The Hilltop, Tacoma, lounge 1022 South is a little pocket of goodness in every way. Its mere 25-person capacity means you'll never be 10 deep at the bar. Handmade craft cocktails are complemented by a simple menu of quality vegan and vegetarian dishes: sandwiches, salads, cheese plates and charcuterie. Ingredient combinations at 1022 South are as much about the drinks they'll go with as they are about the food itself. House-made sauces and dressings, roasted tomato jam, boisterous flavors of dried Montmorency cherries, honey brown sugar balsamic reduction, tangy local cheeses, freshly baked breads, earthy mixed greens and quality meats make taste buds do the Dougie dance. Eat the Flora sandwich.

Also on the smaller side, Crown Bar has a menu that touches on global flavors: American, European, Mediterranean and South American, with buttermilk fried chicken, spice-rubbed flat iron steak, roasted beet and goat cheese salad. Locally sourced beef and chicken from Cheryl Ouellette, aka the Pig Lady, makes for mighty fine burgers and grilled sandwiches with toppings like guacamole, barbeque sauce, crispy onions, sautéed mushrooms and house-made pickles. A lighter fare section dubbed "Street Food" mimics offerings from street carts like skewered chicken tikka, beef and roasted pepper sliders, baba chanouj hummus plate, falafel sandwich and more.  - Jake de Paul

[1022 South, 1022 S. J St., Tacoma, 253.627.8588; Crown Bar, 2705 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4177]

Worth the trip just for the food: Dirty Oscar's Annex, 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.0588; The Mark, 407 Columbia St. SW, Olympia 360.754.4414, Enoteca (cheese!), 21 N. Tacoma Ave., Tacoma 253.779.8258