October 2016 - Friday Harbor House

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” – George Eliot

Fall is upon us once again, and that means all manner of major local events to celebrate the season.

If you’re staying with us this fall, be sure to mark your calendars for these dates, and experience the beauty and culture of the islands at their autumn best.

Friday Harbor Film Festival
DATE: November 4-6
TIME: 10:00am-11:00pm
SPONSORED BY: Friday Harbor Film Festival
WEBSITE: http://www.fhff.org/2016-films/

Enjoy Stories of the Pacific Rim & Beyond at this year’s Friday Harbor Festival, featuring compelling stories about humanitarian efforts, environmental issues, social concerns and daring explorations.

San Juan Island Artisans Holiday Marketplace
DATE: Friday Nov. 25 & Saturday, Nov. 26
TIME: 10:00am-5:00pm (Fri.) & 10:00am-4:00pm (Sat.)
ADMISSION INFORMATION: Free

55 artists will sell their unique, hand-made arts and crafts this year, offering a wide variety of items from soaps and lotions to jewelry, clothing, cards, paintings, island-made foods, scenic photography and much more.

Island Lights Festival
DATE: December 2, 2016
TIME: 5:00pm-6:30pm
SPONSORED BY: San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce
WEBSITE: http://www.sanjuanisland.org/
ADMISSION INFORMATION: Free

Ring in the holiday season as we turn on the lights in downtown Friday Harbor! Tree lighting, Christmas carols, pictures with Santa, and fun for all ages.

Lighted Boat Parade & Santa’s Arrival
DATE: December 17, 2016
TIME: 6:30pm
SPONSORED BY: Port of Friday Harbor
WEBSITE: http://www.portfridayharbor.org
ADMISSION INFORMATION: Free

For more than 40 years, Santa has brought gifts to children in the islands. Help guide him into the harbor with a lighted boat parade the week before Christmas.

It’s been a banner year for us up at Friday Harbor House.

New ownership, new executive chef, and a completely renovated and upgraded restaurant now serving locally sourced and locally inspired Northwest cuisine.

That last part is a phrase that’s very near and dear to our hearts.

“Locally sourced and locally inspired.”

The “locally sourced” part is easy enough; mussels from Westcott Bay, beef from Vashon Island, lamb from San Juan Island itself.

But what about locally inspired?

Upon first thought, it may seem difficult, but the answer is quite clear:

Offer food in a restaurant that reflects the values of the Northwest.

Respect for the bounty that the land and the sea provide us.

Adherence to sustainability, and ensuring that the ingredients we use have not been gathered in a way that disrupts the environment.

And being a gathering place for both guests and locals, and ensuring that the microcosm of our inn and our restaurant reflects and enriches the community around it.

Oh, and serving wonderfully delicious cuisine never hurts either…