"Helmed by two alums of the artisanal San Francisco Baking Institute, Eastsound’s Brown Bear Baking is a cozy spot for croissants, boules, and brunchy classics like quiche and croque monsieur. Fusing classic French techniques with the archipelago’s agricultural bounty, Brown Bear’s small-batch baked goods feature Skagit Valley heirloom wheat and seasonal fruits like apples and peaches from island farms. The well-stocked bakery case typically dwindles fast as locals start their day with a bear paw or almond croissant, but the sit-down brunch and lunch menu entices with smoked salmon quiches and forest-foraged mushroom pasties." - Megan Hill, Zoe Baillargeon
