The Senior Scene

In the past, I have been guilty of “cinema smuggling.“ That is, I have brought snacks with me when I went to the movies, rather than buy them at the concession stand, to avoid the high prices. Recently, however, I learned that theater proprietors make very little on the actual movie, rather counting on snack sales to make a profit. I love the movies, and with summer blockbusters coming out, I decided to see if it were possible to have a good meal at the local multiplex, Lakewood AMC.
I ordered Chicken Sliders with curly fries at $9.70, a small popcorn at $6 with cheese flavor shake at 50 cents, a Dove ice cream bar at $3.75, and a large bottled water at $4.75. The portions of everything were very large. I estimate that the popcorn was at least six cups, but no one in my group liked the powdered cheese sprinkle. The two sliders had large chicken tenders, and the order of curly fries was enough for two.
The hot food started frozen and was prepared by Taden, who worked the ovens and toasters with skill and good humor. The curly fries were crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. They were mildly spicy and good with the sliders, which were hot, crisp, tender and a lot bigger than the little slider buns that were perfectly toasted. They could have used a sauce, and I wish I would have taken one of the little pots of dressing that was offered. I tried mixing sweet pickle relish and mayo from the condiment table, but was not successful.
The Dove ice cream bar was hard frozen and could easily have stayed frozen until I finished the sliders, but I ate it first just in case. It was the same bar you purchase from a grocery store, with a thick chocolate coating and a sprinkling of nuts. It was excellent. Dessert first? Why not?
All these goodies made the movie experience more fun. I would certainly pick something up the next time I go to see my favorite stars in their next big film, to support the theater and to stop smuggling.
IF YOU GO
Lakewood AMC Theater Snack Bar
5721 Main St. SW., Lakewood
Snack bar is open when the box office opens.

Carolyn Augustine, who writes the Senior Eats column, is a freelance restaurant writer.

Frenchy’s Cafe is a coffee shop that serves breakfast all day, has some very good crepes, and also caters to those who like a crisp Panini sandwich. However, it needs to move to a better location. You can only enter from the west on Steilacoom Boulevard near American Lake, or by going around the block on the next cross-street. The parking lot is very rutted and is difficult to navigate in a big car. Handicap spaces are at the total other end of the building.
After finding our way in, we were pleased to enter a bright, clean shop with lots of comfortable seating and a pleasant wait staff. You order at the counter from the menu or from a board over the crepe stations, and then your food is brought out to you. The crepe menu is short and there is no opportunity to build your own, which is disappointing, but the buckwheat crepes were delicate and flavorful without being heavy. We ordered the Parisian as our sweet crepe, which had fresh squeezed lemon juice, butter and powdered sugar, at $6, and the Tuscan ($10), which had savory sauteed grilled chicken, mozzarella cheese, diced roma tomatoes and fresh baby spinach. This was served with a side of balsamic vinaigrette. We also ordered the house soup, billed as gourmet soup at $5 but turned out to be chili. Good chili, but chili, not soup.
The sweet crepe was very good. The lemon juice was not overpowering, and the butter and powdered sugar made a good combination. There was also whipped cream, which added to the delicate taste.
The Tuscan was like a French chicken rollup with fresh vegetables and tender chicken. Balsamic is not my favorite, but even without it, the crepe was not dry or bland.
Each order was two large crepes folded around a good amount of filling. They are made to order, but come to the table quickly, and were hot and tender.
Frenchy’s is service-dog friendly, has a nice bathroom which is accessible, and the staff is happy to explain anything.
IF YOU GO
Frenchy’s Cafe and Crepery
8813 Edgewater Dr., Lakewood
253-327-1454

Carolyn Augustine, who wrote this article, is a freelance restaurant writer.

I am on the hunt for a superior burger. One that is on a higher level than the usual frozen patty and grocery store bun that is offered at local eateries. And I found a really good burger on the lunch menu at the Flying Tomato in Graham.

The regular menu at this establishment is pricey. A plate of spaghetti and meatballs is $13, but having had their Pretzel Burger at $5, I am willing to give their other selections a try.

The burger was a good size. I estimate at least one-third of a pound. It was grilled, not fried, and cooked to order. I like my beef on the rare side, but settled for medium, and it was cooked all the way through but was still juicy and tasted like meat, not the last thing cooked on the grill.

It came on a pretzel bun which had a nice firm texture, but was still soft enough to bite without squishing the sandwich. The bun tasted like the best salted soft pretzel, and held all the juices from the patty without dripping. Fresh young salad greens were used instead of lettuce, and a mayo/dressing was spread on top to compliment these greens. A good bite gave you a taste of everything, and it was hard to stop once I started eating. Gobbling is just so rude, don’t you think? Nice crispy fries came along in the basket, and everything was gone at the end of my meal.

I wanted to sample something else while I was at the Flying Tomato, and tried the lunch pizza, also $5. Sausage, mushrooms, onions and tomato sauce was my order. It had lots of toppings, wood-fire baked crust, and was also delicious.

This is a cute place with industrial decor, lots of seating, and great service.

And they make a really good hamburger.

IF YOU GO

Flying Tomato Italian Bar and Grill

10223 198th St. E. in Graham

253-875-0770

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

The Gallery Dining Room at Bates Technical College, at the corner of 11th and Yakima in downtown Tacoma, has a whole section of the first floor of the main building dedicated to great food produced by the Culinary Arts Program. There is a bistro, a cafe and the dining room. Students do everything under the direction of teaching chefs, and the food is very good.

We had lunch at the Gallery Dining Room. Coffee, water, menus and excellent rolls with butter came immediately. We ordered the Jumbo Chicken Burrito and Cajun Chicken Alfredo. We also ordered an apple pie for dessert. Cajun Potato Soup was included. The meals were $6.50 each, for the main dish, soup and roll. Pie was additional at $2.95. Coffee was $2.50.

The servings were very large. The soup had large chunks of potato, cheese and a lot of black pepper. I like a lot of pepper, but my companion thought it was excessive.

The soft burrito was about seven inches long, covered with cheese and loaded with chicken, black-eyed peas, chopped black olives and more cheese. It was very good, and came with a small, tangy side salad and very gummy Spanish rice.

The Alfredo came with perfectly cooked broccoli, but the noodles had no sauce. None. It had seasonings, a lot of Parmesan cheese and loads of chicken, but no sauce. It was strange. I don’t know why we didn’t question this, but the taste was excellent, and there was lots, with plenty to take home. It took quite a while for our main dishes to come, and to have such a mix of quality was puzzling. The apple pie was excellent. Fresh filling, homemade crust, and a touch of whipped cream for garnish. 

Parking is on-street and at the school parking lot at the main building.

The bathroom is a whole city block away from the restaurant. It’s large, but the toilet in the handicapped stall is rather low, and a person with a disability might need help..

IF YOU GO

Bates Technical College is at the corner of 11th and Yakima in downtown Tacoma.

Hours: The cafe is open from 7 a.m. to noon, the bistro and dining room are open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Food service is closed on Friday.

Carolyn Augustine, a freelance writer, authors Senior Eats. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect the opinions of Senior Media Services.