Stadium Bistro review

I’m so sneaky that I was one of the people to give Stadium Bistro a try. This brand spanking new Tacoma restaurant sits at South Second and St. Helens.

Stadium Bistro is the first restaurant venture for proprietors Pete and Cathryn (mom and dad) and another Pete (son/chef.) Ironically, there are four Petes on staff at Stadium, so if you yell that name out, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll get your fair share of service.

This evening was their first for the public. I’d never, ever expect a perfect dining experience in these early days (you never should), but I desperately wanted to arm you with the scoop.

Cathryn patiently gave me the dish on the entire place, all 5,000 square feet — approximately 90 seats in the front room with another 50 on the way after they finish the banquet room in the back. The restaurant boasts quaint four-seaters with white table cloths and wine glasses that were glistening and almost demanding to be filled with the reds and whites. The espresso machine was so new and shiny silver that I wanted to lick it. There’s also a large open kitchen and understated white walls that are screaming for some local art (they’re still in the process of decorating).

Their bar is home to about 20 stools and four beers on tap that will rotate. The current selections were Manny’s, Bridgeport IPA, Celebration (hooray!) and Mac and Jacks. Their hard alcohol choices aren't extensive, but they've got the essentials covered. The Bistro’s wine list includes Whidbey Island’s Syrah, a Smith and Hook Cabernet Sauvignon, Patrick M. Paul Cabernet Franc and an Alloro Pinot.

There’s been a little bit of confusion in the pre-opening buzz about the kind of food that the restaurant will specialize in. Cathryn let me know that they’re considering it new American cuisine — Ingredients that are indigenous to the area but are prepared in a French fashion.

Interesting.

Their bar menu includes calamari, polenta sticks, braised short ribs and Pete's pickled peppers stuffed with fresh mozzarella — Son/Chef Pete, that is. Their starter menu includes duck rillette, tenderloin and I had the tasty pears, wild greens and goat cheese salad and the French onion soup. I also sampled the halibut cheeks, but I enjoyed the salad and the soup more. Stadium Bistro’s entrees include rack of lamb, pancetta-wrapped monkfish, beef fillet, grilled pheasant breast and bay-leaf wrapped venison tenderloin. I rocked the poached Alaskan salmon, which was delish. Prices for all of the above range from $7 to $41.

I wrapped up the experience with the crème brule dessert where the custard was runny underneath the thick crust, but it tasted good, regardless.

We’ll have yet another dining choice with the St. Helens Cafe that’s hoping to open within the next few weeks upstairs from Stadium Bistro. Expect fish and chips fame here. The proprietor of the St. Helen’s Café is Jon Holt, one of the leading forces behind the establishment of Katie Downs and Steamers. Add Doyle’s Public House next door and we’ll have a tantalizing trio to choose from.

Stadium Bistro will be open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, dinner only on Saturdays, and they’ll be closed on Sundays. Try it out for yourself, and wish Cathryn and all of her Pete’s the best of luck. — Natasha