My friend Jim Harris and I went looking for lunch at Point Ruston. We looked in several restaurants and then walked around new construction and signs that promised "Coming Soon!" We found two sculptures that I really liked. Both were substantial.
This sculpture is titled "Oh No Not Again" and features Native Americans(?) being flung about by a mighty whale. The artist is Pat McVay. The medium is Sitka Spruce. This piece was for sale on Whidbey Island for $9500.
Here is some information about the artist, "Pat's history in the arts goes back 30 years to Paris, where he began his career by repairing furniture. Lively, zealous discussions at local cafés made for lots of broken furniture! Pat was given a small shop, a few tools and lots of paint used to hide mistakes. There was a blue period, a red period and a white period and soon, people began asking him to create new furniture. Then came work in porcelain tile, and after moving to the Olympic Peninsula, his attraction to the natural forms of the forest led him into wood carving. Currently, most of his work is large-scale carvings from already-downed trees, using everything from a chain saw to fine chisels. His whimsical and even comical sense is often the basis of unique carvings of people and animals. Many of his works are visible in public spaces up and down the West Coast. He was a founding member of the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association and the Cascade Wood Sculptors Guild. He shows his work at "Music for the Eyes," a gallery in Langley, Washington and at Island Art in Clinton just up the hill from the ferry on Whidbey Island and his home."
This granite sculpture is called "Familial Bonds" and was created by Will Robinson. Artist Robinson says, “My inspiration is drawn from the sum of my life experiences, the amplified or muted, to fit my emotional state at the moment when I am actually creating, designing, or working.”
The Foster/White Gallery in Seattle has been exhibiting Robinson’s work since 1996. Here is what they have to say about the artist's work, "His stone sculptures are part of private and public collections throughout the United States, including the City of Bellevue Public Arts Collection (Bellevue Botanical Garden) and the Harborside Park in Bremerton, WA.
Will Robinson was born in Bremerton, Washington and studied History at the University of Washington. Robinson's desire to create art began at an early age, growing up in a home filled with art, antiques and Bonsai. He chooses to work primarily with stone because of its solidity and ability to withstand the elements and time. Varying textures integrate smooth and rough surfaces, creating intriguing duality in the stone. He encourages viewers to touch his work; engaging with the stone creates a connection between the medium, the artist, and the viewer."
We finally decided on Farrelli's Pizza because it had a deck on the second floor and offer a fantastic view of Puget Sound . . . and it was an absolutely beautiful day.
Jim ordered a pizza with sausage and spicy sausage along with a Caesar salad. I don't think he touched the salad, but enjoyed half of his pizza. Jim is like me, he appreciate something spicy.
The server stopped by with a cheese grater. She cranked little curly strips of cheese on to his pizza and then did the same for my spaghetti.
Peg had suggested that we eat at Farrelli's but she was thinking of their restaurant on Sixth and Union. When I told her we went to Point Ruston, and then added Farrelli's she was surprised.
In the end, Jim took his complete salad and half his pizza back home. Perhaps, his wife Enid got the salad, but I don't think she would appreciate the spicy sausage.
My spaghetti ($13.99) came with three meatballs. It was much like the spaghetti from the Adriatic Grill near the Tacoma Mall. I enjoy them both. The table had a shaker bottle of crushed red pepper flakes. This time around I didn't use them, preferring to taste the flavors as they came from the kitchen, before adding too much improvements. Next time around I'll probably order the same selection and use the shaker.
I ate all three meatballs and probably half of the spaghetti. There were also two small slices of melted cheese on Focacia bread that came with the plate of pasta. I nibbled, but left them pretty much whole.
I should have asked for roughly ground black pepper on my spaghetti and pizza slices. When I take Peg, I'll doctor my plate a little bit more.
My lemonade went down nicely. It was re-filled.
When I had entered Farrelli's I asked about dining on the deck and was told, "I don't know that it's open." So, I said, "Well, I saw people up there." The waitress was just starting her shift. I took the elevator up to the second floor and stepped out on to the deck. I found a table back from the glass railing where there was some shade AND a view. It was like being home, except for the heaters they had going every once in a while. Our house is just up the hill. We have glass railings and look out on to Vashon, Quartermaster Harbor and Puget Sound up north to Sea-Tac . . . and then the North Cascades, which show the way to British Columbia.
There were eight to ten people already seated. There was a steady flow onto the deck, but not leaving. It was a gorgeous day. From the deck you can also look down to the mini-amphitheater with fountains that kids love to run through. The fountains spurt straight up like a razor clam or geoduck. The whole plaza there is nicely landscaped leaving wide open spaces. A number of the restaurants at Point Ruston offer outside dining. The Jewel Box for one also has walls that roll up like garage doors to share lovely days with those who want to dine indoors.
As we finished our meals and hurried off, we ran into friends who had been sitting on the deck even before we arrived. We just hadn't seen them. So, we had to stop and chat. Point Ruston is a jewel, but not the whole crown. We have so many places in Tacoma that are wonderful to visit.
Addendum: Two days later I took Peg to lunch at Farrelli's for the P.E.O. gathering. Unfortunately, they gathered the day before or an hour or two after. Somehow we missed connections. however, we had a great time. Peg had the Chef Slice of Pizza with a cup of salmon chowder and I ordered the Crab & Artichoke Cheese Melt with salmon chowder.
Peg really enjoyed the pizza and I really, really enjoyed the crab melt on Focacia bread. The waitress grated fresh cheese and black pepper on everything for us. For Peg's lunch, Farrelli's calls two slices of pizza their Chef Slice. She only was able to each a quarter of the serving. It was pretty much the same with me. There four sliced in the carb melt, but I only at one and a half. Peg had the other half . . . and of course I had a bite of her pizza as well.
We filled out the special Farrelli's Fire Club cards. Our server Aaron ran one of cards through their system, so next time around we'll get $10 off. They also send you a $10 gift certificate for your birthday. I'm pretty sure we will be back. We left with a take home box with enough leftover or lunch for two PLUS we ordered the multi-level chocolate cake to go. I sure Peg will give me a taste. I hope.
