Exit133 is about Tacoma. It's about Real Estate, Politics, the Arts, Urban Development, and the interests of our readers.
Find A Job
Business Examiner
is looking for an Editor
Restaurants : Pour Me Some More Retsina!
Blue Olive Goes Greek?
Ed Murrieta at the News Tribune is written that the Blue Olive, the swank martini bar below Thea’s Landing, is changing its menu toward “an emphasis on Greek cuisine.” I’m all for Greek food. I don’t necessarily understand this change, but… whatever.
Link to Ed’s Diner
Link | Posted on 29. August 2006, 13:55
Commenting Is Closed
Comments are allowed for two weeks from the posted date. If you want to make a comment or reopen this discussion, please contact us with your request. Thank you for visiting.
I’m all for Greek food. I don’t necessarily understand this change, but… whatever.
Blue Olive is a great place as a nightspot. However, they may have been struggling to have a good theme for their food.
1 | Posted by Erik | Aug 29, 03:30 PM
I don’t mind the change as long as they keep their “Kobe Trio.” It’s way too good to lose and is a close second to the Best Burger in town (the burger on the Sea Grill’s bar menu). If you don’t believe me, go to their bar at Happy Hour and you’ll see what I mean. Best. Burger. In. Town.
2 | Posted by Erik Hanberg | Aug 29, 05:08 PM
”...Happy Hour and you’ll see what I mean. Best. Burger. In. Town…”
We discovered the Happy Hour at Pacific Grill a while back. They offer mini-hamburgers and strong drinks at a great price.
Not sure if Erik may have meant that instead of Sea Grill but if not, try ‘em both out!
3 | Posted by laura | Aug 29, 05:21 PM
I heard Asado on 6th Ave had the best Happy Hour Burger! I have not been able to confirm this though.
I’m thinking there needs to be a Happy Hour Burger Contest.
By the way, Derek, when is the “exit133 Recommends” going to launch? You did say you needed another project didn’t you?
4 | Posted by morgan | Aug 29, 10:14 PM
I just don’t understand the short-term business model of the Blue Olive (I don’t understand restaurants in general as most fail, but the Blue Olive is worst than usual). Location: Under a bunch of condos, but not enough to support it. Maybe in 5 years. As for other local traffic:
Summer: next to museums, near downtown across a walking bridge, etc. Great view and easier to get to walking than Johnneys across the waterway.
Winter: Nowhere. Long walk across a wind and rain-swept bridge (OK, of Glass), zero free parking, visitors aren’t wandering along the waterway, and inconvenient access by car (how do you get across the BNSF tracks? Even locals pull out a map).
However, I’m pressed to think of a place in town for sit-down Greek food, so maybe they will fill a required niche.
PS: I also don’t understand the high-end doggie store at Thea’s Landing – where does the traffic come from? Mud Bay in UP gets the Trader Joes and Great Harvest crowd.
5 | Posted by RGardner | Aug 29, 10:50 PM
RGardner makes a good point. Will they still have business especially in the Winter if they drop the music? I have been there a few times on the weekends and the lounge side is full on 20- somethings. Drop the music part and I don’ t know if people will keep coming. I am sure they make their money on the drinks.
With Urban Dogs they most likely stay afloat because of their Bellevue store. They are probably holding out waiting for the business(condos/hotels) to come. I think that happens a lot with businesses in this city.
6 | Posted by Jake | Aug 29, 11:06 PM
As for the best happy hour burger in town…
That’s a tough race.
In my little opinion, the PG’s cheeseburger sliders (especially the sauce) are WAY better than the Blue Olive’s. PS: I heard a rumor that employee paychecks at the Blue Olive were bouncing…does anyone know if that’s true? Maybe that added to the menu change decision.
I do have to say, and have confirmation from several others who agree: The Asado burger is the best in town. That’s the most amazing burger I’ve ever had in my life.
Don’t just take my word for it, though, you should try these joints out for yourself. :)
7 | Posted by Natasha | Aug 30, 10:10 AM
All of the restaurants have their strong suits.
However, the Blue Olive’s ice bar certainly has a great wow factor for friends and relatives you are showing Tacoma off to.
8 | Posted by Erik | Aug 30, 11:41 AM
I have yet to try the Asado burger, I hear it is sublime. Last night I had the burger at Gary’s Steak Out. A perfect burger! The beef is fresh, packed just right and delicious. It is a “standard” burger with only mayo, tomato, lettuce and Swiss cheese. It was very good, I will order it again next time I’m there.
9 | Posted by Christine | Aug 30, 12:06 PM
As mentioned up a few, they really don’t have heavy business except on nice days in the summer. I walked by last night and there was 1 couple having dinner and about 6 people in the bar. This was @ ~7:45PM.
10 | Posted by DavidS | Aug 30, 02:09 PM
I have always felt the Blue Olive’s focus was a little bit off. With a photo of the Brat Pack on the wall as you enter, I would have liked the “theme” of the venue to center around classic jazz and crooner music. Market the 35s and over crowd with great music, CLASSIC drinks and good food (they have more disposable income anyway). As it has been, it is too focused on techno and the 20 somethings. On the other hand, I have been begging for a nice Mediterranean restaurant around here. The Greek Cuisina in Portland is pretty cool. I am intrigued…
11 | Posted by kris blondin | Aug 30, 04:45 PM
i have to say im a little sad to see the Blue Olive lost as a nightspot/dj/music kinda place in tacoma. from what i understand this comes as a result of tenants in Theas Landing complaining about noise. i dont know whether to scold the people living in the building for being “fuddy duddys” or acknowledge they have a valid grievance. seems to me plenty of people in seattle live upstairs or just down the street from lively nightspots, but they accept it as part of urban living. maybe these are just some of the transitions we’re going to have to go through as tacoma becomes a 24 hour city with busy nightclubs near places of living.
12 | Posted by craigA | Aug 30, 09:22 PM
fuddy duddys v. valid grievance note:
The developers of Thea’s Landing elected to use less sound resistant materials on the water side of the building. I belive they expected the primary noise creators to be the trains & freeway rather than internal uses.
13 | Posted by DavidS | Aug 31, 10:15 AM
Commenting is closed for this article.