Oyster Bar Outing

 Along Chuckanut Drive, a narrow, winding ribbon of pavement carved out of the sandstone cliffs that hang above the salt water of Samish Bay, is the fine dining experience of the Oyster Bar. Sue and I discovered this place on a blustery, icy  late afternoon January day in 2022. We stopped in on a lark, ready to splurge on an adventure. We were underdressed for the upscale establishment, but there were few patrons and nobody audibly complained. It seemed to me that they were happy to take my money after the seafood meal.

Inga had heard of our discovery, and when she was up to the Pilchuck in the summer of 2023, she suggested it would be fun to dine there, since her mother had extolled the pleasures within. I was excited to oblige the young lady's request. It was Inga's last day in the wilds of Washington and it seemed like a fitting finale for her visit. Unlike our first drop-in experience, this time both of the ladies were prepared for a classy date, having packed a skirt and a dress for just such an occasion. Sorry to report, Sean had already returned to Portland.

Inga & Sue at the Pilchuck 'drawbridge', dressed to thrill

We had reservations at the Oyster Bar for three at 5 o'clock. It was yet another afternoon adventure. 

At a wide spot on a bend along Chuckanut Drive sits the Oyster Bar, perched precariously on the edge of the bluff. It is a narrow establishment with an upper and lower tier connected by a spiral staircase. Conifer trees just a few yard beyond the west-facing windows have to grow tall to reach the level of our table hanging over the steep mountain.

I order a Port for Sue and I. We are handed a list of about two dozen varieties of oyster for our choosing as an appetizer. Each oyster variety comes with a short description of its unique flavor; briny, hint of citrus, notes of melon, under currents of seaweed etc. And yes, the oysters we tried, did match their flavorful description. A great start to the meal.

Salmon and shellfish were served after an intermezzo of quince sherbet in champaign. We three enjoyed fine food tucked in the corner where our table felt like we were sitting in the tree tops.

Cheers! 

To a great date with my girls.