Italy in Five Courses
Leader Block Trattoria & Bar
Wine Pick of the Month | Long Shadows Poet’s Leap Riesling
LONG SHADOWS POET’S LEAP RIESLING Poet’s Leap is one of my go-to Rieslings! It’s a burst of freshness in a glass. Think white flowers, zesty lime, and a hint of wet stone on the nose, instantly inviting and impossibly easy to sip. On the palate, crisp green apple, juicy peach, and lively citrus mingle with a whisper of sweetness, perfectly…
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Cozy Winter Restaurants: A Regional Round-Up
When it comes to staving off the PNW winter blues, good food is a great antidote– especially when it’s enjoyed somewhere warm, welcoming, and intimate. Imagine it now: The weather outside is frightful, but you’re snuggled up with your sweetie and sharing a delicious…
Blackened Halibut Cheeks
Chef Marcello Mazzoleni of Lighthouse Bar & Grill
No Reservations
Mark Seymour, owner of the booming Drayton Harbor Oyster Company in Blaine, recently re-opened his oyster bar in a bigger space, just next-door.
Ten Years of Delicious Eats
Bob’s Chowder Bar & BBQ Salmon in Anacortes—treasured for its fresh and local seafood—is approaching it’s 10-year anniversary, with some changes in store.
Lime Time
This month’s online exclusive is a sneak peek at our summer barbecue feature — a grilled margarita shrimp recipe that is sure to wow your guests.
Spectacular Seafood
Salmon and shrimp and crab, oh my! February features some of the restaurants and eateries in Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan where you can find the best fresh, local seafood.
Catch Plenty of Omega 3 With Your Salmon
Barlean’s Fishery Inc. in Ferndale provides fresh seafood for healthy eating. The company also manufactures and distributes Omega 3 supplements.
Skewered Salmon & Calamari
Here’s a recipe from Chef Willie McWatters of Guemes Island for his Skewered Salmon & Calamari, which he makes using locally sourced ingredients.
Bright New Light on Seafood
B-Town Kitchen and Raw Bar B-Town Kitchen and Raw Bar at Four Points by Sheraton is an inspiration of architecture, interior design, and culinary imagination. Early this year, the…
Meet the Chef – 13moons Restaurant at Swinomish Casino and Lodge
On February 9, guests braved the slushy roads to attend our Meet the Chef event. Held in the test kitchen of Mount…
Northwest Oyster Stew – Crave Catering
Northwest Oyster Stew by Chef Justin Hawkinson of Crave Catering 3 dozen cleaned Pacific oysters (ideally fresh and in-shell) 1/4 cup butter and 1 lb. butter (keep separate) 1 lb. all-purpose flour 2 fennel bulbs with tops 2 medium leeks, small chop 1/4 cup minced garlic 2 large white or yellow onions, small chop 1/2 cup BelleWood Acres Gin 1 gallon water 1 quart heavy cream…
Spot Prawn Ceviche – Acme Farms + Kitchen
Try pairing this with Saison Du Kulshan: Farmhouse style Saison has a soft lemon and white pepper scent, light fruit flavor.
Sips of the Season
On March 12, guests gathered—many of them North Sound Life event regulars—at The Loft for an afternoon of wine and small plates. Dan “The Wine Guy” Radil presented wines from Lost River Winery located in Winthrop and Chef Steven Engels of The Loft created small plates to pair with the wines. Bellingham transplants John Morgan and Barbara House own Lost River Winery. Barb’s son…
Via Birch Bay Cafe
Oh is a humble man, but he clearly takes pride in this lovely place that he’s had to build twice. May the waves stay at bay, because this seaside café deserves to stand the test of time.
Salt & Iron
An Edmonds woman exclaims, “Oh yum, an oyster bar is coming!” while walking past the paper-covered windows at 321 Main Street. A poster on the door simply states “Salt & Iron. Oysters. Steaks.” Enough said, really. Edmonds has been without an oyster bar and steak house for as long as anyone can remember. Salt & Iron comes on the heels of Bar Dojo and Shooby Doo Catering Executive Chef Shubert…
Pierside Kitchen
There are places we dine because the ambience is lovely, even though the food is questionable. There are restaurants we frequent because the food is great, but the décor is as comfortable and inviting as a…
THE REPP
The full-meal deal — starting with apps, is worth the calories you’ll put down with a visit to The Repp in Snohomish. Pay special attention to the Beer Battered Mushrooms, nearly free at $3, or an 8-ounce Top Sirloin dinner for a ludicrous $9. The bracing, balsamic Caprese Salad, with basil and mozzarella is light…
SOCKEYE’S RESTAURANT AND BAR
The sunsets, suds and salmon at Sockeye’s Restaurant & Bar located on the north end of Lake Tye will reassure even the most greenminded patrons that something good can come from converting a vibrant swamp into a cookie-cutter lake. This romantic, casual dining spot is perfect…
ANTHONY’S WOODFIRE GRILL
Anthony’s Woodfire Grill serves the same quality food we’ve come to expect and love from Anthony’s Homeport. The Woodfire menu speaks to the everyday eater, not just special occasions. Seasonal items, like peaches or huckleberries in the summer, complement salads, entrees and drinks. Steaks, seafood and items on the Woodfire rotisserie…
DIRTY DAN HARRIS
The “dirt” on Dirty Dan Harris? In a word: excellent. The steakhouse provides warm, friendly waitstaff, quaint historic surroundings and superb food. Perhaps the best reflection on the restaurant is owner Kathy Papadakis’ waitstaff. Most have worked here for years — and it shows…
ANTHONY’S HEARTHFIRE GRILL
Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill serves the same quality food we’ve come to expect and love from Anthony’s other restaurants. The Hearthfire menu speaks to the everyday eater, not just the special occasion treat of Anthony’s. Seasonal items, like peaches or huckleberries in the summer, complement salads, entrees and drinks. Steaks, seafood and items on the Woodfire rotisserie round out the selections. Located on Bellingham Bay waterfront it is perfect for…
Recipe: Dungeness Crab Cakes
Dungeness Crab Cakes 2 Red bell peppers (diced) 6 Stalks scallions 1 Pinch Garlic 1 Tbsp Butter 15 Table crackers 1 Tbsp Mayo 1 Tbsp Old Bay Spice 1 Egg 1 lb Dungeness crab Sauté bell pepper and scallions with garlic in butter until soft Process crackers to consistency of kosher salt Place cooked peppers, scallions in mixing bowl, add cracker crumbs and combine Add egg, mayo, mustard,…
Recipe: Seared Scallops and Pear Salad
Seared Scallops and Pear Salad 20-30 Sea Scallops 20-30 strips Hickory bacon 1 Asian pear (julienne) 30 oz Organic greens 1 Grapefruit 2 Tbsp Honey 2 Tbsp Mayo 4 Tbsp Rice wine vinegar 4 Tbsp Pear puree Wrap scallops with bacon and spear with toothpick Pan sear scallops, then put in oven at 350˚until bacon is crispy Toss organic greens, julienne pear, and grapefruit, arrange on plate Place vinegar, mayo, puree, and honey in…
VINNY’S
Owner Becky Day welcomes diners to Vinny’s Ristorante in Friday Harbor, mirroring the feel of this warm Italian restaurant. Dishes change monthly and reflect the desire of Chef Daniel Van Hamsersfeld to serve simple, everyday fare. His appetizers of Fior de Latte — a caprese salad — and mushroom medley (mushrooms with a…
TOBY’S TAVERN
Overlooking the scenic Penn Cove in the center of old Coupeville, Toby’s Tavern offers diners a dive bar ambiance with a delicious menu of seafood favorites. Their famous bowls of Penn Cove mussels — served by the pound! — come fresh from the adjacent cove, and keep shellfish connoisseurs clamoring for a regular fix. Steamed and…
ARNIES
If you’re on the hunt for regional fare served with a beautiful view, look no further than this Snohomish County classic. Arnie’s Restaurant in Edmonds, Wash. is known for its Pacific Northwest seafood and sweeping panoramas of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. The Edmonds restaurant, along with its Mukilteo location, has served local patrons for nearly 25 years. The Seasonal Features menu serves up seasonal fish and…
THE OYSTER BAR
The Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive is perched among towering conifers above the oyster beds. The cozy restaurant is housed in a structure dating from the 1920s that has survived many incarnations. According to owner Guy Colbert, the restaurant owes its reputation to its remote, quintessentially Pacific Northwest setting. But people don’t dine at The Oyster Bar for its location alone….
NELL THORN
This small-town gem located in the heart of La Conner brings in tourists and locals alike. They boast well-prepared and locally sourced fresh seafood as well as an extensive wine and beer list. The charming and cozy…
TULALIP BAY
If you are looking for fine dining in Marysville, look no further. This award-winning restaurant strives for perfection in every way. The menu has a Pacific Northwest flair, offering a variety of steak and seafood. The wait staff is impeccable, portions are generous, food well-prepared and the suggested wine pairing spot-on. 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip 360.716.6000, tulalipresort.com
THE STEAK HOUSE AT SILVER REEF HOTEL CASINO SPA
This award-winning restaurant offers elegant white glove dining and an intimate atmosphere. Prime-grade steaks are broiled at 1,800 degrees to lock in the natural juices and finished with a special steak…
A’TOWN BISTRO
Colorful photographs of farm scenes dot the walls of A’Town Bistro, summing up all this restaurant stands for: Fresh, local, seasonal food. Even the inside of this Anacortes restaurant feels farm-like, with simple wooden tables and flooring and no unnecessary flourishes. The kitchen is open, and sends out entrees such as Smoked Salmon Cakes (which contain nothing but king salmon and breadcrumbs and come with a tomato-caper coulis and garlic aioli), Pork New York…
ADAM’S NORTHWEST BISTRO AND BREWERY
Adam’s Northwest Bistro distributes taste and dazzle through a broad menu from which a “Your Burger” — a real ground steak with caramelized onions — gets as much chef-time as a duck breast. The preparation of your Salmon or Butter-poached Halibut are remarkable for their their well-built sauces — restrained and crafty. Pork chops stuffed with onions, mushrooms and sage, pair off…
BONEFISH
By combining fresh seafood, a relaxed, romantic atmosphere and pleasant waitstaff, this Mill Creek restaurant has evolved into a favorite among Snohomish and North King County residents. Top choices include…
BISTRO SAN MARTIN
Chef Martin Estrada-Perez presents a menu that offers regional cuisine from Escargot with Garlic Butter to Tiger Prawns and Flat Iron Steak that is mouthwatering and cooked to perfection. The fresh sheet changes daily. This intimate restaurant will delight your senses in every way from the moment you walk through the doors. The superb staff gives impeccable service and proprietor Steven is typically on hand to welcome you….
DUCK SOUP INN
Sitting on the border of the woods at Duck Soup Inn is one of the most delightful dining experiences you’ll likely experience. The outside eating area of…
La Conner Channel Grill
La Conner Channel Grill is the place to refresh yourself after wine tasting at Silver Bell Winery, meandering through art galleries or lingering…
JOHN’S GRILL
Consider John’s Grill on the corner of Fifth Street and Lincoln Avenue in Mukilteo for your next special occasion. John’s offers some of the finest steak and seafood in Snohomish County. Chef and owner John Alden has worked in the culinary industry…
IVAR’S MUKILTEO LANDING AND FISH BAR
Whether you’re waiting for the ferry to South Whidbey, or taking a scenic stroll along the lighthouse boardwalk, Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing and Fish Bar stays open late to satisfy your seafood needs. A weary-eyed winter commuter will perk right up to a delicious serving of Ivar’s famous, fresh…
KEENAN’S AT THE PIER
Keenan’s at the Pier is located inside Fairhaven’s Chrysalis Inn & Spa. With stunning panoramic views of Bellingham Bay, any seat in the…
Il Granaio
A nice helping of freshly made linguine twirls in a pool of light, sweet tomato broth. Mussels, clams, scallops, sumptuous shrimp and calamari peak out from the heap. The bright sauce is packed with pure tomato flavor and flecked with herbs. The bread is best when dunked in the broth to bring out classic Italian flavors of garlic and olive oil. Alberto Candivi has been serving this dish,…
13MOONS AT SWINOMISH CASINO & LODGE
Located within the casino 13moons is sure to catch your attention. Situated on the waterfront offering a lodge atmosphere which is warm and…
Doe Bay Cafe
Whether you’re heading toward the San Juan Islands or don’t mind taking a trip for an unbelievable meal, be sure to make reservations at the ever-popular Doe Bay Cafe. The cafe is set in the Doe Bay garden, providing a beautiful view and the majority of the cafe’s organic ingredients. Owners Joe and Maureen Brotherton have stuck to their philosophy of taking good care of their visitors by…