Volume 11 Issue 1 » 21
is a particularly delicious place. In a seven-course dinner that he
serves several nights a week, he reveals a myriad of concoctions
that tantalize the tongue with their freshness, innovative pairings
of flavours and emphasis on locality, for all are grown on Whidbey
Island or close by. “It never ceases to amaze me how rich and
bountiful this landscape is,” says Costello, who collects wild
chanterelle mushrooms on his daily jog. “People are growing
phenomenal food here.” The seven-course dinner is a long one, so
don’t book it if you have small kids in tow.
The Inn at Langley
400 First Street, Langley, WA, USA, 98260
1 (360) 221-3033, innatlangley.com
Langley Chamber of Commerce
208 Anthes Avenue, Langley, WA, USA, 98260
1 (360) 221-6765, visitlangley.com
Whidbey Island is a browser’s heaven, with a fantastic assortment of
local artists and artisans. At the Chocolate Flower Farm in Langley
we inhaled chocolate-scented candles, while at Callahan’s Firehouse
we tried glass blowing, coming up with our own unique creations. At
Coupeville’s Lavender Wind Farm we sampled lavender chocolate
chip cookies and blueberry lavender jam, and at Cook on Clay
we picked up handcrafted clay pots for the kitchen. Our journey
along the picturesque Whidbey Scenic Isle Way was peppered with
interesting stops, delectable food and salt-of-the-earth islanders,
farmers and artisans who love what they do and aren’t afraid to show
it.
chocolateflowerfarm.com
callahansfirehouse.com
lavendarwind.com
cookonclay.com
This is an island packed with personality and character. To truly
appreciate it, you need just one tank of gas and the pleasure of a
relaxed, carefree weekend.
W H E N YO U G O
Getting there:
First off, make sure you’re not rushed on the drive. Google
maps told us the journey from Vancouver to Langley, on
the island’s southeast corner, takes just under three hours,
but good old Google has never sat in a Peace Arch crossing
lineup. If the border doesn’t add extra time, Deception Pass
definitely will, as a stop here is mandatory. So if you’re this
way, give yourself a good four-and-a-half hours to get there,
pack some food for the road, fuel up and get comfortable.
And if you’re traveling with kids, be sure to bring the DVD
player with you. From the Peace Arch border crossing, take
the Interstate Highway 5 to exit 230 and follow the signs to
Deception Pass.
Information:
WhidbeyCamanoIslands.com
1 (888) 747-7777