by the Steilacoom Lunch Ladies
This article is the first of what may become a regular feature in the Suburban Times. But first—a bit of ‘history’. For more than a dozen years a group of Steilacoom women (long-time friends, acquaintances, etc.) have met weekly for coffee in town. Once a month the ladies meet for lunch at different locations around the region. Chief reservation maker Pat McCutcheon coordinates the monthly reservations: from Proctor to Olympia and everywhere in between. As many as a dozen women take part.
Now that it’s summer, alfresco dining seemed appropriate, but like true Washingtonians, at the first sign of sprinkles, the eight women who met at Anthony’s on June 24, scurried for shelter inside the landmark Pt. Defiance eatery.
Even though the place was packed—and very noisy—the consensus of the group was that the experience was delightful. Orders were placed for beverages and entrees: fish tacos, Ocean Prawn salads, seafood fettucini, a bread bowl filled with clam chowder and a side caesar salad. Finished off with strawberry sorbets.
Comments ranged from “the Ocean Shrimp Tempura was very good,” to “Excellent service.”
Ditto for the Fish Taco. Despite entrée delivery slowing down after the women moved en mass indoors, server Nick Dahl deftly handled the musical chair scenario.
“Our server was very attentive. We originally were seated outside, but hastily relocated due to the rain. The change was handled very efficiently.”
One matter caught the Steilacoomites’ attention: The unexpected sighting of a familiar silhouette, bobbing on the water. The “old” Steilacoom ferry, now renamed the Pt. Ruston development office, sedately sailed past the restaurant.
Adorned with a plethora of attention-getting banners, the repainted vessel floated past, prompting some of the diners to speculate about the vessel’s availability as a venue for a future lunchtime event—just for “auld lang syne.”
Wouldn’t you know it—it never did rain that afternoon.