Backdoor Kitchen

Last week, I was lucky enough to go to a conference at the Friday Harbor labs on San Juan Island (off the coast of northern Washington). This is close to paradise in the summer. Although a bit cold, being there in early spring was nice because we missed the huge tourist waves. Searching for someplace to eat out for my birthday, the baristas at a coffee shop suggested the Backdoor Kitchen. As the name suggests, this little reastaurant is tucked behind a nursery warehouse on a side street. Outdoor seating in a serene garden would be ideal in warmer months, but huge windows let indoor dinners appreciate the outdoor light. Many of the tables next to windows were already reserved on that mid-March Thursday. It was surprisingly hard to find vegetarian-friendly food in Friday Harbor, even on the Backdoor Kitchen menu. But, as I've found now that I know to ask (generally at nicer restaurants), the chef can put together something great. Roasted yams, squash, mashed potatoes, spring greens and some white bean soup. The veggies were colorful, sweet, tasty and not overcooked or drowned in sauce. I'm sure the stuff on the menu is equally good, but ordering vegetarian turned a $27 entree into a $13 entree. Not bad, as far as this tourist town is concerned.