Guidebook for Bainbridge Island
Food Scene
There are SO many restaurants here on the island. I'm listing the closest (Via Rosa) but where the ferry terminal is, the town of Winslow, is chock full.
This place is like an Italian market-spaceship that landed here from Rome. Pinot is the owner, a real live Italian who makes the best ravioli, pastas, salads & sauces you'll ever taste.
44 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Via Rosa 11 Italian Kitchen
10320 NE Valley RdThis place is like an Italian market-spaceship that landed here from Rome. Pinot is the owner, a real live Italian who makes the best ravioli, pastas, salads & sauces you'll ever taste.
Hitchcock features locally sourced foods, including meats, which are slow smoked on the premises. Next door is a more casual deli as an option. The chef, Brandon McGill, is renown for his creative fare.
48 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Hitchcock
129 Winslow Way EHitchcock features locally sourced foods, including meats, which are slow smoked on the premises. Next door is a more casual deli as an option. The chef, Brandon McGill, is renown for his creative fare.
Besides being an amazing general store, gift shop, clothing outlet & nursery, they also have a small bakery in the front, next to the post office, featuring locally baked goods & excellent lattes. In the back of the main building, is a small grocery for locally sourced foods. This place is worth a visit... great for rainy days and meandering. It's been there a long time, started as a feed store, but is so much more nowadays. It's an island treasure.
32 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Bay Hay and Feed
10355 NE Valley RdBesides being an amazing general store, gift shop, clothing outlet & nursery, they also have a small bakery in the front, next to the post office, featuring locally baked goods & excellent lattes. In the back of the main building, is a small grocery for locally sourced foods. This place is worth a visit... great for rainy days and meandering. It's been there a long time, started as a feed store, but is so much more nowadays. It's an island treasure.
Marché is one of my favorites. The chef, Greg Atkinson, was the head chef at THE finest restaurant, "Canlis" in Seattle, before opening his own place here in Winslow. The food is simply delicious. It's described as French country food, which I interpret as impeccably prepared & presented, without the frills. It's always superb. The service is exemplary too. You feel pampered. It's a special evening out.
31 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Restaurant Marché
150 Madrone Ln NMarché is one of my favorites. The chef, Greg Atkinson, was the head chef at THE finest restaurant, "Canlis" in Seattle, before opening his own place here in Winslow. The food is simply delicious. It's described as French country food, which I interpret as impeccably prepared & presented, without the frills. It's always superb. The service is exemplary too. You feel pampered. It's a special evening out.
Sawatdy is a long time island institution... Thai food so good, people come from Seattle to eat here. If you're visiting on a Friday night, order the sticky rice. It's chewy & addictive! The food is just fabulous, even if the outside looks unassuming in a small strip-mall building. The decor inside & the food makes up for that. Thai food is to the PNW as Mexican food is to L.A. You can't go wrong.
18 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Sawatdy Thai Cuisine
8770 Fletcher Bay Rd NESawatdy is a long time island institution... Thai food so good, people come from Seattle to eat here. If you're visiting on a Friday night, order the sticky rice. It's chewy & addictive! The food is just fabulous, even if the outside looks unassuming in a small strip-mall building. The decor inside & the food makes up for that. Thai food is to the PNW as Mexican food is to L.A. You can't go wrong.
This is another creation of chef Brandon McGill, who also owns Hitchcock right across the street. It's fabulous wood-fired gourmet pizza, plus really creative salads. The atmosphere is old industrial with vaulted arched ceilings, (the former hardware store for decades) a casual feel, a long fantastic bar & it's all in the heart of our little town of Winslow. It's a tough pick between this & the closer Via Rosa, but this is more upscale. Via is more a local, takeout Italian deli with a couple community tables. Their pizza rivals Bruciato's, but the latter offers more gourmet combos. Try the clam pizza... it's memorable if you like clams. Either place is fabulous, thin, smokey, wood fired pizza.
39 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Bruciato
236 Winslow Way EThis is another creation of chef Brandon McGill, who also owns Hitchcock right across the street. It's fabulous wood-fired gourmet pizza, plus really creative salads. The atmosphere is old industrial with vaulted arched ceilings, (the former hardware store for decades) a casual feel, a long fantastic bar & it's all in the heart of our little town of Winslow. It's a tough pick between this & the closer Via Rosa, but this is more upscale. Via is more a local, takeout Italian deli with a couple community tables. Their pizza rivals Bruciato's, but the latter offers more gourmet combos. Try the clam pizza... it's memorable if you like clams. Either place is fabulous, thin, smokey, wood fired pizza.
This just opened (April, 2019) & I'm in awe of the place already. It's real British fish n' chips made by real Brits! They serve a foot long piece of lightly breaded, crunchy battered cod, on fantastic homemade chips (fries), with a dollop of "squishy minted peas"... something new for this palate. It's delicious for lunch or a casual dinner, located on the main corner of Winslow Way & Madison, the heart of Winslow.
18 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Proper Fish
112 Madison Ave NThis just opened (April, 2019) & I'm in awe of the place already. It's real British fish n' chips made by real Brits! They serve a foot long piece of lightly breaded, crunchy battered cod, on fantastic homemade chips (fries), with a dollop of "squishy minted peas"... something new for this palate. It's delicious for lunch or a casual dinner, located on the main corner of Winslow Way & Madison, the heart of Winslow.
This place has been another BI institution for decades... it's great for a casual, delicious pub-style meal in a cozy home setting by the boatyard in Eagle Harbor. The beer list is impressive with many local suds on tap. The burgers & fries are topnotch. They also offer Poutine, the French Canadian, rib-sticking dish of fries with gravy & cheese curds. Kinda hard not to like it too much! You can also find great seafood like steamed clams, mussels and salmon dishes. It's a favorite. * It's considered a bar, so it's sadly 21 and older only.
55 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Harbour Public House
231 Parfitt Way SWThis place has been another BI institution for decades... it's great for a casual, delicious pub-style meal in a cozy home setting by the boatyard in Eagle Harbor. The beer list is impressive with many local suds on tap. The burgers & fries are topnotch. They also offer Poutine, the French Canadian, rib-sticking dish of fries with gravy & cheese curds. Kinda hard not to like it too much! You can also find great seafood like steamed clams, mussels and salmon dishes. It's a favorite. * It's considered a bar, so it's sadly 21 and older only.
This is like a friendly neighborhood bar, with the giant beer vats in the background. What's crazy (about WA laws) is because it's a "brewery", kids (& dogs too!) are welcome. Go figure. They serve all sorts of brews made on the premises. There's often local musicians present, & a food truck outside is common. Since it's not a restaurant or bar, they only offer peanuts & snacks to soak up the brew if the truck isn't present. It's nearby so worth checking it out.
20 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Bainbridge Island Brewing
9415 Coppertop Loop NEThis is like a friendly neighborhood bar, with the giant beer vats in the background. What's crazy (about WA laws) is because it's a "brewery", kids (& dogs too!) are welcome. Go figure. They serve all sorts of brews made on the premises. There's often local musicians present, & a food truck outside is common. Since it's not a restaurant or bar, they only offer peanuts & snacks to soak up the brew if the truck isn't present. It's nearby so worth checking it out.
Shopping
There's too many places to mention in Winslow but I can tell you it's a bit like Carmel, CA crossed with Cape Cod. Many of the stores are designed for tourists to enjoy... not a bad thing given the quality of merchandise. There's everything from T-shirts to beach/French housewares. Just explore the town on foot. It's well worth the look.
This is our local gem... awesome for local, organic meats, produce, eggs, dairy, bread and other essentials. It's like a general store, clothing store, plant nursery and so much more. Really, it's entertaining to go through the place and see all they carry. Great for rainy days, or sit in the garden with a latte on nicer days.
32 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Bay Hay and Feed
10355 NE Valley RdThis is our local gem... awesome for local, organic meats, produce, eggs, dairy, bread and other essentials. It's like a general store, clothing store, plant nursery and so much more. Really, it's entertaining to go through the place and see all they carry. Great for rainy days, or sit in the garden with a latte on nicer days.
Winslow is the name of our small town by the ferry. It offers great restaurants like "Hitchcock", "Marche", "Cafe Nola" "Harbour House Pub", "Docks", "Brusciato" for gourmet pizza, and "Mora" for ice cream and so much more. We have a fabulous grocery store called Town & Country, or Safeway at the north end of town. We have a multiplex movie theater.
One of my favorite activities is The Bloedel Reserve... one of the top botanical gardens in the world, and located just up the road. It's a stunning and well worth the visit.
28 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Winslow
Winslow is the name of our small town by the ferry. It offers great restaurants like "Hitchcock", "Marche", "Cafe Nola" "Harbour House Pub", "Docks", "Brusciato" for gourmet pizza, and "Mora" for ice cream and so much more. We have a fabulous grocery store called Town & Country, or Safeway at the north end of town. We have a multiplex movie theater.
One of my favorite activities is The Bloedel Reserve... one of the top botanical gardens in the world, and located just up the road. It's a stunning and well worth the visit.
This is a really nice area of the island worth an hour or two. The look and feel is old English Tudor, with recent additions that make it feel a little like Vail Village. There's shopping, cafes, a fine bakery, a great new restaurant called BI Fish Company, frozen yogurt, and even an old art film theater. Nearby is a great view from the beach of Mt. Rainier on a clear day. You can even rent paddle-boards. It's about 20 minutes from The TreeHouse.
22 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Lynwood Center
This is a really nice area of the island worth an hour or two. The look and feel is old English Tudor, with recent additions that make it feel a little like Vail Village. There's shopping, cafes, a fine bakery, a great new restaurant called BI Fish Company, frozen yogurt, and even an old art film theater. Nearby is a great view from the beach of Mt. Rainier on a clear day. You can even rent paddle-boards. It's about 20 minutes from The TreeHouse.
Essentials
Essentials come in many forms. I'm listing the obvious and the not-so-obvious! Enjoy.
All the stuff you forgot, plus homemade Kimchee. Say hello to Mr. Hong. He's always happy to see you.
Walk the trail (next to my trailer), up the cul-de-sac to Kallgren & left to Valley, then left
6 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Jiffy Mart
11201 Sunrise Drive NEAll the stuff you forgot, plus homemade Kimchee. Say hello to Mr. Hong. He's always happy to see you.
Walk the trail (next to my trailer), up the cul-de-sac to Kallgren & left to Valley, then left
Kinda funny adding this under "essentials", but for some of us, the description rings true. : ) Ya gotta go check out our, nearby local cannabis shop, if for no other reason than to see what it's like & experience the future. Cannabis here is treated like fine wine. A "budtender" will guide you to the perfect strain & desired method of intake... be it soda pop, fresh flowers, vape or mints. The products are on display on the wall in shadowboxed frames like being in a gallery. The smell is like Christmas all year round. Speaking of which, it doesn't linger so it's not taboo at the TreeHouse like icky cigarettes. If you'd like to use a bong or pipe for your visit, give a holler. Happy to help!
Paper & Leaf
8040 NE Day Rd WKinda funny adding this under "essentials", but for some of us, the description rings true. : ) Ya gotta go check out our, nearby local cannabis shop, if for no other reason than to see what it's like & experience the future. Cannabis here is treated like fine wine. A "budtender" will guide you to the perfect strain & desired method of intake... be it soda pop, fresh flowers, vape or mints. The products are on display on the wall in shadowboxed frames like being in a gallery. The smell is like Christmas all year round. Speaking of which, it doesn't linger so it's not taboo at the TreeHouse like icky cigarettes. If you'd like to use a bong or pipe for your visit, give a holler. Happy to help!
Drinks & Nightlife
We're not the big city but there's culture happening... you just have to search online, like on Facebook, for events, performances, etc.
This is a hidden spot that hosts Seattle and other musicians in an intimate theater that's really unique and so worthwhile. You can mingle with the musicians before and after the show, sipping a wine or beer. Shows are usually on Saturday nights. Check online & Facebook for the venue called "SpaceCraft".
Island Music Guild
10598 NE Valley RdThis is a hidden spot that hosts Seattle and other musicians in an intimate theater that's really unique and so worthwhile. You can mingle with the musicians before and after the show, sipping a wine or beer. Shows are usually on Saturday nights. Check online & Facebook for the venue called "SpaceCraft".
This is a fun neighborhood bar and restaurant, located in Lynnwood, an area on the southwest side of the island with an English Tudor look and feel. There's often live music here on weekends. Check Facebook for events. The food isn't why I go, but it's fine for a quick bite.
44 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Treehouse Cafe
4569 Lynwood Center Rd NEThis is a fun neighborhood bar and restaurant, located in Lynnwood, an area on the southwest side of the island with an English Tudor look and feel. There's often live music here on weekends. Check Facebook for events. The food isn't why I go, but it's fine for a quick bite.
Getting Around
Having a car from the airport is convenient, but not imperative. It's just more involved & limited, to line up a rental once you're here. There is now Uber & Lyft so that's an option. I can give a lift from the ferry at times. Bicycling is a possibility, but the hills are not for the fainthearted. Rental cars are available in nearby Poulsbo, or try the local body-shop which now offers a limited set of rental cars. (Listed below) There's even a rental company for VW campers which I'll also list.
We have a bus system, Kitsap Transit. The #96 is our local bus. It only runs during commuter hours; mornings and afternoons.
We also have Viking Cab Company. Uber & Lyft are limited. I can provide rides to and from the ferry whenever possible.
7 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Kitsap Transit
60 Washington AveWe have a bus system, Kitsap Transit. The #96 is our local bus. It only runs during commuter hours; mornings and afternoons.
We also have Viking Cab Company. Uber & Lyft are limited. I can provide rides to and from the ferry whenever possible.
This is a new service on the island.... so new, I'm not familiar with it but it's worth considering if you're planning to explore the Olympic Peninsula while here.
PacWesty
Northeast Day Road WestThis is a new service on the island.... so new, I'm not familiar with it but it's worth considering if you're planning to explore the Olympic Peninsula while here.
This is a body shop (as in cars) but they do keep a few extra cars for renting. It's worth inquiring if you think you only want a car some of the time you're here.
Modern Collision Rebuild & Service
9270 Miller Rd NEThis is a body shop (as in cars) but they do keep a few extra cars for renting. It's worth inquiring if you think you only want a car some of the time you're here.
I've rented a car here as have some guests, and it's the closest thing to an official rental car place around, price-wise and selection. Only caveat is it's a half hour drive to get there, so it's a tad less convenient. Not sure if they pick you up or not, but there's always Uber for that.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
20416 Viking Ave NWI've rented a car here as have some guests, and it's the closest thing to an official rental car place around, price-wise and selection. Only caveat is it's a half hour drive to get there, so it's a tad less convenient. Not sure if they pick you up or not, but there's always Uber for that.
Parks & Nature
There's many parks & beaches on the island worth a visit. I'll list my favorites. See a map for the big picture. Feel free to ask for advice & specifics.
This is mine and the dogs' favorite walking spot. Just a couple miles north on Sunrise for a great beach walk. If the tide is out enough, you can walk south of the park and let your dog run leash free. Look for amber-colored agates in the rocks. It's a great form of meditation. Watch for bald eagles, sea otters, harbor seals, Dahl porpoise and lots of sea birds.
62 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Fay Bainbridge Park
15446 Sunrise Drive NEThis is mine and the dogs' favorite walking spot. Just a couple miles north on Sunrise for a great beach walk. If the tide is out enough, you can walk south of the park and let your dog run leash free. Look for amber-colored agates in the rocks. It's a great form of meditation. Watch for bald eagles, sea otters, harbor seals, Dahl porpoise and lots of sea birds.
The Reserve is a treasure... one of the top gardens in the nation and well worth the trip. You'll come away feeling rejuvenated, inspired and refreshed. Figure about an hour and a half to two hours walk through paradise.
114 現地メンバーのおすすめ
ブローデル・リザーブ
7571 NE Dolphin DrThe Reserve is a treasure... one of the top gardens in the nation and well worth the trip. You'll come away feeling rejuvenated, inspired and refreshed. Figure about an hour and a half to two hours walk through paradise.
This is great because it's so close to walk to, and it's really beautiful... a mini grand forest right nearby.
Ted Olson Nature Preserve
11800 N Madison Ave NEThis is great because it's so close to walk to, and it's really beautiful... a mini grand forest right nearby.
If you're looking for a long stroll in a classic PNW forest, this is the place. It's deep, dark, dramatic & lovely. Many of the trees are old growth, which means they're massive and awesome examples of the trees that built the west coast. There's two sections to the forest, accessible from various entry points. I'm happy to describe them in detail if you want to consult. Or just go for it... you can't get lost. And no, there's no lions, tigers or bears.
44 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Grand Forest West
9752 Miller Rd NEIf you're looking for a long stroll in a classic PNW forest, this is the place. It's deep, dark, dramatic & lovely. Many of the trees are old growth, which means they're massive and awesome examples of the trees that built the west coast. There's two sections to the forest, accessible from various entry points. I'm happy to describe them in detail if you want to consult. Or just go for it... you can't get lost. And no, there's no lions, tigers or bears.
This is a really interesting place to take a walk and explore. The main part of the hike is a long, straight, unused asphalted lane, with the Salish Sea on one side, and a wooded hillside on the other. You can hear and sometimes see Sea Lions and Harbor Seals barking in the distance. When the tide is low, you can walk the beach, which has some of the most unusual rock formations you'll ever see. Two thirds the way, you'll see concrete bunkers, once part of the defense system during WWII. If you keep walking past the park at the south end, the neighborhood is quite interesting, including a house once owned by Kenny G, brought here by barge. (It's the big English brick Tudor on the left behind the hedge.) It's a sunny, open place to enjoy a quiet stroll.
29 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Fort Ward Park
2241 Pleasant Beach Dr NEThis is a really interesting place to take a walk and explore. The main part of the hike is a long, straight, unused asphalted lane, with the Salish Sea on one side, and a wooded hillside on the other. You can hear and sometimes see Sea Lions and Harbor Seals barking in the distance. When the tide is low, you can walk the beach, which has some of the most unusual rock formations you'll ever see. Two thirds the way, you'll see concrete bunkers, once part of the defense system during WWII. If you keep walking past the park at the south end, the neighborhood is quite interesting, including a house once owned by Kenny G, brought here by barge. (It's the big English brick Tudor on the left behind the hedge.) It's a sunny, open place to enjoy a quiet stroll.
I love this park... it's like Bainbridge's Central Park. It's a two mile long rectangular plot of land with a trail that's great for running and walking. There's an amazing playground, ball fields, a beautiful pond and even an observatory. Recently, they added Frisbee baseball nets if you play that sport. It's a great place to go to get out of the woods and get some light.
40 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Battle Point Park
11299 Arrow Point Dr NEI love this park... it's like Bainbridge's Central Park. It's a two mile long rectangular plot of land with a trail that's great for running and walking. There's an amazing playground, ball fields, a beautiful pond and even an observatory. Recently, they added Frisbee baseball nets if you play that sport. It's a great place to go to get out of the woods and get some light.
Arts & Culture
We're not Seattle, but we do enjoy lots of options for such a small town. Theater is big here, and the new Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is really impressive. There's always random concerts, and don't miss the Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings till 1:00... located in the town square, behind city hall. Concerts and shows are a moving target, so check on Facebook for events, or visit Bainbridge Island Review for the latest. http://www.bainbridgereview.com/life/
Also worth noting, the photos you see on the walls are originals by your host Keith. If you'd care to order any for your collection, please inquire within.
Our brand new art museum is truly a gem, gifted to the community in the last five years. The architecture alone is worth the visit, and the art is the best of NW artists. And it's *free*! Located at the entrance to our town of Winslow, across from the ferry exit.
115 現地メンバーのおすすめ
ベインブリッジ島美術館
550 Winslow Way EOur brand new art museum is truly a gem, gifted to the community in the last five years. The architecture alone is worth the visit, and the art is the best of NW artists. And it's *free*! Located at the entrance to our town of Winslow, across from the ferry exit.
Nice little, multiplex theater in "The Pavilion", right in the heart of Winslow. There's restaurants in the same building (Indian, Mexican, Japanese/Pan-Asian and more.
11 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Bainbridge Cinemas
403 Madison Ave NNice little, multiplex theater in "The Pavilion", right in the heart of Winslow. There's restaurants in the same building (Indian, Mexican, Japanese/Pan-Asian and more.
Our local theater group, housed in a lovely, intimate theater. There's always something playing and the talent is surprisingly top-notch. (* We have quite a few Hollywood folks here!)
12 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Bainbridge Performing Arts
200 Madison Avenue NorthOur local theater group, housed in a lovely, intimate theater. There's always something playing and the talent is surprisingly top-notch. (* We have quite a few Hollywood folks here!)