If you find yourself on San Juan Island, you’d be remiss not to stop for a meal at Friday Harbor House. Their team of talented chefs build menus around the bounty of the region and the island itself, and since everything is seasonally determined, there’s always something new to sample. It’s also located within the Friday Harbor House Inn, making it the perfect spot for those in search of an all-in-one experience on San Juan Island.
The dish: Friday Harbor House makes a mean steak, but it’s not the only red meat worth sampling on their menu. The Stillwater Ranch Pork Chop ($36) is notable for several reasons, including the fact that it’s sourced from an island farm known for their attention to animal welfare. The hazelnut-finished pork has a nutty richness that’s complemented by a sweet and tangy pomegranate gastrique. All this comes served alongside crispy broccolini and delightfully crispy smashed Yukon Gold potatoes.
The drink: The pork chop is paired with a glass of Saltaire Tempranillo ($14 glass/$49 bottle), a new winery based on San Juan Island that donates a portion of their sales to the study and protection of killer whales. This particular bottle is medium-bodied, peppery, and lightly oaky with notes of red fruit.
Why they work: The ideal pairing for this dish is a wine that’s acidic enough to cut through its richness, but not so full-bodied as to overpower the pork. The Saltaire Tempranillo has a subtle spiciness that plays nicely with the pomegranate gastrique, but its medium body complements rather than distracts from the flavors of the meal.
130 West St., Friday Harbor, 866.722.7356, fridayharborhouse.com
This was originally a part of our February feature, “Steaks, Seafood, and Sips.” Read the rest of the feature here!
