Johnny’s Seafood Market & Bistro

Johnny’s Seafood Co. has reopened as Johnny’s Seafood Market & Bistro after a top to bottom remodel that now features a cafe in addition to their longstanding seafood counter. Diners can sit at the bar, inside near the seafood counter or on the outdoor patio on the Thea Foss Waterway. There’s even a great view of Mt. Rainier.

Tacoma has needed another casual waterfront seafood restaurant, and I was eager to check it out. There’s Steamers Seafood Cafe on Titlow Beach, but I’ve never found the quality or portion size to be good for the price.

We stopped at Johnny’s for dinner tonight, and I wasn’t really planning on blogging about it, so I didn’t take any photos of our food…and I’m not seeing the menu anywhere online at the moment, but the food was generally really good, so I thought I’d share our experience.

It’s a little awkward walking into Johnny’s because the seafood counter is to your right, and the tables are to the left — which isn’t really the problem. I know they just reopened, but while watching numerous people come in and try to purchase seafood at the counter, there was a lot of confusion with the process, and there wasn’t always a staff person to help people at the seafood counter. Once they get the hang of it, hopefully it’ll go more smoothly. The staff was very friendly and the food was served very quickly after ordering, but the seating and general entrance was a little odd.

We ordered the bay shrimp cocktail ($5.95), and though the shrimp were fresh and sweet, the plating (in a little cup, topped with sauce atop a salad of lettuce and celery), was a little different than I’m used to.

The Caesar salad ($8.95) has lightly grilled romaine with options such as adding crab, shrimp or blackened salmon or chicken for an additional reasonable fee. The blackened salmon was high-quality, well cooked and flavored with a nice kick from the blackening spice, and the crab was fresh and pJohnny's Seafood Tacomalentiful atop the salad.

We’ll definitely be back for either a quick lunch or easy dinner. The menu features favorites like clam chowder, fish and chips (including gluten free fish and chips!), Copper River salmon, prime ribeye steak, lots of sandwiches, cioppino, salads, fish tacos, crab and shrimp cocktail, beer and wine.

I also glanced at the seafood counter and noticed they had fresh whole trout, which I haven’t seen anywhere else in Tacoma. In addition to seafood, they also sell beef and pork from Snake River Farms.

The prices were generally reasonable and it seemed like it would be family-friendly. It’s definitely worth checking out.

Johnny’s Seafood Market & Bistro | 1199 Dock Street, Tacoma | 253.627.2158
Open 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily

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.

Pho 701 Becomes Orange Door + Menu Update

Walking around Downtown Tacoma this weekend, I noticed a change at Pho 701 Bistro and Bar. There were new signs in the window, and a new name, the Orange Door. Immediately, I hoped Pho 701 had not gone out of business. There had been quite a few business changes in that space before, and I’d hate to see it happen again.

I talked with the owner, Toan Pham, and he informed me it was just an update to the business, not a new owner. “The name change was more to fit our demographics of an downtown location,” Pham said. “Ownership and chef did not change. Our clientele are more diversified, and we as restaurant grew with the changes.”

Pham also explained to me there is an updated menu, but the pho is still present. New items include wok stir-fried drunken noodles, Shanghai noodles (wok fried lo mein noodles), chow mein, provincial clay pot pork  and eggs, crab rangoon, wonton soup, as well as more vegan items.

I haven’t eaten there in a few months, but previous visits have included friendly service, clean decor, a relaxed atmosphere, decent prices and tasty food.

Orange Door | 701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA | 253-627-9225 | Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.