STEPH DEROSA: CELEBRATES AT MASA SUNDAY, EMBELLISH IN APRIL >>> How do you review a coffee bar? Or rather, why would you? Although the level of coffee connoisseurship in Tacoma is on the rise, even the most exacting bean fiend might find the process futile. A barista either knows what he’...

STEPH DEROSA: FAIRE GAME >>> Who in the hell came up with putting green dye in beer? Like St. Patrick’s day isn’t obnoxious enough with all its green-wearing, shamrock-having, pinch-me-if-I’m-not-into-all-this-shit-as-much-as-you-are attitude. Does America even know what St. Patrick r...

STEPH DEROSA: GRRRRRRR >>> Cookies ‘n’ MILF of Tacoma’s Dockyard Derby Dames hates me. I’m most certain.  Every opportunity she gets to rub in my face the fact that she is having fun with roller derby and I’m not, she takes it.  This time she sends an e-mail listing ou...

STEPH DEROSA: GRILLED SALMON SALAD >>> Over the Moon Café Grilled Salmon Salad Price: $12.95 Rating: Three and a half out of four croutons I beat Tacomachickadee to our lunch date destination, Over the Moon Café, by about 15 minutes. That was just enough time to grab the perfect corner ch...

STEPH DEROSA: SLOW BURN >>> Reyna's Mexican Restaurant Price: $8.95-$10.95 Burn Factor: One out of four Molotov cocktails Family owned by Reyna and Felix Guzman, Reyna’s Mexican Restaurant holds true to what a family restaurant should be.  Reyna herself greets you at the door an...

STEPH DEROSA: TACOMA'S FIRST NIGHT RULES >>> As much as we love squeezing my ass into a silky chiffon evening gown and struttin’ my stuff on the red carpet for an awards ceremony, it didn’t happen. I wasn’t invited. Something did come from the ceremony — Washington Festivals and...

STEPH DEROSA: MONTHLY WINE SPECIAL IS NOW WEEKLY! >>> Well I’ll be damned. For some strange reason, and I don’t know if it’s just because her new bifocals have been messing with her brain, but Megan The Red Hot bartender has not 86’d Bandito Betty and me from Wino Wednesdays at said...

STEPH DEROSA: CHICKEN ARTICHOKE SALAD >>> Nordstrom Cafe Bistro Chicken Artichoke Salad Price: $10.95 Rating: Three out of four croutons   In all honesty I think Nordstrom is one of the best local shopping experiences around. Originating in Seattle, this retail giant holds such high q...

STEPH DEROSA: SLOW BURN >>> Infinite Soups Ethiopian Spicy Beef Price: $2.50 for 8 ounces Burn Factor: Four out of four Molotov cocktails   I knew Wendy from Infinite Soups could stir up some of the best concoctions known to man, but little did I know she could also open up a can of w...

STEPH DEROSA: YEE-HAW! >>> All it took was a birthday call from my dad in Houston. With a Texas twang in his 60-year old hick voice my old man belted out something resembling “Happy Birthday� into my voice mail, and with that I had Southern country on the brain. I jokingly mention this ...