Puri Pimento Bites to biscuits ‘n' gravy. May's best eats from the TNT staff
The News Tribune staff was all over Pierce County in May, covering the news and eating out.
Here's a rundown on some of things we liked as far as the food went.
Reminder that this best eats column runs monthly. If you haven't already, please sign up for the TNT Diner newsletter by staff writer Kristine Sherred. She's got the weekly skinny on the Pierce County dining and food scene.
I grew up in the southeastern part of our great nation, where football, fishing and biscuits 'n' gravy are a holy trinity of sorts. I've been on the prowl for a decent plate of B&G since moving to Washington nearly 35 years ago. The version served at the Windmill Bistro in Sumner ain't Mama's, but it's a solid rendition. The biscuits were just about right, crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside. The gravy was nicely seasoned with a decent ratio of crumbled sausage crumbled. It comes with eggs, potatoes, your choice of side meat and the Windmill's signature scone. I didn't much care for the potatoes, but the housemade link sausage was tasty. The place is busy on weekends, so a reservation is recommended.
— Adam Lynn, local news editor
My problem with Sorci's Italian Cafe in Sumner is that everything I try there is so good that I have trouble branching out to try different dishes. The sausage and mussels appetizer is a showstopper. I don't think I even like mussels, but I love that dish. Their lasagna is one of my top comfort foods. For a lighter dish, I like their chopped Greek salad, which has a generous chunk of salmon on top. I have every reason to believe the rest of the menu is delicious, too. Just be careful. Whatever you try first might turn into your regular order. Tip: The patio is really nice this time of year, but if you want a quiet atmosphere, ask to sit inside.
— Alexis Krell, communities editor
I've been on the lookout for good coffee or lunch spots on the Key Peninsula whenever I make the drive across the Narrows Bridge. Not quite a cafe or a restaurant, but SERVE Nutrition is now my go-to spot when I need to get some work done or meet a source for an interview. A cozy little spot with white curtains and a sofa with a few throw pillows in the back, SERVE Nutrition calls itself 'The KP's healthy hangout' on its website and offers a tidy array of protein shakes, acai bowls, 'oatein' bowls and iced coffee. I skipped lunch to enjoy their peanut butter chocolate acai bowl recently and was greeted with a delightful coconut shell bowl containing subtly sweet acai puree topped with sliced bananas, granola, coconut shavings and peanut butter. Who needs lunch?
- Julia Park, Gig Harbor reporter
When my mom came to town for a visit, I was so excited to take her to Grann, the new Southern BBQ, Indian and Creole fusion restaurant on 6th Avenue. Food writer Kristine Sherred called it 'one of Tacoma's most anticipated new restaurants,' and, after snagging a couple seats at the bar, I can attest that she's right. Pictured are our starters: Puri Pimento Bites with sweet onion jam and a curry kale Caesar with paneer, lemon pickle and cornbread croutons. Not pictured was the BBQ grilled fish we shared, which was to die for. I tried the Love Jones mango lassi cocktail, and my mom had the Beyhive (with bourbon, toasted curry syrup, lemon and honey). The use of curry syrup in a cocktail was so unexpected and incredible. I'll have to be back to check out more of the menu soon.
- Becca Most, Pierce County reporter
With protein reaching a cultural singularity — showing up in everything from Pop-Tarts to potato chips to toothpaste — it's time to reject modernity and embrace tradition: a simple bag of meat and cheese. Blue Max Meats' 'trail mix' isn't trail mix in the usual sense. There are no maligned raisins, no dusty peanuts, no generic M&Ms. What you get instead is a glorious mishmash of their various house-made beef jerkies, cured meats, and thick, satisfying cubes of cheese. Each bite is a surprise. Tangy pineapple from their teriyaki jerky, the caraway pop of landjäger, the spicy kick of pepper jack. It comes in hot or regular, and somehow, it all works together. The quarter-pound I bought didn't even make it home. I liked it so much I went back the next day, zero shame, for another round.
- Brian Hayes, Visual journalist
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