Favorite Bainbridge Island Restaurant Overall:
Four Swallows
481 Madison Ave N
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 842-3397
Mike Sharp runs this restaurant set inside an historic home; in restaurant years on Bainbridge, this place also has a spot in history as it has been around for 20 years. Yes it is among the more $$$ restaurants on the Island, but we have always found that the service (we never have met a better server than Jose) and the food (not one bad meal in 14 years) are worth it. This is our special occasion restaurant (even our 12 year old son says it is his all-time favorite and he has only been there once!). We like everything and the menu changes with daily specials. Four Swallows is the Island's longest-lasting "farm to table" restaurant and I have seen Mike shop for the ingredients locally himself. Best Halibut I ever had (crusted in Macadamia nuts and a sauce to die for -- too bad it was a special).
Three Thai Restaurants dominate our Island cuisine:
Sawatdy
8780 Fletcher Bay Rd NE
(206) 780-2429
Sawatdy at Fletcher Bay is our personal fav. It is owned by the same family (Tran) that owns Sawan at Lynwood Center. You are a local if you know to order "Mom's Salad" (not on the menu). Quinn, the daughter that runs the restaurant makes a version as good as her mom's. We think Sawatdy's Tom Ka Gai Soup with Coconut Milk (they do without as well) is the best in the US (and addictive). Believe me, we've eaten at Thai restaurants coast-to-coast and none come close. We also like their Corriander Beef, Rama Gai (Spinach, Chicken and Peanut Sauce) and Garlic Chicken, but I'm not a fan of their Phad Thai (my guess is the fish sauce). Sticky rice is awesome on Fri and Sat nights only. Order takeout early on those nights as after 7 pm it could take as much as 90 min or more and they will be out of sticky rice. Only complaint is their stars for heat can be off: sometimes two stars feels like 4 an 4 stars feels like 2.
Sawan Thai
4765 Lynwood Center Rd Ne # 101
(206) 842-5345
Quinn's brother, Minh, opened this place and there's a bit of competition here (but last I checked, mom and dad help out at both). It is newer and fresher decor, right next to Walt's, and the food is nearly identical as is the menu. The biggest difference: all the items are in English. I like this place for a lunch meeting, but our loyalty gravitates us back to Sawadty because when we first moved to the Island we had our first son and did take out every Friday for several years.
Bainbridge Thai
10600 N MADISON AVE NE
(206) 780-2403
Teddy and Tummy are the owners from Thailand and their place is next to Docs on the water. We LOVE the setting and still think their Phad Thai is the Island's best. We also like their Garlic Chicken and their Cashew Chicken (can you tell I am allergic to shrimp?) as well as their Lemon Grass Soup without Coconut milk, another fav (and it will clear your sinuses). They are the nicest people and even took our youngest into their kitchen (where Tummy cooks) to show him the ropes for a class assignment. Secret: order their Won Tons and ask for the special sauce (sweet with hot peppers) to dip it in that Tummy prepares. 3 stars is very hot here, typically.
Best fast food place (tie):
Emmy's Vege House:
100 Winslow Way W
(206) 855-2996
This tiny Vegetarian place is run by two folks that are among the hardest working couple on the island. I understand they put one child through medical school (becoming a doctor) and another is an engineer in Seattle. They speak little English but are so nice and polite. We love their veggie food, getting the combo or a salad. They are right across from Cafe Nola in the tiny corner food stand crammed in between retail and what was 122 Winslow (and before that Winslow Way Cafe) Open at lunch and until 7 pm (and they sometimes go on vacation it is closed during that time, but thankfully, they always reopen when they return).
Teriyaki Town
278 Winslow Way E
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 855-1200
Great Teriyaki Chicken, to eat in or go. My wife likes the all-breast meat chicken and we both like it with the spicy sause.
Honorable Mention: Probably the best value is Casa Rojas Express in the Safeway complex. Cheap, fast and substantial portions, which is a combination rare to find outside of Subway, one of only two fast-food chains on the island.
Comments(0)