Our visit started off with having trouble finding the entrance to the restaurant. We finally found someone to ask and made our way in.... I think I offended the hostess and waitress after having trouble with their "ring bell for service" bell. We waited a short time in the small entrance and noticed the bell.... Several light taps produced no sound and a more unreserved tap sounded like a fire alarm. The hostess and waitress arrived wide-eyed and I apologized and tried to make light of the awkward meeting... they weren't having it. We were there to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. We stated that in our reservation and were given a half hearted "happy anniversary" after being seated in the middle of the dining room, without any view. Several couples after us were seated with views to the water. It was our first time there and we didn't know to ask... In any case, we loved the food when we finally got it - but it took over an hour and a half after ordering to receive our meal. The waitress, Countnee (name on receipt), couldn't have been less interested in serving us. I guess she never got over the bell incident??? She seemed overly nice to others... even comping a bottle of wine for the couple next to us. We didn't even get the short spiel about how the strawberries in the sorbet were grown in their garden.... she told other people, we heard her- but she couldn't be bothered to take the time with us. We spent a lot of money on what could have been an amazing celebratory dinner for our anniversary had the service been even a little better. Get over yourself and have a little fun. The hostess was wearing jeans, this shouldn't have had such a pretentious, snooty vibe. We had friends recommend dinner here and we were disappointed, will never be back. It's the next morning and I'm still wishing we had gone somewhere else. It was our 20th anniversary after all!!! read more

I love eating here! The staff are always so welcoming and friendly. The menu features dynamic offerings of fresh and often local ingredients made with care and love. The bar menu is the same and the wine offerings are fun and not the usual you see at other places. Because they are so amazing they're often very busy, would highly recommend a reservation, however small parties can often be seated in the bar after a short wait, but there's never a guarantee as it is a loc favorite spot. read more

A real "sea bug" extravaganza at The Inn At Ship Bay... The highlight of our evening was the friendly hostess who graciously offered to seat us right away, but also gave us an option to have a drink in the bar for a few minutes for a better table to open up (which we elected to do). This was very thoughtful, and in hindsight, was the highlight of our experience at The Inn. Skipping ahead once we were seated, we decided to start our meal with a dozen Oysters, half Doe Bay, and half Kumamotos. Our waitress quickly returned to explain that another order was 'snuck in' ahead of ours, thereby taking the last of the Kumamotos, leaving only the local variety. So, though we were annoyed, we downsized our order to half a dozen. When the plate arrived, we were struck my the beauty of the Oysters, until we realized that they were sea bugs crawling all over one of the Oysters. My fiancé, who is an Oyster aficionado, quickly removed one of them, thinking it was an anomaly, but then we realized there were many more bugs underneath the shell. It was a total disaster, but this isn't even the worst part... When we brought this to the attention of our server, she immediately dismissed our concerns by "explaining" that this happens occasionally, and not to be alarmed, and if we aren't "used" to Oysters then we needed to "understand" this is a normal occurrence. After she finished 'mansplaining' Oysters, she quickly left with the buggy Oyster and returned with a replacement Oyster...that also had bugs on it. Needless to say, my fiancé, who has been eating Oysters since she was five years old, has never encountered bugs on an Oyster, was a real trooper and quickly worked through the situation. The rest of our meal was 'fine'. My fiancés raviolis were drowned in a runny 'pistou' broth (more like a soup), and the raviolis themselves were very thick and chewy. My chicken dinner was the better dish, but still underwhelming with yummy chicken but runny mashed potatoes. The best thing that happened was having a sweet hostess who gave us a window seat. The view was nice. The rest of the dinner was a disaster. And as for the bugs...how about a simple visual inspection by the kitchen and waitress? Takes a few seconds, and can make or break an experience. And as for the pretentious waitress, way to own your bugs! read more

I stayed here over Memorial Day weekend and it was marvelous. We stayed with our in-laws, each in one level of one of the 4-room houses. The rooms open up to a large yard area on the water that is excellent for kids/toddlers to play in - our 2yo happily ran around outside, and we could watch from our balcony, which was very convenient. We ate at the restaurant and I had one of the best salmon dishes I have ever had. We also ended up ordering multiple plates of the Judd Cove oysters, which I highly recommend (I'm no oyster connoisseur but these were amazing!). One of the excellent waitresses who used to work at the New Leaf Cafe works there now, and the service was fantastic. Their outdoor patio has a beautiful ocean view, with a lovely Jasmine-scented Wisteria tree that creates a lovely view and scent. Overall, a great stay and meal! read more

Beautiful spot on the water, lovely building. Excellent service. Local food and lots of it. Get on that seafood train. The presentation is also on point. read more

This review is for the restaurant. The food is amazing. The vegetables, apples, and pears are all grown on the property. The freshness and flavor shine through. We had the Mad Hatter Chicken and Scallops. Highly recommend. read more

Inn At Ship Bay - Mad Hatter Chiken - Hotels Near Me - Eastsound, Washington

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Lovely, quaint little Inn. Stayed here for two nights. Requested and early check in, and were texted around 12:30 pm to let us know our room was ready. When we arrived we were greeted by Annie, who was so sweet and kind. She showed us to our room, as well as the menu for the evening and gave us all the ins and out of the property. The room was quaint, with just about everything you'd need. The view was 10 out of 10. We stayed upstairs in a room that came with a mini fridge (stocked with a few items) , fireplace, king bed, balcony and TV. Each day we went to the check in and filled out ice bucket so we could make cocktails or have fresh ice in our water. The Inn itself was very quiet. The ground were beautiful and well cared for. We thoroughly enjoyed taking our wine down to sit on the ground overlooking the water. Check out was also super simple. We found our stay here to be absolutely perfect. If we were to change anything, perhaps maybe some slight larger bath towels and a microwave in the room. But even without those things, we would definitely here again. read more

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We were so excited to try this place out, and I'm glad we did because it ended up being our best meal of our entire honeymoon! This restaurant is located on the same grounds as the inn. They do not take reservations, so we went around 5:30/6 on a Sunday evening. We followed the clearly marked signs around to the entrance. When you enter, you approach a counter with a handwritten chalk menu (since it changes daily!) to place your order. The woman taking orders was super sweet and charming! We ordered 2 drinks - one was some sort of whiskey sour, which I ended up drinking, and the other was a rum based tiki type drink, which my husband had. Both were very tasty, but mine was better. For food, I got the scallops which came with assorted vegetables and a sauce. Holy cow - this dish was incredible! The flavors were so well balanced. It was seriously a perfectly composed plate, and my taste buds were exploding with happiness the entire time. My husband got the wagyu beef burger, which he raved about stating that it was probably the best burger he's ever had. After the amazing dining experience we were already having, we knew we had to try dessert, too. We had 3 choices and went with the extra virgin olive oil cake with lemon. It also had some sort of berry sauce on the side. Again, it was a perfectly composed dish. Not overly sweet, but just pure satisfaction to end our meal. This restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. All the outdoor tables were taken, which is expected considering the amazing weather and view. We were lucky to snag a table in the sun room that had windows and doors opened up onto the patio. After our meal, we walked around the grounds, which were beautiful. We will definitely come back here in the future! read more

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It's been about 4 years since we've been back to the island. It was my husband's birthday and our anniversary so we were hoping for a superb dinner experience like we always have in the past. Hostess/restaurant staff were fine, nothing really stood out as "outstanding" as far as personalities goes. Meh.... Unfortunately, overall, they have gone a bit down hill. The outdoor seating was nothing but a few black metal dining tables (maybe a flower or something like that could spruce it up?). We sat inside, and again, we're expecting a nice eloquent meal but it is clearly more of a casual feel now. Paper napkins, no finishing touches on the tables. We aren't snobby people in the slightest but did expect a bit more of a "flare". I ordered the chicken and my husband ordered the salmon. Very good fresh vegetables they place on the plate as it comes from their garden. Beautiful display and not really any complaints about the food flavors. 1salmon dish, 1 chicken dish and 6 oysters =$160! Most expensive meal we've spent on. They need to up their game a bit and bring back some of the finer details to make this restaurant support the high prices. read more

We had such high hopes because this restaurant came highly recommended by friends. We both chose the grass fed Wagyu beef entree. Hers was done exactly as she liked it. Mine...not so much. My meat cut was full of connective tissue. Not marbled with fat as you expect, but literally so tough I could not cut through it. Approximately 1/3 of my meat was inedible connective tissue. When I politely mentioned the meat was not good, I received an apology, but no offer for a discount, or anything else to make it right. For these prices, I expect excellence. Quite disappointed and don't know that I would go back. read more

Inn At Ship Bay - Wagyu beef entree - Hotels Near Me - Eastsound, Washington

This is the special occasion destination on Orcas Island. The food is locally sourced; in fact, often grown or harvested by the owner and chef, Geddes. Immerse yourself in the local beauty: ocean views, soaring eagles and pastel sunsets. Enjoy being pampered by the staff while drinking artisan created cocktails, stellar wine menu and impeccably prepared innovative cuisine. RELAX and enjoy the best the island had to offer! read more

The only time they said they could take us was 8 PM on a Thursday night in late June. We got there at 7 PM and the place was 3/4 empty. They told us we could not sit outside on the patio at an empty table - or at any of the 12+ empty tables. They also told us they could not seat us earlier than 8pm because they did not have enough staff. The hostess and a waitress told us to try to get a seat at the bar. When a couple got up, we went to the bar - but just then, the incredibly rude hostess told us that somehow those two seats were magically saved for people on a nonexistent waiting list. was she lying before or lying now? By that point, we were done. We walked out, and enjoyed a wonderful barbecue meal instead. The attitude and incompetence and "bitchiness" of this place and it's employees was simply not worth our time or money. read more

If you are looking for some delicious home cooking farm fresh this place knocks it out of the park! Great family run business, pay attention to intolerances, great presentation and for out soak your taste buds in the yum mines of there garden! We will come back and always return (it's been 10 years) and it's still the best place to eat on the island read more

Inn At Ship Bay - Pork belly - Hotels Near Me - Eastsound, Washington

Hubs and I decided to have dinner here because we already had dinner at the other place close to our cabin. I didn't want to drive farther because I wanted to relax and have a glass of water. (Wink wink ) We didn't need to make reservations either and we were seated immediately. The host was super nice and funny. I enjoyed her enthusiasm and wit. Dinner was fabulous and enjoyable even though the serving was on the teeny side. I had the scallops with aioli and it was nice. The 4pieces of scallops were sweet and cooked perfectly. Hubs had the lamb. That was good too and far from gamey. It was tender and had a nice smokey taste too. We also shared our dishes because that's what we do and how we try other dishes. We also had their local Salish oysters. They were sweet and completely complimented our dinner. It was a success all together. I highly recommend the experience. The host was the daughter, dad is the chef and brother prepped our nice meals. read more

This is a hidden jem on the island that has fanatic food and views. We ordered the scallops and local lamb, and were not disappointed. read more

Inn At Ship Bay - Scallops and Local Lamb - Hotels Near Me - Eastsound, Washington

I do not eat out often but Ship Bay is my ideal of top tier dining. The staff is amazing and the food is fresh and phenomenal.

*This is for the inn only* My partner and I made an impromptu visit to Orcas Island and were sitting in the Anacortes ferry line at night when we decided to stay the night on OI. After no return calls from other inns or being given the price (one was $300), we found this inn and were blown away by the customer service, availability, and price right off the bat. When we actually got there, we were then blown away by the coziness and ambience of the room... not to mention the convenient view of the water and sunrise the next day!! We now adore this place and it has become a go-to. Recommendations for the owners would be to include more water bottles, have ice trays that fit in the mini fridge, have more night lights, add scented (bathroom) spray, and add bathroom rugs for the (naturally cold) floors. read more

Do not leave orcas island without eating here. The food is exceptional and the service is superlative. Thank you to our server Annie.

This place is fantastic on all levels! Food, Service and ambience. Definitely a stop to check out while in the islands.

We came back after 5 years. Location/views are outstanding but food was worse than expected, especially the "foigrass" included in the charcuterie. Dessert ok. read more

My wife and I have been blessed to be able to visit orcas island every weekend for the past couple of months and for the next few weeks as well. We make it to The Inn at Ship Bay every time. Sometimes we sit in the dining room but most the time end up having dinner in the bar. Being a huge lover of food (not size wise...anymore), this has become one of my favorite restaurants. It's all local, lovely, seasonal food made fresh and more importantly, made passionately. The pasta is spectacular, the staff is very friendly and the scenery and environment is first class. If you're staying here, it's cozy and comfortable. Cell reception is spotty and there is no internet, but it's actually quite nice! (I'm writing this review in the ferry ride home). This place is a great destination spot. Enjoy it and maybe we'll meet you there sometime! read more

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This place is neat: comfortable, clean room with wifi, a balcony overlooking sunsets and (I am assuming) Ship Bay, a gas fireplace... the place is super-cozy! It is also refreshing that the little fridge is stocked with free refreshments. As great as the Inn is, its best feature is its restaurant. The food is just great -- fresh, local, organic, flavorful. If the words "wild mushroom tart" and "bouillabaisse" and "Creme Fraiche" mean nothing to you, perhaps you will find solace consolation in "scallop risotto" or "seared roasted duck," and/or "pear ice cream." The bread is so fresh and delicious, and smelled so great (I totally failed in designing a special harness that would keep a piece of said bread in front of my nose at all times, but god knows I tried. Instead, we had to get a loaf to go.). Their balsamic vinegar is sweet and light. Portions are of the right size -- not too big, not too small, so you can have everything, and still feel great afterwards. The [fake] candles are super-cute. This is my second time here, and I will be back. read more

Inn At Ship Bay - if you come early, you might get a window seat! - Hotels Near Me - Eastsound, Washington

Psychic waiters + local shellfish + ingredients grown on the island = Ridiculously Lovely meal. Orcas. Is. So. Cute. It makes me pull out excessive adverbs. We could not even deal. After getting a dose of thousands of green trees on our hike up Mt. Constitution, we headed to the "city" part of Orcas, where... Tiny glassblown vases are everywhere. Filled with flowers. Yellow and purple violets. Big red peonies. Cute little dinky things I don't even know the names of. You get the idea. Charming. And not in some stupid-soft-haired-city-guy-buying-you-a-drink kinda way. Orcas charms in the the say-what-you-want-in-wine-and-I'll-give-you-a-huge-pour-of-exactly-what-you-described-in-your-glass kind of way. And then our waiter walks away, all smooth and on-point like that. We heart(ed) Orcas. And this Inn Restaurant at Ship Bay. The fresh fuckin' curried mussels. And of course, the perfect pour of white wine that goes so well with the curry our waiter had to give us a taste. The salad had local lettuces that were so happy in our mouths. And at the end... "Would you like dessert?" they asked. "We have chocolate torte." "Is it warm?" I asked. "Yes," they said. "Does it come with ice cream?" "It can," they said, with a smile. And then it came: warm, with a scoop of coconut on the side. Hot fudge and caramel underneath + a chocolate straw. Because they knew that's how I wanted it. Ya-yuh Orcas. read more

Overall, high-quality, tasty food and good service. I would give Inn At Ship Bay 4.5 stars, but a couple dishes could have been a little better. We were brought a generous portion of warm, fresh bread made in house. It was delicious... tender and a little sour in the most delicious way possible. Not surprisingly, I ate way too much. I ordered a cocktail with sweet tea vodka, peach, lemon and soda (if I'm remembering correctly). It was refreshing and not too sweet. I got a few bites of the green salad with blue cheese and hazelnuts and it was very tasty too. The greens were fresh and the hazelnuts added a nice crunch. For my main course, I ordered the arctic char, which came with sweet potato puree, fresh veggies and lemon aioli. It was full of flavor and just the right portion size. I tried a bit of the smoky cauliflower soup and it was very smoky. It was not as good as I was hoping. The smoky flavor was overpowering. I also tried the goat cheese ravioli with nettles. It was okay but not spectacular either. Even though I did not try the pork dish, I heard it was very good. For dessert, I had a couple bites of the plum ginger crisp served with a scoop of ice cream... maple, I think. The crisp was warm and the flavor was nice. The ice cream's flavor was mild and pleasant, although the texture could have been a little creamier. There was also a rich chocolate cake topped with some sort of whipped cream, dried fruit and plated with a sauce... can't remember what kind of sauce. The third dessert was a creme brûlée. The custard top was a little more burnt than I like but the flavor of the custard was good. All of the desserts were satisfying, although, the bread, green salad, and arctic char were the best parts of the dining experience. I would come back again to enjoy the nice view and food. It is a little pricey, which should be expected for a restaurant like Inn At Ship Bay. read more

Inn At Ship Bay - Arctic char with sweet potato, lemon, vegetables - Hotels Near Me - Eastsound, Washington

Amazing! Highly recommend the chef's tasting menu. Every dish was bursting with complex & exquisite flavors. They used local ingredients & especially fruit to maximum effect. The service was impeccable. Seriously one of the best meals of my life. read more

Good but not spectacular. Staff clearly "very proud" of their place & menu but came across a little condescending. In their defense it seemed very busy, crowded. The wine list was very extensive. We ordered a very nice bottle of an older red. They opened it, offered a sample like you would expect and after our host approved it, they started pouring a full glass for the first guest. Our host stopped him and asked for it to be decanted - which it should be. Waiter's reaction was almost like it was an unnecessary step, chore. A second bottle was ordered and a different person served it exactly right, including decanting, while enthusiastically explaining why she loved that wine. A few of us ordered raw oysters and they came with their own house mignonette. None of us liked it and it was not well received when we asked for Tobasco and cocktail sauce. After a while was told they did not have tobasco and delivered a nasty looking bottle of Cholulo Mexican sauce. We never got the cocktail sauce. The oysters themselves were fresh and tasty. The pork belly app got rave reviews. Most entrees were well received. The only less than positive comment was from folks that had the Waygu Sirloin, which was underwhelming compared to other Waygu steaks folks have had. Net I can see why it would get great, high ratings, we just did not get that experience. read more

My very favorite restaurant on Orcas. You could tell the Chef loves his job because the statement in presentation says it all. Full of love, and passion. The food tastes phenomenal. Eloquent and you'll leave amazed. The view of the bay is breathtaking and its just a peacful place. I could see myself here for quite sometime. Reservations a must. Try the herbed Lamb, it's outstanding!! read more

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this is a spectacular restaurant in an absolutely gorgeous setting! We arrived early and had drinks sitting in Adirondak chairs cliffside overlooking the sparkling bay. We dined outside on the deck, and the food was some of the best we've ever eaten Much of the produce is grown on grounds, the salad with peaches was all grown on site. We had a cavatelli pasta with house raised pork, smoked in the in-house smoker. The flavor was complex and full of umami. The bouillabaisse had very fresh seafood in a subtle broth. We also had the ivory salmon, from the bottom of the ocean and therefore full of omega-3 fatty acids, so flavorful and moist. Desserts were also fantastic! read more

We love this restaurant! It's a great place to take friends or family for a special treat, or for a romantic date night just for two. It's an upscale farm-to-table dinner spot just outside of Eastsound (heading towards Olga).  They use fresh ingredients, lovingly prepared. While they don't list vegan menu options, last time I was here the chef made a special vegan dish just for me and it was exquisite.  And they had a trio of sorbets that were out of this world good.  Maybe in the future they will add vegan options as a standard part of their menu (a gal can dream). Before or after dinner, if you walk just outside the restaurant on the grounds, you'll see a gorgeous view of Eastsound (the water). read more

One of the best dinners we had during our visit. Had the bouillabaisse and it was flavorful and nicely spiced, a bit under for my taste but still very good. We sat at the bar and the bartender Alex was excellent and put together a solid cocktail. This is a popular spot for the locals too which is always a good sign. Well deserved. Pricey but well worth it. read more

Charming restaurant with gorgeous bay view and fresh local options. Gluten free friendly. We opted for the mystery 6 course dinner tasting menu, and while several of the items were amazing (like the fresh crab and heirloom tomatoes appetizer) some were not my favorite. When I revisit the restaurant, I plan choose my dishes directly from the menu. read more

Inn At Ship Bay - Hotels Near Me - Eastsound, Washington

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Made a reservation over 2 weeks prior and specified it was for my wife's Birthday so we were hoping to sit on the patio. Even though most of the restaurant was empty and over half the patio was available we were told that it was a health code violation to seat us as a party of 5 on the the patio?!?! Really? Manager Molly was extremely rude and condescending. I've never witnessed such a "Can't Do" attitude. We left and went to Doe Bay Cafe where the food was amazing, the customer service a million times better and the view from the patio was stunning. Even thought the patio was pretty full they told us they'd find a way to "make it work for us" at Doe Bay! Never going back to Inn at Ship Bay and wouldn't recommend such a haughty establishment to anyone else either. read more

Stayed here and it was wonderful! Even had dinner and the where able to squeeze us in for a last minute reservation. Had never been here before and was so glad we came! read more

Oh dear God how I love this place. I love Orcas Island as it is, I could sleep on a bench in Moran State Park and be reasonably happy - but the Inn at Ship Bay is like floating on a cloud through Dlight heaven. Where to start? Hmmm... Location - Already stated Orcas, the spot on Orcas is awesome as well. Situated on a bluff above Ship Bay which is in the bottom of the horseshoe arch of the island, every one of their rooms looks on to the bay and the surrounding edges of the island. It's delicious. It gives you the feeling that you're miles from everything, but in reality you are walking distance (about a 15 minute stroll) to the cutey cute shopping in Eastsound and oyster hunting on the beach. Drive a few miles in the other direction and you're at Moran State park day hiking. Rooms - There are very few rooms - we love that, right? Because of this (maybe?) the owners have been able to put a huge amount of care and thought into the decor and amenities. Every room has a king pillow top bed with overstuffed down pillows and thick handmade (I would think) quilts. There are also gas fireplaces and balconies - and for your thirst complimentary sodas and water in the mini-fridge. So thoughtful. If I suddenly came into a shit ton of money - I would live here. And I might never get out of bed. Except that I would have to eat - which brings me to... The Food - The "inn" portion is built around a preexisting farm house and it's here that the best food on Orcas can be found at their restaurant. Did I mention that the owner was the executive Chef at Rosario for many years? Well he was. They make every effort to only use sustainably harvested seafoods and antibiotic - hormone free meats & poultry and get all their produce locally. Everything is made in house - from the AWESOME sourdough that lands on your table when you sit down to the flourless chocolate cake you finish with. It's classic northwest fare and it's to die for. If there was room service then I could stay in my bed - I am going to slip that one in the suggestion box. There is also a nice little continental breakfast included in your room rate - we love free food. Finally - They are a "Green Hotel", which means they don't mind leaving a card in your room letting you know that they aren't going to change your sheets and towels unless you ask them too. They are using as little energy as they can get by with and creating as little solid waste as they can get away with. The hippy in me loves this. Rates range depending on the season - $150 for spring, $195 for Summer and the super awesome bargain in winter - $100 to $125. There is also a suite, I have never seen it, but it seems awesome on the website - range is from $250-$295 depending on the season. Go - enjoy the beds and breathe. We love breathing. read more

My first visit 2 years ago was excellent, which is why I returned. However, yesterday was very disappointing. Food was decent, and I love the farm to table approach, but it wasn't as good as I would have wished; mostly due to a flavor preference and small portion sizes. The worst part of the experience was the service. Our waitress was very rude. I understand waiting can be a difficult job, but her attitude was unacceptable. It really made the evening a disappointment for us. It is one of the few nights I regretted paying so much for a meal. read more

This is a wedding review. My husband and I got married here in August. If your idea of a great wedding venue is a spot with a gorgeous view in a rustic building with incredible New American fare, look no further! Mary Anna and Geddes were great to work with. We felt their prices were entirely reasonable and were impressed by how successfully they were able to help us forecast costs, even with the many variables that go into a wedding. We spoke with them as much as was necessary - no more, no less. They are fair and honest negotiators. They are also clearly responsible employers, as their staff is top notch. Geddes is an extremely talented chef. We happily left the entire menu in his hands with minimal guidance, and the results were fantastic. Our guests told us that they had rarely if ever had such wonderful food at a wedding. Mary Anna made sure we were completely set up with references for vendors and all the practical information we needed. She had a lot of guidance for how we could make best use of the venue according to our priorities, and was very willing to work with us based on our preferences. I do a lot of event planning for my job, working with large professional venues as well as smaller ones. Mary Anna and Geddes achieve an impressively high level of customer service, especially given the leanness of their operations. They are clearly diligent, hard working people who are invested in making sure that their guests have a great experience. Our big day was perfect, and we have them and their staff to thank for it! read more

OMG...when I'm in Seattle, and think of a delicious, romantic getaway, I will ALWAYS remember Orcas Island and The Inn at Ship Bay. Even though is VERY low season, and the weather is not exactly the most attractive (although we got a sunny Christmas Eve AND a white Christmas here in Seattle) Ryan decided to give me a weekend off in Orcas Island, as part of his adorable Christmas presents. 100 stars for my better half! We did the ferry trip to Orcas from Anacortes. If you like to drive/"sail" do the trip this way. Anacortes is a neat little town with good restaurants (I'll be reviewing Adrift in a moment), and the ferry is always awesome, especially for someone that lives in the ATL! The natural environments are pure poetry that drifts quickly through windows, but will remain in your mind forever. When you get to Orcas Island and have the chance to see the surroundings with a golden-toned light, you won't have words to describe them, as I don't right now! When we got to our hotel, OH! It was close to dusk. Luke, the guy in charge, was really helpful and nice to us. He carefully explained what to do in the Island with a map, although lots of places are closed due to winter time. Then he brought us to our amazingly cozy room...oh! There are very few rooms, where you CAN see there is a HUGE amount of care and thought into the decor and amenities (as one of my fellow Yelpers already mentioned.) Delicious down pillows top one of the most heavenly beds my body has been onto! The room has a gas fireplace (that we gladly used, although it can get hot) and the balcony has a view that will leave you breathless! They left the complimentary breakfast in our room (homemade, organic granola and muffins, plus a bottle of delicious milk, and coffee and tea.) Water and sodas in the mini-fridge were free (nice flavored San Pellegrinos, btw.) We didn't want to leave. We wanted to pack the bed, and the warmth of the place and bring it to Seattle. It was a wonderful, delicious stay. Unfortunately, the restaurant was closed all the time. They close it during December and January for yearly remodeling, and I imagine there is so little tourism it is not good business for them (this is the downside of this time of the year, if you like exciting, do this trip during the summer.) That was sad, because we understand the restaurant is the star of the Inn. That gave us a reason to come back. We will definitely will! (and Ryan will have to drag me to the car to pull me away of the heavenly bed!) read more

We had the rehearsal dinner for our wedding here in October of 2008. During the run-up, the management was pretty good about getting head counts, and worked with us on nailing down the pricing for the different plates and corkage fees. They were not pleased with the idea of guests bringing their own wine and corking it (apparently they were concerned we would bring wine that would cheapen their culinary creations), but allowed after some prodding. The meal was great, the service, as well. The problem I had with this place was they were not up-front with "the room fee." Upon conclusion of the evening, the bill was brought to me. All made sense with the exception of the room charge, which was well over $500. This charge was never mentioned to me during any of the conversations had with management prior to our event. The cost of food, beverages, access to facility for flowers/decor etc...all covered. One, very costly, detail on behalf of the restaurant was overlooked. That's why this place gets a 1-star: they're sneaky businesspeople (who make good food and have responsive service staff). read more

This is a Large dinner party review. I reserved the sunroom for an informal wedding dinner for ~20 guests. Overall, the dinner was excellent for the majority of the guests. The view just outside the sunroom was perfect for photos, the sunroom size was perfect, and most guests said they enjoyed their meals. However, my one complaint was that they did not have proper meals prepared for the few vegans in the group. The portions were very small (equivalent to a side veggie dish). The only vegan appetizer was a salad. The other guests felt bad so they end up sharing their sides with the vegan guests. I made reservation months in advance. I was assured that they can cater to the few vegetarians and vegans in the group. A few days before the actual event, I communicated again over email that there were vegans in the group. I was unhappy that they did not prepare proper meals when they were amply notified. They've also missed another request during reservation but I forgot to remind them on the week, so I won't mention it here. Overall, if you book this venue for a large party, be explicit about your requests and remind them closer to the date. Otherwise, you might have some hungry guests. read more

I really wanted to like this restaurant, it's possibly the most expensive on the island and has great reviews. Our group of 4 went this week and got the chefs tasting menu, hyped as super locavore. But the service was awful. I think they had one server working our whole half the restaurant (other than plate delivery). Everything, even just initial drink orders took forever. Worse than just unfriendly, island time service, we got zero information on what the food was, where it was produced, or any of the other pitch that is in the menu and website. *Places bread on table and walks off* 'The bread is good, can you tell me about it?' "It's sourdough" "This is Fig with Bacon". 'Excuse me, can you tell me about this dish'. "Figs are from here". And exit stage left. Anyway, from a chain restaurant, that is fine, but for these prices and chef reputation I expected more. The group had mixed reviews about the food itself. We had 7 tasting dishes, 6 of which were sweet dishes that are not my preference. My partner thought it was tasty, but small portions and won't go there again. The views from the patio were amazing. read more