It was gifted to me. A beautiful little jar of freshly made raspberry jam. We devoured it within days.
Rochelle picked Boxx Berry Farms‘ delectable raspberries, learned to can them from a friend and lo and behold she made something delicious. Pooh Bear would have climbed a tree to get at it.
I wonder if there are any more jars left. My birthday is coming up.
Joe’s Garden is a beautiful place. You drive by the fields of flowers and fruits and vegetables to arrive at the main house. The people who work there are smiling and eager to help. I think it has to do with Karol. She is a rush of happy. Her demeanor is ‘I love what I’m doing and I love to share it with you‘.
My Mother wanted to take some local blueberries home with her to Florida the next day. Karol said it would be easy to just put a top on the container; they would be good for 3 days. Oh, and Mom would like some lavender, too, please (even though the season is over). Karol cut it herself, gratis. She knows how to make my Mom happy! Is it any wonder the place was packed?
And I found more local raspberries here. Boxx Berry Farms had the last of their raspberries out on Friday – I got those. We ate them all within a day. Now we had more – happy faces. I also bought beets and cauliflower; roasted them with chicken and was lucky to get any. The corn looked great and so was the price.
Mike at Boxx Berry Farms paid me quite a compliment telling me I could be a twin to Karol. Thank you, Mike.
Related: Klipsun Magazine wrote about Joe’s Garden, Seattle Times on Joe Bertero, Joe’s Garden Bellingham Â
THE place to eat in Bellingham. The FIRST restaurant recommendation out of most people’s mouth.
Well, my Mother is in town and I get free sitter service.
What a surprise when my partner made reservations for Nimbus! A restaurant in the clouds! What a view – pick one: sunset or mountain? Sunset. Choose from an original and expansive menu? Heaven.
House made charcuterie was a delectable shared plate of meats, nuts and pickled vegetables (happens to be just like an evening snack served by my partner). My main course was Pig in a Blanket. Now, just in case you were thinking low, let me elaborate. It was a sous-vide (French for ‘under vacuum’) Carlton Farms pork loin with a root beer blanket, fennel compote, roasted beets and vanilla mashed potatoes. Every bite of it was really delicious. My partner had Steak and Crab Mojito. It was better than mine, but his food always is. It was grilled St. Helen’s ribeye, dungeness crab-lime salad, rum braised cauliflower, mint pesto and arugula. He considered it the Best Steak in Bellingham.
The service was attentive and patient (I ask a lot of questions) and the crowd was a pretty good watch.
Next time I’m going to invite 3 people I want to talk with and sit at the table with the sunset view: my yogi, needle lady and Joe. My partner can come, too.
I grew up in the melting pot of NYC. I am a first generation American, English my second language (my Dad’s tenth). The comforting aromas of ethnic cooking and stores were always available to me growing up. To eat REAL falafel, you went to a Lebanese market. To eat REAL marinara, you went to an Italian market. To eat REAL bratwurst, you went to a German market. To eat REAL chopped chicken liver, you went to the Jewish deli. etc If you want to understand this, pay a visit to Mediterranean Specialties Cafe and Goods.
The owners are what my mother would call excellent cooks with class. No one uses the word CLASS anymore. I know why – a few people are born with it and the rest of us have to want to cultivate it. My mother was raised Hungarian. Hungarians are known for there mathematicians, composers and, foremost, their hospitality. If a Hungarian invites you to a party, don’t walk, RUN.
I devour the homemade falafel at Mediterranean Specialties. Only I could make fresher hummus – delish. And the soup is always HOT and satisfying. The self seating area is bright and clean – a great place to meet a pal and trade stories.
Nahla Gholem is co-owner with her sister (I’ve heard) and are originally from Lebanon (many years past) and wears sharp glasses from LINKS on James Street. She was VERY friendly towards my mother when we visited. The inside scoop on that is: immigrants who speak English with an accent will show great respect toward others of the same. There is so little of it otherwise in America, from my own experience.
Mediterranean Specialties Cafe is @ 505 32nd st. Call 360-738-6895.
I have written about pizza restaurants from Bellingham to New York before. As long as there is pizza to eat, I will write. I ate at one with a view today and, hands down, it is now my favorite.
Fairhaven Pizza‘s crust is light and chewy, the sauce tangy and robust, the cheese fresh and milky and the best part is the garlic in it. I also ate a chicken ceasar salad (feeling very indulgent). The fresh crisp romaine with fresh cooked shredded chicken liberally tossed with homemade dressing was perfect to the last forkful.
Now I come to the view. I sat on a stool by the window. A beautiful view of water and islands. The restaurant front is set up high on the hill like a little church. I know Fairhaven is building up, but I really hope the view remains for my future pleasure.
Oh, and they are VERY kid friendly (even when a 5year old on a stool sends a full glass of water sailing over the register – no one missed a beat).
Powered by WordPress
