Summer Dreams

It’s never too early to whet your appetite for those sunny days spent leisurely cruising the sparkling Puget Sound waters. And this year, the prospects for docking, dining, and wine tasting on those perfect summer days are looking especially bright with several new options slated to open from north to south. Get those dock lines ready:

• In Bellingham, the Port recently announced the expansion of its Portal Container Village, adding several new restaurants to a lineup that already includes a beer garden, a coffee and ice cream shop, as well as an 18-hole outdoor mini golf course and waterside bike track. First established in 2021 and located on Laurel Street near the old Georgia Pacific pulp mill, the downtown waterfront district comprises recycled shipping containers that house a variety of eateries and businesses, including the soon to open Zeek’s Pizza as well as a new Bin 13 Wine Bar. Bin 13 will feature an expansive upper-level deck that will offer views of the nearby water, the massive Digester Tanks, and the always-happening track course to enjoy while you sip away, as well as a front row seat to the Port’s many planned spring and summer festivals and events. Keep abreast of the latest at: portofbellingham.com.
  
  
• Moving south to the Port of Everett, Tapped Public House recently inked a deal to open its fourth Puget Sound location in a brand new, 12,000-square foot complex to be constructed just south of the buzzy new Fisherman Jack’s and South Fork Baking Co. building located near Hotel Indigo. Joining Tapped in what is now being called “Restaurant Row” will be Rustic Cork Wine Bar, Hamilton Cellars, and Menchie’s at the Marina; Tapped proffers an array of Northwest-inspired small bites and a wealth of beers and ciders on, you guessed it, tap. Then, just a hop, skip and a jump away to the south, will be the new home of The Net Shed, a long-hoped-for outpost that will offer a unique restaurant-slash-retail concept with a fish n’ chips restaurant and bar, paired with a year-round fish market so that boaters can grab a filet to cook back onboard. “Our newest concept is inspired by the Port and heritage of the site, with a local and seasonally driven curated selection of world- class seafood,” said Sean Drought of Way Hospitality Group, The Net Shed’s proprietor. “The market and fish bar’s offerings will change daily, just like the tides. Our goal is to be able to put a quality taste and flavor on the plate that is locally grown, harvested, and caught in our culinarily abundant region of the Puget Sound.” Both Tapped and The Net Shed are expected to offer plenty of outdoor dining space for drinking in those Port views, and both establishments broke ground in early 2024 with exact opening details to come soon. For more details, follow along at: portofeverett.com.
  
  
• And in Seattle, boaters have been waiting with bated breath for the opening date announcement of The Cove at Lake Union Piers, a wine and tasting bar created by Seattle-based Ackley Brands. Good news: Reps from the wine brand state that the doors will swing open wide by summer’s end, most likely in August or September. Located in the same complex as the offices for Chuck Hovey and Silver Seas Yachts, as well as mere steps from Hampton Yacht Group and Worth Avenue Yachts, The Cove will not only offer wine from Ackley’s impressive portfolio—which includes Montifore Estate, Cataclysm Wine Co., and Borealis Vintners—but also craft beer options from their newest acquisition, Mac and Jack’s Brewing. Cheers to that and keep up to date at: ackleybrands.com.