Italy in Five Courses
Leader Block Trattoria & Bar
Feasting During the Fourth of July: Sustainable Edition
The feasting of Fourth of July has become its own beast, known worldwide. The sheer amount of hamburgers, fruit, potato salads, hot dogs, and chocolate chip cookies eaten on this day is practically unimaginable. While this is the day to go ham on all of these foods, it’s important to make sure…
City Filter
Cuisine Filter
Recipe Filter
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 meal by…
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…
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 Vernon’s Judd &…
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 salt, pepper,…
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 Liam…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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 in their enthusiasm for your dining experience. The Filet Mignon is Dirty Dan’s signature entree….
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…
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…
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…
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 Marsala demi glaze and cambozola cheese) are perfect for…
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 soaked in a scrumptious mix…
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…
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. The restaurant’s namesake is…
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 pub atmosphere, homemade soups and generous portions make for a great special occasion or romantic evening. Try the polenta cakes with cured…
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 butter. The menu offers such variations as Chateaubriand, Steak Diane and Steak au Poivre. In the mood for seafood?…
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…
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 nicely with sweet apple gel cubes. The scallops appetizer with creamed leeks, bacon and applesauce might…
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 the succulent, spicy Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer, an assortment of grilled…
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….
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 this restaurant — located almost midway between Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor on San Juan Island — opened last year and offers tables for dinner as well as a couple of couches for pre-dinner drinks. The meals here match…
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…
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…
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 Clam Chowder — a consistently creamy perfection, to be craved until the final bite. For the more fried-minded, you’ll get your dinner’s worth with…
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 restaurant or bar is an excellent choice. Executive Chef Robert Holmes uses fresh ingredients that are regionally sourced, and the menu changes frequently. Happy hour…
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 inviting. The menu offers a wide variety including First Plates, Entree Salads, Seafood and Beef. We started our meal with generous pours of wine. Then moved on to the Roasted Beet Salad, I am always skeptical of this as it needs to be just right, and they…
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…