Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Copy Link
Delicious, New Places to Try in Kitsap
We’ve been highlighting great, new eateries that have opened during the pandemic through our Facebook page, Windermere Sound Living. Check out these great places that we’ve featured so far, and stay tuned for more!
Bigleaf Maple Bakery in Poulsbo
Photo by Leo Phillips.
What do you get when you mix an archeologist and a choir teacher? Apparently, amazing French pastries! Sarah and Wendi from Bigleaf Maple met three and a half years ago. They were both working at Pane D’Amore on Bainbridge and became “baking soulmates”.
“No matter where you think you’ll be, life puts you in different places,” they said of making radical career shifts and then starting a new business during a pandemic. They started Bigleaf Maple in the winter of 2019, producing wholesale items in early 2020, like macarons for Bon Bon and fresh treats for the Poulsbo Farmers Market.
The bakery started out in a rented commercial kitchen space. As their fan base grew, they offered items for sale via social media for delivery at the beginning of the pandemic. Eventually, they opened their storefront in the late spring of 2021. They both said they love being located in Historic Downtown Poulsbo, allowing them to collaborate and support all of the other local small businesses.
It’s a wonderful place to start your day. Or, pick up some incredible treats for a special occasion!
Ono Poke Too in Kingston
Photos by Leo Phillips.
Poke is a way of life in Hawaii, and Steven Ono is bringing his culture and a new fresh food option to Kitsap through Ono Poke Too in Kingston. Growing up on O’ahu, Steven would race home from school to meet his uncle’s fishing boat to help clean the catch of the day, and take it to auction.
Open since March 2021, Ono has faced challenges, but it has been well-received by the community. Being embedded in the community is very important to the Ono Poke brand, and at the end of each day, any leftover food is shared with community groups via the employees, as EVERY dish is made fresh each morning. They also proudly offer discounts to military and first-responders. A rooftop patio and surfboard storage are on the wish list for additions to the space.
Their sister restaurant in Edmonds has been open for five years and serves more than 100 lbs. of poke per day.
Just a couple of blocks up from the Kingston Ferry Terminal, Ono Poke Too is a delicious spot for lunch or dinner – check it out!
Parlor Shop in Poulsbo
Photos by Leo Phillips.
When the world opened back up in June 2020, Mike and Taylor were ready with their new restaurant: Parlor Shop in Poulsbo! Before opening, Mike and Taylor had been hard at work renovating and curating the space and pizza menu – complete with a full-service cocktail bar. Their hard work shows in the comfortable lounge atmosphere and elegant bar design.
Mike and Taylor hope to host a community space centered around great food, drink, and company. “Every single day is a new starting point, and we’re trying to fulfill what we had envisioned,” says Mike, now on his second restaurant. For Taylor, who also boasts years of restaurant experience, “enthusiastic guests and repeat customers” is especially rewarding to see.
Nothing comes closer to realizing their Parlor Shop vision than live music. With tunes, pies, and drinks flowing, the community atmosphere shines bright, a beacon for the future of this new addition to the vibrant Poulsbo restaurant scene. Next time you’re heading down Viking Way, make a stop at Parlor Shop. Pressed for time? You can easily order online for carry-out.
The Slab Pizza Co. in Suquamish
Photos by Leo Phillips.
The Slab Pizza Company in Suquamish may be small, but it’s certainly mighty. Originally, “the slab” was a large cement basketball court known as a hangout for local youth, and one of the “spots to be” for fireworks. Having lived in the area since the 1990s, owner Drew Bateman chose the name to pay homage to the part of town that had the same name when he was growing up.
The interior of the shop is painted in rainbow colors, not just “because rainbows are cool,” but to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Drew hopes the shop can be a welcoming place for anyone who is from an underrepresented demographic. Being in Suquamish, and being on Native land is really special, and he is proud to be able to serve the community this way.
The Slab, which offers to-go only, opened in mid-June 2021, but the building was obtained in November of 2020. This is Drew’s second pizza restaurant – the first being Bene Pizza on Bainbridge Island. His background in restaurants began at Agate Pass Cafe, which was located across the street from the Slab, and he has been working with the same crew for almost a decade. He loves working with his great crew, which he says feels just like family. Plus, his daughter Chloe, who has been working with him in restaurants since she was 14, can be found behind the counter most days. Order online or stop by for a slice and an interesting soda!
Yoko Yoko Ramen in Bremerton
Photos by Leo Phillips.
Great ramen starts with a passion for authentic cultural traditions, and James Johnson, the owner of Yoko Yoko Ramen, gained that from his time in Japan. While stationed there for the Navy, he attended the International Ramen School as a hobby, learning everything about ramen, including how to make all of the traditional ingredients, and how to open a restaurant. It wasn’t until he ended up in Kitsap that he put this knowledge to work.
The restaurant opened in April of 2021, with a bar expansion in June. Liz, the bar manager, also spent five years in Japan, and is thrilled to be able to create custom cocktails and bring Japanese ingredients to life in beautiful ways.
Johnson’s vision was to bring something to Kitsap that would fill a void for folks who have lived or spent time in Japan, a place for nostalgia and reminiscing, while also serving those interested in trying authentic dishes.
More recently, they are hoping to bring some of the “San Diego vibe” to Bremerton, to welcome families recently relocated to Kitsap with the arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt. Future plans include a traditional-style karaoke lounge, available for private events. They offer gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, so grab your friends and family for a great lunch, dinner, or Happy Hour meet-up.
If you know of a delicious, new place here in Kitsap County, please let us know through our Facebook page and we might feature it.
The Rich History of the Suquamish Tribe
All media courtesy of the Suquamish Museum.
Nothing embodies perseverance quite like the Suquamish Tribe. Thriving with tradition and culture, the Suquamish Tribe has lived in tandem with the land, now Kitsap County, for centuries. The Suquamish lived communally in permanent villages along the shore near rivers and streams of the Puget Sound during the winter. They had winter villages in places like Suquamish, Poulsbo, Silverdale, Port Madison, and Battle Point. During the other seasons, many left their residences in family canoes to travel to temporary camps at fishing, hunting, and gathering grounds.
The Suquamish people’s indigenous language is Lushootseed, a linguistic member of the Coast Salish language group spoken by first peoples throughout the Pacific Northwest. Due to federal assimilation policies, their language was almost lost. But they’ve fought hard to preserve it. They established a Traditional Learning Program that teaches Lushootseed to children and community members.
Historical Attractions
Part of the Port Madison Indian Reservation, the Suquamish village has magnificent ocean and mountain views. Native and non-native residents live there. The waterfront is adorned by restaurants, local businesses, and cultural attractions. One of the most notable and must-visit places is Chief Seattle’s Gravesite. This monument honors the legendary leader of the Suquamish Tribe. Chief Seattle was known for his ideas around ethics, spirituality, and environmentalism.
Learn more about Chief Seattle from Suquamish Elder Marilyn Wandrey who shares important historical details in the video below, courtesy of the Suquamish Museum.
The House of Awakened Culture stands tall by the waterfront. The House and surrounding outdoor area hosts many events that teach and celebrate the Suquamish culture. Programs include basket weaving, Lushootseed language lessons, Youth Canoe Journey Trainings, and traditional Suquamish ceremonies.
Old Man House Park is the site of the largest Suquamish winter village located on the shore of Agate Passage. The home of Chief Seattle and Chief Kitsap once stood there before the U.S. government destroyed it in 1870.
-
- Canoe in Suquamish/Agate Pass, circa 1930’s. Photograph by Bertelson
-
- Beach seiners on Agate Pass, Emmanuel Alfred, Justin Alfred of the Suquamish Tribe
-
- Basketmaker Tennessee at her home on Bainbridge island
-
- Race canoe built by Jack Adams: Seabreeze
Photographs courtesy of the Suquamish Museum
The Suquamish Tribe Today
In the face of European colonization, the Suquamish Tribe has persevered. Thanks to the selfless acts of Chief Seattle and Chief Kitsap working to protect their people, the Suquamish continue to rebuild their community and thrive. Through self-determination, the Suquamish spent decades building government relationships with federal, state, and local agencies. Much of the Tribe has fought to preserve hunting and fishing traditions for future Suquamish generations.
Today, the Suquamish Tribe devotes resources and time to instilling Suquamish pride in the current generation. The Tribe’s history and traditions are celebrated throughout the year and are shared through cultural and educational activities. Additionally, Chief Kitsap Academy (CKA) is one of the first tribal compact schools in Washington. Serving grades 6 – 12, CKA’s vision is that “every graduate is a confident, courageous, thoughtful, and respectful member of our community”. CKA also expects students to “pursue additional training and/or education and take on leadership roles in the Suquamish Tribe, the local area, and our global community”.
As their neighbors, we are proud to highlight the Suquamish Tribe’s history, culture, and traditions, recognizing that they lived here long before us. Today, the beautiful Suquamish Museum and their Tribe’s website provide a wealth of information to honor their heritage and educate locals and tourists alike.
