For all intents and purposes, the city of Indianapolis is currently under siege. 150,000 football fans are expected to arrive in time for the big game, Super Bowl XLVI. Forty-four blocks are reportedly going to be closed to car traffic to accommodate fans on foot sporting all kinds of Patriots and Giants pride in the form of painted faces, glittery sprayed hair, full costumes and the requisite foam fingers.
According to UrbanDictionary.com, the third largest city in the Midwest is known for its crime rate, hospitality and low cost of living. Say what? Gosh, that sounds delightful (cue exaggerated eye rolling).
New this year: zip lines in the city. That's right. Zip lines are no longer reserved for blackout Spring Break trips to Mexico or Hawaii, but will be strung through the streets of Indianapolis.
Luckily, there should be relatively few major concerns about Sunday, Feb. 5 for those playing it safe and staying in the comfort of the 253/360. Where to watch and what to drink and eat? We've got some ideas for you, faithful reader and lover of televised sports.
Restaurants and bars throughout the South Sound will offer traditional snacks and finger foods, plus some unexpected dishes. Here are some highlights.
Newcomer Massimo Italian Bar and Grill in University Place (4020 Bridgeport Way W., University Place) has wrestled the rights to the "Best Sports Viewing" title from Varsity Grill. The lounge in the old Captain Nemo's building boasts a massive 240-inch Hi-Def projection screen with surround sound. Imagine a small movie theater: that's the experience you can look forward to. Tiered seating, table service and close proximity to the facilities mean you won't miss a step, fumble, pass or referee call. Of note, Massimo is bringing in "football food" for Super Bowl Sunday, as partner Robert Johnson calls it. "We've added buffalo chicken sandwiches, hot wings, garlic cheesy bread and cheesy fries," he tells me. "You know, shareable things." Opening at 11:30 a.m. on game day, fried calamari, sautéed clams and mozzarella caprese will be offered for under $6.50. Drinks specials include$5 long island ice tea, $3 bloody Marys, $2 light drafts and five-beer buckets for $12.50. Johnson says the lounge seats 66 and seating is first come first serve. Pizzas are half price during the pre-game show.
Running a close second for prime viewing is Tacoma's Varsity Grill (1114 Broadway, Tacoma). Getting a seat with sight lines to Varsity Grill's 125" projection screen may pose a challenge, however. The downtown restaurant and bar's 27-person theater is sure to be booked by someone other than you. Conceal your despair, though, because plenty of flat screen televisions are hung throughout the restaurant. Chef Jason is preparing a carbohydrate lover's dream buffet; hot pasta with choice of Alfredo or marinara, pizzas, potato salad, Caesar and mixed green salad for $14.99. That'll help you keep your strength up through all those timeouts. Bud Lite and Fireball are $3.
Holding up the tradition of "beers, burgers, wings and more beers," Tacoma's Backstage Bar and Grill (6409 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) offers $5 domestic pitchers, $2 Bud Lite Platinum (the new six-percent alcohol beer), $5 burgers and fries, and 25-cents-each hot wings on Super Sunday. A 20-foot screen has been moved on to the Backstage Bar and Grill stage; the sound system will probably make it seem like the referee is blowing the whistle right in your ear.
On the Eastside, Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe (3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma) shows its love for T-town with a daylong happy hour, $2 peach mimosas and $3 bloody Marys. Co-owner Jaime Kay Jones says her kitchen crew has a ton of specials that will go far above what is normally expected from bars during Super Bowl parties. Slow roasted pork shoulder means BBQ pulled pork sandwich with house-made slaw on potato rolls, and pork frittata with roasted red peppers, mushrooms and cheddar. Caramel brioche French toast with thick cut candied bacon and eggs, house-made chili con queso served with kosher hotdogs, and blackened prawn tacos with Asian apple slaw and lemon-cumin sour cream will be tempting no matter what the score is. All items mentioned are $8 or less.
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