3320 East 11th Street
Tacoma, WA 98421
Pierce County
Phone: (253) 627-3885
Fax: unknownWebsite: no website on fileEmail: no email on fileHours: unknown
by Jenny L. on Ajna bar's kitchen is now run by Chef Hung Huynh, the winner of Top Chef season 3, the waiter promotes proudly as he hands us our menus. (This was a few weekends ago so some of the details now escape me) It was Saturday and the place was pretty busy. Our cocktails did not arrive at our table promptly. There were many waiters, servers, bus boys, and managers hurrying about (plus one glasses-wearing italian mafia looking guy sauntering around) though not in a seamless ballet-like performance, but more like the first day of class at NYC ballet. Too many staff, but nothing getting done. Food was decent. I was hoping for a culinary adventure since this is Hung's menu and all... but the food was just ok. It is mandatory for every patron to order and entree. Wait- really? I'm usually the type ordering several things off the appetizers and sides selections so that I can sample a range of the chef's work. Who came up with the rule? Must've been put in place so that the kids and tourists don't come in and take up a table just for appetizers, drinks, and sides. I don't get it. So I skipped the appetizers and sides altogether. I was forced to order an entree (imo, they would've made more from my meal if they let me order the appetizers I wanted and skip the entree), so I got the duck. The flavors were ok - I was especially looking forward to the foie gras, but it seemed like it was either overcooked or it's been sitting around for a while. The little chunks were too hard and not tasty at all. I was disappointed. The dessert was out of this world and I would make a special stop to Ajna Bar any day just to get some. It was worth the trip. I'm usually not a fan of sweets, but the espresso panna cotta was simply delightful.
by Deadra Naber on In the middle of the Mission desert there lies an oasis for all those that seek refuge. The delirious, the parched, the hungry come here looking for shade, quench or even food to ease their desires. However, just like all those wandering the desert in agony, an oasis in the middle of the Mission is just like an other oasis in any desert, a MIRAGE...a figment of one's imagination...a hoax...wishful thinking. That's exactly what this restaurant is "wishful thinking." Overpriced food is justified by a pseudo-trendy interior, modern atmosphere and uncomfortable chairs. Food portions are skim, drinks are obscenely priced...C'MON!! It's the F*CKIN' Mission. And if you're lucky enough to stay when the restaurant transforms itself into a "club"...well, you're in for a treat. Scantily clad women, over-cologned men gyrating their pelvis' against each other to the beat of poorly mixed music...WOW...what a concept...a "trendy" restaurant/club, right smack in the middle of a bad area, that's overpriced and over-rated and since there are none of these types of establishments anywhere else in the city, well...by god, let's all flock to this Oasis...or rather, shall I say, this Mirage of an Establishment that caters to all the parched suckers out there...and I was one of them yesterday, but Never Again!!
by Stephanie S. on This up and coming nightclub certainly had the atmosphere to be something big with a three levels being connected by a narrow atrium on one wall of the club. The flow of energy is high and the crowd is definitely ready to move around and mingle. By the time I was ready to dance after ordering from the handsome bar tender, the DJ had somehow managed to empty the dance floor with his selection of all too popular hits that although they are "crowd pleasers" they are not beats you can dance too. My friend and I tried our best to pick up the beats on the top floor, but felt uncomfortable when we had more of an audience than a dance crowd. Other than that, the club was a great addition to our night on 6th street with a diverse crowd mingling over the brightly lit monotone bars or lounging on the lush sofas.
