Duncan's best-kept secret just set the gold standard. From the moment we walked into the Old…read moreFirehouse, it felt like we were stepping into a vibe that hits that rare, perfect note: elevated but unpretentious, energetic but intimate. Huge shoutout to Owner-turned-Mixology-Mastermind Jeff, who absolutely crushed it behind the bar -- every cocktail and mocktail was a handcrafted work of art that could hold court in any top-tier city. We're talking serious flavour fireworks here. And April -- what can we say? Her service made us feel like VIPs who owned the joint. She read the room, anticipated every move, and wrapped the whole evening in the kind of hospitality you can't teach: pure instinct, heart, and grace. The food? Next level. Every bite was a flex of flavor and presentation. The kitchen is clearly playing in its own league, balancing creativity with pure culinary muscle. Combine that with an ambience that feels like cozy meets cool, and you've got an absolute home run. If you haven't experienced Firehouse Grill yet, fix that immediately.

Excellent eats and great service. Interesting specials, and a cozy vibe. No notes. Friendly and…read moreattentive staff.

Oh my word, I love this place. The front of house gentleman is absolutely charming, the staff is…read moreefficient and very lovely. Happy Hour is 7 days a week and features $1.70 oysters! I'm a happy woman. I come in often, and won't be stopping anytime soon. Great value, lovely experience.

Lovely experience with my family for a special occasion. Kids really enjoyed it and service was…read moregreat. Food was replenished in timely fashion. Best thing was the salmon! In multiple forms! Smoked, cooked in sauce (slightly underdone which is exactly the way I love it), candied ... yum. Kids were living their best lives with pancakes and waffles, sausage and bacon. Having dessert with breakfast foods was the most fun for them. Price was $39 pp for adults and $27 pp for kids age 6+. Seemed like a few parties were going on so it got noisy in the original section where we were seated. Little dark in the other section but few more steps to work off the calories is fine! Kids asked to go back again so I guess that's the best review.

Really like the ambiance. Lovely lighting and the decor is inviting. We had the flights of red and…read morewhite wine and some appetizers: bread basket and pickled veggies. The bread was a bit tough, but may have been over toasted. Really loved the butter with bits of shallot. It was really delish and the service was friendly. Will definitely be back!

I heard about this place on a podcast (ITM) and wanted to go to a celebratory dinner somewhere new…read more The drive to Blaine was super easy, the location is convenient, and there is ample parking. There is definitely at least one back room, but the main dining room is a bright, airy space that has access to a patio where may even be some live music playing. The tables are gorgeous - all live edge, which might create a bit of an issue if you have short arms and are used to stealing bites across the table, but they are absolutely beautiful and a nice nod to the area. The wine list is extensive and a bit overwhelming, but the service is happy, friendly, and very knowledgeable. In fact, I love when servers don't know, admit it, and find the answer for you - it's humble and shows they really care at getting you what you want. We got the orange wine, which is a new favorite of mine. It's like a rose for reds. Rose:White::Orange:Red. More savory, still light, and best chilled. We had the beet hummus app, which is definitely best eaten with your hands. It's light and delicious. We had the miso black cod, a personal favorite, and the lasagna for dinner and while both were good, the accoutrements with the cod were the true standout. Amazing and I could probably eat two of them. As the restaurant operates on a seasonal menu, we had a strawberry rhubarb cobbler for dessert. I know there is Sunday Brunch, and I can't wait to try it. It's not the cheapest, but it's one of the nicer restaurants in Whatcom, and is definitely worth your pennies. Everything about it makes for a truly nice experience, and we'll definitely be back.

Ambiance and Decor: Quite quaint and dark. Try to get a seat near the front window; they'll light…read morethe table tealight once it get a bit darker outside. They have some bar-height tables made out of some barrels - I would not sit here. Service Quality: Staff was attentive and knew the menu well. They recommend getting a wide variety of dishes since it is tapas. Menu Variety: Great selection of spanish tapas. There's fish, meat, seafood, veggies - there is something for everyone. You won't find the lesser known tapas here - just the main popular ones we all know. Food Presentation: Simple, nothing crazy here. Plated with intention. Food Taste and Quality: Food came to the table hot and fresh out of the kitchen. Some of the patatas bravas were a bit undercooked - for me there was a bit too much sauce here. They also have the shishito peppers here - even though 1 out of 10 are spicy, it was more like 5 out of 10 were spicy. Luckily they were all grilled to perfection. The cod fritters were great, would order again. Portion Sizes: You'll need to order at least 5 dishes for a table of 2. Drink Selection: Simple cocktail menu with a spanish twist to them - if you really want to call it a "spanish cocktail". Price and Value: Good value for money, priced just right. Overall Experience and Recommendation: Make sure you make a reservation cause if not you'll be waiting and by the time you look for another restaurant for dinner - everything will be closed (cause its Bowen Island). I tried it, I would try the other restaurants on the island first before coming back.

Pretty fantastic! I was in Bowen Island for a yoga retreat…read more Most places were closed limited options. We were happy this place was open, we were not disappointed. Spanish tapas style, we ordered about 6 dishes and bread and we were pretty full. Also sangria. Food was fantastic, everything we ordered had so much flavor, my favourite was the orzo salad and the shrimp. A little surprise that Bowen Island had this little gem. Due to Covid protocols only patio was open, which worked fine for us, also set up socially distance. Great service. Recommend you making reservation, we didn't but came right when they opened lucked out with a table. It got pretty busy 15 minutes after we arrived. Overall, I was very impressed. We will be back!

Excellent wine bar w/ a great mix of charcuterie offerings, and an extensive variety of wines…read more The interior vibe is just amazing and very classy. A not-to-be missed stop for your Anacortes visit, or grabbing happy hour w/ friends.

Super friendly and cute place…read more We went close to close and the staff still let us come in and enjoy a quick little wine sesh The back spot wash set up so cute for pics too

Worth a visit for sure…read more A talented couple bring their Ontario foodie experience to the island and create an awesome Bistro.

This place is phenomenal. We had the best experience! The wine flights, grilled cheese, charcuterie…read moreboard and desserts were all incredible! If you are reading this review deciding whether or not to go, GO! You won't be disappointed. Make a reservation if you can, it is an intimate space.

Starla's Tavern is incredible! I loved Blotto on Capitol Hill in Seattle and was so sad when they…read moreclosed. But I was so happy when I saw that Starla's Tavern was opening in Bellingham! The menu is much the same, and executed flawlessly. We had the Pepperoni & peppers pizza, with pepperoni that cups perfectly and just the right amount of Mama Lil's to make it interesting but not too spicy. The potato leek pizza was delectable, and the Blotto burnt potatoes with Labneh and chili-vin has my mouth watering just writing about it. Paired with an exceptionally funky Orange wine, this will be my go-to whenever I'm in Bellingham. Be mindful the place gets busy! Staff is kind and efficient. You'll love this place!

Cozy, casual wine bar but that dinner mean lack luster or boring. A strong wine line up is…read moreavailable for selecting from the board inside with help from their knowledgeable staff, if needed. Wine pours, or bottles, are served up alongside changing plates of bites that are great for snacking or sharing. This is the perfect spot to sit and share wine, food, and a good time with your friends or family and maybe relive some of Blotto's good ol' times. Like what you drank? They offer a well curated selection of bottles for retail, mostly from Europe. This neighborhood bar hits the spot.

Wow. Just wow. Came…read morein for a wine tasting and ended up making an event out of it! Having a ladies day in Fort Langley and we stopped by Valley Commons for an impromptu tasting. Their happy hour runs from 2-5pm and includes cocktails, glasses of wine and wine flights. We indulged in a self-selected wine tasting (five, 2 ounce pours) and were so impressed that we ended up leaving with 3 bottles (2022 Rose, Stoneboat "Piano" brut, and Rosé Frizzante 2022). Colby, our connoisseur (and new BFF), was very knowledgeable and accommodating in answering our questions and offering suggestions. We will definitely be back for more wine! And also to kick it with Colby. I give them my strongest recommendations!

From the owner: Valley Commons is a way of gathering, of relishing in BC’s mountains and lakes, the sweeping…read morevineyards and abundant orchards. Here, you’re welcomed as family.

Stopped by for a quick matcha to go. Nice and comfy seating and friendly service. You can get the…read morematcha with regular milk, oat milk or almond milk. Comes sweetened.

A go-to spot for my husband and me. All the cocktails are fantastic, and a nice touch is the nice…read moreglassware they use. Convenient and on the corner with comfortable chairs, a great spot to relax after a long day.

Wow. Quality sure went downhill fast. Today I had the worst sandwich of my life. She definitely…read morewent cheap with the tiny amount of meat she put in the sandwich. This was the driest grossest bun I've ever had the displeasure of eating. My sandwich had mayo and mustard, yet, still tasted as dry as the Sahara desert. Disappointing. What a waste of money. Will never return. Bosa Foods may be further away..but at least they give you quality, quantity and better pricing.

Superb! I came here hoping that the sandwiches would be high quality and they did not disappoint!…read more So much meat. I couldn't even get my big boy mouth over the cross section of deliciousness. The price is high for your average sandwich, but this is not your average sandwich. The deli selection of Italian goods in general is solid too.