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Skylarks

Whatcom County > Bellingham > Fairhaven

(Not Yet Rated)

Address

1308-B 11th Street

Bellingham , WA 98225

(360) 715-3642

Hours

Every day 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Review

One of Fairhaven's better kept secrets is Skylark's "Hidden Cafe." Skylark's is worth seeking out for a hearty lunch or dinner, a handmade milkshake on a hot summer afternoon, or a chocolate grand mariner mousse after watching a glorious sunset over Bellingham Bay.

During the summer season, outside seating is available on the winding cobblestone beneath the shade of the large chestnut tree, giving the cafe a European feel. Inside the cafe, natural light pours through the large West-facing windows illuminating a simple but elegant updating of Fairhaven's historic architecture: brick and natural wood accents, a small wood stove with dancing flames and framed reproductions of vintage artwork.

Two unique soups are featured each day. With over fifty soups offered each month, ranging from Asian Vegetable Tofu to Wild Mushrooms and Cream, Skylark's helpfully publishes a monthly calendar. Between 7 am to 11 pm, breakfast ranges from the basic eggs, hashbrowns and pancakes to a Mediterranean Fritata filled with black olives, spinach, tomato, feta cheese and baked to perfection.

Lunch and dinner bring even more variety. Sandwiches vary from a reinvented peanut butter and jelly--or banana--to a "Greek" sandwich, with crumbled feta cheese, tomato, cucumber, red onion on hearty black rye bread. Hot sandwiches include a very tasty reuben on dark rye, and a "garden" burger served with cucumber, sprouts and stone ground mustard.

Salad lovers also need to bring a hearty appetite. The caesar salad with its fresh romaine lettuce, grated parmesan and zesty croutons, accompanied by a freshly baked whole wheat roll, is nearly a meal for two.

A nice selection of pasta dishes round out the menu, offering seafood combinations, vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrees. I found the Penne Marinara, with its rich tomato sauce filled with green peppers, mushrooms, garlic and onion, does indeed fulfill Skylark's promise about its great pasta: "We never skimp on the portion."

Desert may not be "doable" after a Skylark's meal, but consider a return trip to check out the bourbon bread pudding or the peach cobbler. Or, if like me, you are a "slave" to chocolate, what better choice than the chocolate decadence with raspberry puree.

Written By: Rob Olason

On: 1/28/1999

Directions

The cafe is tucked away in the back of the old Fairhaven Post Office building on Eleventh Street, In the heart of Fairhaven. From the corner of Harris Avenue and Eleventh Street, walk one half block down the hill on Harris, turn left onto the cobblestone path. The entrance to Skylark's is at the top of the rise in the path.

Features

Map

Post A User Review

Top Rated In Restaurants

User Reviews

Judy

(2)

(0)

11/5/2005

Skylark's Restaurant is truly a hidden gem!!! It's tucked back behind another business, but once you find it, you will want to go back again and again. They have such an interesting menue. Many of their items you can't find anywhere else. I have gone there for lunch many times.

(0)

Anonymous

(3)

(0)

5/31/2007

I bring everyone I know to Skylark's on a regular basis, and have never had the poor service experience. It is my favorite place to show guests. There is sometimes a wait, as you would expect for any good restaraunt that is busy, but I have never had to wait for more than ten minutes. I go there on average four or five times a year. I particularly enjoy the shrimp Louis salads, which come with an abundance of shrimp, much more that any other place I've been to. Their homemade dressings are also excellant. My vegetarian friends always enjoy the butternut squash lasagna, which they have described as creamy and delicious. The ambience in the renovated upstairs is delightful, and cool in the summer, with pleasant little nooks and crannies. The mirrors echo the art on the opposite wall, and the old-fashioned bar lends to a very pleasant atmosphere.

(0)

Dick C.

(2)

(0)

10/14/2006

If your idea of a fine dining atmosphere is that of a day care center, then this is the place for you. The restaurant is frequented by families with children who think that all public places are extentions of their family rooms and behave accordingly. Unfortunately, the folks at this restaurant are of like mind and seem to be too PC to ask families for a modicum of decorum. For a place that bills itself as a wine bar (which I always thought was an adult establishment) you have to wonder what they were thinking of. Given the relatively high prices for the pasta, I would go to a burger joint where at least I have some expectation of being entertained by unruly children.

(0)

Connie Loomis

Bellingham, WA

(1)

9/8/2002

First To Review

I love this restaurant. Best egg salad sandwich I have ever eaten.

(0)

Caitlin

(1)

(0)

3/7/2009

Wow. I don't know which was worse the service or the food. I know what it's like to be a busy waitress and I know how it's not hard to at least acknowledge people when you are busy. We stood at the door waiting to even be greeted and put on the list for at least 5 minutes. Not even a friendly, "Hi, someone will be right with you" from the many passing servers. I got over that and decided whatever the food will be worth it. No!! I ordered a fruit plate to start. The menu said fresh. Out they came with blackberries that had obviously been frozen. Gross. I'm sorry, I am not trying to make a smoothie! I can forgive anything once I have had my coffee. The coffee was awful. I had drip so maybe the espresso is better. I hate to not go back and try again but my food came out barely warm and the service left a lot to be desired. To be fair the waitress had tables all over the place and that is just bad management. We were upstairs and they had 3 different gals working up there. Why not give them all a section? We were there before 3 other parties and sat last. We ordered our food at the same time and we were served when two of the parties were getting the checks? It was just a bad visit all together. My Mom's pancakes were good had they been served hot. Oh and the inside is just gorgeous especially the bar area.

(0)

Scott

(1)

(0)

1/15/2009

My wife and I make a semi-annual visit to Skylarks, vowing each time to avoid it the next time the urge hits. From a 35 minute wait for a couple of to-go milkshakes, to being told it was against their policy to serve a grilled cheese sandwich to an adult on the weekend, (I'm not making that up).

We were served foccacia that was too salty to eat, and the waitress said...

"oh, yeah, sometimes they go heavy on the salt... so you don't want it?" and charged us for it anyway.

The atmosphere is outstanding, the restaurant is beautiful, and occasionally the food is really good, it's just a gamble on just about everything, except you can pretty much be assured prompt service is never on the menu.

With so many really good places to eat in Bellingham, it's ashame to potentially waste an evening at Skylarks.

You can get half-off gift certificates at KVOS.com, (click on discount deals) if you have seriously good luck.

(0)

Heidi

(1)

(0)

1/14/2009

I go to Skylarks regularly for lunch, dinner and jazz nights. The food is great, the service is terrific and the jazz nights are just terrific! I've seen families with children there, but I can't remember them so it must not have been disruptive in any way.There are regulars there and the atmosphere is warm, welcoming and friendly. Really, what's not to love? I think the negative reviews are from people who went somewhere else.

(0)

Jackie

(1)

(0)

11/25/2008

Skylarks just started a "special" lunch and dinner menu that is priced in a way that most people can dine on their delicious food for a reasonable price. They seem to understand the economy issues and, rather than increase prices or lower quality, they offer the same quality at a lower price. Their Happy Hour is another affordable way to enjoy their food in a warm, comfortable environment.

(0)

James

(1)

(0)

9/10/2007

Skylarks is an excellent place for lunch or weekend breakfast. Me and my wife have taken our well behaved children there many times. It's too bad someone, obviously without children, felt the need to put down others who chose to take their children to such a wonderful place to eat. But that's okay. We've always been well served by their excellent staff. Be warned, weekend mornings are busy, be prepared to wait. Which is a true testament to their popularity!

(0)

kate

(1)

(0)

8/2/2007

If you really want a taste of Bellingham, I recommend takin' it downtown. Bland, watered down coffee was unimpressive. Speaking of outdoor seating, I can recommend a few fantastic venues...

(0)

loni

(1)

(0)

8/1/2007

Skylarks is a great place to dine at in the summer. The outdoor seating is so nice, especially with choice company. Good Times..

(0)

Anonymous

(1)

(0)

5/12/2007

Food was awful and the service wasn't that great either. It took about 10 minutes for the waitress to acknowledge us and give us menus. We were supposed to get bread with our meal but by the time we were halfway done with our mediocre meal (pasta), it seemed pointless to try and get the gal's attention. Sorry, won't be coming back.

(0)

Anonymous

(1)

(0)

3/18/2007

We had just a terrific time at Skylarks this St. Patricks Day! This was the best Irish corned beef & vegetables we ever had. Great atmosphere, great music, great fun....full service bar. Can't wait to return. March 17, 2007.

(0)

Anonymous

(1)

(0)

2/19/2007

It was really nice. I didnt have any service issues as others on here described. We just orderd dessert. It took them a while to bring it out, but it was well worth it! The atmosphere is very nice and I will definately go back to try lunch or dinner.

(0)

Anonymous

(1)

(0)

12/13/2006

I like their menu, the bar is lovely and the service for me has always been just right. I also really enjoy the live music.

(0)

Anonymous

(1)

(0)

10/28/2006

Stiffed? Try ordering a premium scotch and see what you get....? ice water at best and then they want to debate it with you...would never go back for a drink...or dinner .. I now understand that the service and attitude is in fact, as bad as people have been saying....

(0)

Naomi

(1)

(0)

2/27/2006

I have not yet had the privilege of dining at Skylarks, though I have heard much about it. My husband, my sister, and I went in last December, and after basically being ignored, we finally left. We were not told there was a wait. We were told the hostess would be right with us, and then we stood around for 15 minutes while we were passed by at least six different waitstaff who seemed to be in bad moods, and didn't give us so much as a glance, a "have you been helped?", or an apology of any sort. All this was compounded by the fact that we could see plenty of empty tables. A waitress finally came to seat us, said she need to get another chair (all of the tables we saw had enough chairs for our party of three), disappeared, and after waiting about 5 more minutes, we left. I will go back to give Skylark's another chance, but I hope I hope I actually get to the point of trying the food!

(0)

Ariel

(1)

(0)

11/18/2005

The restaurant is beautiful and has a great atmosphere, but I was a bit disappointed in Skylark's. I went there for dinner on a Saturday. I ordered pasta with a marinara and vegetable sauce and it was only luke warm and had the texture tomato sauce gets when it's been out a bit too long. My friend enjoyed her sandwich, though.

(0)

Nell Daniel

(1)

(0)

10/6/2005

I absolutely loved Skylark's Hidden Cafe, where two friends and I had a light supper on Sunday evening. Had the scampi in garlic sauce, my friend had the scallops,and we could not resist trying the bread pudding for dessert. Not only was I impressed with the food, but the ambiance in this old building with the rich wood interior, as well as the service are things I am looking forward to return to soon!

(0)

Jodie

(1)

(0)

9/29/2005

Skylarks is truly one of the worst resturaunts. The food is expensive for what they offer, which would be fine, if it were decent. The service was fine. But it is truly not worth the money. I can make better food at home, I will not return.

(0)

Aly

(1)

(0)

8/19/2005

Really good desserts, and the new wine bar is very chic and appropriate for working professionals, retirees, or even college students.

(0)

(1)

(0)

6/26/2005

I always thought I didn't like beef stroganoff until I was brave enough to order it at Skylark's. It is simple, creamy, and very flavorful. I am also a big fan of their blue cheese dressing. The service is friendly and the outdoor seating isn't too bad, although beware of the table under the tree that is closest to the walkway. It leans!

(0)

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