Bahama Breeze is a part of the Darden Family Restaurant chain---the same folks who bring you the Olive Garden, Red Lobster and a few others that escape me. So you can expect a big, bustling restaurant that caters to families and is busy pretty much any time you go. However, I am a fan of this place for a few reasons. First, it is a fun theme. With the rain pouring down outside, it is a ton of fun to dine on island-inspired cuisine. It may not be authentic (think Olive Garden's take on Italian fare) but the portions are huge and usually pretty tasty. As with the other Darden establishments, the vegetarian offerings are not vast, but acceptable nonetheless. I went there before a concert at the Tacoma Dome with some friends and was very happy to see that the beverage menu was so reasonable--only $5.25 for a very tasty pina colada and I didn't see anything over $6. That alone makes it worth the drive to Southcenter. Bahama Breeze (along with the other Dardens) does not take reservations. The wait can be quite extensive (over 2 hours when I was in Philly) Here's how to get a table without waiting for hours: call when you leave your house. While they assure you that this is not a reservation, they put your name on the all-important list. We were seated in 2 minutes flat, even on a busy Saturday night. This is key because waiting that long will suck the fun out of any dining experience.
more