Bake Olympia April 26

Bake Olympia April 26

This Friday, April 26 is Bake Olympia, a food blogger bake sale to fight hunger. Located at the Make Olympia Street Market at the Arts Walk at 5th Avenue & Franklin from 4 p.m.-10 p.m., this second annual event was a success last year, bringing in $500 for the Thurston County Food Bank. This year, the event will benefit GRuB (Garden-Raised Bounty), which builds backyard and community gardens for low-income individuals and families, which is a pretty cool concept!

This year’s bakers include:
Liz, Real Food NW
Kelli, Fresh Scratch
Rebecca and Caryn, She & She Gluten Free
Christine Ciancetta, Beth Storey, Katie Hurley, Bayview School of Cooking
Loretta Seppanen, Slow Food Greater Olympia
Jenni, The Plum Palate

Read more about Bake Olympia over at The Plum Palate and stop by for some goodies and to support a great cause!

Friday, April 26
4:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Make Olympia street market, located on 5th Avenue, between Franklin and Adams
(same block as Rainy Day Records and Oly Vegan)

A Tour of the New Harbor Greens in University Place

A Tour of the New Harbor Greens in University Place

Yesterday I finally went and checked out the new Harbor Greens in University Place. Why I have waited so long, I don’t know. It’s awesome. Yes, I know it’s just a market, but it’s a great one and I get excited about these things.

I’ve never been to the original Harbor Greens in Gig Harbor, so I can’t really compare it, but I can say it reminds me a lot of Tacoma Boys…just a little bit better. I recently wrote about the 6th Avenue Tacoma Boys’ update to their store, and how it has a better flow and expanded range of gluten free products. Harbor Greens has all the best parts of Tacoma Boys — gorgeous produce, fantastic meats and local products — but they layout is much easier to navigate and they have a full service deli. I’m a sucker for a deli. Sandwiches, hot dogs, hot pizza, take and bake pizza, salads, soups and flatbreads. Oh, and there’s a garden center. Continue reading →

Grassi’s Garden Cafe is Moving

Grassi’s Garden Cafe is Moving

Grassi’s Garden Cafe, located upstairs in Grassi’s Flowers & Gifts in Downtown Tacoma, is moving after 21 years at their current location. The cafe, along with the flower and gift shop, will be moving from the historic “Mack Building”, the triangular building on South 17th and Pacific. The last day at their current location is April 25th.

Why the move after so many years in the same location? “We would like a location with easier parking for our guests,” says owner Melanie Grassi. This makes sense — the stretch of Pacific they’re currently located on has minimal parking spots, and they compete for space with visitors to UW Tacoma, retail shops and restaurants.

So far, it’s undetermined as to where they’ll be moving to. “We are currently in negotiations and hope to announce future plans soon”, says Grassi. Along with the move, there are plans to change the menu, as well as some other “surprises”.

Until then, everything in the boutique is 50 percent off, and there’s still time for a loaded cobb salad or crab omelet.

Harbor Lights Reopens Tomorrow After Remodel

Harbor Lights Reopens Tomorrow After Remodel

Tacoma’s beloved Harbor Lights is reopening tomorrow, Friday, April 19, at 11 a.m. They are not accepting reservations for this weekend, but will be seating on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations will once again be accepted starting April 22.

The Ruston Way restaurant, which has been in operation for 54 years, closed for a facelift on March 11. Expect larger windows for a better view of the water, new kitchen equipment, updated bathrooms, new tables, and paint.

Harbor Lights serves one of the stiffest drinks in Tacoma, and has a killer bucket of steamer clams. Go there for classic seafood, steak and burgers with a view and a rich history. The remodel is not all that’s new — check out their updated lunch and dinner menus here.

Harbor Lights | 2761 Ruston Way, Tacoma, WA 98402 | 253-752-8600

A Guide to South Sound Farmers Markets

A Guide to South Sound Farmers Markets

After a long winter, it’s finally farmer’s market season again! The South Sound has plenty of farmers markets on various days of the week to keep you stocked with local produce, meats and goods.

Each market has a different feel, vendors and start and end dates, so be sure to check with them to find what you’re looking for.

  • Proctor Farmers Market
    Season: March 30-December 21, plus select winter market dates
    Day and time: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Location: N. 27th and Proctor Street, Tacoma
  • South Tacoma Farmers Market
    Season: April-September
    Day and time: Sundays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
    Location: STAR Center, 3873 S. 66th Street, Tacoma
  • Gig Harbor Farmers Market
    Season: April-September
    Day and time: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Location: Uptown Gig Harbor parking lot
  • Puyallup Farmers Market
    Season: April 13-October 12
    Day and time: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Location: 330 South Meridian, Puyallup
  • Olympia Farmers Market
    Season: April-October
    Day and time: Thursdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
    Location: 700 North Capitol Way, Olympia
  • Tacoma 6th Avenue Farmers Market
    Season: May-September. Opens May 7, 2013.
    Day and time: Tuesdays, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
    Location: 6th Avenue and North Pine Street, Tacoma
  • Tacoma Broadway Farmers Market
    Season: May-October. Opens May 2, 2013.
    Day and time: Thursdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
    Location:  South 9th and Broadway, Tacoma
  • Steilacoom Farmers Market
    Season: June 12-August 28
    Day and time: Wednesdays, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
    Location: Downtown Steilacoom on the corner of LaFayette and Wilkes Street
  • Tumwater Farmers Market
    Season: June 5-October 30
    Day and time:
    Location: On the southwest corner of Israel Road and Capitol Boulevard in Tumwater