Went for breakfast with my Mujer on a Monday mid day. Seated immediately and got coffee quickly. I…read moregot the Elk Hash & she got the Stuffed Pancake. My dish was good, I'd file it under the heading of 'interesting but I probably wouldn't order again'. But I do want to come back to try the Shrimp and Grits. Will return!

Went here for brunch and it was packed. Wait for short time and got table at the bar side. I…read morewouldn't expect this place look so cool from the outside but this is Tacoma so anything goes. The place is well lit, clean spacious and minimal decor. The staff are nice, friendly but can be slow at times, but it's brunch so no rush. The menu is easy and plenty of choices to choose from. The turnaround is in good amount of time. Drinks are excellent, well mixed. Overall good foods, great drinks, good services, and great vibe.

I think about this place often, I am planning my trip next month around being able to come back…read morehere. I have never had a savory waffle before but it changed my life. It was the fluffiest inside with a nice crisp outside. They had a salsa between the waffle and chorizo, amazing. 10/10. My friends also enjoyed their food. They didn't have a caramel iced coffee on their menu but they said they could make it and they sure could. Top 3 coffees of my life. I tried it, finished it, and ordered another one to go. 20/10. The staff was really nice, it wasn't too busy so the vibes were what I was hoping from the pnw. The chef brought out our food, very nice guy. Everything was sooo good. I went in April and will be going back in August.

At this point, Red Elm has become a weekly (sometimes biweekly) staple for me. As a creature of…read morehabit, I typically opt for the byo breakfast sandwich and order turkey sausage/bacon, egg, cheddar, and pesto sauce on sourdough with a side of hash browns every single time I go. I'm not sure what they put in the food here, but it's addictive. The food is extremely flavorful and filling. I typically eat half of the sandwich for breakfast and the second half for lunch and am still full for the majority of the day. My wallet hates that I come here, but my heart and stomach are happy every single time I do. The staff are kind and welcoming, and the food comes out pretty quickly, even when they're busy. If you haven't tried this place yet, add it to your list!

BUILT AROUND COFFEE, ROOTED IN COMMUNITY (4.5 stars)…read more ... Together in perfect harmony! Many people hanging out, people studying, or working. Why is Tacoma's glow-up so cute (now)! Hanging out around Tacoma and it's always a must to try a coffee shop in the PNW. PASSES THE VIBE CHECK. It's a very hip and spacious cafe with a large lobby/lounge area and a ton of people. Diversity! Loved seeing diversity in the mix. Comfy seats, tables, and some available power plugs too. Its location is on a downtown slope and in a corner so it has a view. ORDER - STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN ($17) - came with 4 mini espresso drinks: Latte, Caramel Macchiato, Doppio Con Panna, and Cold Brew. Latte - smooth without any flavor. Caramel Macchiato - so good and smooth. Sweet. Caramel tastes more like marshmallows. Dipping Con Panna - strong acidity after bite and a coffee taste throughout the sip. Cold brew - this is where I can truly taste the profiles of the beans. Very smooth with flavor profile of currents and cherry. Until the next review...

Ebony and Ivory Coffee is a cafe located in Downtown Tacoma. There are three locations; Lacey,…read moreTacoma, and Federal Way. This was our first time visiting one of their cafes. They have a monthly rotating menu of four limited drinks for their drink flights. For the month of February the four drinks were: - Lots of Love Lotus -- pink lotus with rose and lavender syrup, topped with lavender cold foam. - Eternal Flame Latte -- espresso with sweet heat syrup and brown sugar cinnamon, finished with a honey and red sugar rim. - Sweetheart Sip Matcha -- iced matcha with cherry and almond syrup, topped with a maraschino cherry. - Perfect Pair Latte -- espresso with dark chocolate, white chocolate, and strawberry, topped with whipped cream and strawberry drizzle. The drinks were all great. In addition to the drink flight, we ordered a chocolate vegan muffin and a Danish to snack on. The space is wonderful. It is a fairly large space that could be used to study, work, or even socialize in. The service is also excellent. The staff are friendly and delivered our drink flight right to us!

absolutely perfect service. i accidentally left my jacket at the table and our server literally RAN…read moreto catch up and return it to me. she was amazing

Not sure why they're not 5 star. Underrated, local diner with some history…read more I had the Diablo bowl for breakfast on recommendation of the waitress and I'm glad I did. Bowl of Chorizo, home fries, egg over medium, cheddar cheese, sausage gravy. It really hit the spot. I went with the biscuit on the side instead of toast. Again, glad I did. Flakey and buttery. Next day I came back for lunch. Had the BLTA on sourdough with a side of fries and a Bloody Mary. The sandwich had perfectly portioned bacon and produce ratio. Silly metric, I know but a sandwich with too much tomato or mayo or avocado can spoil the meal with a mess. Fries were great too. Had a bit of an onion ting taste to it which wasn't unpleasant at all. Bloody Mary was mid. Came with skewer of jack cheese, olive, pepper round chunk, pickled asparagus, and celery.

i've come here for brunch as an after birthday tradition with my aunt for a couple years now, and…read moream never left disappointed. the food is impeccable and the friendliness of the staff always leaves a smile on our faces when leaving. one of the staff was even kind enough to take the time to step aside and offer us directions elsewhere as we were leaving. the tables are quite small, and it can definitely be a crowded dining room but one that is full of color, culture, and smiles.

So I went twice I went on a Tuesday and then I came back on a Saturday. On Tuesday we went in the…read moreearly afternoon. And the food was a lot better. It was fresh and it was good. I literally ate everything on my plate. Then we came back on a Saturday early evening. And the food tasted old. I noticed when I was checking my receipts on Saturday. The guy has said oh you don't have to tip because you're a huge party. When a party of six your tip is automatically included which is the 18%. and I was like oh wow we had six on Tuesday and I left a $25 cash tip. And he said although waiter should've told you it's automatically taken out and the 18% was already taken care of. And I was like no I handed the waitress $25 cash and she never said 18% was taken out and I didn't pay attention to my receipt cause I had children with me but then when I looked back in my car on Saturday night from Tuesday, I realize that she double charged me. So on Tuesday she got over a $50 tip. The waitress on Tuesday she was a Hispanic lady with dark black hair. She robbed me. So please be aware you're going with the party of six or more. They automatically take out 18% gratuity. And I did not like that because she should've told me that you don't have to leave cash. She knew my kids were crying and I was trying to yo leave and not distract the other guest. But on the positive note, the place is nicely decorated. And service is good. I just felt robbed, so for that fact I will never ever be coming back. If you were looking to try this place for the first time come early if you want hot fresh food. If you come later in the evening, the food does taste old.

So how does a place go from 1 star to 5? 1. Customer service…read more2. Acceptance of feedback 3. Excellent food 4. Wide variety of drinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic! So let me explain! My last review was honest but a 1star- now they could have ignored it, denied it or even got rude about it- after all others have (see aspen house) But no, they reached out and asked to open up dialogue- they asked what could be done and they APOLOGIZED- ownership and accountability! The communication was on point and the definitely made good on everything! So we set out to give it another go- and seriously- I may have a new place to hang out! As a non drinker your average joint has water juice or soda- not here The selection of non alcoholic beers and the DELICIOUS MOCKTAILS!!!! A place that doesn't get upset when you order a fancy non alcoholic drink- and you get the feel of being a part of it all not just sippin a soda! Loooved ! Personally hooked on the sweet n tangy- (Sweet & Tangy DHOS Orange, lemon & lime juice, simple, & raspberry puree ) ---delicious! My partner tried a couple non alcoholic beers he didn't even know existed- excellent variety to make everyone feel a part of the crowd!! And if you love a good drink?? They only carry high end liquor and make their drinks definitely top notch! The kind of place that values quality!!! While keeping the prices competitive and honest! Now the food- BRIE- ohhhh the Brie dishes!!! Not many places create food art- creative delicious classic combos with a unique twist! Absolutely the place to check out and try a new dish! Unique items that I'm dying to go back for!!! One definitely to try-- "Apple Brie Grilled Cheese Apple chutney with caramelized onions, granny smith apple slices, brie & cheddar cheese, melted between parmesan crusted 3 Hearts Bread" yummmmmmm The best part though- the people- friendly outgoing crew that you can tell genuinely care about each other and also care about making sure that the people stopping by have a wonderful experience!!! If you're in the area or live near there- check them out- definitely the kinda place to stop in on the regular and make it a thing!!!! Can be smidge hard to find due to construction that should end soon but worth the hunt!!! A total Gem!! Good quality food, excellent service, and a 10/10 place to stop in! You won't regret supporting this small local women owned business!

Visited this place recently on a sunny evening. There were a few table out front for dining, but…read morewe chose to sit inside because the seating area was shadowed with no sun and a construction site next door. Inside there are several tables and bar seating. The AC was on blast We were instantly greeted and sat. Our waitress was very sweet and helped with suggestions on cocktails. They have a good cocktail menu of fancy craft drinks. Prices are $14 each. We opted for a Bourbon Sweet Tea and the lavender drink. We enjoyed both. Food menu is rather small. We opted to share an appetizer of Dirty Martini Dip, which was tasty. We saw a waitress walk out with a Salmon Salad that looked delicious. We would possibly return in the future.

What a cute place!! I loved the plants that are healthy and…read morewall art :) in the cafe. Service was very good- I got coffee. Tasted nice. Also, price is very reasonable. Pastries there looked fresh and nice. I would try giant cinnamon roll next time! Will go back regularly! Big fan-

Wonderful place. Warm, genuinely friendly and welcoming. Cute. Creative. Fantastic, fresh twist…read moremenu- really love the huevos rancheros. It's the best I've ever had. On my second visit, I tried the gluten free banana loaf with coconut glaze. Perfect! They make all their own in house syrups and sauces. You can tell all the staff love where they work. So kind. All invested, caring and happy to be here. It's been

Oh my gosh! Love love this place. Everything was tasty, thoughtfully crafted, fresh and beautiful…read morepresentation. Atmosphere is great. Nice music. Arts on the wall for sale. Everywhere including restroom was clean!! Well maintained clean place. Service was great. We will be back for sure!!! I wish I was hungry today - Totally recommend here!

Tacoma's hidden gem! Breakfast Lunch & Dinner…read moreAll great experiences each time we've been here. Nice place to meet up with friends.

Kind and polite service! Overall quick as well. I had the…read moreE9 Tdome pils and brisket tacos. The beer was crispy and fresh, as it should be. The tacos were decent but very salty with lots of bark and not much meat. We sat outside and it was delightful!

I went to this restaurant in Tacoma over the weekend. I had actually passed by many times…read morebefore--the eye-catching signage and overall atmosphere always drew me in. Finally got a chance to try it at noon today, and it was a great experience! Environment: The overall vibe is very American. There were TVs on the walls constantly playing various ball games, like today's playoff game between the Thunder and the Lakers. It was pretty busy on the weekend, especially the outdoor seating area, which was almost full. The building is an old structure dating back to the 1900s. Though it shows its age, it's very clean both inside and out--you can tell the owner really cares. Service: Our waitress was very, very friendly and professional. She gave us great recommendations, always served with a smile, checked in on us during the meal, and refilled our water. Very satisfied! Taste: Pizza: There's a funny little story: supposedly, Marco Polo went to China and saw pies, but didn't know how to wrap the filling inside, so he just put it on top--and thus the pizza was born. Personally, I think this is a myth, or many people have started fantasizing about Marco Polo because they think he was too great. But according to various unearthed historical records in China, Marco Polo never actually went to China. In fact, around 2010, more than 20 scholars organized an event called "Retracing Marco Polo's Route." After completing the journey and comparing it to what Marco Polo himself recorded, most of them concluded that he probably never made it to China. Sorry, I have a strong urge to share--went off on a long tangent about Marco Polo. But the pizza was really delicious. It should be truly fire‑baked, not oven‑baked. The sauce was well‑balanced, and the toppings were generous and fresh. My wife and I ate more than half of it! Salad: The dressing and cheese were very generously applied, and the greens were fresh. Chicken wings: They had a pleasant sweet‑savory taste, just right. Unlike most American restaurants where they're too salty or too sweet, these were perfectly balanced. All the dipping sauces were good. Overall, highly recommended!

Amazing. Unforgettable. Delicious…read more We came to celebrate a birthday. The setting was intimate and felt high scale but humble and comfortable not stuffy. Perfect for date night or dinner. I can see us coming for drinks and a pizza at the bar, for celebrating milestones or coming with friends for out of town. I got an espresso martini and it was perfection. It was ice cold with the right amount of sweetness. Second drink I got was their pina colada and it was to die for. Their coconut cream is chef's kiss. We got the focaccia bread and burrata for appetizers and boy were we not disappointed. The focaccia was crispy and came with two toppings a butter and oil. The burrata was dream worthy and perfectly seasoned. Everything complimented each other. My wife got the cheese pizza and it's probably the best pizza we have ever had. The sauce was refreshing and the cheese creamy. There was some sort of crumb or topping that gave it a little extra crunch that we liked a lot. I got the surf and turf. It was as tasty as it was beautiful. The steak was cooked perfectly and the lobster tail was a gracious size. They gave me three lobster dumplings that were a gracious size. There are so many other items on the menu that we can't wait to try. Next time we will make a reservation just to be courteous.

Went on Saturday at 6 pm. Got free parking bc the meter ends at 6 which was a great start to the…read morenight. Walked in and waited not even 5 mins before a spot opened at the bar. Lots of items to choose from on the menu, but not overwhelming. We shared a mozzarella pizza, tavern burger, and ceasar salad. Hubs had a beer. Pizza crust was pretty burnt (personally I like that but hubs did not), otherwise flavors were great!!! Burger was huge (2 patties), however I wasnt a fan of the sweet ketchup sauce they used. Fries were fresh and hot, but pretty salty. Same with the dressing on the salad. Croutons were freshly made and warm! For the hype this place gets I was expecting more, just not sure what. The place was packed, clearly people enjoy it here. Reservations for a weekend definitly need to be booked out 2 weeks in advance for a decent time. Bar seating is first come first serve which is lovely. Pretty much elevated bar food- Id like to try more of the apps and pizzas next time, or see the new menu. Our bartender was meh... didnt seem thrilled to be serving us and didnt have any opinions/recommendations for us which was a BIG turn off. The only reason Im giving 4 stars. Id come again, or look into it for a hosting a larger event. Its worth trying, especially with a rotating menu, but I wouldn't make it my "go to" spot. My burger pic was blurry so I cant post it, but its a big guy! Also prices are pretty reasonable for downtown Tacoma- we could easily spend this much elsewhere... so that was a plus!