NOSH PIT >>>

Haiti Relief: Primo Grill, Crown Bar and McGavick Winery have partnered with Doctors Without Borders to raise funs for Haiti relief. Now through Feb 28, McGavick Winery will donate 100 percent of proceeds of wine sales to DWB, and Primo and Crown will donate $5 for every bottle of McGavick merlot sold.

Wine Tasting: The Wine Bank in University Place hold a blind Cabernet tasting today from 2-4:30 p.m. at 7017 27^th St. W. More wine tastings here.

Plan Ahead: Saint Martin's University will hold its sixth annual "all you can eat" crab feed Friday, Jan. 29 from 5-9 p.m. in the Marcus Pavilion in Lacey. Tickets are $35 before Jan. 15, $40 after. Grab tickets at 360.486.8885.

Food For Thought: When is it acceptable to complain in a restaurant?

SUZY STUMP: NEW FORZA WINE BAR >>>

I like wine bars. Not only for the obvious reason – good wine – but because they tend to be small, cozy, and a bit quiet – the perfect place for an intimate conversation or romantic rendezvous. The thing about them, though, is they also often tend to be pretentious. Or stark. Or cold. Or all of the above. And this is too bad for someone like me, who enjoys the occasional dress-up affair, but – at heart – is more of a Pabst and jeans and easy laughter kind of girl.

Enter Forza Wine Bar, a brand spanking new (as in, less than a month old) wine bar in University Place. This place has the ambiance of a nice coffee shop – because it is!

Similar to the Forza Coffee Company that Harbor Greens market took over in March when they stacked wine in the corner to create the Harbor Greens Wine Bar, the U.P. Forza placed a wine bar in the back. While the wine rack may be in the back, you can sit anywhere after 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday to drink it.

Luckily, the food and the wine don't suffer from the more-casual-than-usual atmosphere. The wine list is extensive, worthy, and above all, affordable. Broken into 15 categories sporting two to five bottles from around the world, the prices range from $21 to $50, with a $90 of Col d'Orcia Brunello Di Montepalcino and a $170 of Bertani: Amerone Classico Cab for those with expensive tastes.

And the tapas match on all accounts (at least, the charcuterie plate and meat candy I tasted on a recent visit did). Baked brie, pizzetta Quattro formage, artichoke dip and a coupe foccacia plates round out the menu.

Yes, I said meat candy. Pacific Grill's famous dish featuring dates and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese wrapped in bacon is served at Forza because the Pacific Grill prepares most of the food at Forza Wine Bar.

If Forza was in the Stadium District, it would definitely become a regular staple in my Enoteca/Pour at Four/Café Divino rotation. But even so, if I ever need to schedule a business meeting or a no-pressure first date on the other side of town, this where I'm going. For sure.

By the way, Forza Wine Bar has a wine tasting tonight featuring Stina's Cellars out of University Place from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

[Forza Wine Bar, wine served beginning at 5-9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 27000 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.565.4935]

JENNIFER JOHNSON: AFFAIRS CAFE & BAKERY >>>

Walking in the door and immediately being confronted by glass cooler display cases overflowing with decadent desserts of all shapes, types and sizes was enough to make me wish I had a metabolism that would let me get away with having a slice of cake with a side of pie for lunch. Reluctantly dragging my eyes away, my companion and I were seated at a small, yet comfortable table along a brick wall. Our position gave us prime people-watching time throughout lunch and allowed us to enjoy the sunlight without needing to keep our sunglasses on during the meal, as a woman at a nearby table did.

Service was quick, polite and on the mark. A $8.25 lunch special consisting of half of a sandwich and a cup of soup sounded good. But it turned out to be uninspired baked turkey and cranberry cream cheese on white bread and was borderline dry. The smoked salmon Caesar salad ($9.50) offered a perfect balance of tart dressing with crisp romaine and moist flavorful fish. Freshly baked focaccia bread was a nice change from typical toasted French rolls.

They are open for breakfast and lunch Monday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

[Affairs Cafe & Bakery, 2811 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.565.8604]

LINK: Download affairs_breakfast_menu.pdf
LINK: Download affairs_lunch_menu.pdf

Look another teriyaki restaurant
We were just saying the other day that the South Sound needs one more teriyaki restaurant.  We got our wish.  Good Wok 2 opens soon in University Place at 44th and Bridgeport West. - Jason de Paul.

Easter lovers get your yolks a runnin'! All early indications on the foodie frontier point toward a flavorful holiday.  The bakers at Great Harvest Bread Company in Univeristy Place's Green Firs Shopping Center are preparing whole wheat honey bread loaves shaped like bunny rabbits.  While you are there, take home some apple-cinnamon bread. It's my favorite. - Jason de Paul.