Our Woodinville Wine Blog trio convened for lunch on a beautiful and warm spring day at Willows Lodge’s Barking Frog restaurant. It was my first trip to this casual and airy bistro, and I was very excited to meet up with the ladies! The moment I saw the outdoor seating options, I knew this would be a trip that would not disappoint.
Here are Carrie and Serret posing in the sunny entranceway outside of Barking Frog. We arrived before the lunch rush and had our choice of tables on the patio. It’s the little things that make us smile!
The giant bottles of wine at the hostess station added a fun touch to the decor. We unanimously agreed that any one of them would make a great conversation piece at a party.
The fountains and pools on the outside patio are so pretty and relaxing! I loved the salmon glass sculptures. Moving water is always very soothing to me.
We ordered a selection of wines that was refreshing and colorful. I tried the Laughing Pig Rosé, which paired perfectly with my marinated tri-tip sandwich. My pet project for this summer is to develop my Rosé palate, since I typically stick to heavier reds. This one in particular was a Pinot Noir/Rosé – a perfect introduction!
I was impressed with our server’s knowledgeable recommendations and the time she took to explain the menu and wine options.
Serret ordered the Southwest carrot soup. What a pretty colored dish! I tried a taste and was pleasantly surprised at the roasted pepitas used for garnish.
Carrie started with the beet & baby kale salad. I love beets and will be ordering this the next time I visit. It came with blueberries and goat cheese, with balsamic vinaigrette.
For her entree, Carrie ordered the artichoke mascarpone ravioli and it was so wonderful that we all grabbed a fork and dug in – before I remembered to take a photograph!
My lemon chicken orzo soup was delicious and light, and the pickled onions on my marinated tri-tip sandwich melted in my mouth.
Serret tried the truffle fries (they were an amazing crowd pleaser!) and Mediterranean chicken pita 1/2 sandwich.
The dessert menu was almost given a pass by all three of us, since we were stuffed from our delectable lunch. After a little nudge (ok, I can admit it, she basically had me at “dessert”) we ordered the strawberry rhubarb cake with candied hibiscus and pink peppercorn zephyr noodles. It was an artful finish to our lunch and the flavors were wonderful!
Whether you find yourself looking for a place to stop to eat & drink during a wine tasting in Woodinville, or you are planning a stay at Willows Lodge following a concert at nearby Chateau Ste. Michelle – Barking Frog is a marvelous option. Check them out!
