"Figuring out where to eat dinner in popular tourist town of La Conner can be confounding since there are so many options, but our recent experience at a relative newcomer there will make that choice much easier in future visits. The Fork at Skagit Bay, an outpost of a popular eatery in Bellingham, dazzled us with great food, a casual setting and superb service. We were worried when we first arrived on a dark winter evening and found the pleasant dining room only occupied by one other couple, although the small bar was packed no doubt the result of reduced price happy hour food there). But the warm welcome of server Hallie B. and the great craft cocktails $15) she delivered soon put us at ease. We scanned the extensive menu with its distinct Southern accents and settled on two classic appetizers that reflected that influence hush puppies $16) and fried green tomatoes $16). Both were tasty indeed, plus served in portions so large that we had some leftovers to enjoy later at home. The appetizers were so filling that my companion opted to have a Caesar salad $12) as her main course and was pleased that she did. It was a fine rendition of that classic salad, another indication of the kitchen's attention to detail. I was tempted by several entrees, including the Fork's intriguing rendition of cassoulet with three kinds of local pork, but Hallie's expansive counsel edged me over to just about the most expensive item on the menu the dry aged local grass fed beef steak $48). It was a triumph, rare as ordered and tender, juicy and flavorful. I doubt that any top line steakhouse could have matched it even at a much higher price. A lusty bottle of California red wine $56), called the Pessimist, proved a perfect accompaniment to the steak that again provided some significant leftovers. We finished our memorable dinner at The Fork with another item with a Southern accent key lime pie $12). Again, a top drawer rendition with a great graham cracker crust. Could there have been a better slice of key lime pie within 500 miles? Probably not. Throughout our enchanted evening at The Fork, Hallie was a wonder. She was everything we like a server to be personable, knowledgeable, informative but never intrusive. In summation, a total pro. Too bad Hallie was only doing guest server duties from The Fork's other restaurant in Bellingham. We usually make it to La Conner a couple times a year from our home in the Seattle area. From now on, The Fork at Skagit Bay will be our mandatory first choice for dinner."
