FEATURE
International Food
Il Granaio 100 E. Montgomery St., Mount Vernon 360.419.0674, granaio.com
Alberto Candivi was born and raised in the Italian town S. Colombano al Lambro and began pursuing his passion for cooking in the early 80s. After years of traveling and honing his culinary skills, in 2001 Candivi opened Il Granaio in the old grain building in Mount Vernon in order to bring the classic Italian dishes of his hometown to the Skagit Valley. Some of their authentic Italian dishes include Linguine Pescatore — steamed mussels served over fresh pasta — and Pollo del Granaio, which is chicken breast sautéed with fresh asparagus, peppers, and ginger in a white wine demi glaze.
Mexican, Central and SouthAmerican Jalapenos 1007 Harris Ave., Bellingham 360.656.6600 2945 Newmarket St., Bellingham 360.778.2041 501 W. Holly St., Bellingham 360.671.3099 jalapenos-wa.com
Jesse Cantu first opened Jalapenos to share the food and culture of Monterrey, Mexico with the people of Bellingham. The joy and community that the people of Monterrey bring to each dining experience is what he strives for in his restaurants. With three locations, Jalapenos continues to expand, and their menu provides a wonderful selection of popular Mexican cuisine. With their daily happy hour and hugely popular Big Mama and Big Papa margaritas, they continue to be a local favorite.
Pepper Sisters 1055 N. State St., Bellingham 360.671.3414, peppersisters.com
Susan opened the doors to this beloved restaurant in 1998, and the rest, as they say, is history. Over two decades later and still going strong, Pepper 86 NorthSoundLife.com
Sisters has become a Bellingham landmark. Their signature dishes include a rotating salmon special that is always mouth-watering, cilantro pesto quesadillas, and roasted yam enchiladas. Although not a truly international restaurant, the Southwestern menu gets much of its inspiration from Mexican cuisine. Susan, a New York native, has always been intrigued by Southwestern food, and opened Pepper Sisters to share her love of food and community with the people of Bellingham.
Taco Lobo 117 W. Magnolia St., Bellingham 360.756.0711, tacolobowa.com
A staple of downtown Bellingham since it opened in April 1999, Taco Lobo serves delicious cuisine inspired by the food that owner Luis Santos enjoyed as a child in his hometown of Jalisco, Mexico. Their homemade tortillas and salsa bar set Taco Lobo a notch above other Mexican dining establishments in the area. The Chicken Taco and Enchiladas are two favorites on the menu, which is filled with the delicious and authentic comfort foods locals enjoy seeing at Mexican restaurants. Their vibrant atmosphere and lively music make it a great place to stop for an adventurous dining experience.
Casa Que Pasa 1415 Railroad Ave., Bellingham 360.756.8226, casaquepasarocks.com
A Bellingham landmark for many years now, Casa Que Pasa is known for its dive atmosphere, awesome tequila selection, and massive burritos. The Cantina in the back has a funky vibe and delicious margaritas. Some of your best bets for entrees are the potato burrito, the Asada Oz-Some Tacos, and the Fajita Chicken. Pair these delights with a dessert, such as Churros or the Tortilla Sopapillas, and you have a truly delightful meal that will satisfy your need for Mexican cuisine. If you’re feeling adventurous, finish off the meal by sampling a couple of the 115-125 tequilas they have available.
Calle Tacos and Tequila 517 S. 1st St., Mount Vernon 360.336.5566, vivacalle.com
The best place to try authentic food that reflects a culture’s cuisine is from street vendors. Edgar Carreon embraced this philosophy when he opened Calle Tacos and Tequila in Mount Vernon. Calle, which is Spanish for street, boasts a menu of Mexican recipes made from fresh, local ingredients. Their signature tacos include Chicken Tinga, with smoked chipotle; Chorizado, with chorizo, steak and pineapple; and Carnitas de Perco, with slow roasted pork. They also offer a grasshopper taco for those with an adventurous spirit. Their Tequila collection is expansive and the margarita menu delightful. Calle has become a favorite local spot.
Peruvian Café Rumba 140 N. State St., Bellingham 360.746.8280, caferumbabham.com
Peruvian natives Mario Mellet and Antonio Diaz have ample experience cooking for restaurants, and in March 2012 they combined their knowledge to open Café Rumba, a Peruvian deli that features the cuisine they grew up enjoying. Sanguches (sandwiches) are a key part of Peruvian food culture, and Rumba’s menu boasts a variety of delicious sanguches. A favorite is the Pervano, with yam, avocado, cheese, roasted tomato, spinach, huacatay (black mint), and aji amarillo (Peruvian chile with robust flavor and medium heat). The sanguches pair beautifully with papas con aji escabeche, boiled or roasted potatoes covered in a spicy, savory sauce.