This bakery is fine for Bellingham. The pastries were fine. Coffee was fine. But the way you pay is not fine. They use the standard Square payment method where you expect to sign on an iPad screen. However, they have removed interaction with the iPad screen and do not allow you to sign because of their COVID precautions. So here's the rub - customers can't choose to leave a tip if they're not signing the screen. So you will be asked...out loud...in front of everyone else in line - "Great, that'll be $18.39. WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAVE A TIP?!" I always tip, but asking customers for a tip out loud in front of everyone is very uncouth. It would be far more respectable to simply wipe the iPad screen after each and/or provide hand sanitizer, which would allow customers to leave tips in privacy. Or, just raise their prices and don't ask for tips. If you can afford $5 for a croissant, you can probably afford a slight markup....I wish them well.

I came here over the weekend after having this place bookmarked since the pandemic had started. But sadly, the experience was pretty underwhelming. I liked the beer well enough, but the service and ambiance felt very unwelcoming.

As first-timers, we had questions about the beer and wanted to try a variety. However, the bartender said they didn't do tasters or samples, even for purchase - very suspicious! I got the feeling that they thought their beer was "above" that, or the guy was just being lazy. He literally said, "We don't do tasters, but I'll tell you that particular beer is fantastic **wink wink**" - talk about weird. At least describe the beer in terms of a taste profile if you won't offer up a taster? Like, be specific?

So, we sprung for two beers and sat outside in one of their A Frame annexes. I wish I knew that the beers were "hazy." Only one beer, which we didn't order, even mentioned that in the description. I have nothing against Hazy IPAs, I just prefer to know if that's what I'm ordering. I really wanted to try the double IPA made with citra and mosaic hops but no can do... Since I can only handle 1 beer nowadays and they don't allow you to purchase tasters, too bad.

On top of all that, they were blasting some kind of slow, alternative, or emo-style metal. If you're going to play any type of METAL, better make it SLAYER, or ruin all credibility.

Good and happy to have this place!

I've been coming here once a week for the past few months, and for good reason. I like how it's take-out only, quick, and their spice levels are 1-5. If you're a medium spice person, they'll steer you to #2. If you're a spice lover, assertively state #5 (they will still question you about it to be sure, but be assertive).

I tend to order the pad see ew with beef (I know so original of me, right?) and the Panang curry at level 4. I like how they don't skimp on the beef and use wide rice noodle sheets instead of ordinary pre-cut flat noodles. I'd stay away from the pad thai - because it's take-out only, they pre-mix it which throws off the texture (to me, at least). Part of the appeal of the dish is to mix the ingredients yourself prior to eating it. Their off-menu special - Thai Beef Jerky with Sticky Rice - was very good! The Larb salad is fantastic but really salty.

My only quip is regarding the condiments. They used to set out all the pre-portioned sauces (e.g. chili oil, sambal, soy sauce) on the front counter and kindly encouraged people to help themselves. Well, that has since changed as of a month ago so I assume people were taking too much. But now their attitude has totally changed - each time I ask for Chili oil, I've been met with hostility or they lied and said they were out. How do I know? They eventually gave in on 2 occasions and admitted the containers weren't filled up yet. After one guy filled one up for me, he literally threw it in the bag roughly that it partially came open and spilled. And as a fellow Asian person, I definitely didn't appreciate that they've tried twice to pass off Sambal as Chili oil just to steer me away.

I firmly believe they should just charge for the chili oil if it's that big of an issue.

Oh well!

I can't believe this is the only donut place in Bellingham!

But that's okay because the donuts are fantastic! They do very good, high quality, classic donuts like glazed twists, old-fashioned, bear claws, you name it. They are rather known for their buttermilk bars which have a delicious glazed-sugary crust with a slightly lighter cake texture. They come in glazed, blueberry, raspberry, chocolate, and maple. I usually get one of each if I can. Staff is courteous and very patient, which is commendable, might I add!

But beware, a line will easily form at all hours of the day. They currently allow 1 person/party in at a time due to COVID. People will take forever and a day to choose their donuts, so be prepared to put on your mean stares (just kidding!) But really, they only have 1 person working the counter, so if you think about what you want to order before going in, I think they'd appreciate it.