Sea Grill - Tacoma
Last night, with a guest in town and a hankerin’ for some good food and wine, we found ourselves at Sea Grill for the first time. Sea Grill opened last year at the corner of 15th and Commerce – across the street from the convention center. We’ve wanted to try this restaurant for a while now. This was our chance to see what the ‘El Gaucho of the Sea’ had to offer.
Our first impressions were mixed. The crisp dark uniforms of the hosts and waitstaff seemed out of place against the Miami Vice type interior. Was it the overabundance of glass windows? The flickering lights of the convention center seemed distracting. The paint colors seemed fine. Our oversized booth was very comfortable, but something seemed off. Eh. We’re here for the food.
So how was the food? Our oysters were possibly the best I’ve ever had. The crabcakes, decent. The duck was absolutely stunning and couldn’t have been more perfect. The lobster bisque, always solid at El Gaucho, was respectable. The filet mignon was very good, with an interestingly spicy crust. Overall, the food quality was great.
As would be expected from a place associated with El Gaucho, the service was excellent. Our impression was that the staff wasn’t quite as polished and pro as Gaucho, but, in the end, was better than just about any other place in the city. In particular, we really enjoyed talking wine with Shawn, the evening’s sommelier. He knew his drinks. He knew the wine that we brought and he was able to recommend a solid complement to start out the evening.
Prices… well, they weren’t as high as we expected. When I first looked at the menu I saw entrees in the $40 to $50-something range and thought, good God, this will be one to remember, as my wallet screams, “I’m bleeding!” But there actually were a number of items in the $20-something range. Of course with enough side dishes, appetizers, and dessert, it adds up.
Was it worth it? We haven’t decided. The atmosphere sort of bothered us. The El Gaucho restaurants are so distinctive. This interior seemed prosaic, almost bank-like—indicative of the Rainier Pacific Bank in which it’s located. It could’ve been a restaurant at the Mall of America. If we’re going to drop some decent change on a night eating out, there’s something about atmosphere that really matters to us. Maybe I simply prefer old buildings. Hmm… We’ll try it again sometime.
In an odd end to the evening, we found ourselves trapped in the parking garage when the attendant stepped away shortly before we tried to leave. We sat there at the gate waiting… and waiting… A little sign in the window explained that they’d be back shortly. It probably wasn’t more than five minutes, but it felt like forever.
As I said, we found the food impressive, but maybe not extraordinary. At some point, we’ll be back again and will also try the new Pacific Grill across the street. Maybe we should try to find a few hole-in-the-wall cafes or diners first… to save our pennies.
Link to Sea Grill
Filed under: Downtown Tacoma, Tacoma Business, Neighborhoods, Restaurants & Bars
4 comments
J Jesse July 10, 2012
Help me out here if you would… since medical cannabis requires a prescription from a doctor, and it’s a drug, than why isn’t it only sold in pharmacies?
You don’t see opioid distribution businesses and opioids are derived (grown) from poppy plants…
Besides, isn’t cannabis illegal on the Federal level?
T That Girl July 10, 2012
I say we legalize it, tax it, sell it in pharmacies, and get on with more important issues.
J JJ July 12, 2012
I see one big problem (well probably several) with this zoning plan idea.
First of all I am not an attorney but in my opinion I believe
A.Federal Law supersedes and trumps all and any state or local laws if challenged.
B.Marijuana Manufacture,Distribution and even possession is still illegal according to Federal Law.
C.Such a zoning would be in my opinion unlawful since it illegally approves of activities and businesses that are against Federal Law.
D.Those residents and especially property owners in those designated zoned areas could possibly file a humongous FEDERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT against the city claiming a deprivation of Federal Civil Rights violations specifically as the federally unlawful city planned zoned marijuana dispensaries would subject the residents in those discriminatory zoned areas to potential illegal activity problems (like possible burglaries,robberies,fraud,other crimes etc) other than mere marijuana activities from this supposed locally approved activity which is claimed to show compassion towards those suffering medical conditions but deprives other residents of their safety and federal rights (especially those closest to those “medical marijuana dispensaries” in the zoned areas.
Next it illegally devalues the property further in those planned zoned areas and thereby causes immense monetary harm to property owners who have lawful businesses,homes or multi use housing or developments there.By doing so the city officials also places the city itself under a possible criminal conspiracy classification by this zoning.
E.Those whom reside or own property there could possibly end up as some of the cities highest income residents or property owners if they challenged the City in Federal court and won a decisive damage judgement against the City of Tacoma.
F.It’s a very bad,illegal and very stupid idea that possibly would crush the cities budget much further into the abyss of possible insolvency and charter loss.
T tpb3jd July 16, 2012
Any idea as to how this overlays with crime graphical information? Is there going to be any overlapping high density crime areas/medical cannabis areas?