Spiro’s Greek Island, one of my favorite local restaurants, has recently added free delivery to downtown businesses during the lunch hour. Order your favorite Greek salads, gyros and other goodies and have them delivered right to your door.

View Spiro’s menu online.

Spiro’s Greek Island
215 First Avenue South
Kent, WA  98032
253-854-1030

Call ahead for hours, daily specials and entertainment schedule.

Located on First Avenue South in downtown Kent, Cypriana has added an online store to its offerings. Now you can shop for the same great products – organic bedding & bath products; organic baby clothing, bedding and diaper bags; and brands like DreamSacks, Area and Nandina – at your convenience. Shop at Cypriana 24-7.

Enjoy the great selection of organic and all-natural products that owner Susan Thomas has to offer without leaving home. You’ll be thrilled with your purchases! I’ve bought several items – baby gifts, a bamboo throw and bath products – and every one of them has met or exceeded my expectations. My favorite – my DreamSacks bamboo throw in chocolate brown – luxuriously soft!

Cypriana makes it easy to go green!

One of my favorite spots for lunch has become Perk Up Place at the corner of Gowe and First Avenue South (inside Titusville Station). I have tried several of their salads (grilled chicken salad and the shrimp louie). They’re made individually by Shelly or Sue, and are made with fresh ingredients and in enormous portions. I had the shrimp salad for lunch and dinner yesterday and have enough left over for lunch today! I also tried a slice of Shelly’s pumpkin bread which is homemade, and loaded with delicious spices. You have to try it!

Perk Up Place
Inside Titusville Station
202 W. Gowe St., Ste. C
Kent, WA 98032

Open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

You can call ahead for pick-up at 253-854-8868 or they’ll deliver locally between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.! They also offer catering services with party trays, hot entrees, a fiesta taco bar, and dessert and pastry trays. Yum!

If you haven’t visited Earthworks on the corner of First Avenue South and Titus Streets in downtown Kent, make time to stop by. This jewelry boutique, owned by Steve & Donna St. Louis, is one of my favorite jewelry stores. I bought a gold & silver ring designed by Steve there a few months ago, and I just love it. It’s pretty, funky and different. They have unique jewelry, hand created by several different artists. They have a great selection, particularly of wedding jewelry. I stopped by last week to check out wedding bands for my fiance and they had a good selection ranging from affordable to pricey. What I liked is that there were unique choices…not just your usual gold and silver bands with the occasional diamond tossed in. In addition to their inventory, they also do customized designs, jewelry cleaning and appraisals – your one stop jewelry shop, I guess you could say. Stop in next time you’re downtown and make sure you tell them Dana said, “hi!”

Yesterday a friend and I met at Shindig in downtown Kent for drinks. I had heard about the new martini bar from several friends and was anxious to check it out. Nestled in the middle of First Avenue South, Shindig is a simply-decorated, chic little neighborhood martini bar. The view of the charming neighborhood struck me as did the contrast between the all black interior and the sunlight streaming in from the wall of windows that creates the bar’s storefront.

The owner, Dave, was a charming Al Pacino-like man – but better looking – who clearly loves his bar and is proud of his specialty drinks. Making a friendly host, Dave seemed to know everyone who walked in. I sampled the Pink Lemon Drop which was deliciously different and a tad sweet – just the way I like them! We also ordered an antipasto plate from the tapas menu. It was more than enough for two and was quite tasty! The place could use some artwork and perhaps a woman’s touch in the restroom – but I hope Shindig is here to stay. It adds a touch of class for those of us who are tired of the usual sports bars and neighborhood pubs. It was a welcome change of pace!

One of my favorite downtown shops is Bella home & garden. Owned by Marci Wainhouse, this flower shop now has two locations: one on First Avenue South and the other at Kent Station. Marci has a fantastic eye for design, and she puts together the most beautiful floral arrangements I’ve ever seen. She also has a unique selection of indoor and outdoor plants. Her shops also feature fun home decor items and accessories like wine glasses, serving dishes, pasta, dips, soaps, lotions and more. It’s a great place to pick up a gift for the friend who has everything or to buy something fun for yourself. I love visiting Bella – every time I go I discover something new!

After a two-year absence, I visited the Bittersweet restaurant on First Avenue South yesterday with a friend. Now owned by Sue Froyd, also the owner of Maggie’s on Meeker, the restaurant was much the same as I remembered. The menu features fresh salads, sandwiches and homemade desserts…pretty standard fare, but the food was delicious and the service was good. I ordered the spinach salad which was outstanding. Just the right size and the light creamy pepper dressing was wonderful! A nice lunch at an affordable price. The only disappointment was that the menu featured a wine list, but the restaurant does not have a beer and wine license any more.