After two years of primping, pruning and perfecting, Jeff Call’s The Stonegate restaurant has finally blossomed into a full-fledged force to be reckoned with in South Tacoma.

The nearly 8,000-square-foot venue, which officially opened on Oct. 21, encompasses two levels of hand-painted murals, hardwood floors, and a massive steel sculpture created by Call, which loudly declares, “Stonegate.” Spending even an hour in Call’s restaurant reminds visitors that the proof is most definitely in his details.

“It’s taken me two and a half years to get this place done, but I’m a perfectionist, so it’s still not totally done,” Call said.

Since opening, the restaurateur said business has been good, despite the recession. He is also enjoying a bit of down time, away from the construction and chaos of launching a business from scratch.

Call said the inspiration for his interior design came from his desire to “step it up on South Tacoma Way.” His friends and local artists, Karen Marvik-Hallis and Thor, created most of the art that adorns Stonegate’s walls.

“I’m sort of picky,” Call said. “Karen has been a good friend and has been doing things on the building for about a year and a half.”

Stonegate’s edgy demeanor and unique details - such as a swirling alphabet of famous drinking quotes upon the floor, could bring glee to urban sophisticates and average Joes alike. The restaurant will soon be entirely retrofitted with energy efficient LED lights, courtesy of Richard Thompson, also known as Solar Richard - the man responsible for LED-lighting the Narrows Bridge.

The lower level of the venue caters to family-style dining, while next door - the rum lounge, is just for grown-ups. Call said he eventually would like to outfit the lounge with rums from around the world. So far, it is stocked with what is available in the state liquor stores and some special bottles of Guatemalan Rum Zacapa.

On the restaurant’s second level, a stage is available for musicians, and a second available to their audiences. Call has begun to take advantage of this space, having already hosted several local bands and performers since opening. Upcoming shows include comedian Gabriel Rutledge and a New Year’s Eve bash. Rutledge, who has graced channels such as HBO and Comedy Central, will headline two shows at Stonegate on Dec. 26, beginning at 8 (sold out) and 10 p.m.

The Stonegate’s events coordinator, Michelle Amiotte, managed to wrangle several headliners for a massive New Year’s Eve party. This year’s performers will include Olivia De La Cruz, Alyse Black, VIII Days Clean and Champaign Sunday. Tickets for this event will cost $25, shows begin at 8 p.m. and the party will keep going until 4 a.m. Call promises this event will have something for everyone.

Launching a business during hard economic times is not for the faint-hearted. Call’s construction background has allowed him to build most of the interior without much help from outside contractors. His love for Tacoma architecture, specifically a brick building that once housed a bicycle shop, inspired him to follow his instincts and open his business.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that restaurant people are in a league of their own,” Call said. “I’ve spent a lot of my own time and money on Stonegate and I really believe in it.”

With help from his uncle, Lawrence Turco, owner of Tacoma’s Clover Leaf Pizza, Call decided to make pizzas and began crafting a unique, playful menu. Stonegate’s pies deviate from plain pepperoni and cheese, to encompass ingredients and toppings such as lobster or hybrids with traditional Mexican or Thai flavors. The pizzas have clever names, too. The “Angry Hawaiian,” includes sweet chili sauce, chicken, pineapple, fresh ginger and coconut milk. Call also claims that his pizza crusts are the best in Tacoma, because they are “cousins of the Clover Leaf’s crust.”

“I created the different pizzas, in a way I thought would taste good,” Call said. “Our pizzas are wonderful because I try to make them authentic. If they are supposed to taste like Pad Thai, I tried to use authentic ingredients.”  

Stonegate offers more than just pizza, though. Call said he has recently hired a new head chef and added new meals to the menu, such as fettuccini and macaroni and cheese with Dungeness crab. Customers can also nibble on homemade crab cakes, pan-seared scallops with balsamic vinegar or Kobe beef New York steaks.

From food to entertainment to ambiance, one can see proof that Call is dedicated to creating a trendy, tasty hot spot for Tacoma’s residents.     

“I’ve had people tell me that our bathrooms are the nicest in Tacoma,” Call jokes. “The restaurant is just a real class act. Everywhere you look there’s something new to see. It’ll keep you coming back.”

The Stonegate is located at 5421 South Tacoma Way in Tacoma and is open from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m., seven days per week. Musicians interested in performing at The Stonegate should contact Dave Ashwrth at johnerockstar@hotmail.com or (253) 306-0453.