I Wanted to Dislike Yeti Yogurt, but…

I previously wrote about how there are way too many frozen yogurt shops in Tacoma, and I still do believe that.

Yeti Yogurt, a Pacific Northwest chain, opened up shop kitty corner to Gibson’s Frozen Yogurt in Tacoma’s Westgate neighborhood. They’ve also opened one in Fircrest, and in Puyallup.

I wanted to dislike Yeti Yogurt.

I really did.

But then I tried it.

Maybe it was the glowing frozen yogurt dispensers, modern interior or what seemed to be a mile of fun toppings…but what really sold me were the flavors.

18 flavors at a time.

Flavors like Nutella, cookies and cream, salted caramel, bananas foster, baklava…and that’s just the tip of the fro yo iceberg.

Do yourself a favor. DON’T go there. It’s too good.

Anniversary Dinner at Asado

Our second anniversary was this past Tuesday, and it called for a special dinner out. We were originally thinking of heading to Seattle, but decided to stay in Tacoma since it was a work night. You don’t need to go to Seattle for great food, right?! Duh, that’s why you’re reading this right now!

We decided on Asado Cucina Argentina since we never end up making it there. Why? I’m not exactly sure. It’s a little pricey for an every day dinner, and for some reason I never think of it for a special occasion. I’m glad I remembered it this time because we had an excellent meal.

First off, Asado happens to have half off bottles of wine on Tuesdays. Score. Didn’t plan that, but it worked out nicely. You can try a bottle you might not normally order because of its price, or you can just get a killer deal. Either way it’s a win.

I like the look and feel of the restaurant. When you walk in, you can smell the mesquite wood they use in their grill. The whole front of the restaurant opens up garage door-style to an outdoor bar, and it’s an awesome place to sit on a sunny day. The only thing I don’t love about Asado is that it gets a little loud in there, so having a conversation can be tough. You end up yelling, so that’s not great.

Go to Asado for what they do best: their grilled seafood and meats. It’s unlike any other restaurant in Tacoma in its flavor profiles. Big, bold flavors of chimichurri, salsas, herbs and spices are integrated seamlessly into steak and seafood dishes that are cooked to perfection.

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Savor Creperie Grand Opening Celebration

This weekend, Savor Creperie, the relatively newly opened downtown Tacoma crepe shop, is having its grand opening celebration. Come celebrate Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22 and get great deals, samples and enter drawings for gift certificates. See the schedule of festivities below.

Friday, June 21: Savor’s Grand Opening CELEBRATION!

  • Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony 12:00 p.m.
  • 1/2 price sweet (dessert) crepes from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
  • Crepe samples throughout the day

Saturday,  June 22: Savor’s Grand Opening CELEBRATION Continues!

  • 15% off all menu items all day
  • Drawings both days for free gift certificates

I wrote about them right after they opened, and have been back since. Each crepe I’ve tried has been fantastic. My personal favorite is the ham, gruyere and asparagus crepe with dijon creme fraiche ($9.50). As for sweet crepes, the banana, coconut and Nutella crepe ($6.50) was pretty delicious.

Savor Creperie also has liege waffles, a Belgian waffle that’s dense and sweet with caramelized sugar on the outside. You can top it with whatever you want, which is pretty fun. I had one with Nutella, strawberries and whipped cream.

The atmosphere is fast casual. You order at the counter and they bring you your order to the table. A tip: If you’re planning on ordering both a savory crepe and a dessert crepe, order the savory one first, sit down and eat it, then order the sweet one for dessert. Then, your dessert crepe or waffle isn’t cold by the time you eat it.

The owners, Tom Vigue and Vickie Black-Vigue are incredibly nice, and are bringing some needed dining variety to Tacoma. Help welcome them with open arms!

Savor Creperie | 1916 Pacific Ave., Tacoma | 253-365-5534 | Open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

French Pastries in Tacoma: Abeille Baking

I may have never been this excited to write a post.

You are reading the title right: there are gorgeous, authentic French pastries in Tacoma, thanks to Abeille Baking and Bianca Sanders.

I almost could not believe my eyes when I saw her and husband Casey Beach at last week’s 6th Avenue Farmers Market. There were their smiling faces behind a table of colorful macarons, pistachio tortes, kouign amann and an (unfortunately) sold-out tray of canelés. Once again, you read that right – canelés.

When I lived in Seattle, these were rare sites, much less in Tacoma, where I was starting to wonder if these French pâtisseries would ever find their way to our part of the state.

Abeille, which means “bee” in French, stems from Bianca’s nickname, “B”. “It’s simple, it’s elegant, it’s approachable…which I guess describes my philosophy on food and what I strive to do,” she said.  “I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel, just make really delicious things and see people be happy.”

Sounds like the right idea.

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Local Specials Today for Fat Tuesday

I have a serious craving for gumbo today. It’s bad. I’m contemplating how to leave work to procure some, but that’s another story.

Here are some Cajun/Creole and Mardi Gras specials around the area today for Fat Tuesday! Get ’em while you can!

  • Morso Wine Bar | 9014 Peacock Hill Ave, Gig Harbor | 253-530-3463 | 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
    Get some: Shrimp & grits, crawfish gumbo, red beans and rice, king cake.
  • Doyle’s Public House | 208 St. Helens Ave. S., Tacoma | 253-272-7468 | 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
    Get some: Shrimp po’boys, blackened chicken & bacon caesar, chicken & sausage jambalaya, chicken & shrimp gumbo, red beans and rice.
  • The Hub | 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma | 253-683-4606 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
    Get some: Catfish po’boys, chicken, sausage and seafood gumbo.
  • The Swiss | 1904 S. Jefferson Ave., Tacoma | 253-572-2821 | 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
    Get some: Catfish, red beans and rice, gumbo.
  • Tides Tavern | 2925 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor | 253-858-3982 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
    Get some: Gumbo.
  • Babblin’ Babs Bistro |  2724 N. Proctor, Tacoma | 253-761-9099 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Get some: Red bean and rice soup with sausage
  • Top of Tacoma | 3529 Mckinley Ave., Tacoma | 253-272-1502 | 2 p.m.-2 a.m.
    Get some: Po’boys, gumbo.
  • Legendary Doughnuts | 2602 6th Ave., Tacoma | 253-327-1327
    Get some: King cake doughnuts
  • Sweet Charley B’s Cupcakery | 111 Market Street NE, Olympia | 360-350-0332 | 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
    Get some: King cake cupcakes.