Dining Guide
DINE
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half, $25 for full). Served with honey horseradish coleslaw, cowboy beans, and a cornbread muffin, it’s a meal that’ll make you think you’re in Memphis.
GREAT TASTES
SAN JUAN CATKIN CAFÉ American 11 Point Lawrence Rd., Olga 360.376.3242, catkincafe.com The menu of this Orcas Island eatery may be small, but it is mighty. Breakfast and lunch are served until 3 p.m. Their menu features meat and produce grown on the island, incorporated into dishes such as Baked Eggs in Eggplant, Zucchini in Tomato Stew. Don’t forget about their bakery before heading out — all sweets and baked goods are made in-house.
The following selections have made it past our taste bud test and into our top eight this issue. Step out and give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.
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FRIDAY HARBOR HOUSE Regional NW 130 West St., Friday Harbor 360.378.8455, fridayharborhouse.com It’s hard to beat the view of the ferry landing, marina and San Juan Channel from Friday Harbor House, the hotel and restaurant elevated over the water to provide a sweeping panorama of water and sky. The restaurant’s new “Brunch on the Bluff” allows you to linger over the view while experiencing island dining at a high level. If you like, you can also have a drink — San Juan Island’s Friday Harbor House is one of the few island restaurants to offer a full bar at brunch every day of the week. New menu offerings include eggs benedict and Belgian waffles, along with pork belly egg fried rice. Tried-and-true favorites include Smashed Avocado Toast and Benton’s Benedict. PRIMA BISTRO French 201 1/2 First St., Langley 360.221.4060, primabistro.com A quintessential South Whidbey dining experience in the heart of Langley, Prima Bistro marries gourmet French cuisine and classic Northwest ingredients. Fried Spanish Marcona Almonds arrive steaming hot, glisteningly crisp and in a glory of flavor — and just in time a glass of Pinot Grigio. The selection of reds and whites offer options for connoisseurs of every stripe, along with a full bar. The Burgundy Snails in Herb Butter taste delightfully creamy, with an uncharacteristically soft, yet enjoyable texture. The Bistro Burger is a juicily grilled patty of Oregon beef, topped with a deliciously thick slice of melted white Cheddar; a burger made in heaven! For fabulous food, elegant ambience, and world-class views, be sure to visit the Prima on your next visit to Whidbey Island.
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Mushroom enthusiasts, gather ‘round: Mambo Italiano Cafe in Bellingham’s Fairhaven district does it right. The portabella panini is the perfect comfort sandwich. It includes goat cheese, roasted red peppers and white balsamic vinegar. Waffle fries and mushroom poutine is a match made in culinary heaven. Aslan Brewing Co. in downtown Bellingham tosses in Beecher’s cheese curds, chives and parsley in their waffle fry poutine appetizer. Order a large and you won’t need an entrée. Come for the food, stay for the view on San Juan Island. The Hungry Clam is a local breakfast favorite, offering the best eggs Benedict in Friday Harbor. A healthy serving of Hollandaise sauce accompanied with a side of hash browns will keep you full for a while. Rock and Rye Oyster House in downtown Bellingham has perfected the oyster. Treat yourself to their pan-fried oysters with cabbage slaw and apple ginger dressing. It’s a satisfying balance of salty sea and ginger bite.
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At Giuseppe’s al Porto Ristorante Italiano on the downtown Bellingham waterfront, diners who order the halibut special get a beautiful almond-crusted halibut cut accompanied by king prawns, tomatoes and mushrooms nestled on a bed of tasty risotto. With a constantly changing and fresh menu, Tweets cafe in Bow is a must-go and their veggie latkes are simply phenomenal. Toss an egg on top (collected from one of Tweets’ “happy chickens”) and a side of a delicious arugula salad for a filling brunch. If the beautiful Chuckanut Drive isn’t enough to get you out of bed on a lazy Sunday morning, the Rhododendron Cafe in Bow, and its fresh biscuits and chorizo gravy at the south end of the trip, will surely help you shake the morning fuzz. Variety is the spice of life, unless you’re at Wanida Thai Cuisine in central Bellingham, where their boat noodles are spicy enough for even the strongest taste buds. Chunks of delicious Thai beef, rice noodles and bean sprouts, simmered in spicy broth, bring out the authentic Thai flavors. — Harrison Amelang
September 2018 85