If you enter Village Books in Fairhaven and follow the delicious smells to the third floor, you’ll find Evolve Chocolate + Cafe. The counter is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
If you’re looking for a yummy snack while you read, simply place your order at the counter and grab a seat in the dining area, overlooking the Fairhaven Village Green. Or, if you’re in the mood for something a little more formal, Evolve offers full-service meals on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for dinner and Sunday mornings for brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Owners Chef Christy Fox and wife Shannon are long-time food lovers. Chef Christy has over 30 years of experience in the kitchen, and her concoctions show it. For breakfast — or an anytime sweet treat — try the warm, delicious scone filled with blackberries from Barbie’s Berries in Ferndale and sweet cheese, topped with a cardamom lime glaze. Or, for another sweet bakery option, try the coffee cake made with Bow Hill blueberries and a hint of ginger.
If you’re looking for a nice warm bowl of comfort food on a gray Fairhaven day, order the polenta bowl. Creamy polenta is made with squash crema and apple-chili gastrique, topped with goat cheese and salt-roasted beets. It’s a new, fresh take on a traditional warm classic.
If you’re stopping in for brunch and desire something sweet, you have to get the hot biscuit banana sandwich. The warm, homemade biscuit is cut in half and filled with a house-made chocolate hazelnut spread, fresh sliced bananas, and whipped cream. Whether you order it served up on a Sunday morning or counter-side any other day, it’s an absolutely delicious fruity, chocolaty dream.
People-watching from the windows isn’t complete without a warm mug of something yummy. Chef Christy meshed a Golden Milk Latte with a London Fog, creating the tasty Golden Fog. She combines the turmeric and coconut milk aspects from the latte with the Earl Gray tea and honey. Because there’s no milk in this mug, it’s a dairy-free delight.
The restaurant is carefully crafted with local touches throughout. All dishware is created by Blue Water Pottery. The wall of living herbs was created by local artist Barrett Lizza, as well as some other art pieces. Julia “Joules” Martin uses only non-traditional objects — like chopsticks, meat forks, and hairpins — to create her beautiful paintings that can be seen on the walls. The ceiling is donned with noise control panels made from the cork of the former Senate Smoke Shop covered with coffee bags from Bellingham Coffee Roasters. Evolve, and the Foxes, are dedicated to supporting local businesses and artists, creating an incredible sense of Bellingham community.
1200 11th St., Bellingham, evolvechocolatecafe.com
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