Whidbey Wanderings

Scoping out some of the new eating spots on Whidbey last week I stumbled into two great eateries to grab simple fare.

First in Langley on Second street is the Useless Bay Coffee Co. Just open two weeks, it already has a following. They roast their own coffee on site. The big coffee roaster is just behind the counter for your viewing pleasure roasting 100% Arabica beans. In addition to the expected hand crafted coffee beverages, teas, Chai, soy selections, hot cocoa and steamed milk there is a good variety of cold offerings including Italian Soda, soy milk, milk, iced tea, lemonade and containers of sparkling waters and soda pops.

For quick bites, Useless Bay Coffee Co. offers Panini sandwiches with half-sandwiches available with soup or salad. Then there are the pastries – muffins, scones, croissants, coffee cake, cookies and a granola, yogurt and fruit option perfect for a morning pick-me-up. Then I spotted….the J. W. Desserts chocolate cake.

J.W. Desserts, up until now, was expressly custom orders. Now they too have opened a new dessert and light bite café in Ken’s Korner Mall in Clinton. Co-owner John Auburn left the bright lights of the big city to slow down on Whidbey. Now he, along with his business partner, are stepping things up a bit.

In addition to the expected fantastic cakes, cheesecakes, tortes and tarts they are offering soups and quiches. And they showcase their vegetarian selections and present unexpected flavor combinations. Sip cream of roasted garlic or spicy roasted potato sausage soup. Nibble on roasted potato, bacon and swiss or Chinese mushroom, grilled tofu and snow pea quiche. Then don’s pass up the dessert special…apple pecan cake with cream cheese mousse and maple pecan sauce. Take a cake home. Consider the hard-to-find savory cheesecakes such as artichoke garlic, pepper jelly or smoked salmon.