elizabethu

Bistro and Bites has a new owner, who recently redid the interior and extended the hours. It is still primarily a soup and sandwich place, but they plan to add take-out dinners and other menu items.

I ate brunch here, and it was excellent! I can’t wait to go back for dinner sometime. Brunch started with warm bread served with homemade apple butter, then I had one of the best omelettes ever – with vegetables (zucchini, peppers, pea vines) fresh from a local farm. There were plenty of sandwich options too – the lamb burgers with fries looked good. The restaurant has an extensive wine menu and decent kids’ menu. Barking Frog is across from the Willows Lodge, and next to the Herbfarm restaurant and Red Hook Brewery. It’s also near several u-pick farms and a bicycle trail.

This cozy French bistro has only been open for a few weeks, and it’s easy to miss. It’s tucked next to the dry cleaner on the main street in Madrona. There’s a small menu (beef bourgignon, pan-fried sole, roasted chicken, etc.), but everything we tried was delicious. I especially liked the beet/goat cheese appetizer. The chef/owner came out and greeted all the customers. Service was friendly and fast. Warmer atmosphere than Cremant, just down the street. Not sure if they take reservations. When I called, the phone just rang and rang.

Good food during Sunday brunch, but the service was very slow. I think it may have been just our particular waitress though, so I’d still recommend it. You can walk here from the ferry.

This park is good for short trail hikes with kids, but don’t go out of your way to visit. When we hiked there a few days ago, the ground surrounding the lookout tower was covered with broken glass. I’m told it’s often like that. The park relies on volunteers to clean up, because of cuts in the parks deparment budget. The tower is locked, but there’s a good view of Boston from a nearby rocky ledge.

Very nice for kids. Big playground with lots of space to run around. Decent trails for an hour-long hike in the woods. Used to be open for mountain biking, but no longer.

Stopped here today on the way back from Lake Crescent. There are lots of drive-thru espresso stands in Port Angeles, but this one caught my eye because of the name. Not sure what’s up with the spelling, but yes, you can get an oil change AND a latte all in one stop. We just went for the lattes, which were good. The woman working in the espresso stand was very friendly. She said she’s been a barista for 6 years, but she’s a little worried about a new Starbucks planned nearby. Oh yeah – they also have hot dogs and breakfast sandwiches.

Happy hour every afternoon 4:30-6:30

Try the pain au chocolat made with Scharffen Berger chocolate. Yum!

... but if you’re in the area anyway, stop by.