Foodista

A Taste of Peru's Coast at La Mar Bellevue

From bright, citrusy cebiches to beautifully prepared Pacific Northwest seafood, La Mar Bellevue offers an unforgettable taste of Peru’s coast.

The menu blends traditional Peruvian flavors with Japanese influences and local ingredients under Executive Chef Kaoru Chang. Standout dishes included the Cebiche PNW with King salmon and grilled prawns, Yellowfin tuna Tiraditos Nikkei, Dungeness crab Causa, tender Lomo Saltado, and an exceptional halibut Pescado al Pilpil.

Save room for dessert—the Cacao, made with chocolate mousse, lucuma ice cream, and crunchy toasted quinoa, was our favorite.

With its open cebiche bar, coastal-inspired décor, and dishes designed for sharing, La Mar is more than dinner—it’s an occasion.

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https://www.foodista.com/blog/a-taste-of-perus-coast-at-la-mar-bellevue























    La Mar Cocina Peruana Bellevue Kaoru Chang

Paddle to Plate: Kayaking and Coastal Flavors in Bellingham

Whatcom County offers the perfect mix of outdoor adventure and great food. For our latest Washington paddling escape, we joined Moondance Sea Kayak Adventures for a Wild Kelp & Seaweed Foraging Tour on the Salish Sea.

Launching from Sunset Beach, we paddled toward Rosario Strait, spotted a rock covered with harbor seals and explored a quiet cove while our guide, Sophia Rouches, harvested fresh kelp.

Then came the “paddle-to-plate” portion of the day: sandwiches, vegetables, cookies and freshly cooked kelp tossed with a delicious vinaigrette. It was so good, I went back for seconds!

Back on land, Bellingham offers plenty more to explore—from waterfront walks and the Little Squalicum Pier to Fairhaven favorites such as Keenan’s at the Pier, Colophon Café and Fairhaven Fish & Chips.

A memorable day of wildlife, beautiful scenery and distinctly Pacific Northwest flavors.

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https://www.foodista.com/blog/paddle-to-plate-kayaking-and-coastal-flavors-in-bellingham



















 
Moondance Sea Kayak Adventures  Community Boating Center

Keenans at the Pier  Port Fairhaven Fish N' Chips Fairhaven Fish And Chips   

Paddle, Picnic & Pasta: An Anacortes Adventure

Emerald-green water, island views, a historic lighthouse—and an unforgettable Italian dinner. 🛶🌊🍝

For the second stop in our Washington paddling series, we explored the lesser-known islands off Anacortes with Anacortes Kayak Tours. Our six-mile route took us around Burrows, Allan, and Young islands, through the currents of Allan Pass, and ashore for a Gere-A-Deli picnic overlooking the Salish Sea.

After climbing to the historic Burrows Island Light Station, we returned to Anacortes and checked into the Majestic Inn & Spa. Dinner at family-owned Nonna Luisa Ristorante was a highlight: a hearty bowl of zuppa di pesce filled with fresh seafood, followed by a decadent Zeppole di San Giuseppe.

The next morning, we wrapped up our visit with omelets and coffee at longtime Skagit Valley favorite Calico Cupboard Café & Bakery.

Paddling, history, spectacular scenery, and incredible food—Anacortes delivered it all.

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 magicskagit Anacortes Kayak Tours
 GERE-a-DELI Skagit Valley Calico Cupboard Café & Bakery

Part 3: Castlegar and the Slocan Valley—Rivers, Art, and Living History

Where the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers meet, Castlegar serves as the perfect gateway to British Columbia’s beautiful Slocan Valley.

We paddled past enormous sturgeon, floated through mountain scenery, explored Castlegar’s colorful Sculpturewalk, and sampled everything from smoked brisket and local craft beer to Greek favorites. A visit to the Doukhobor Discovery Centre introduced us to the fascinating history, traditions, music, and food of one of the region’s most distinctive cultural communities.

From there, we followed the Slocan River north to peaceful Slocan Lake, where kayaking, historic buildings, live music, and welcoming small-town cafés offered a fitting end to our journey through the Kootenay Rockies.

This region truly earns its reputation as the Birthplace of Adventure—with wild rivers, mountain landscapes, rich history, and memorable communities around every bend.


















         
 .castlegar.BC  
Castlegar
Arrow Slocan Tourism  
Doukhobor Discovery Centre
Endless Adventure 🪩Frog peak cafe and guest house

The Kootenay Rockies: Part 2 — Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail

In New Denver and Sandon, the beauty of the Slocan Valley is intertwined with a painful chapter of Canadian history.

We visited the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre, where Japanese Canadians were forcibly confined during and after World War II, and walked through original buildings that reveal the harsh conditions families endured. Nearby, the peaceful Kohan Reflection Garden honors those who suffered, while Sandon preserves the stories of nearly 1,000 Japanese Canadians relocated to the former mining town.

These memorials are more than historic sites. They are reminders of resilience, human dignity, and our responsibility to ensure these injustices are never repeated.

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https://www.foodista.com/blog/walking-through-history-the-japanese-canadian-legacy-trail-in-the-kootenay-rockies



         

The Kootenay Rockies: Part 1 — Upper Arrow Lake

Our Nakusp adventure included kayaking on Upper Arrow Lake, forest bathing near Nakusp Hot Springs, soaking at Halcyon Hot Springs, and sampling the town’s restaurants, cafés, and new craft brewery.

Along the way, we learned more about the region’s layered history—from the Sinixt First Nations’ connection to the hot springs to the 1968 flooding that displaced more than 2,000 people along the Arrow Lakes.

A beautiful journey through mountains, water, local flavors, and stories that deserve to be remembered.

Next stop: the Slocan Valley and the Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail!

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https://www.foodista.com/blog/the-kootenay-rockies-outdoor-adventures-reflecting-on-the-past

Part 1: Paddling and Dining on the Olympic Peninsula 🛶 🌞 🛶🌞

We kicked off our adventure sea kayaking in Freshwater Bay with Elevate Outdoors, paddling past Bachelor Rock, sampling fresh bull kelp, and exploring coves filled with sea stars, oysters, sea urchins, and birdlife.

The next day, we kayaked on the crystal-clear waters of Lake Crescent, then drove up to Hurricane Ridge for sweeping views of Mount Olympus, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Vancouver Island.

Along the way, we enjoyed seafood at Downriggers, walked the Olympic Discovery Trail, stayed at Olympic Lodge, and stopped at 7 Cedars Resort before heading home.

A perfect mix of wildlife, scenery, history, and great food. Click the link in our bio to read more and get two fantastic recipes! 

https://www.foodista.com/blog/paddling-washington-three-scenic-adventures-and-where-to-eat













 /  SeaKayaking ExploreWashington PNWAdventure

🚆✨ Food adventure via light rail!

We hopped on the new 2 Line and turned a simple train ride into a full-on Federal Way food crawl—and wow, it did not disappoint.

From comforting Korean bone broth at Yi’s, to bold, spicy noodles and customizable stews at Nine Way, every stop brought something new. We even experienced authentic Cambodian cuisine at Theary Cambodian Foods—rich in history, flavor, and heart.

We wandered through a Filipino market, snacked on addictive Korean street food (yes, “drug gimbap” is a thing 😅), and wrapped it all up with Vietnamese bánh mì + iced coffee to-go for the ride home.

The best part? Skipping traffic, soaking in the scenery, and discovering incredible, diverse food all in one day.

📍Federal Way Food Trail = officially worth the trip.

Click here to read the full story! https://www.foodista.com/blog/2026/04/23/federal-way-food-trail