A Bite to Eat and a Live Stage Performance

Seems like my 20-something friends always have plans on Friday night, but I don’t think my son is a good accessory at the local piano bar, and I was wearing a wedding dress the last time I went dancing.

Still, we’ve already watched all the back episodes of "Intervention," so it seems we should venture out of the house for something other than drive-through coffee on a date night.

So what do 30-somethings do on a Friday night?

We decided to watch a play at The Capital Playhouse in Olympia. The theater operates year-round and is located downtown, surrounded by the rich culture and progressive attitudes the city is famous for.

Friday and Saturday night performances are from 7:30-10:00 p.m. and tickets range from $22.40 to $39.00. You can purchase the tickets online here or at the box office by calling (360) 943-2744.

The playhouse is showing "The Secret Garden" on Friday night. It's based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett and Marsha Norma, a Pulitzer Prize playright winner.

For those of you who didn’t read the book as a child, the story surrounds an 11-year-old orphan from India who is sent to live with her recently widowed and reclusive uncle. She befriends his son, who is bedridden and discovers a key that unlocks a secret garden.

The characters are delightful and the story weaves its way into your heart forever. The playhouse is located at 612 E 4th Ave Olympia, WA 98501 and parking can be found on the street. For more information email info@capitalplayhouse.com.

Now you have tickets but you need to catch a meal before the show. Fortunately, the best bite in town is right across the street. Darby's Café is located on 5th Ave SE and is open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to  9:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

My favorite dish is the spinach tomato melt with Tillamook cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, fresh spinach and tomatoes. Finish it off with homemade curly fries for $6.49.

Darby’s Cafe serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian food for less than $20 for two. But it’s the atmosphere you can’t put a price on. Don’t be surprised when you hear your chef singing loudly to 80s tunes or when your server sits down to ask about your day.

The cafe is small, hip and a local favorite. Just remember what the sign above the register says, “if you want fast food go to Jack in the Box.” So be patient it’s worth the wait.