laurachow's Profile
Another Bellingham resto opening in May: HomeSkillet!
Glad you had a good brekkie at HomeSkillet. I've been following their Facebook and decided to wait until things calmed down a bit. Sounds like they have been swamped since opening and are scrambling to add staff and keep up with demand. Even with all of that, you still got some tasty food so that is an excellent sign of even better things to come!
Bellingham - Jim's Vietnamese Sandwiches ?
I'll report in when I hit Jimmy's new place. Maybe there'll be a kick-ass seafood banh mi! I hear that HomeSkillet is doing well and is busy. Haven't gone yet, but it will be next up on our list after we use up some Groupons and Dealsavers.
I hope Bellinghamsters don't hold it against the tenants in the new building that they displaced one of the beloved treasures in Fairhaven -- the outdoor space at A Lot of Flowers. Some folks were pissed off when they heard about the plans to put a building there. But, Hamsters also love Rocket Donuts so maybe that will help ease the pain, and apparently there are plans for A Lot of Flowers to have some outdoor space after the construction is complete.
Bellingham - Jim's Vietnamese Sandwiches ?
Well...depends on the menu. No doubt he'll offer some sort of veggie banh mi and if so we'll eventually try it. Have to say that we don't really get to Fairhaven that often, but a new place to check out might lure us down there. Speaking of Fairhaven, have you visited Drizzle Tasting Room in Fairhaven? Mmmmmm!
Bellingham - Jim's Vietnamese Sandwiches ?
Here's your answer, courtesy of The Bellingham Herald:
Jimmy Nguyen is making plans to return to the restaurant business. Nguyen, who currently operates Jimmy's Personal Care Salon at 1327 11th St. in Fairhaven, will be opening Jimmy's Vietnamese Sandwiches and Martinis in the vacant space next door. Nguyen was the founder and operator of House of Orient in downtown Bellingham before selling it in 2007. That restaurant closed in 2011.
"We've had so many customers say how sad it was that it (House of Orient) closed; it was hard on us to see it happen, too," Nguyen said.
The new Vietnamese restaurant Nguyen has planned will have a French style to it, with sandwiches served on baguettes. Along with sandwiches, the restaurant will offer cold noodle bowls and Vietnamese desserts. With the salon next door, customers will also be able order a martini and have it while in the salon.
"A Vietnamese sandwich is very light and healthy and something you don't see around Bellingham, so I wanted to bring it here," Nguyen said. "I want to bring new things to Bellingham; so many customers have supported me through the years and I want to show my thanks in this way."
Nguyen is planning to have the new restaurant open by June. Once open, hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Further details, including contact information, can be found at jimmyspersonalcare.com.
Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/04/15/2479766/busy-time-for-whatcom-business.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy
Another Bellingham resto opening in May: HomeSkillet!
I probably won't have opportunity to get there for another week or longer.
2 Chinese Buffet reviews in B'ham (long)
Thanks for the updates! Bummer to hear that the sushi joints are heavy on the MSG. But, then again, I doubt I would eat anything but sushi if I went to one.
Guess we'll have to plan two night market trips this year, so we can check out both.
2 Chinese Buffet reviews in B'ham (long)
I thought there were lots of sushi buffet type places up there, in Richmond or someplace like that. I've also heard about a shopping mall with a supposedly kick-ass food court with loads of good Asian food. Are those things history? And, what about the Richmond night market. Will that be back again this summer? That was always interesting eating. Mmmm, love me some good Asian veggies, seafood and sushi.
2 Chinese Buffet reviews in B'ham (long)
Really?! I've always been too skeptical to check these places out. But I think I'll take my daughter to Wonderful Buffet next time we want a night out. I'm guessing we can do some serious damage to a seafood and sushi buffet. Nice to know they have a sushi chef on site making fresh sushi and the clientele is generally Asian Canadians. Reassuring. Thanks for the reviews!
Another Bellingham resto opening in May: HomeSkillet!
I think they already had one dinner that was a Facebook invite thing, or it could still be coming up. I might wait a few weeks for them to work out the kinks before checking it out, though.
Bellingham: Dashi update
So, I originally posted about Dashi some time ago. Since then, I have been really loving their steamed buns. They aren't like traditional steam buns with only a tablespoon of filling inside the bun. More like a steamed bun taco with LOADS of delicious filling. At $6 I think they are a great deal, better deal for me than a noodle bowl which often doesn't quite fill me up.
Also, Dashi is moving to a permanent location soon and they will be expanding their menu at that time. I'm just hoping the prices don't go up too much after the move. I'm really digging a $6 steamed bun for lunch. Below is the link to the Herald story.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/04/01/2461069/empty-downtown-bellingham-building.html
Bellingham: Cafe Rumba!
Finally got to Cafe Rumba for lunch today, so I'll report in from the vegetarian POV. My friend and I shared a tofu sandwich and a large salad. Both were very good. I thought the salad was nice and fresh and not over-dressed, it also had fresh dill that really brightened up the flavors. The veg sandwich was yummy, and I had the Peruvian yellow pepper sauce that had a nice flavor. My friend doesn't eat spicy food and I like my food hot (we go through lots of hot sauce and Sriracha at our house). The counter person suggested the yellow pepper sauce was spicy, but I didn't find it more than mildly hot. She let us select two sauces on the side, so each of us could try something to our taste which was very nice of her. Sandwich was served with two thick potato slices on the side; I basically love potatoes in any form and thought they were nicely cooked.
Next up, the opening of HomeSkillet in Sunnyland. Can't wait! So happy to have some new food in town. Plus, The Herald had a story yesterday that Dashi is moving into a permanent location and they will expand their menu when they open. Yay!
Another Bellingham resto opening in May: HomeSkillet!
"Good cheap food in Sunnyland"! Drove past it the other day, and if the food is as good as the exterior looks, we're in for a treat!
Personally, I'm looking forward to trying one of these:
Marinated Grilled Portobello/Tofu grinder with roasted garlic and carrot “aioli” and rocket… WF-Vegan
-Po Boys- Mini Crab, Shrimp or Salmon Cakes with roasted red pepper aioli or our spicy ajo sauce on Baguette
--add side green salad, cup of soup or hand cut fries or sweet potato fries or tater tots to any of the above…..
Mmmmmmmm!
http://www.homeskilletinsunnyland.com/home.php
Bellingham: Cafe Rumba!
Maybe they'll join the late night scene after they are established. They are in the right part of town for that.
Bellingham: Cafe Rumba!
Hope someone will report on the new Cafe Rumba if you go. On State St., across from the Herald building. Peruvian food. Something new!
http://www.caferumbabham.com/index.html
Help! Need a memorable anniversary dinner!
I've never been there, but when you said entertaining I thought this might be a possibility:
http://dreams.zinzanni.org/
Day in Bellingham
LotusRapper has some great suggestions. If your day in Bellingham is a Saturday, then I'd encourage a walk to the Bellingham Farmers Market. It is an easy walk along a beautiful waterfront trail that connects Fairhaven to downtown. You can get lots of great food to pack for your trip and also grab a yummy lunch at the market. We have an excellent market and should have some fresh produce available by June (unless the growing season is truly awful). The market is fun and lively and it is the place to be between 10am-3pm Saturday. There is a mini market in Fairhaven on Wednesdays.
http://www.bellinghamfarmers.org/
If you go downtown, there are lots of eating options and you can also stock up on food at the Community Food Co-op, only 1-1/2 blocks up the hill from the Farmers Market.
http://www.communityfood.coop/
Let us know if you need more tips on Bellingham and Fairhaven.
Bellingham: What sort of restaurant do you wish would open here?
Did anyone see today's Herald ... a new crepe restaurant opening on Railroad in the former Frank's Place Pawn Shop. Yay, I'm excited! If I went to Fairhaven more often, I eat at Magdalena's, but we are seldom down there when they are open. Mmmmm, crepes!
Good Chinese in Bellingham ?
We have been really happy with Curry Cafe. I just hope they have enough money set aside to stay open until it catches on. It is never busy when we're there. The Fusion Bistro around the corner has been more up and down for us, they were still refining their menu last time we tried it. Had a great first meal there, then a not-as-great second visit and the dish we liked most on our first visit was no longer on the menu. Westside Pizza in the same place has some pretty good pie, for Bellingham. We like it! This is our neck of the woods, so we go to these places fairly often. I work at the Co-op that is one roundabout south of there.
Next time you are in the north part of town, try Soy House in Bakerview Square. Get a Vietnamese wood-fired pizza with the cilantro pesto sauce, two stars. We, of course, get the tofu veggie but my friend gets the chicken and she loves it, too.Our fav take-out dinner is fresh rolls and pizza from Soy House. Soooo delicious! Mmmm, making me hungry. We're absolutely addicted to that pizza. I'd have it every week, if I could. It is not to be missed!
Willow's Inn on Lummi Island. A delayed review of a destination meal.
Chef Blaine Wetzel is taking his second turn as a semi-finalist for the Rising Star Chef of the Year award! This is just going to make it more difficult for us locals to get a table, but congrats to him anyway.
Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/02/24/2408518/lummi-island-chef-is-a-semi-finalist.html#storylink=cpy
A Great Little Japanese Joint in Salem (Really!)
No website, but they do have a Facebook. Hope I have an excuse to go to Salem again soon to check it out!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Momiji-Japanese-Crepes-and-Sushi/110866428954843?sk=wall
Good Chinese in Bellingham ?
Thanks. Shared on my vegetarian supper club Facebook page.
I have to say, being a vegetarian is pretty easy in this area. There are always menu options, beyond the standard veggie fettuccine (which used to be the only option in lots of restos back when I was a strict veg!). I feel pretty luck to have so many inventive vegetarian menu items to choose from. When we travel, it can be more difficult.
Bellingham: What sort of restaurant do you wish would open here?
Interesting idea for a co-op restaurant. I'd eat there! Suppose it wouldn't provide enough money for any chef to be more than supplemental income, though, so if chefs come and go it might not be consistent enough to be successful.
PS: Mulu is considering opening a resto. She'll do it, when she is ready! I work with her pretty regularly in cooking classes. Her journey is amazing to me, from a village in Ethiopia to a successful entrepreneur, despite language and cultural barriers. She rocks, but does so in a sweet, funny, understated manner.
Good Chinese in Bellingham ?
Sometimes Pepper Sisters is great. I should probably remember to go more often! My meh is aimed more at the overall hit/miss nature of Bham restaurants.
http://www.peppersisters.com/PepperSisters_Menu_Reviews.html
Bellingham: What sort of restaurant do you wish would open here?
What do you wish was in Bellingham?
When I lived in Alaska there was a guy that had a kick-ass drive-through fish joint. Oh, how I miss that place. His family fished, so he had the freshest catch. Halibut, salmon ... Just a little trailer with a nice big grill. Limited menu, all healthy grilled options with a choice of fish and marinades. It was fabulous and affordable (something rarely found with top-notch seafood). He was within 1/2 block of McDonald's and always said it was his mission to turn people on to the idea that you could have healthy, delicious, affordable fast food. I've fantasized about opening something similar in Bellingham, but I don't have any professional food service experience.
Of course, I also wish there was a great vegetarian restaurant. Not a hippie nut burger and granola place, or a raw food place, etc. But, a great restaurant that just happens to also be vegetarian serving straight-up delicious food.
Good Chinese in Bellingham ?
Haven't been to Guiseppe's since they moved. They've been around a long time but I've only gone a few times. Last visit was not great, but it was at least a few years ago. D'Anna's has been up and down for us, too. Same for Pepper Sisters, which most folks really love. Meh!
If Man Pies would get some new veggie options on the menu, we'd be there more often. I'm so bored with the same two veggie pies that they've had on the menu for months.
Good Chinese in Bellingham ?
I haven't been too excited about Bellingham restaurants lately so it is hard to think of any recommendations. Meh. Maybe someone else will have places they're excited about.
Mount Bakery is no longer serving dinner, so it'll have to be a breakfast or lunch option.
People who love meat, love the big meaty sandwiches at Old World Deli.
http://oldworlddeli1.com/
The new hot spot in town is Dashi but open Mon-Fri for lunch only: http://www.facebook.com/dashinoodlebar?sk=wall
Prospect Street Cafe is popular for splurge diners, but I never have the money to eat there. There are some out-of-town places that might be worth a drive during better weather.
Something different would be an Incognito Dinner at Ciao Thyme, but probably not fun for your daughter and you need advance reservations: http://www.ciaothyme.com/index.php#s=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&p=3&a=2&at=0
Good Chinese in Bellingham ?
We've been to Kuru Kuru. It was fine. Not our favorite sushi in town. At work I sit in on cooking classes and a local foodie, formerly the chef/owner at Pacific Cafe, recommends Blue Fin Sushi. It was purchased by a young, hot sushi chef a few years ago and I sat in on a class that Fong and the Blue Fin chef held. He certainly knows his stuff and is buying top notch fish. I haven't been there yet, but plan on going one of these days. http://www.bluefinbellingham.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95&Itemid=174
For Thai, we eat different things at different restaurants. On Rice generally has very good basil fried rice. Although we just had it on Valentine's Day from Barkley and it wasn't nearly as good as usual, but they were swamped. It's always a mistake to eat out on Valentine's Day. They also have a tofu satay that we love. Such a treat for us non-meat eaters to have satay. Supon's used to make a great Pad See Ew, but I haven't been to their new location yet. http://www.supons.com/welcome
Both Thai House (the one near Denny's) and Asian 1 (formerly Pad Thai) near Costco have some good items on their menus, too. Thai House was the first Thai restaurant in Bellingham and we've been going there since they opened but less frequently over the years. The owners would always greet us, they knew us before we had a baby and watched her grow up, so for a long time we had a sweet spot for them. But, in the past several years the food has been more hit and miss.
Bellingham: Boomer's Drive In
Is it no longer possible to edit our own posts? Was going to clarify that we are two pescatarians and one strict vegetarian.
