We were looking for a place to eat on Bainbridge Island, and a search on Yelp brought up this place. A quick glance at its excellent reviews made me curious, and we decided to head there for an early dinner (despite being called a “cafe”, it is not open for lunch, except on Sundays).
It is located practically at the edge of the waterfront in Suquamish, and has a view of the water and the green Bainbridge shoreline from the windows and the 8 seats on the porch. We arrived shortly after 5 pm, and about half of the 10 or so tables inside were already taken (there are also seats at the bar).
We ordered 2 appetizers: smoked salmon blini (cornmeal blini and local smoked salmon and creme fraiche); and a braised pork belly with polenta and maple syrup (recipe available ).
The smoked salmon blini came — but they were not really blini, more like 3 round cornmeal cakes with smoked salmon and creme fraiche on top (don’t know why they want to call these blini). Excellent, flavorful, smoked salmon was juicy and the cornmeal provided a good base.
Then the pork belly — crispy on the edges, melt-in-your mouth texture inside, salty with the sweet of maple syrup in the polenta, a collection of strong tastes.
Our entree was the special: wild salmon linguine. Amazing: the fat of the salmon just melting and adding softness to the texture, linguine in its cream sauce, a delicate balance of flavours.
The salmon was so filling that not only was there no room for dessert — but i couldn’t finish my pork belly (i took it home and happily ate it for a tasty lunch a day later).
By 6 or so, people were coming in & putting their names on the waiting list; as well as standing behind the bar and having glasses of wine on the porch; it was crowded. The service slowed down a little by then as well — and the couple a the table next to us were complaining to the waitress about not having gotten their entrees yet. The manager came to apologize, and said that the kitchen was slammed.
Verdict: very good food and pretty views, well worth going there for dinner (and well worth the prices on the menu). Come early (or late) to avoid the crowds!
