizza results) was able to fend off Louie G's of Fife yesterday and play its way into Baked Eight. After an impressive run, Louie G's - even with the newfound support of the all-ages music scene - couldn't climb the mountain that was Trackside - which scored roughly 70 percent of the vote in victory.

Katie Downs Waterfront Pizza vs. Puget Sound Pizza

We feel bad for the kids on this one ... especially the kids in tight pants. But something tells us they'll survive, and they'll do so in tasty style with the Puget Sound Pizza they (and much of the area, it seems) has come to love. Unfortunately for Puget Sound Pizza, the task yesterday of taking down Katie Downs was simply too much - and the votes told the story. When all was said and done, Katie Downs moved on with nearly 89 percent of the votes in the day's most active contest.

The Rock Brick Oven Pizza vs. Upper Crust Bistro & Bakery

The way Upper Crust has managed to bring it during this year's Tournament of Pizza has been nothing short of amazing. Yesterday, many already had established competitor The Rock penciled in as a winner. Those people, however, where foolish - as Upper Crust once again proved its pizza prowess. The votes don't lie, and when the final buzzer sounded Upper Crust had racked up roughly 80 percent of the vote and comfortably moved into Baked Eight competition.

The following four pizza joints will advance to the Baked Eight:

• Rollies Tavern
  
• Trackside Pizza
  
• Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant
  
• Upper Crust Bistro & Bakery
  

Today's Competition

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

OK, time to move on to today's pizza battles. Vote for one pizza joint per battle, then scroll to the bottom and click "Done."

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30: STUFFED 16 GAMES >>>

You know how yesterday we said you, much-appreciated readers, had responded in droves to our Tournament of Pizza so far this year.

Well, we lied. We hadn't seen anything yet.

Yesterday was droves, people, perhaps more. Yesterday was just plain freakin' nuts.

An astounding 2507 of you took a minute out of your schedules to participate in yesterday's Tournament of Pizza action - shattering all previous records (which is something we had the pleasure of saying a lot this year).

It was awesome. When it comes to pizza, it's obvious you really care.

Maybe too much ...

On to today's Tournament of Pizza action and yesterday's results.

Yesterday's Results

Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante vs. Delbrocco's Pizza, Steak & Hoagies

R-E-S-P-E-C-T is how the song goes, and that's just what unheralded Delbrocco's has been earning so far in the Tournament of Pizza, knocking off Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante yesterday and garnering - get this! - 73 percent of the vote. This is all the more impressive when you consider Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante took out Cloverleaf Pizza just a round earlier, meaning - by the power of Tournament of Pizza deduction - Delbrocco's, and its Philly style pizza action - can claim superiority over both. What's the world coming to? Find out when Delbrocco's moves on to face the currently enfuego Fan Club of Lakewood.

Fondi Pizzeria vs. The Fan Club Sports Bar

Honestly, poor Fondi Pizzeria never had a chance in this one. In a day of voting that shattered all previous Tournament of Pizza records, The Fan Club was likely the catalyst - bringing in (no shit) more than 1,700 votes. Take a moment to digest that performance. If it's a sign of things to come, The Fan Club - which amazingly entered the tournament as a 15 seed - has to be the odds on favorite to win it all. Now, digest that. Crazy, man. Just crazy. Their taco pizza may have something to do with it. But the ability to round up 1,700 votes in a single day probably has more.

Apollo Pizza & Pasta vs. Infernos Brick Oven Pizza

In a day of blowouts, Apollo of Olympia only continued the trend, knocking out Tumwater's Inferno's Brick Oven Pizza, a venue that defied the expectations of many just by reaching this point (if only for lack of Tumwater knowledge). In a packed South Region that originally held heavyweights like Oldschool, Vic's and even Smitty's, Apollo - originally a nine seed - now finds itself one win away from the Final Four. Next up for Apollo ...

Ricardo's Restaurant vs. Casa Mia Italian Restaurant

To be blunt, Ricardo's did far more damage in the Tournament of Pizza than anyone here at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters anticipated. We know the Lacey destination more for its steaks than pies. Taking out Smitty's in the first round, and later Farrelli's of DuPont in the second, was impressive to say the least. However, those good times came to an abrupt halt yesterday when Casa Mia once again flexed its muscles, perhaps emerging as the odds on favorite to make the Final Four out of the South Region. Snagging 76 percent of the vote, it was another dominant performance for Casa Mia, a local favorite that seems to be getting stronger with every victory.

The following four pizza joints will advance to the Baked Eight:

• Delbrocco's Pizza, Steak & Hoagies
  
• The Fan Club Sports Bar
  
• Apollo Pizza & Pasta
  
• Casa Mia Italian Restaurant
  

Today's Competition

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

OK, time to move on to today's pizza battles. Vote for one pizza joint per battle, then scroll to the bottom and click "Done."

SUNDAY, MARCH 27: ROUND TWO ACTION CONTINUES >>>

Beginning March 29, we’ll cut the field of 64 South Sound pizza joints to the Stuffed 16. March 31, it’ll drop to the Baked Eight. On April 4, we’ll announce the winner of Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Tacos – picked by you, of course – at the Schooner Pub in Lakewood during halftime of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. On that Monday, we'll cut the online voting at 5 p.m. and take the vote live at the Schooner, handing out ballots while you pound beers.

That's all fine and dandy, but it's Sunday and you don't have time for idle chitchat. You need to start whittling away at our 5 Things To Do today. OK, OK, here are yesterday's results and today's pizza matchups. Thanks for voting!

Yesterday's Results

Spud's Pizza Parlor vs. Louie G's Pizza

In NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament history, when a ninth seed team has battled a number one seed, the ninth has emerged victorious less than 10 percent of the time. But this is the Tournament of Pizza, and number nine seed Louie G's in Fife handed number one seed Spud's a defeat the famous Tacoma pizza joint will long remember. The pizza dough tossing, all-ages rocking Louie G's stomped on Spud's with 71 percent of the votes.

Milton Tavern vs. Trackside Pizza

Trackside Pizza has something called a The Dessert Caboose. It's a fancy name for mini-cinnamon rolls, fresh baked chocolate cookies, Ben and Jerry's ice cream and several different ice cream bars. ICE CREAM BARS! Sure, this is not the tournament of Ice Cream Bars, but you can't overlook the power of ice cream on a stick. And Trackside didn't, grabbing 58 percent of the votes over the tavern, thus moving on to the Stuffed 16 and facing Louie G's March 30.

The following four pizza joints will advance to the next round:

• Louie G's Pizza
  
• Trackside Pizza
  

Today's Competition

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

OK, time to move on to today's pizza battles.

>>> CONTEST CLOSED. FOR RESULTS OF THE BATTLES LISTED BELOW, AND NEW MATCHUPS TO VOTE ON, SEE MONDAY'S POSTS ON SPEW.

Terry's Office Tavern  vs. Fondi Pizzeria

You have to hand it to the patrons of Terry's Office Tavern. Week night as they head inside to their beloved Northend watering hole, they are subjected to the hardcore exercise action across the street at Elev8 Fitness. All they want to do is pound some beer while nibbling on Terry's world-famous pizza, possible eat a gizzard or two, and sink into comfort. Instead, they witness folks dressed for summer lunging down the sidewalk (without extending the knee over their toes), busting out some jumping jacks, and pretending their bicycling while lying on their backs. The scene at Fondi Pizzeria is less intimidating. The Italian joint sits in an Gig Harbor upscale shopping center surrounded by money and properly pruned shrubbery. Some would call this the battle for the Narrows Bridge. Others would not.

• Terry's Office Tavern (3410 N. Proctor, Tacoma)
• Fondi Pizzeria (4621 Point Fosdick Dr. NW, Gig Harbor)

Blue Cannon Pizza vs. The Fan Club Sports Bar

The Fan Club's fans fight for their tiny slice of heaven. The watering hole on the edge of the Oakbrook community in Lakewood sports a loyal following - fanatic, if you will. Check out this comment on this website left by a Fan Club cheerleader Kolby James:

Looooooove the Taco Pizza at the Fan Club. I had a dream that I ordered the taco pizza with eggs. The next day I went in and ordered the taco pizza with eggs for breakfast. HOLY COW!!!!! AWESOME!!! I have ordered it about every other week since. A way to get your vegetables at breakfast!! LOVE IT!!! If you ever get a chance, order the taco pizza at the Fan Club in Lakewood, WA.

If we were the Blue Cannon Pizza in Gig Harbor, we'd be scared to death.

• Blue Cannon Pizza (4726 Borgen Blvd. NW, Gig Harbor)
• The Fan Club Sports Bar (8315 83rd Ave. SW, Lakewood)

Oldschool Pizzeria vs. Apollo's Pizza & Pasta

Apollo Pizza & Pasta took down the mighty Brewery City Pizza in First Round action. This can't be overlooked people. Brewery City Pizza spans Thurston County with its bitchin' delivery system. Now Apollo looks Oldschool Pizzeria square in its competitor's New York style pizza face. Apollo's thick and cheesy pies have the goods to win. And it sports a neon sign that reads "Heaven" at its place of business in Olympia. However, Oldschool is so cool it doesn't have a Facebook page, and calls its Hawaiian pie "Do Ho."

• Oldschool Pizzeria (108 Franklin St. NE, Olympia)
• Apollo's Pizza & Pasta (2302 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia)

Dirty Dave's Pizza Parlor vs. Infernos Brick Oven Pizza

Number 13 seed Infernos sent popular, fancy fourth seed Mercato packing in First Round action. The Weekly Volcano Steno Pool turned oddsmakers are still puzzled over that one (it might have something to do with their regular shopping excursions to neighboring Olympia Farmers Market). Anyway, Infernos has the backing, and the pizza, to take on Dirty Dave's and its nearly 40 years of awesomeness. It might be time for Dave's to push their 3-D pizza hard. Oh yes, a pan pizza that takes 25 minutes to bake. Someone's going to get hurt.

• Dirty Dave's Pizza Parlor (3939 Martin Way E., Olympia)
• Infernos Brick Oven Pizza (111 Tumwater Blvd. SE, Olympia)

Tomorrow's Pizza Battles: Round Two action

Game 1: Aversano's (6015 Parker Road E., Sumner) vs. Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery (454 E. Main, Puyallup)

Game 2: Vince's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria (32411 Pacific Highway South, Federal Way) vs. Rollies Tavern (2404 112th St. S., Tacoma)

Game 3: Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant (3211 Ruston Way, Tacoma) vs. Engine House No. 9 (611 N. Pine St., Tacoma)

Game 4: Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza (3518 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Puget Sound Pizza (317 S. Seventh St., Tacoma)

Game 5: Rock Brick Oven Pizza (1920 S. Jefferson Ave., Tacoma) vs. Harmon Tap Room (204 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma)

Game 6: Upper Crust Bistro & Bakery (2714 N. 21st St., Tacoma) vs. Primo Grill (601 S. Pine St., Tacoma)

LINK: What's up with this pizza tournament?

LINK: Oh hell yes I want the Weekly Volcano newsletter!