Drink Drops

but you’ll also typically find a seafood pasta, filet-topped salad, and oysters on the menu.

RAILROAD PUB & PIZZA Pizza, American 122 S. Spruce St., Burlington 360.982.2133, railroadpizza.com Railroad Pub & Pizza in downtown Burlington has all the charm of a rustic pub with quality food and drinks. The menu boasts several artisan pizza options on a 24-hour aged malted dough crust, as well as soups, salads, and sandwiches. The bar offers a multitude of taps for craft beer and ciders. The wide garage-style windows open in the summer, and the central fireplace heats the space in the winter. It’s a great place to watch a game, drink a beer, and eat some pizza.

RISTRETTO COFFEE LOUNGE & WINE BAR American 416 1st St., Mount Vernon 360.336.0951, ristrettocoffeelounge.com Ristretto doesn’t have a kitchen, but the baristas know their way around a panini press. You can also order breakfast all day, fresh salads, hearty bagels, or one of the baked goods brought in three times a week from nearby bakeries.

SALT & VINE French 913 6th St., Anacortes 360.293.2222 An international cheese, wine, and charcuterie shop, Salt & Vine offers the best of both worlds. It’s a boutique artisan grocery where you can sit down and enjoy the offerings, and then, if something tickles your fancy, you can take it home to enjoy later. While some choose to grab-n-go, others decide to stay a while. The cozy, intimate environment works great for a date night or happy hour with friends.

SHAMBALA BAKERY & BISTRO American 614 S. 1st Ave., Mount Vernon 360.588.6600, shambalabakery.com Crack open Shambala Bakery and Bistro’s menu to find all-day breakfast options and an array of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and lighter fare items such as quiche and soup. Their daily specials take advantage of what’s in season.

SKAGIT VALLEY’S FARMHOUSE American 13724 Laconner Whitney Rd., Mount Vernon 360.466.4411, thefarmhouserestaurant.net Craving home-cooked food but don’t want to make it yourself? Skagit Valley’s Farmhouse may be what you’re looking for. When first entering the building, you walk past a mouthwatering pie showcase and through a gift shop that has the perfect items for Ma and Pa. The decor is reminiscent of country living. Even though their breakfasts are famous, try their lunch and dinner menus as well—when you eat here, you’re home.

TAQUERIA LA BAMBA Mexican 2222 Riverside Dr., Ste. 850, Mount Vernon 360.424.0824 Off the road and inside a small plaza sits a little gem—a family-run, low-key Mexican restaurant. Taqueria La Bamba offers authentic taco truck food in a sit-down restaurant. The salsas are spicy, full of flavor, and made in-house. If you’re looking for authentic Mexican food at a low price, eat here and you won’t be disappointed.

Aslan Brewing Company

Enjoy three new hop beers from Aslan this October: The Charlie Foxtrot and the Fresh Hop Kolsch, brewed with Chinook hops from Growing Veterans in Lynden, plus Cascade Bloom from Roy Farms. For a true autumnal delight, lookout for their Satan’s Airport, an imperial milk stout set to be released at the end of October, brewed with coffee from Bellingham Coffee Roasters.

1330 N. Forest St., Bellingham aslanbrewing.com

Stones Throw Brewery

As the weather grows colder, you can warm yourself up with these new beers from Stones Throw Brewery. The Fresh Hop Ale is brewed within hours of the hops harvesting, resulting in a clean and bright beer with a moderately bitter profile. For Oktoberfest, the Fest Bier is back to deliver a smooth and clean taste in a malty German lager form. 1009 Larrabee Ave., Bellingham stonesthrowbrewco.com

Stemma Brewing Stemma Brewing is releasing two new hop beers DRINK DROPS this October. Try the Shattered Universe IPA, a collaboration with Juxt Taphouse (plus four graphic designers) that’ll transport you back to summer with flavors of mango and grapefruit. For a berry good time, try the stone fruit and blueberry flavored Mosaic Single Hop, complete with mild bitterness and medium body. 2039 Moore St., Bellingham stemmabrewing.com