OVERLOOKING BELLINGHAM BAY inside Hotel Bellwether, Lighthouse Pub delivers an elevated pub experience in an approachable environment. With its casual vibe and friendly staff, the pub provides a cozy space to enjoy happy hour with an excellent view. Lighthouse Pub recently unveiled its new pub fare and happy hour menu, developed by Executive Chef Marcello Mazzoleni. With this menu, Mazzoleni wanted to create an experience separate from Lighthouse’s upscale restaurant, for people who want a more informal bar dining experience.

“I look around at what’s going on locally, try to keep things outside the box, and still do everything as fresh as possible and from scratch,” Mazzoleni says about his menu inspiration. “We offer elevated pub fare to enjoy for late lunch or dinner, more than just bar snacks.”

For instance, fresh seafood items on the menu are sourced through a collaboration with the local Lummi tribe fishing and diving fleet. The Wild Gulf Coast Tiger Prawn Cocktail ($27) is a
classic prawn cocktail with a twist, made with Asian-infused flavors and a slight spice to spark your palate. The four large prawns, served upright on a plate and topped with foamed horseradish, make for a perfect start to your meal.

Another seafood shareable is the Dungeness Crab Cakes ($27). This dish strikes a nice balance between crab and ‘cake,’ with a slight crunch in every bite. These cakes also come with
a smoked chili remoulade, spring salad, and poached apple on the plate.

Photo by Ava Boorn

“We’re always cooking up creative dishes in the kitchen and want people to  come in and experience new flavors and seasonal offerings,” Mazzoleni says.

Mazzoleni’s goal is to keep the dishes on the menu simple and fresh while being more elevated than the average pub snacks. For example, he incorporates his love of truffles without breaking the bank with the large Onion Rings ($13), served warm with a smooth truffle emulsion. They are deliciously crunchy with a good balance between breading and onion.

Photo by Ava Boorn

Mazzoleni’s goal is to keep the dishes on the menu simple and fresh while being more elevated than the average pub snacks. For example, he incorporates his love of truffles without breaking the bank with the large Onion Rings ($13), served warm with a smooth truffle emulsion. They are deliciously crunchy with a good balance between breading and onion.

With a love of sandwiches, Mazzoleni was proud to introduce the Pork Belly Grinder ($21) to the menu. The pub main comes with freshly cured bacon, apple slaw, and apricot mustard on a baguette,for a great blend of flavors in every bite. Need a break from the sandwich? Pause for one of the lightly seasoned french fries that are served on the side.

“We’re proud of our diverse menu celebrating the bounty of the Pacific Northwest and our signature sandwiches,” Mazzoleni says, “For our pork belly grinder sandwich, we make our own bacon and cook it confit, slow-cooked in fat at low temperature which makes it tender and delicious.”

Ending the meal with a crescendo is the New York Cheesecake ($14) with huckleberry, pear compote, and raspberry gelato. Balancing tart with sweet, the fluffy, decadent cheesecake complements every other flavor on the plate.

Photo by Ava Boorn

Overall, the homey atmosphere of the Lighthouse Pub on the Bay has something for all your cravings. 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham, 360.392.3200, hotelbellwether.com