Sunday morning was a gorgeous summer day here in Tacoma. My friend Donn called later than usual. It was right around eight. We discussed breakfast possibilities. We both leaned towards Gig Harbor. Since we live in the North/Westend of Tacoma near North Pearl, Gig Harbor restaurants are closer than many Tacoma restaurants. Peg hit the shower while I closed out some video editing I was doing for a client and Donn called other friends. While Peg stepped out of the shower and dried herself Donn and I talked again. We would meet at the home of Mike and Jan, who live closer to the Narrow's Bridge. I watered a few plants on our deck and we headed out to meet our friends.
As soon as everyone piled into Donn's van the buzzing began. You would think we hadn't seen each other in days or weeks. Actually, we had just seen each other about twelve hours before. Breakfast possibilities were quickly removed as the women decided upon The Tides Tavern.
We parked in the parking lot shared by The Tides and the Maritime Pier. We walked into The Tides just minutes after they opened their doors. There were already people drinking coffee on the deck. The Tides is owned by our friends Peter and Janet Stanley. It's an ancient establishment, built and re-built on the shores of the downtown harbor. The restaurant only has breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. They have a well-trained and friendly staff.
We moved two tables together to accommodate our six-person party and then chatted as we sipped ice water and hot coffee. Most restaurants are set up with tables for twos and fours. Six diners generally requires combining tables and chairs.
The Tides has a limited breakfast menu. We've tasted almost everything they have. Gluten-free selections are also very limited, especially if one also doesn't eat bacon. Three of our party ordered the fruit, yogurt, and granola. Although the amount of granola is a little skimpy, the fresh fruit is not. The yogurt is served separately in a small bowl with a little maple syrup drizzled on top. Nice presentation.
The fresh fruit is so beautiful and enticing you almost hate to disturb the arrangement with your spoon. But, once you add the yogurt on top and start mixing it all in it's not quite so artistic. At the end of the meal no bowl contained any remnants of food other than a few streaks of strawberry juice.
I had never ordered the Chorizo Breakfast Tacos - two corn tortillas, chorizo, scrambled eggs, cheese, creamy slaw, and salsa. This is also severed with breakfast potatoes. The potatoes are baked I think. They give a taste of fried potatoes . . . almost. To me they are good, but perhaps a little too healthy. I prefer well-done fried hashbrowns. With The Tides breakfast potatoes I add a little butter and become a happy camper.
I wish the kitchen would pan fry the tortillas just a little bit to give them a cruch AND to let them stand up to eating by hand. The taco filling is piled high, which means the tortillas fall apart well before the taco is completely eaten. The next time I eat them I'll ask for the pan fry . . . and I will order them, again.
What's great about The Tides is that from almost any window in the restaurant, including the ladies room, you have a water view, so you can enjoy watching the boating activities. Also before and after dining you can walk out onto the docks, walk towards town, or walk towards the harbor entrance and its glorious view.
Peg and I have stayed at the Maritime Inn before, which is just across the street from Skansie Brothers Park, and we'll probably stay there again. The "Inn" is right in the heart of Gig Harbor and offers easy walks to shops and the waterfront . . . and to The Tides Tavern as well.
Jan had the French Toast, which comes with fresh strawberries and a hint of orange in the batter. We thought that the French Toast could have been cooked a tad longer to give it a little browning and deeper yellow/golden glow, but it was quite attractive when it was served, and Jan loved it. We all enjoyed our meals and will continue to return on sunny days, cloudy days, and rainey days. Excellent food and service.
After breakfast we did walk around a little bit and then ended up driving further into town. We were sorry that we didn't plan a little bit better. At Skansie Park, there was a craft show or a Sunday Farmers Market in full swing. Had we known, we would have enjoyed walking around the canopies and seeing what was being offered for sale. Like it started, the day stayed wonderful all day long.
Sunday morning was a gorgeous summer day here in Tacoma. My friend Donn called later than usual. It was right around eight. We discussed breakfast possibilities. We both leaned towards Gig Harbor. Since we live in the North/Westend of Tacoma near North Pearl, Gig Harbor restaurants are closer than many Tacoma restaurants. Peg hit the shower while I closed out some video editing I was doing for a client and Donn called other friends. While Peg stepped out of the shower and dried herself Donn and I talked again. We would meet at the home of Mike and Jan, who live closer to the Narrow's Bridge. I watered a few plants on our deck and we headed out to meet our friends.
We parked in the parking lot shared by The Tides and the Maritime Pier. We walked into The Tides just minutes after they opened their doors. There were already people drinking coffee on the deck. The Tides is owned by our friends Peter and Janet Stanley. It's an ancient establishment, built and re-built on the shores of the downtown harbor. The restaurant only has breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. They have a well-trained and friendly staff.
The Tides has a limited breakfast menu. We've tasted almost everything they have. Gluten-free selections are also very limited, especially if one also doesn't eat bacon. Three of our party ordered the fruit, yogurt, and granola. Although the amount of granola is a little skimpy, the fresh fruit is not. The yogurt is served separately in a small bowl with a little maple syrup drizzled on top. Nice presentation.
I had never ordered the Chorizo Breakfast Tacos - two corn tortillas, chorizo, scrambled eggs, cheese, creamy slaw, and salsa. This is also severed with breakfast potatoes. The potatoes are baked I think. They give a taste of fried potatoes . . . almost. To me they are good, but perhaps a little too healthy. I prefer well-done fried hashbrowns. With The Tides breakfast potatoes I add a little butter and become a happy camper.
What's great about The Tides is that from almost any window in the restaurant, including the ladies room, you have a water view, so you can enjoy watching the boating activities. Also before and after dining you can walk out onto the docks, walk towards town, or walk towards the harbor entrance and its glorious view.
Jan had the French Toast, which comes with fresh strawberries and a hint of orange in the batter. We thought that the French Toast could have been cooked a tad longer to give it a little browning and deeper yellow/golden glow, but it was quite attractive when it was served, and Jan loved it. We all enjoyed our meals and will continue to return on sunny days, cloudy days, and rainey days. Excellent food and service.