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Tarcisio (Tarcisio's) Italian Place in Sequim Is Awful

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Tarcisio's Restaurant's Veal ParmesanTarcisio's restaurant in Sequim, Washington, has gone from horrible to gut-wrenching. Every once in a while, I get a wild hair up my ass and give Tarcisio's another shot.

My tongue was hurting from an unbelievably salty veal parmesan that was drowning in olive oil and barf-worthy white cheese. Not to be rude, I downed most of the veal that had one flavor. Salt! The side of spaghetti on the same plate was cut or broken short, cooked to the point of gross mush, and topped with a bizarre sauce.

Cold Prime Rib at Tarcisio's Restaurant in Sequim, Washington
Cooking spaghetti al dente should be a brainless process. The reason behind mushy spaghetti became clearer when two cooks came out of the kitchen for a smoke break. Their hats and coats had black smudges. One was wearing dirty shorts and shoes and showing hairy legs. Three smoke breaks during our one-hour visit to Tarcisio's.

The prime rib didn't fare any better. We ordered medium. What came out was closer to well-done and cold. Baked potato was undercooked. Carrots had dirt on them. Much like the veal parmesan, the prime rib was salty and drenched in what was a shot at au jus. There was so much au jus that it permeated every inch of the plate.

The only highlight at the restaurant was a polite bus boy, the first person to see us waiting for someone to make eye contact at the door. It's not like the restaurant was busy. Of the 25 plus tables, only four had guests.

We learned our lesson this time. Retirees of Sequim especially should avoid this cafeteria food. Even if you care little about having a coronary, avoid this joint and drink two vials of salt instead.

Spring Rolls Hard to Roll

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Bahn Trang Spring Roll Wrapper
There is a skill to wrapping spring rolls with these wafer-thin rice-and-tapioca wrappers. And I don't have it. My crumbled spring rolls resembled regurgitated food, with undigested vegetables.

As instructed here, I soaked the brittle spring roll wrapper in water for a few seconds. It eventually soaked up enough water and became chewy and taut. The burrito method didn't work, and the rolls unwrapped themselves.

I'm sure there's a trick, a secret. What is it?

Little Apartment Third Drawer Down

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INCIDENT: Yesterday morning I found her dead in the toilet in our guest bathroom. By the time I fished her out with chopsticks, rigor mortis had set in. The apparent cause of death was drowning. And I hoped  she didn't struggle too much. At least, she seemed to have enjoyed her stay with us.

In the third drawer down, there was a comfortable bed. Our handmade, clay gravy boat had tips of cotton swaps, countless pieces of my #10 envelopes and unidentifiable materials she gathered from around the house. I would rather have given her a couple of #10 envelopes. Dozens of my #10 envelopes are now missing corners.

She had ration, several pieces of dry dog food next to her bed. She had water.... I hope she slipped and fell. I'd hate to think that dire thirst made her take the plunge.

LESSON: To one living being, #10 envelopes are for mailing. To another, they make a very comfortable bed.

Gabby's: Best 'Sandwich Shop' in Sequim

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Gabby's Java Dishes Up Gyros

Where in Sequim, Wash., can you get mouth-watering gyro stuffed with thinly sliced beef and lamb, diced tomatoes, purple onions, feta and juicy tsatziki sauce? At Gabby's Java & Gourmet Grub off Carlsborg Road.

Gabby's is an enduring gem in a world of fly-by-night sandwich shops and roadside coffee stands on the Olympic Peninsula. A columnist for the Sequim Gazette raved about the brand-new Fifth Avenue Deli a few months ago. If its bland sandwich was any indication, its sudden makeover as yet another real estate office should be no surprise.

Don't expect run-of-the-mill sandwiches here at Gabby's. When I pulled up Friday for lunch, I was told they had run out of Philly and lasagna. 'What else do they have?' Preconceived notions of Reuben, chicken and other sandwiches flew out the passenger-side window as fast as a menu was handed out the window of this drive-through joint.

Victoria's Secret #1: Jägerschnitzel at Rathskeller

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Jägerschnityel at Rathskeller

Haven't been to Rathskeller in Victoria, B.C.? Then, you are missing out. For those of us with a weakness for an uncontrollable desire to eat good Schnitzel, The Rathskeller is nothing short of hog heaven.

A low-profile exterior and a low-income high rise across the street might encourage visitors to glance over this treasure. But the interior is decidedly Bavarian complete with aging Lederhosen,steins, and the blue-and-white checkered flag of this southern German state. Andrea, who inherited the Victorian institution from her parents, now runs the restaurant.

Since German restaurants may be becoming rarer in North America, I relish every chance I get to enjoy the food. At Rathskeller, my dinner included Jägerschnitzel with Spätzle (German noodles), a piece of homemade Bratwurst and German Senf (mustard), Rüdesheimer Kaffee (coffee with German brandy), a piece of cheesecake and a beer.

My Jägerschnitzel had two pieces. It's not the restaurant's fault that the photo above shows only one piece. Overcome with excitement, joy and other German emotions that are commonly associated with seeing Jägerschnitzel, I dug in before reaching for the camera.

I wish I had also tried grilled Camembert cheese, cabbage rolls, Frikadellen (yummy meat patties), and some more Bratwurst. Several beer boots ("Das Boot" thanks to Beerfest the movie), or Biefstiefeln, were also on hand, but I opted not to leave even less room for food.

If you are in or near Victoria, B.C., and feel like some gourmet German grub, The Rathskeller is the place for you.

1205 Quadra Street
Victoria, BC
Canada
Tel. 250.386.9348
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