La Tarasca Chehalis

Kath says:

Liz and I decided that an out of town adventure was in order, so we travelled south to centralia, to La Tarasca.

La Tarasca is a owned by a family from the Mexican state of Mahican, and features both familiar and regionally-specific Mexican food.. I have been there when their Grandma was in the kitchen making tamales.

(which are making my mouth water to just think of.)

From the minute you sit down and they bring you a small bowl of a spicy mixture of sliced carrots and onions and hot peppers instead of chips and salsa, you know you are in for a treat. Ask the server what she recommends...you will be delighted.

Mike joined us on this adventure, he was our chauffeur. (actually he just likes the food here, and wanted to come with us.)

Mike had the house special, Carnitas. Slow roasted pork served with corn tortillas, rice and beans. Pepsi, please!  Mouthwatering good. 

Liz had the tacos de bistek. Thinly sliced carne asada wrapped in handmade corn tortillas, served with rice, beans and pico de gallo. She had a glass of Chardonnay.

Kath had Chile Verde. Slow roasted pork simmered in a spicy green sauce, made with jalapenos and tomatillos. Also served with rice and beans. Sabroso y picoso!!!  It was very hot and her face got very red, which reminds me that little Irish girls are not meant to eat such hot things, for fear that their delicate face should explode! Kath cooled her mouth with a Negro Modelo (Black Mexican beer along the lines of a porter) served with lime.

I know they have postres (deserts) but we were waaaaay too full to have any. I bet the flan is out of this world.

Liz Says:

I heard nothing but great things about La Tarasca and my visit there definitely confirmed all the good I'd heard.  It was the cutest restaraunt that made me felt really comfy.  I loved the appetizer with the spicy carrots and peppers and can't forget the tamales....oooohhh....I think my mouth just filled up with saliva.  It was the best tamale I'd ever had and I only wish it was closer so I could have them ever day.  mmmmmm...

The dinner was great too - the beans were surprisingly good - I didn't think that refried beans would be "exceptional" but they were!  The tacos de bistek was REALLY good - the tortillas were really fresh and tasted great...they were served with something like pico de gallo and it just made it wonderful - and Mike shared his sour cream which I was very nice really pulled the tacos together!  It was a great treat to have dinner with Mike and Kath!

cost of dinner for 3 with gratutiy

Kaths treat: $60.00

• Address: 1001 West Main Street, Centralia, WA 98531
• Phone:  (360) 736-7756

It closes fairly early (8pm, I remember) and is closed on Tuesdays. Located east of I-5, off exit 82. 

Thai Pavillion Olympia

Kath Says:

The second stop on our world tour!

Downtown Olympia is a haven for Asian food. There are more good places to eat than you can even imagine, in close proximity to one another.

I chose the Thai Pavilion because I had dinner there with my dear friends, Rex and Jan and it was very good. Rex and Jan are friends of the owners, Dave and his wife Cie, direct from Thailand. She cooks, he serves, and its a wonderful experience.

Liz and I chose to have spring roll appetisers (we were REALLY hungry) Paper this rice paper holding in delectable tidbits of vegetables and shrimp, which a mouth watering peanut dipping sauce.

Next we chose two dishes to share. Kath chose the Tropical Jade. A light yellow curry with vegetables, your choice of meat or tofu and avocado slices. Liz confessed to me that she thought it sounded weird but I promise you it is magnificent. Liz chose the pad thai, and we had it a little on the hot side, with shrimp. Both were served with steamed rice. Liz had a glass of Chardonnay and Kath had a Thai Coffee.

We both took home leftovers for lunch the next day. We really didn't need the spring rolls after all! 

Liz Says:

I was excited to eat at the Thai Pavillion especially since I'd frequented most of the other Thai places downtown but never eaten here.  I started off with a glass of White Zinfandel and perused the menu.  So many things sounded good but I was too hungry to choose so just went with the good ole' trusty Phad Thai with shrimp and it was awesome!  The spring roll appetizer was great - everything was really fresh and tasted great!  I also got to taste Kath's Jade curry dish which involved avacado and coconut milk which I was a little nervous about but it really had a unique and yummy taste.  I think the total bill was like $40 or so for both of us?  I'm not exactly sure...it was very reasonable. :)  

Cost of dinner:

Liz's Treat: $40.00

Address 

303 4th ave s

Olympia, Wa 98506

Phone:

360 943 9093

takeout yes!