Tacoma, WA

When we first moved to Proctor, we felt so privileged to be a part of a district that holds such esteem. But we soon realized that it was more; it was a quaint little community full of charisma and comfort. Proctor isn’t very big, the vicinity I consider the ‘main’ part is just a canvas of 6 blocks. But I can easily squander hours of enjoyment here. Proctor is really one of those districts that aren’t boring. You can walk the streets and be curious enough to walk into over half the stores. Proctor’s got it all: Restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, library, wine tasting, recreation, novelties, clothing boutiques, and more.

If you love huge, juicy burgers and a free onion ring trade, you’ll want to make a pit stop here when you’re in Tacoma. After experiencing Varsity Grill, I have since been cured of my commercial chain burger restaurants. If you are like me, you don’t want to sacrifice grown-up accommodations just to take the whole family to a kid-friendly place. You also don’t want to empty your savings once you’ve got to pay the bill for everybody. That’s why Varsity Grill will be serving my wants and needs on a regular basis.

I just wanted a good mocha. When she pointed the cafe to me, I fell into disappointment. It looked like an abandoned building that was waiting for UW to snag it for a renovation. As you can see in the picture below, the building front isn’t even close to your typical corporate joint. But, after walking in, I felt like I was home. The smell of fresh roasted coffee and pastries that hit my senses turned me into an immediate convert.

I take my visitors here, and recently took my new tenant to Poverty Bay, because I just can’t let anyone go anywhere else in Federal Way for good coffee and free WIFI before knowing this jewel exists here. Usually I don’t like to share my secrets, in case that too often I’ll come and someone is in ‘my seat’. But I guess the mocha and my barista’s smile is persuading me to be unselfish!

The old wooden floors, the window front style stores, the leisurely customers. It’s all part of the historic charisma. Now, this long green building is called the Freight House Square, lined with boutiques, collectibles, gift shops, art stores, and a good size international food court. There’s an antique store that reminds me that I was once a foolish and impulsive young woman in love, my first engagement ring was bought there years and years ago. So to forget all about it I indulge in the huge cinnamon rolls that actually taste good too. That’s when better memories surface, like me and my girlfriend during high school ogling over the fondant wedding cakes at Celebrity Cake Studio.

After passing over the bridge, you enter into the pavilion where you can access the Glass Museum entrance. Lately, I seem to make it only during after business hours which are fine by me, because the eye candy hasn’t stopped. Just past the Amphitheater, Baby and me take a nice pleasant cascading walk down to the water front where there’s even more water on Thea Foss waterway to continue my exercise. But, the genuine work out is the journey back up the waterfall terraces. By the time I’m back up to the Venetian Wall, my legs are starting to feel the burn because I’ve kept a brisk pace. But heads up, there’s a coffee shop at the end that I always underestimate in the beginning. It’s Cascade Deli and they’ve got free WIFI, snacks, and tables in their cute little café. One day I’m going to finish this exhilarating and stimulating walk without one of their delicious iced mochas!

In North Tacoma, enter into the hospitality of Mandolin Café. I tell visiting friends I’m taking them there, and they ask me what so great about this cafe. I describe it as Mr. East India meets Ms. South America, then the two go on a second date in a European bistro. But importantly, the coffee… the coffee is divine. Though some other places have a decent roast, with their pricey cup of joe you’d expect that they wouldn’t charge for WIFI. Thankfully Mandolin Café gives us those deserved basics plus offering more than a Costco muffin or packaged cookie.

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