Such a pretty name. Such delicious pastries. La Vie En Rose was so quiet and cozy. I sat at the window this morning and it was in direct contrast to the busy Holly Street view.
I ate a chocolate croissant and a macaroon; paired them with a pot of rooibos tea. I’d found calm indulgent seclusion.
Those who know him can find my partner at Starbuck’s. Well, you’ll find me at La Vie En Rose…
Hungry? Don’t know where to go? Old reliable is in downtown Bellingham and its name is Old Town Cafe.
Ever watch a debate team (NO, not presidential) fire pro and con stats? When Wendy and I are hungry and we are trying to decide where to eat, our exchange resembles just that. We are very serious about eating. She’s trying vegan with great results (feeling healthy and energized). So I copy a little – imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
The Kindergarteners are in school! What’s for brunch?! Eggs, homefries (slim red potato wedges spiced just right), black beans, tortillas are too good. Breakfast is served all day; lunch begins at 11am and the menu is extensive, varied. Many of the ingredients are organic and local. The atmosphere is very friendly and the decor polished painted clean old. Most times there’s a line, but it’s always worth the wait; just figure it into your time schedule. You will be rewarded.
PS You MUST try the jam on the table.
Q: What is it that makes people want to work the kitchen in this restaurant? It’s a fascinating watch – get a table with a kitchen view sometime.
This post is not about a restaurant, but there is a reference to one. It is about a tea book. The cake is merely an accompaniment.
I have just finished reading ‘The Agony of the Leaves‘ The Ecstasy of My Life With Tea by Helen Gustafson. She was the tea buyer at the renowned restaurant Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. The book is filled with anecdotes about tea experiences. It includes many tea food recipes (cookies cakes sandwiches).
For me, the most interesting part of the book was her description of her meeting with THE Mr. Twining (tea people since 1706). Her description of him and his British nuances were very funny. They went out to lunch and for dessert Mrs. Gustafson and Mr. Twining shared a pot of Twining’s Traditional Blend and ate seedcake. FYI: he prefers his teapot to be of a quality stainless steel that holds the heat.
Little did I know I grew up with seed cake as a staple. My Mom makes hers with poppyseed. Some recipes use caraway (or “carried away seeds” as my daughter says).
I know it’s not a restaurant, but Trader Joe’s is a local eatery in my book. Anytime I’m needing a snack, I can go to the Galley at Trader Joe’s. They always serve a well balanced sample. Today’ menu: mini meatballs in marinara sauce with fusilli pasta, ginger snap cookies and strawberry lemonade. And the Trader Joester will never shoo you away if you have thirds or fourths.
My favorite Trader Joester is Bruce. I remember on Fourth of July he was in charge of the “Bruce-B-Q” for the employees Fourth of July party that day. He’s a really happy camper. He plays banjo among other instruments in the group ‘The Librarians’. Sometimes you can catch them at Honeymoon.
Raise your hand if Warnie’s is your all-time favorite family restaurant! Everybody’s hand went up! And that is a tall order in my family. Everyone has their favorite restaurant, but if we all want to go someplace together and not settle – Warnie’s is the place.
Warnie’s restaurant is not very big; cozy enough that Grandpa can shoot you a joke from another table and you’d hear it to laugh. Oh, and did I mention Warnie knew most of the customers dining? Yes, there is a real Warnie. He came out and asked us if we liked our meal (a couple of times). I confirmed his restaurant was our families all time favorite (big ‘stached smile).
I know I’m going to get hungry while describing our meal, so here goes…
I ate the hamburger steak (saved half it was so big) with grilled onion, baked potato and slaw. The slaw was fantastic and a generous serving. My partner ate the chicken dinner (3 pieces fried, with the same sides). I was lucky he shared! The crispy coating was like candy on moist chicken. One boy ate the shrimp basket (had to protect it from his siblings), the other ate shrimp scampi (he was in shrimp heaven) and my girl ate a kid’s hamburger with fries. YES. Warnie’s has a lengthy menu especially for kids. It has 11, yes, eleven different choices for your kid. You can’t go wrong!
Did I mention the Italian sodas? Italian sodas with cream. And whipped cream on top. Can your kid say YUM?
Warnie’s has what I call a full diner menu. Lots and lots of choices.
Diners are huge in NY & NJ. We’ve lived in a few places. Whenever it was time to move, our search criteria included diner sampling. Go ahead and laugh, but I kid you not. The people eating there would be your neighbors. The quality of life in these towns seemed to be directly reflected in their local diner.
With that in mind…Warnie’s is at 120 Front St in Sumas. 988-6400. An easy stop to make after crossing back from Canada. “Check it out”, as they say in NYC.
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