Located at 150 Village Road, at the sign of the hungry dog, you'll find this wood cottage painted in bright colors with a deli-style counter and wine store called Vita's. The food here is wildly... More

Located at 150 Village Road, at the sign of the hungry dog, you'll find this wood cottage painted in bright colors with a deli-style counter and wine store called Vita's. The food here is wildly delicious as are the women who work behind the counter. There are a number of hand-made dishes feshly prepared, squared and served up ready for a picnic on one of Lopez Island beaches or scenic outlooks. For instance, Gruyere Mac and Cheese ($4.95 a slice), Tomato Basil Puffed Pastry with Feta Cheese ($4.50) or Curried Chicken Salad ($7.95 lb) pack up very nicely in your basket along with a bottle of red wine from Vita's bottle racks. If you have been more active and seek more substantial items, you can pick up Risotto Stuffed Chicken Breasts ($5.95 ea), Beacon Wrapped Pork Medallions with an apricot glaze on a bed of cranberry wild rice pilaf ($7.95 a serving), or skewers of Chicken or Flank Steak Satay's with exquisitely spiced sauce for $3.95 each. Even though the presentation is informal and served in cardboard cartons, this is gourmet quality food. Really delicious. Vita's also bakes yummy fresh cookies and bars sitting on cooling racks and people die for the taste of them. Cans of Italian soda and various well-made side dishes can also be had in the shop. If you are on Lopez Island, Vitas is a must stop and rivals any gourmet food of the highest quality in larger cities around the world. There are a few high counters inside but limited indoor seating space. Outside you'll find a couple of picnic tables and I imagine most food is purchased as take-out either for eaing outdoors or back in the many summer houses and cottages on the island.
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Joyce Brinar, formerly chef at the upscale Bay Cafe, provides an extraordinary array of hot and cold edibles. The food is imaginative, generous, and usually made with local ingredients. Her wine... More

Joyce Brinar, formerly chef at the upscale Bay Cafe, provides an extraordinary array of hot and cold edibles. The food is imaginative, generous, and usually made with local ingredients. Her wine stock is first rate. Also, it's a favorite island gathering place, and a wonderful source for, say, a gooey barbequed pork sandwich to carry across the street to stroll through Lopez's summer Saturday Market.
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