Explore Gig Harbor’s creative culinary scene with a sampler of stops around the harbor, Uptown and historic Millville.
Millville Pizza Co.
Croatian settlers plotted Millville, just west of the Gig Harbor sawmill, in 1888. Tradition lives on at cozy Millville Pizza where the pies are named after fishing boats, and the wood-fired oven glows all day.
Try the Sea Gem, a Margherita pizza topped with red sauce or pesto, burrata cheese and basil. Or drop in during happy hour for a glass of wine or prosecco and the flat bread topped with mozzarella and herbs, and the artichoke dip served in a tiny iron skillet. Save room for a wood-fired chocolate chip or peanut butter cookie.
millvillepizzaco.com
Greenhouse Restaurant
For fine dining, head Uptown to Greenhouse where chef Erik Smith and his wife, Krystle, took over as owners in 2021. Covid restrictions meant they only could fill 25 percent of their seating, but “We survived,” says Erik. The menu features many of his favorites including a bison steak, sourced from Montana, and served with a deconstructed baked potato salad spiked with bacon, chives and cheddar.
His take on a Cobb salad combines King salmon, mixed greens, Danish bleu cheese, diced eggs, olives, bacon and avocado slices. Krystle inspired the chocolate covered peanut butter Mousse bomb, a dessert melding the crunch of a graham cracker crust with toasted meringue and a creamy whiskey anglaise.
greenhousegh.com
Morso Bistro
One of the best views of the harbor is from the deck of Morso Bistro and wine market in summer, or a window table during cooler weather.
The atmosphere here is relaxed and casual. Drop in for a glass of wine, a cocktail or mocktail at happy hour or a full meal at lunch or dinner. The menu is local and seasonal, with some permanent classics such as the local manila clams served in a white wine and herb pesto broth. Local Beecher’s white cheddar, toasted hazelnuts and Granny Smith apples star in the Pacific Northwest Salad. The Chinook salmon, served on a crispy risotto cake, is sustainably sourced from the Quileute River on the Olympic Peninsula.
morsobistro.com
BY CAROL PUCCI