Summer Alfresco Dining in the South Sound

from 2023 ShowCase Magazine Summer issue

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With the return of the glorious summer sun and a collective yearning for the chance to enjoy the warmer weather with family and friends, we are all looking for an opportunity to catch up over libations or celebrate special events with loved ones. We have cultivated a list of our favorite spots to meet under patio umbrellas or nestled next to a table fire pit. (As always, remember to call ahead for reservations, if needed.)

OLYMPIA

Octapas Cafe

Next to Capitol Lake you can find the new Octapas Cafe which features Spanish tapas as well as extensive weekend brunch options. octapascafe.com

Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar

Run by second generation oyster farmers, Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar offers a menu featuring organic, sustainably farmed oysters grown in the Eld and Totten Inlets of the Salish Sea. chelseafarms.net

Swing Wine Bar

Perched on the hill overlooking Capitol Lake, the glass mosaic bar glows warmly at night, and the niches in their converted bungalow create intimate seating areas. swingwinebar.com

TACOMA

Anthony’s at Point Defiance

With their large patio, Anthony’s is the perfect place to dine and watch the ferry shuttle over to Vashon Island. anthonys.com

The Fish Peddler

Located on the Foss Waterway, the Fish Peddler offers seafood options with a casual attitude. You can also get fresh fish to prepare at home from their seafood counter.

Boathouse 19 and Narrows Brewing Company

Nestled next to the Narrows Bridge, you can take in amazing sunsets at Boathouse 19 and Narrows Brewing in the South Sound. anthonys.com | narrowsbrewing.com

Gig Harbor

NetShed No. 9

With stellar waterfront views, NetShed No. 9 is a great place for casual meetups. Make sure to check out the Ooey Gooey Skillet Cookie as a special treat. netshed9.com

Morso Bistro

A cozy wine bar, Morso Bistro is a great place to unwind and relax while taking in stunning views of the Harbor. morsobistro.com

Puyallup

Farm 12 Restaurant and Events

Located on a former family-run flower farm, Farm 12 is a farm-to-table restaurant that offers a menu made from scratch, often featuring locally grown items. farm12.org

Toscanos Italian Grill

If you are looking for an upscale patio experience alfresco, look no further than Toscanos. Chef specials and signature cocktails round out a distinctly elevated dining experience. toscanospuyallup.com

v HILLARY RYAN

SAINT MARTIN’S UNIVERSITY Gala

Saint Martin’s University is gearing up for its annual major fundraiser for student scholarships, the Saint Martin’s Gala, with not one, but two celebrity chefs this year and a butcher! Chefs Tom Douglas and Thierry Rautureau, The Chef in the Hat™, and butcher Dario Cecchini are set to host the event at the Marcus Pavilion on Saint Martin’s campus in Lacey on November 4, 2023.

“This trio is sure to entertain as they take the stage at our largest fundraising event of the year, which is completely focused on providing scholarships for our students,” said Jennifer Bonds-Raacke, Ph.D., President of Saint Martin’s University.

Tom Douglas, a Seattle-based executive chef, restaurateur, author, and co-host of radio show Hot Stove Society, is a James Beard Award winner for Best Northwest Chef and Best Restaurateur. His culinary career includes launching thirteen full-service restaurants, an event space, a cooking school, and a product line.

“My mom and my grandmother Fagarty were both fine cooks. With them as a daily inspiration and after taking “Home Ec” in high school, I tried my hand at cooking at the Hotel Dupont in Wilmington, DE. The restaurant biz inspires me every day . . . I love hanging out in food joints all over the world,” Douglas said.

Thierry Rautureau, also known as “The Chef in the Hat,” is a Seattle celebrity chef, co-host of the Hot Stove Society with Douglas, and the owner of several former restaurants, including Rover’s Restaurant, Loulay Kitchen and Bar, and Luc Bistro which helped make him one of the most recognizable chefs in Seattle.

“The light came on for me while I was working with lots of talented chefs who showed me there was a very creative way to get your yahoos out and follow your passion. Searching for ingredients, cooking and treating them a bit differently, and enjoying the entire process from raw to eating is the ultimate plaisir,” Rautureau said.

Dario Cecchini is an internationally known Italian butcher from Panzano in the Chianti region of Italy. Cecchini’s combination of consciousness and knowledge is seen in his respect for and utilization of every part of the animal, centering the “original customs of the tribe” in a now commodified and processed culinary world.

“I grew up in a family of butchers, with a wonderful, inventive grandmother who truly used every part, every cut, from nose to tail,” Cecchini said. “My favorite recipe might be boiled beef knees served [with] fresh vegetables . . . called Tenerumi in Insalata.”

The Saint Martin’s Gala raised more than $3 million for student scholarships during the 2022 event. The Gala features a live auction, a five-course gourmet dinner, and on-stage cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs.