(www.thewoodscoffee.com/) – Bellingham
How I heard of this place: Through my sister, Mojgan. A few years ago, Mojgan was visiting our parents in Bellingham and couldn’t stop raving about this perfect coffee shop; a cafe in the middle of Boulevard Park, overlooking Bellingham Bay and serving delicious java! I have made this particular Woods Coffee (one of ten locations in Whatcom County) a place to venture since.
Type of cuisine: Cafe fare – coffees, teas, blended, iced and hot beverages. Tasty treats from sandwiches to scones and muffins. Pastries, gluten free as well as the real stuff.
Ambiance: Cozy, comfortable, homey. The Boulevard Park location has high ceilings with loft seating upstairs for those wishing to be out of the way of the leather sofas and bustling crowds placing orders. Outdoor seating just ten feet away from the bay can be enjoyed in the summer and in the winter near the double-sided fireplace. Rustic feel with a modern vibe.
What I ordered: Being the midst of winter and a late-afternoon meet-up with good friends, I opted for the non-caffeinated and seasonally appropriate 12-ounce (Spruce-size) non-fat peppermint hot chocolate ($2.50), dusted with red and white peppermint sprinkles. My cafe-companions selected a jasmine tea and a London fog (Earl gray tea with steamed milk), as well as a light, moist and warmed, round blueberry scone.
What I loved: I most loved the peppermint sprinkles on my hot chocolate! I did sample the scone, which was delicious, light, flaky and lightly buttery, without being sweet.
Why I loved it: The environment, the view, the proximity to a walking path, frisbee players and a playground make this the ideal spot for coming to people watch, to study, enjoy conversations with friends, or share a romantic day out with your sweetie. It’s the best thing that could have come from an abandoned pottery studio in the midst of Boulevard Park.
Cost: Average ($3-$5 per beverage)