Duck Soup Inn
50 Duck Soup Ln
Friday Harbor, WA 98250-6929
(360) 378-4878

When approaching the Duck Soup Inn, keep your eyes peeled because the one small sign at the end of the drive way passes quickly.
Once you turn into the drive way the trees and grasses open up to a small pond and a quaint little cabin. Right away this sets the local mood. The inside is all wood with charming paintings hung on the wall. The service is friendly and knowledgeable. They serve a full bar, but have some great options on their cocktail menu. The wine and beer selection isn’t large but well appointed, offering some delicious local wines from San Juan Vineyards. The menu is well rounded and so far the steak diane (tenderloin medallions with shallots sherry and cream), The fillet mignon and the Cheese soufflé are all winners on the set menu. They have nightly specials such as the Columbia river sturgeon with a cilantro burr blanc, corn relish and balsamic squiggle was executed perfectly. Each meal comes with homemade soup and salad, made fresh everyday.
The prices range from $24-$36 per entrée.
Overall the experience was just what I was looking for, local, fresh, creative and delicious. Chef, Gretchen Allison really puts a personal touch on every plate.

Beer tasting at Front Street Ale House

Bakery San Juan is a great place to get a morning pastry or a fresh baguette for an evening appetizer. Their hours are short on the weekends so make sure plan ahead.

Front Street Ale House, located in Friday Harbor near the ferry terminal, is known to the locals for serving great pub food and local brews. Their arrogant bastard ale is an A+ staple. Ask to do a beer tasting and try a sample of all they offer.

Sweet Re-treat Need an afternoon pick me up? Grab a latte or a chocolate milk shake at this little stand in the heart of Friday Harbor.

Historic Roche Harbor's Madrona Grill and Hotel de Haro

Roche Harbor offers several places to eat, but my favorite is on the deck for lunch at the Madrona Bar & Grill. Start out with the blue cheese chopped salad, with eggs and almonds, then satisfy your hunger with the roast beef sandwich and be sure to add cheddar. Wash it all down with a house specialty Berry Mojito. This is a great meal to split for two as the portions are generous.

Heritage Farm is a local farm that offers milk, produce, poultry and beef in a small house complete with a couple of refrigerators and freezers. Heritage Farm operates on the honor system and is unattended, so be sure to bring change. They are not always consistent with what they have available so have an open mind when shopping there.

Location: 221 Heritage Farm Lane
Telephone: 360-378-2872
Email Address: drafthorse@interisland.net
Other things to do: Hayrides and carriage rides. Draft horses raised and trained for farming.Sustainably-raised pastured chickens, and eggs from organically fed and pastured hens. Grass hay. Farm tours available.”

Duck Soup Inn is a wonderful place to celebrate your time with a fantastic dinner on the island featuring local fare with delicious flare. The menu has something for everyone and largely features local, organic ingredients. Make sure to make reservations on the weekends or if you have a large party, the dining room is quaint.

San Juan Island Vineyards Wine Tasting

San Juan Vineyards is on your way back from Roche Harbor to Friday Harbor. They offer 10 wines, but here are my favorites:

Siegerrebe, “From our Estate Vineyard seen as you drive along Roche Harbor Road, our Siegerrebe vineyard is in view. This interesting, light varietal has aromatic floral and tree fruit nose with crisp citrus and pear flavors finishing with a hint of grapefruit. There’s just a hint of sweetness. The Siegerrebe is a wonderful, summertime entertaining wine.”

Cabernet-Merlot, “Our Cabernet-Merlot has been a popular blend year after year. This blend has burnt dark cherry on the nose with plum, tea and cherry on the palate. It finishes with a hint of chocolate, oak and cordial cherry. This is a great, consistent food partner to have around the house for the grilling season and a nice Pot Roast in the Fall. The blend of the Cabernet Merlot is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and a 5% splash of Syrah, with all the fruit sourced from Kestrel View Estates.

The grapes were fermented in open top fermenters using Bordeaux Red yeast, and from the fermenters to the Oak barrels. The wine was aged in Oak for 20 months. We used 40% new French oak primarily on the Cabernet wines with blending taking place later in the aging process. The 2004 Cabernet-Merlot was recently awarded a Silver Medal at the prestigious Riverside State Fair in Riverside, CA (May, 2007).”

Mona Vino, In May, 2007, we released a Red Table wine in honor of the popular “Mona” a Dromedary Camel living across the road from San Juan Vineyards. The camel has become quite popular with locals and tourists alike. Many stop by with apples and carrots to feed Mona. She is very friendly, and has a following! So, Mona Vino was born using blended red wine, 2003 vintage. It is 55% Syrah with the remainder split with Merlot and Cabernet. It is presently sold exclusively in our Tasting Room.