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INSIDE
Whalen’s
opens to rave reviews
By
Pat Grubb
It may have
taken longer than what they expected but the results are definitely
worth it, according to visitors to Stephen and Carol Fowler’s
Whalen’s Beach Cafe, Wine Bar and Country Store. “We’ve had people
coming in and telling us they remember coming to the original
restaurant and dancing. All sorts of good memories have been stirred
up,” said Stephen.
About 18
months have been spent on the design and renovation of the historic
building overlooking Maple Beach on Bayview Drive.While not, strictly
speaking, a restoration (due to the need to adhere to modern building
codes), the Fowlers were careful in their approach to one of Point
Robert’s most treasured buildings.
The result
is an airy and serene glimpse of the past. Entering, your first
view is of the ice cream counter featuring several different varieties
of Edaleen ice cream. Right next to that delight are all sorts
of pies straight out of the oven. Everything served at Whalen’s
is cooked right there, from appetizers to desserts.
The main
dining room holds a combination of booths and tables as well as
a country store, wine shelves and a small bar (coming sometime
in the future). Along the back wall (the country store) there
are all kinds of items for sale from candles to welcome mats.
Look for the flip-flop candles. Many of the items would make great
gifts but you‘ll probably find yourself buying them for yourself.
Also on the same back wall is a wide variety of wines, beer and
soda for off sales.
The Fowlers
have heartfelt ideas on food and wine and it definitely comes
through on the menu. Everything is fresh and freshly prepared.
From the fruit plate with a frothy cappuccino to spinach salad
with fresh pears and pecans with blue cheese, to grilled wild
salmon, Asian glaze served with rice and vegetables, your taste
buds will let you know that this stuff is either just off the
farm or out of the water.
Depending
on what’s available, the time of day or day of the week, the menu
changes frequently. Here’s an idea of what you can expect… On
Sunday for brunch, look for the breakfast burrito with cheddar,
avocado, scrambled eggs and fire roasted tomato salsa it gives
burritos a good name. Alternately, there are omelettes, breakfast
paninis and Whalen’s Plate grilled Italian sausage or bacon,
eggs, potato and toast. Prices range from $4.50 to $7.
There are
daily specials for lunch and soup du jour. Whalen’s specializes
in grilled panini sandwiches. A lighter choice is the Mediterranean
grilled vegetables, feta cheese and sun-dried tomato aioli it’s
great. Always there are salads such as wild greens, smoked salmon
& chevre, dill and lemon vinaigrette a meal in itself it seems.
Prices range from $3 for an appetizer to $4.50 for a panini to
$6.50 for the daily special.
There are
slight differences between the dinner menu on the weekend and
that served during the week. Examples include the aforementioned
wild salmon, crispy baked Halibut with lemon, caper and roast
pepper, grilled Beef Tenderloin with peppercorn crust, garlic
mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables. Prices for appetizers start
at $3 with most entrees in the $10 to $12 range. The staff seem
to know their stuff and they do it expertly and quickly. If the
first few weeks are a good indication, you’ll never have to wait
very long for your order to arrive. It might take awhile to get
a reservation though, so you better get your skates on and call
360/945-2112. Tues, Wed, Thurs. 11:30 a.m. 9 p.m. Fri. 11:30
a.m 10 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m. 10 p.m.; Sun. 10:30 a.m. 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays. 51 Bayview Drive 360/945-2112
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