The kids and I made an impromptu trip to Western Washington for a couple reasons. First, my Great Uncle Lawrence had recently passed and there was a memorial for him. It was really a nice ceremony and we were glad that we could make it. It was when I was sitting there that I realized just how small our family was. Most notably absent was my husband and my youngest brother, who lives in Southern California, we missed them.
On a much happier note, My Grandmother turned 95.
For Grandma’s birthday we took her to Bistro San Martín. Her face lit up as soon as I mentioned where we had reservations. She was afraid that it was too nice for my boys though. I assured her they would be fine, and they behaved themselves and cleaned their plates. Martín came out of the kitchen and Steven joined him to pose with Grandma for a picture and to sing happy birthday to her. I am not sure if this is their standard protocol or if they did it for Grandma, but I choose to believe the latter. It made her day.
grandma and the proprietors
Martín Estrada-Perez and Steven Van Matre have one hell of a great restaurant in the most unlikely town I can think of. I spent many years of my childhood in Arlington Washington. My Grandparents lived just up the road in Darrington for over 90 years. As a kid it used to be Rotten Ralph’s,a drive-in with the usual fare and blackberry milk shakes, or the Blue Bird, the town lacked a fine dining establishment. At least that is what I remember. I was blown out of the water by the quality of the food here. Amazing.
(clockwise starting at the bottom left) Dad, Rickie, Karl, Andreas, me, Grandma
She has told me many times about these great men. I think that she met them at church. They invited her to dinner a couple years ago before they opened the restaurant and she raved about their their parties and the food. After meeting them last Saturday I can see why, they are very infectious. All smiles. It was Steven who handled the front of the house with ease and Martín who created the gorgeous delightful dishes.
The best seabass I've ever had
Seriously, this fish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The layers just slipping apart, moist inside and not ‘fishy’ at all. This is the first time I have ever ordered fish and it was cooked perfectly. Usually it is over done. This was perfect which is difficult to do with a thick cut piece of fish. The flavors were fantastic and the different layers of flavor with each bite made of an exciting meal. Steven made a point to tell us in detail about the sustainability of the fish, and I found it delightful to hear that he was concerned about the integrity of the food and it’s source.
perfectly executed flatiron steak
The men all had the flatiron. The boys split the flatiron it came perfectly medium-rare. The split order charge of $3 was minimal for the results, they definately got more food than just sharing off one plate. The plating was gorgeous. They ate everything even the perfectly cooked and plated vegetables, their only complaint was that they would have liked more brussels sprouts. I know, they are weird.
The desserts, all made in house, were fantastic. Grandma was stuffed from all her tiger prawns that she just had a little ice cream. Dad and Rickie shared the lemon crème brûlée, Karl had the chocolate cake with cayenne pepper and Andreas had a dish of sorbets (Meyer lemon with mint and the other was pineapple, persimmon and ginger). I loved the last one!
pineapple, persimmon & ginger and meyer lemon with mint sorbets
deep chocolate cake with cayenne
I just cannot get over that in this little town of dairy farmers and loggers there is food like this. Please make me a standing reservation for whenever I am in town. I will be back.
Grandma and the Sous Chef & Chef Martín
Bistro San Martín
231 N Olympic Ave
Arlington, WA 98223
Phone: 360.474.9229
www.bistrosanmartin.com
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great read! Love to read family stories. Happy birthday to your grandmother (my last grandparent is still kicking at 101!) Love that there is little oasis of fine dining in a place you wouldn’t expect it. If I ever come for a visit I’ll have to try it.
Your grandma is so cute!!! Love that she’s a foodie like you AND your kids. : )
Hi Kristen,
So glad you liked the Bistro San Martin! It is unquestionably the crown jewel of our little town of Arlington, which in turn has become the crown jewel of Snohomish County, and is, by the way, no longer home to just “dairy farmers and loggers.”
I have also lived in Paris, Los Cabos, and San Francisco; and I will say that Martin’s cocina and Steve’s hospitalidad are unrivaled in any of the many fine restaurants where I have eaten. Please come back again soon, and bring your wonderful family!
Every time we go to Bistro San Martin it is a wonderful experience. We are blessed to have such a great place in “little old Arlington”!
–Chuck
My grandmother is waiting for me to come back so that she had an excuse to eat at Bistro San Martin. She will complain that she has to chew a lot, but that is what happens when you usually eat the sad fare at Olympic Place. It will make her happy though and that is what counts!
I am glad to see that Arlington has come a long way since I was a kid. Though there is something refreshing and nostalgic about the smell of dairy farms and loggers too
I totally agree Chuck, I am glad that there is such a memorable establishment. I will be back!!!
Thanks for the comment and I have to say that your photos on your blog are fantastic! (I couldn’t leave a comment there)