Affordable French Restaurant in Bellingham, WA

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With over 100,000 acres of farmland, you can find a farm to table restaurant on every corner in Bellingham, Washington. But Eat Restaurant and Bar is the only farm to table restaurant with a French flair.

Disclosure: As is common in the travel industry, my trip was provided for review purposes.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Update: Effective November 28, 2018, EAT Restaurant is permanently closed. 🙁

Eat Restaurant

Winner of the Best of the Northwest 2016 in the new restaurant category, Eat Restaurant and Bar creates seasonal French inspired farm to table dishes. From delectable dishes to mouthwatering desserts, Eat should be one of your first stops when you visit Bellingham Washington.

To eat means "to take food or a meal." At Eat Restaurant and Bar, eating becomes so much more. Dining at Eat Restaurant and Bar is a sensation of your senses.

Fun fact: EAT is Chef Eric A. Truglas initials.

The Concept

Truglas wanted to create a place where people would come often and not only for a special occasion. Where "you can eat food without breaking the bank."

The Decor

Despite the French emphasis on the food, the decor is hipster. Think Auberge (French farm house restaurant) with a Pacific Northwest twist.You won't find a single chandelier or Parisian Bistro chair. Nor will you find a menu that requires a mortage.

Photographs, posters, and works from local artist adorn the walls. Another reminder that Eat is not "a full French restaurant because of the stigma attached of being expensive, stuffy, and that's not what we are about." states Truglas as he's wearing shorts in the dining room.

Local and Seasonal Ingredients

Eat sources its ingredients from local fisherman and farms like Twin Sisters Creamery. " Truglas chose Bellingham because it "is one of the best places to have a restaurant. Because everything is within five to ten miles."

Spiced Sage and Sky Farm Lamb Baguette

We started with a spiced sage and Sky Farm Lamb baguette with basil creme fraiche and eggplant puree. Paired with a glass of Cremant de Loire Brut this small bite set the tone for the meal. I loved the contrast of the tenderness of the lamb with the crisp baguette.

Scallops Carpaccio

Scallops Carpaccio with orange supreme, garlic puree, and fennel followed paired with a glass of Rose, Fabre en Provence. Light and delicate this was a lovely first dish for a summer meal.

I don't usually order scallops because often they're overcooked, tough and rubbery. But the scallops carpaccio almost melts on your tongue. It's one of those dishes where you lap up every bit. Then look to see if your dining companions have any leftovers.

Pork Loin and Braised Pork Belly

My stimulated taste buds were on overdrive. I may have almost started salivating when served the pork loin and braised pork belly with saffron risotto and grilled asparagus.

If you're thinking, "That's one rich dish." You're right. It was rich enough to be decadent. But not too rich to cause a heart attack. The silkiness of a Merlot, Ramsay brought out the flavors of the pork loin and crispy pork belly.

Twin Sister Blue Cheese

The cheese course was a ripe velvety blue cheese from Twin Sisters Creamery. Served with homemade preserve, a smattering of sliced almonds, apples, and strawberries and paired with a Graham's Fine Ruby Porto, it could be dessert. But dessert was still to come...

Framboise Croquant

Dessert was a Framboise Croquant. This double layered goodness consisted of a chocolate raspberry mousse on top of a dense chocolate cake, separated by a slice of chocolate and topped with gold leaf. Think of it as a French version of a sacher torte. A glass of Monbazillac, Chateau Haut Theulet accompanied the raspberry chocolately goodness.

Conclusion

A visit to Eat Restaurant and Bar is a delight to your taste buds and wallet. With a comfortable atmosphere (no dressing up required) and an affordable menu, you'll want to eat at Eat often.

Every dish was superb. The paired drinks complemented each dish perfectly. The seasonal menu means you can find something new to try each visit. But it also means the delicious entree you had on your first visit won't always be on the menu. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available.

Eat Restaurant and Bar
1200 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
360-306-3917

4 pm to 9 pm Monday through Thursday
4pm to 11:30pm Friday
10 am to 11:30pm Saturday
10 am to 2pm Sunday

Happy Hour Monday through Friday 4pm to 6pm, Saturday 2pm to 6pm, Friday and Saturday 9pm to close.

What's your favorite farm to table restaurant?

While you're in town check out the best breweries in Bellingham and the best things to do in Lynden.

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