A Bellingham Foodie Blog Restaurant Reviews Bellingham Washington 98225

June 19, 2009

The Fork

The Fork. It conjures images of food. It will also conjure images of white table linens, muted lighting and soft moss colored walls.

Go ahead and take the drive to North Whatcom Lake. Enjoy the scenery, the winding road, the smell of green. At journey’s end, you will find a restaurant with touches of perfection. Solid wood floors, comfortable seating. 2 bars: 1 for imbibing and 1 for the wood fire cooking. And your server will be very nice and subtle in her attention to your needs. The table is kept clean – no tea bag pouches, no dirty dishes, never an empty coffee cup. The Fork serves Stumptown Direct Trade Coffee. My breakfast partner rated it a 7 out of 10. He gave  Moka Joe a 9+ and Starbuck’s a 5. You decide. I drank Mighty Leaf chamomile tea and was very pleased; an 8 to Spice Hut‘s 10.

Obviously, we went for breakfast. I ordered the Smoked Salmon & Baked Egg Sando in red onion, cucumber, tomatoes and yogurt dill sauce. It came gyro style and was delicious. Tom ordered the Daily Omelet with house potatoes and toast. The omelet had Italian sausage,  sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach and manchego cheese. I was allowed a small taste – he thoroughly enjoyed it. What stood out with our meal were the flavor bursts. My salad had some stewed tomatoes and the sun-dried tomatoes in the omelet were very tasty. Tom’s omelet included ample whole gently-baked garlic cloves.

In fact, Tom very much liked The Fork and said we would be back. He doesn’t say that about very many places at all. It makes perfect sense once you know the restaurant’s he has worked/trained in.  He had humored me this morning by agreeing to play guinea pig with me,  but later noted that the wine list included his favorite Pinot Noir (Argyle) by the glass, which demonstrated  good taste as well as economic wisdom.  Needless to say I was relieved the experience didn’t dissappoint.  Tom did come away with a few mosquito bites… a wet morning on the north side of the lake, doors wide open for the fresh morning air. Or perhaps it was because of the fresh fruit berry compote he enjoyed.

Some other breakfast offerings at The Fork at Agate Bay are Biscuits & Country Gravy with 2 eggs, house potatoes; Georgia’s Peach-Stuffed French Toast with Russell’s Chantilly Cream. There’s more – including a large tray of morning breads/muffins/pastries. Visit and find out.

Stand-outs on the lunch menu are Curried Marcona Almonds, Nectarine & Strawberry Salad with organic greens, candied walnuts, manchego and balsamic vinaigrette. There is a Grilled Jerk Chicken Sandwich and a Wood-Fired Portobello Sandwich. The Fork makes what they call ‘Firebreads’: Sausage & Apple and “Mario & Luigi” (pepperoni or cheese).

What I would like to try for dinner on my next visit: Dungeoness Crab Cake-Potato Napolean, Nectarine & Strawberry Salad, and Cedar Plank Wild Salmon (sunchoke potato puree, wild mushroom & asparagus succotash with black pepper butter).

Breakfast 8-2pm, lunch 10-2pm and dinner 5:30 til closing.

See also “the Fork at Agate Bay“. Find it at the fork of Y and North Shore Roads in Bellingham.   733-1126

June 15, 2009

Barlean’s Salmon

Filed under: Bellingham local,Bellingham Restaurants,local,Pacific Northwest,restaurants — Tags: , , , — Bellinghamster @ 8:30 pm

The Community Food Co-op at the Cordata Store held a wonderful event today. It was a BBQ For Literacy. They served a $3 BBQ with $1 donated to the Whatcom Literacy Council. There was a free book swap, live music (Kevin has MUCH talent) and almost a dozen authors open to discussion. Weather was sunny breezy and the food great!

You wonder:  what am I going to eat for $3? WELL, you had a choice of a Hempler hotdog, a tofu dog, 2 BBQ chicken legs (big) or grilled Barlean’s salmon. The side was potato chips and FRESH cole slaw (big servings).  I told the server the only time I get Barlean’s salmon is in a bottle with lemon swirl! She had a good laugh. The salmon was delicious as was everything else;  I had 3 serious food critics with me – my kids – who told me so.

We ate good food, were entertained, checked out some books and authors and even got some fancy calligraphy bookmarks. All in all, a perfect family outing.

Now if you missed this event, don’t despair. There will be 2 more in July and August. I’ll be there with kids in tow…

June 5, 2009

Rocket Donuts

The Rocket Donut special is a cinnamon s’more donut. Celebrate Donut Day and patronize your local donut shop. You’ll get some fresh donuts, coupons for freebies and rocket keychains. And you’ll be happy to know 5% of all sales are donated to Salvation Army.

This isn’t a new tradition. As the story goes…it all began in August, 1917:  WWI, fighting in France, rations low. The Salvation Army gals made donuts from staples on hand to sustain the troops. Of course, they became hugely popular – both the girls and the donuts. War ends, soldiers go back to America and demand donuts. Bakeries comply with the help of the Salvation Army. So you see, the Salvation Army and donuts are tight. Might not even HAVE donuts in the US if not for them.

As it stands today, the Salvation Army will provide free coffee and donuts to our Rescue Heroes, those they save and all in need. Cool.

You can find an original donut recipe on the Salvation Army website, and a here’s list of donut shops in Bellingham.

Corner of Holly & Bay in Downtown Bellingham   671-1111

Prospect Street Cafe

Filed under: Bellingham local,Bellingham Restaurants,local,Pacific Northwest,restaurants — Tags: , , — Bellinghamster @ 2:35 pm

It was time to celebrate. I think wedding anniversaries and birthdays are special occasions worthy of excess. They are the celebration of an enduring existence. And since my marriage has been enduring very well for quite a long time we toasted it with Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne at Prospect Street Cafe.

No reservations. Open Wednesday to Sunday 5pm to close. Menu ever changing in step with the season and local produce, and Chef/Owner Spencer Santenello’s VIVID imagination!

Our server was very nice. We worked together to pop the champagne bottle’s cork. It tasted soft bubbled sweet tart.

Here’s to “How many?!” Here’s to “That many more!

As we mulled over which special to have, I noticed an elderly couple being seated nearby. They were dressed for occasion with a little bling and a lot of sparkle in the eye. Just sets the mind to wondering of the future…We both chose a fresh seafood special and I had a house salad. Tom selected ahi tuna prepared 3 different ways: tartare with crisp julienned greens, seared with cumin seeds and papaya, and seared with sesame seeds topped with roe on a bed of rice. All 3 set in delicious sauces. All 3 distinct and flavorful. I ate whole mustard crusted salmon with a potato latke. My house salad had cherry tomatoes, cucumber and sesame-miso vinaigrette. Excellent.

Prospect Street Cafe is the best gourmet restaurant we have experienced in Bellingham. Thank you, Chef Santenello!

114 Prospect Street (across from the Museum)    714-8262

June 4, 2009

The Bay Leaf Mobile Kitchen

Filed under: Bellingham local,Bellingham Restaurants — Tags: — Bellinghamster @ 6:35 pm

Every year since 1995, the International Herb Association chooses an herb of the year. The bay laurel is the 2009 Herb of the Year. Bet you didn’t know that! It’s all about raising public awareness. You can easily grow herbs, they are lovely to look at AND you can EAT them. So I thought it apropos when I passed an adorable little green food truck today called The Bay Leaf Mobile Kitchen.

Next to the ARCO Exhibits Building you will find a very genial guy serving up delicious soups and sandwiches. The running favorite at the museum is the tomato-basil bisque soup and the turkey brie sandwich (with a sweet fig spread on oven roasted baguette). Or you could try the Bay Leaf Grilled Cheese: NY sharp cheddar, granny smith apple slices and Hempler’s thick-cut bacon. The vegan choice is a hummus pita; it is house-made hummus with marinated cucumber, tomato, mint and basil in a warmed pita.

Another food offering that I really like is the Mexican Coke. It is made in Mexico with REAL cane sugar. It’s become all the rage, so don’t miss the opportunity to sample it.

Prospect & Flora downtown   393-8151   M-F  11-4

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