In January, I told you that the Cliff House was hoping for a late January or early February opening. Well, early February is here, but the Cliff House is not yet open. After a slowdown from the icy weather a few weeks ago it became clear that a late January opening was out of the question. Owner Giuseppe “Joe” Nappo put the brakes on rushing opening to avoid something that could be a disaster for a brand-new restaurant – a Valentine’s Day opening. Read more »

In November, I told you that Giuseppe “Joe” Nappo, best known for his Federal Way restaurant Verrazano’s, is restoring Northeast Tacoma’s Cliff House. He was planning a January 2012 reopening. He gave an update last week by email: Read more »

The Dumpster out front was the first sign that the Cliff House is about to get a makeover for its reopening this winter after being closed for most of 2011.
It’s about time that the dated decor disappeared. Diners are ready for a change. OK, well, I’m ready for a change. I reviewed the restaurant in October 2010, and I noted the building was showing serious wear.

Giuseppe “Joe” Nappo, best known for his Federal Way restaurant Verrazano’s, is in the process of restoring the building and continuing its legacy of prom-night dining, waterfront views and upscale regional cuisine. He plans a January 2012 reopening. Read more »

The Cliff House restaurant has closed again. A sign on the door says the closure is temporary and that the restaurant will “look forward to serving you in the near future of February 2011.” The website for the restaurant is not working, and the voice mail at the restaurant makes no mention of the closure. I’m trying to reach someone at the restaurant.

The restaurant had reopened in June 2010 after abruptly closing in December 2009. I reviewed the restaurant in October here. The restaurant is one of the region’s oldest. It opened in 1925.

Bar noshing doesn’t get any better than a big, cheesy gut bomb of a burger. It’s the anytime accompaniment to a cold pint at your favorite watering hole.

I’ve spent the past six months touring South Sound bars, taverns and pubs in search of perfect bar burgers. (Yeah, I know it’s a tough gig I’ve got here.) What follows today through Friday is my report of the top 20 bar burgers I wrapped my hands around.

I compiled this report largely based on recommendations from TNT Diner blog readers. Other recommendations came from chefs and foodies about town.

Here are the bars I’ll be writing about:
Tuesday: Powerhouse Brewery, Cliff House, Matador, Blazing Onion and Beach Tavern.
Wednesday: Engine House No. 9, El Gaucho, Katie Downs, The Parkway, Ram
Thursday: Crown Bar, Harmon, Bite Restaurant, West End Pub, Cheers South Hill
Friday: Asado, Maxwell’s, Pacific Grill, The Hub, The Right Spot

I set up a burger mission statement from the beginning. Read more »

Readers started calling within days of The Cliff House Restaurant’s closure last December. Then followed e-mails. More phone calls, then e-mails. Never have I received such an outpouring in response to a closure.

As many readers noted, the Cliff House long has been a Tacoma treasure. “A Browns Point landmark,” one caller lamented about the closure. “I loved going down there,” said Federal Way resident Mark McConnehey with dismay when he phoned after the restaurant shuttered. He wistfully recalled his habit of taking out-of-town visitors to the Cliff House to soak in the sweeping Commencement Bay views with the backdrop of downtown Tacoma and Mount Rainier. Read more »

A new operator will reopen the Cliff House restaurant, one of the region’s oldest restaurants that opened in 1925 in Northeast Tacoma. It’s scheduled to reopen Thursday June 17.

The name of the new operator will sound familiar to diners in Gig Harbor– Sue Glenn, who has owned Gig Harbor’s The Green Turtle Restaurant for 17 years. Read more »

I’ve had a few readers call and e-mail. I still don’t have word yet on when the Cliff House will reopen. The restaurant closed suddenly in December, but previous owner Guido Brendicke applied for permits to reopen the restaurant. Read the back story here.

I’ve called multiple times the last few weeks, and nobody has answered, and my messages remain unanswered. Anyone know what’s going on?