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Normally I don't wait to share my food-related opinion but after two visits to Pinwheel Catering's Herban Cafe [ map ] I can't delay anymore. Sarah and I stopped by alone last Friday and again with ensie and Frinklin last night. The first time there I tried out their Pinwheel Cobb salad. The organic produce all tasted great and the gorgonzola dressing offered a nice tang to accompany the smoked bacon. Though I'd leave off the avocado myself I'm pretty sure ensie, an avid avocado lover, wouldn't mess with it.

Last night my order was a little lighter starting with their buffalo wings. The Herban Cafe isn't a grease-n-spoon joint nor a sports bar so the portion may be less than some would expect. The four drumettes that came were lightly coated in their honey glaze though weren't as spicy as the "red hot" description on the menu suggests and shouldn't deter folks normally averse to spicy food. Still the sauce was great and actually allowed the chicken flavor to come through rather than be completely drowned out like most such buffalo wings. And, like I said I was going light, I had two of the four pieces swapped for a couple of Frinklin's onion rings. The celery and carrot sticks on the side weren't the dull, been stored for a month, supermarket variety but tasted fresh and were obviously organic.

Finally for dinner I went with a caesar salad. At first I was pleased that instead of the lemon I'm used to from other places I could zest up my salad with the more subtle flavor from the lime wedges provided. With no anchovy flavor at all I enjoyed my large plate full of salad with plenty of croutons liberally mixed throughout.

The former Ezell's Chicken space that Herban Cafe takes over is used well. I heard selections from the Beatles and Supertramp playing over the sound system which goes well to match the patio-like tables, chairs and warm, summery paint job inside. The large garage door will allow the space to spill out onto the sidewalk during the summer and encourage fresh breezes to waft inside. All the staff are really welcoming and eager to please. You can tell, likely from being first in the catering business, that they're well aware of how important food is to folks whether catered or served in a restaurant. They're professional in presentation of meal and themselves yet completely approachable and friendly.

There's plenty to taste on their generous menu that's available both at lunch and dinner. A lunch for two could get close to $30 but the above mentioned quality and service are well worth it. An employee mentioned some City worker that thought their price point was wrong for the area considering MSM right up the street. Pinwheel's Herban Cafe isn't fast food and a more likely MSM comparison would be something like Subway. This new restaurant is a great addition to the Sixth Ave. neighborhood and makes a great stop after work or day shopping along the Ave.

Anyone else care to chime in with thoughts on their Herban Cafe experience?

Previously on KFnet and more "Herban Cafe" via FeedTacoma

Comments (7) | To Top

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2/22/2008 @ 1:11pm

Thanks for the kind comments! We truly feel that word of mouth is the best form of advertisement! We would like to invite you and yours to our grand opeining party on Friday, March 7, 2008. Invites will be in the paper on March 7 in the go section! We look forward to meeting you!

by Gretchen Nogler

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2/22/2008 @ 1:12pm

Actually it is a opening party, not an opeining!

by Gretchen Nogler

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2/22/2008 @ 4:19pm

You know what would be really cool is an "opining" party...

by jamie

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2/23/2008 @ 8:43am

I really liked the food but I thought the tables and chairs were very uncomfortable. The chairs were too low leaving your chest at the top of the table. Also the chairs leaned back to far from the tables. My back hurt at the end of the meal trying to lean in and talk and eat. Please work on the seating, otherwise I won't eat there. They need to find a better compromise for practical eating and casual atmosphere. Thanks
D

by Donovan

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2/28/2008 @ 4:36pm

Yeah, the chairs... now that's a whole other story. We had chairs lined up to buy from Mark Gaimster from Il Fiasco, and at the last minute he never came through... so we had to use the chairs from our old cafe's patio. Then, we had a tasting and noticed how low they were, so then we had to go get cushions. We don't like them much either, but we are researching options. We need 20 matching chairs, any one out there who knows where we can get some? PLEASE???

by Gretchen Nogler

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2/28/2008 @ 4:37pm

jamie-
just for you we can call it an opining party.

by Gretchen Nogler

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3/1/2008 @ 12:34pm

Well, I have to say Kevin, I had troubles with the other screen, but I am the pink cookie lady. I heard about the event and thought I would spread good will and bring everyone dessert. So I took them to last stop computers and Tapco on 6th Ave. They were appreciated but I am surprised at the lack of committment by business people. Brown bag means brown bag under any circumstance- if it's going on next week give me a jingle and I'll bring more cookies.
253.572.0170

by Gretchen Nogler

  urges you to