Woody's on the Water.

It was our first lunch in this newish restaurant, buzzing with local feedback. The first instinct was: ooooof, this is going to be an expensive little meal. The inside looks nice and $$$. I believe, only one waitress was on duty, but she was handling the small business crowd with multi-tasking flair, only a woman can appreciate.

She talked us into ordering lunch from the 1/2 price appetizer menu and Tina and I both settled on the sampler. Mmmm, the coconut shrimp with balsamic reduction (damn delicious), the crab cake was nice and Northwesty, and the piece of smoked salmon was perfect with the provided toasted bread. Did I mention it was $7.50 for the plate. A nice lunch, and I'm ready to go back and try some more.

http://www.woodystacoma.com/

Harmon brews up a good time!

Ahh. Harmon. What's not to love?

No, really. I'm asking. Is there anything not to love about this place? Anything at all? Personally, I love free peanuts. I'm rather fond of beer. I'm a sucker for excellent service. Awesome atmosphere in a cool, historic downtown building is my cup of tea. Good food rocks my world, especially the best cheap appetizer/lunch platter of hummus that two people couldn't finish if they sat there all day trying. Seriously. We have the research data to back that up.

Downsides? Parking is a bitch. Occasionally there are empty garbage cans outside that smell like fermented barley. Also, you will most likely be subjected to the horrible 'skinny jeans' epidemic sweeping through the UWT student body.

But it's worth all of that pain and suffering. Go. Try the hummus. If you don't like hummus, you can order something else, I guess. I'll wait until your back is turned to make fun of you.

Harmon Brewery

Wok Teriyaki II, Gig Harbor.

Don't be fooled by the strip mall exterior, Wok Teriyaki is beyond your average Teriyaki joint. The long list of Chinese dishes tempt you away from the Teriyaki side of the menu. Tina and I have always tried to order different dishes, but that sweet-and-sour chicken is so delicious we usually find ourselves competing for it. The same light and crispy coated chicken can be found in the General Tao's and is just as yummy, but with a kick.

The ladies that wait on you are super nice, and they never forget our faces. Even with the restaurant crowded for lunch and busy a steam of take-out orders, you'll never feel forgotten. We like this place just fine, lucky for us because you're not going to find very many other food choices in this development jungle.

Steffie's Caribbean Restaurant.

When Tina and I entered Steffie's today, we were in pretty sour moods (long story, let's just call it "Tool Rental Hell"). One way to make our day brighter was lunch at our favorite Caribbean restaurant in Tacoma. The warm, tropical interior is always relaxing and who can stay in a bad mood when Bob Marley is playing through the speakers.

Lunch here is so good. $5.95 for a heaping plate of red beans and rice (mmm); fried plantains and mixed veggies including sweet potato (yummy); and your choice of chicken (curry, jerk, island, and one other that slips my mind). Oh Mr. Marley, I will no cry.

Free entertainment is always available in the form of an endless supply of short bald guys spilling out of their giant F350's. Why do they have to back into the parking space? It's gives Tina and Monique a giggle as they "bob" by the window, like a scene from the Muppet's, on their way to Hooters (yeah, I hear the wings are real good). Suckers!

Steffie's we love your sweet cooking! http://www.steffiescaribbean.com/index.html

Sushi Revolution, Mmmmm!

So, we've become regulars at this place. So what? Sushi is good and Sushi Revolution is awesome. All of my favorites reliably come spinning around to me. Salmon, Tuna, Spider Roll, Edamame, and of course the authentic Japanese Cream Puffs (Mmmm, cream puffs). While I enjoy my Sushi regulars, Tina strays off to some of the more unusual but she always ends with a Rainbow Roll.

What else can I say? The staff are pleasant (check). The atmosphere is sleek and modern (check). Everything is always clean (check). We can eat and run or stay and linger (check). The Japanese candy bowl is always stocked full of crazy-cool treats in strange and delicious flavors (check). We just love this Sushi place and we will be purchasing shares of stock when they go public.

http://sushi-revolution.com/

Steilacoom Deli & Pub

Alrighty, if any of you have ever dined at The Steilacoom Deli and Pub, you probably know that it's just about the only game in this end of town. You also have to realize that the food is, aheem, not that great. Honestly, you can order a sandwich with just about anything on it, but it's the same ol' sandwich you can make at home. And homemeade is always cheaper. http://www.pubcrawler.com/Template/ReviewWC.cfm/flat/BrewerID=102653

The thing that sets this place apart is the fine selection of brews (for the record, the work day was over and we were off the clock, not boozing and working... Monique and Tina would never do such a thing). Great beers on tap (and yummy Spire cider) and a sweet-ass selection of beer in bottles. On this particular day, Sara tended to us and she was great. Funny, kind, and engaging. As two girls at a bar, the South Sound Lunchboxers appreciate great service from another gal-pal.

When we find ourselves on a lunch break in the town of Steilacoom the two bar stools is where you'll find us.