Dining and drinking review: "Tedbits," the St. Helens Ave. edition

For this weekend's dining and drinking review, Ted Broussard went for a stroll up to St. Helens Ave. to check out two recently-opened establishments there. "Tedbits":  Ted’s quick takes on places at which he may or may not have eaten.

Reviews and photos by Ted Broussard

The Zodiac Supper Club, located at 745 St. Helens Avenue

Usually, I’m the first one in line for a new restaurant opening up. The Zodiac Supper Club may be my first exception because I’m not sure the concept works for me. Zodiac is located in the former AmeRAWcan space and it’s all about steaks and cocktails here, but the kicker is you cook your own dinner. The very limited standard menu lists four different cuts of meat (Ribeye, New York, Top Sirloin, Flat Iron) that are served raw to you for you to cook yourself on a giant indoor grill. Picture a Hibachi on steroids. Steaks are served with garlic bread and a side salad, and they do offer a potato salad choice of one type, or a “flight” of traditional, dill and vegan potato salads. A chicken sausage (already cooked) and a veggie skewer complete your menu choices. They also offer a daily special sheet featuring additional drink and food offerings ranging from different kinds of skewers to Taco Tuesday. According to their website, they’re going for a unique, fun twist on drinks and food.

I’m not sure if the concept will catch on but I wish them well.  First impression of the environment was that it seemed more like a divey bar than a nice steak house. That plus the fact that there was only one table filled at dinner time on a Friday night didn’t motivate us to give them a try this time. Good food and excellent service could make the difference; cooking dinner for myself at a restaurant will be a harder sell.

The Original House of Donuts, located at 766 St. Helens Avenue

With a cool, retro-feel remodel at the corner of South 9th and St. Helens’ Avenue, Lakewood’s Original House of Donuts recently opened a satellite shop in downtown Tacoma. The “cakes” sell for $1, unless you are drawn to the Red Velvet flavor that will cost you a little more, but there are many, many other choices to dazzle and delight every taste.   If you’re looking for doughnuts plain, glazed or filled, French crullers, bars, scones, cinnamon twists, turnovers, or even a maple bar with a nice slice of bacon perched on top, this place is for you. 

Service was friendly and helpful and it was fun sitting at the counter facing outside to people watch. On our recent visit we tried the chocolate buttermilk bar and a cherry-filled turnover, and then took home a chocolate mint and red velvet cake for a later snack. I don’t know that I’d say they were the best ever but they were very good for a cake-like donut and you will find no complaints from this eater.