San Juan Islands Hotel | Friday Harbor Lodging

Backdoor Kitchen ~ A Quintessential Island Experience

Adam — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:41:00 +0000

By popular demand, ELEMENTS hotel & spa room service is now provided by Backdoor Kitchen, San Juan Island’s multi-ethnic gem.

Backdoor is one of those rare, authentic places where diners discover a perfect marriage between setting, service and quality. Somewhat hidden in Friday Harbor, tucked in among the plants and landscaping of Green Man nursery just a few blocks from ELEMENTS hotel & spa, Backdoor Kitchen has nevertheless risen to the top of the San Juan Island food chain by providing consistently excellent and creative meals and drinks in a setting that is quintessentially San Juan Island. Ask almost any islander where to find the best food, appetizers, drinks, deserts, setting, service…Backdoor Kitchen is a virtually unanimous choice.

Dinners are available for delivery to your door during Backdoor Kitchen’s normal hours of operation, which vary seasonally; or walk just a few blocks to experience the full effect. Visit the Backdoor Kitchen website for hours and menus.

Paradise in Panama ~ Boquete Outdoor Adventures

Adam — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:16:29 +0000

Laura’s grandfather called her up a few weeks ago and said, “Let’s go to Panama.” I bet you wish you had a grandfather like that, huh? Of course, we didn’t know anything about Panama, which is crazy because it turns out this place has it all. We know that now through the wonderful, selfless help of John Miller at Boquete Outdoor Adventures. Bear in mind, we called John pretty much out of the blue and haven’t booked anything with him for this particular trip. Still, he has given Laura pages of email advice on traveling within and around Panama. He has been wonderfully helpful and I couldn’t imagine going anywhere near Panama without taking one his fantastic trips. John’s focus is on custom trips and can include whitewater and sea kayaking, multi-sport and family adventures.

COHO Restaurant now open

Steffi — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:32:38 +0000

Enjoy local, organic, fresh dishes, artfully combining Northwest cuisine with international influences. Homemade pasta, whole seed encrusted salmon, hazelnut encrusted lavender chicken, crab cakes, anybody?

Join COHO for their Chef’s Tasting Special daily between 5 PM & 5.30 PM. Get an appetizer, entree and dessert for only $35 per person.

120 Nichols St

360.378.6330

open Fri, Sat, Su 5 PM to 8 PM

May: Wed-Sun, 5 PM to 8 PM

June: 7 nights per week, 5 PM

Demeter Bakery & Cafe now open!

Steffi — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:16:30 +0000

Yeah, the island finally has a bakery again. Owner Pam Stewart’s sourdough breads are to die for, light and fluffy with an excellent crust. Got a sweet tooth? Try a blueberry Danish, or a piece of white chocolate cheese cake with your favorite espresso drink. All pastries are handmade, many of the sourdough breads & bagels are made with organic flour or sustainably grown shepherds wheat.

Cafe Demeter
80 Nichols Street

360.370.5443

Open Tuesday - Friday 7 AM - 3PM, Saturday 8 AM to 3 PM

Microbrew Tasting Dinner at STEPS wine bar & cafe

Steffi — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:14:21 +0000

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the STEPS way: a five course Irish styled dinner, paired with New Belgium Brews.

Sunday, March 16th, 6PM

$80 per person (tax & gratuity included)

Please call for reservations: (360) 370-5959

Valentine’s Dinner at STEPS wine bar & cafe

Steffi — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:24:40 +0000

Treat your Sweety to a five course dinner, lovingly prepared by chef Madden, paired with luscious wines & bubbles.

Experience Westcott Bay oysters, homemade pork sausage, Oregon Country beef and much more the STEPS way: prepared with fresh, local produce and served with just the right grape. For dessert a slice of Mexican Chocolate Decadence Cake and a glass of Mas Amiel 10yr Cuvee Maury. If that’s not love than we don’t know what is.

STEPS wine bar & cafe

Thursday, February 14, 6 pm

$100 per person (tax & gratuity included)

Please call for reservations: 360-370-5959

Piemonte: Italian Wine Dinner at STEPS

Steffi — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:11:09 +0000

Sample the wine and cuisine of Italy’s Piemonte region with a special dinner, prepared by chef Madden at STEPS wine bar & cafe, Friday Harbor’s cutting edge dining experience.

Wednesday, February 6, 6:00 PM

$100 per person (includes tax & gratuity)

(360) 370- 5959

Step into the New Year @ Steps Wine Bar and Cafe

Adam — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:17:05 +0000

Ho! It looks like a month off left Chef Madden rested and inspired for the new year. The new menu is out, at long last. You can view it HERE, but take heed: viewing this link can cause hunger pangs insatiable anywhere but Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Steps exquisite cuisine is available for in-room dining at ELEMENTS San Juan Island hotel & spa, or just three blocks away at the cutting-edge Cafe. Reservations at 800-793-4756 or ONLINE.

November Orca Update from Friday Harbor’s Famous Whale Museum

Adam — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:09:51 +0000

This month’s report begins with a wonderful announcement: Samish (J-14) had her 5th calf, designated by the Center for Whale Research as J-43. This calf was first seen November 6th by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Fisheries research team. If you haven’t seen the video of mom and J-43 go to www.whalemuseum.org and click on **News Updates** then click on 11/9/07 King 5 Cameras Film J Pod With New Calf Near Alki Beach (video follows ad). In the beginning of the video you can see Samish with Riptide on her right and new baby J-43 surfacing between them. Keep watching and see if you can find when the calf surfaces again. It’s a great short video of this new calf and of J Pod. Toward the end you will see Blackberry (J-27) and Mike (J-26) too!….

The full report is available to members of the San Juan Island Whale Museum’s Orca Adoption program. Visit the Whale Museum Online to join today and receive full reports monthly via email.

New Year’s Eve Champagne Dinner ~ Inspired Cuisine@ELEMENTS San Juan Island hotel & spa

Adam — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:51:59 +0000

ELEMENTS hotel & spa room service from Steps Wine Bar and Cafe is on hiatus all December while the crew takes a well-deserved vacation. You won’t go hungry, though, because there are nearly 2 dozen other dining options within a four block radius of ELEMENTS. Our knowledgeable, friendly front-desk staff are dying to turn you on to some exquisite cuisine. Steps will re-open with a bang for a fantastic New Year’s Eve champagne dinner. Space is limited, so reserve today at (800) 793-4756 or ONLINE. View the Menu.