The route we took coursed through Granite Falls, past Pilchuck, and along the Mountain Loop Highway, stopping to photograph a stand of trees in the sunlight for the 350 ppm campaign and moving on to the Big 4. This is a large mountain with pinnacles and massive formations. A very picturesque and perfe
Further along, the road turns to excellently graded gravel at the blocked turn off to the ghost
We continued to Darrington and checked data for a place to dine in Arlington, settling on Bistro San Martin. The kitchen is very talented and skilled. Really enjoyed special pork tenderloin and flat iron steak, and their special pour wine to sample 3 different Washington state wines was a good value for me who doesn't drink much. Sauces were flavorful, not overly salty nor rich. Vegetables steamed and lightly dressed. Edamame risotto was intriguing and a good foil for the tenderloin's sauce, but the addition of cheese (not always de rigeur but often expected) made it too rich. Chanterelle soup not distinguished: creamy and flavored with brandy or sherry, so mushrooms didn't come through as much as other cooks' soups can. No vegetarian options on the menu, but indicated they would cook especially for you. On a menu like this, in western Washington, I was surprised to see no provenance on the menu, and they featured [gasp!] Chilean sea bass. Also, including raspberries and blueberries in the vanilla mousse cake dessert in October didn't suggest local. (The cake and mousse were delicious, if a shade too sweet.) But what they do, they do very well. We didn't try the bread which was served with olive oil and herbs. If I were a regular, and we later consulted with our Arlington friends who are, I would try the duck and veggie options. Also atmosphere was warm, genial without being overly familiar, and not obscure. Our friends say it's considered the romantic place in town.