Tucker House Inn Bed & Breakfast

News from San Juan Island's Bed and Breakfast - Tucker House

2008-04-29T17:33:00.000-07:00

As the town is preparing for its Centennial next year, the Town of Friday Harbor is busy researching and inventorying all the old houses. Last week, I received a copy of the wedding picture of Clarence and Marie Tucker dated December 23, 1900. I am excited to track down the originals that are known to still be on the Island. I also received a close up photo of the Tucker House. I presume it was taken shortly after it was built - 1898. The photo shows a white pickett fence that circled the entire block. Looking up the hill, what is now the upper Tucker House is nothing but an empty field and across the property, where the Harrison House currently stands is also baron. The only other house shown in the photo which is still standing is the private residence on the corner of Harrison and Wabass. It is always interesting to learn more about these great old houses.....if these walls could only talk.

Coho Restaurant Opens in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

2008-04-13T22:32:00.000-07:00

Coho Restaurant opened this week in downtown Friday Harbor. The kitchen team was busy making fresh sauces, rolling out homemade pasta, kneading bread, and creating desserts for the restaurant's first patrons. It was opening night! We all felt the same trepidations as an actor before the curtain rises. Each of us had butterflies and the adrenalin was soaring. We dimmed the lights, lit the candles, started the music, and waited for our first guests. All the months of planning and preparation were behind us. The ballet began to unfold. We greeted guests and relaxed into our roles. The first dish emerged from the kitchen. It was an amuse-bouche - a tiny bite-sized morsel that means "mouth amuser". It is our way of thanking our guests for dining with us. We wanted it to stimulate the taste buds while perusing the menu. The amuse was presented on a small square plate nested on a second diagonal square plate - a bed of wilted leaks, a floret of marscapone cheese, and some fresh herbs were the perfect resting place for a hazelnut encrusted twice baked goat cheese souffle. There were a few drops of chili oil for a splash of color. We all took a moment to enjoy the beauty of the kitchen's first creation. Then more guests arrived and the energy in the restaurant and the pace in the kitchen began to speed up. There were a few hot moments when we all missed a step or two. We gracefully fell back into our choreographed roles without our patron's knowledge. The local ingredients took on the starring roles - simple greens, freshly shucked oysters, local tenderloin - simply prepared and beautifully presented. Coho is open Friday -Sunday (April, 18-20) and Wednesday - Sunday the week of the 23rd.

Coho Restaurant - Friday Harbor's Hottest New Restaurant

2008-04-06T16:48:00.000-07:00

A million and one last minute details, or so it seems, are underway for Coho Restaurant's open April 11th, 2008. It has been quite a week. Murphy struck a few times on April 1st - a bad April Fool's job for sure....plumbing problems - ovens dying....We perservered and kept on saying the show will go on.

Dave is putting the finishing touches on the wine list as I type. We are proud of our first wine list and look forward to growing it as new releases become available. It was quite an education and act of will power to cull and hone the list from the thousands of wines available to a manageable restaurant list. We believe the list reflects the diversity of tastes and winemakers and will be a great complement to the menu. We just got word that salmon will be available for our open so our signature Whole Seed Encrusted Salmon with mirin sauce can be featured for our opening night. We have been speaking with our farming partners this afternoon and the last bite of winter has delayed the harvest of some vegetables. Nevertheless, there will be sorrel, pea tendrils, and some brocoli for open. We are all brimming with excitement, anticipation, and fear and looking forward to sharing the fruits of our labor with our guests and the San Juan Island community this coming Friday.

New Restaurant Friday Harbor - Coho San Juan Island

2008-03-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

Dave and I will be expanding the culinary offerings of the Inns with a restaurant opening up in early April called Coho. It is 2 blocks from the Inn at 120 Nichols Street. We will feature local and regional ingredients from the Pacific Northwest with a bit of an international twist. Our wine list will cull the best wines from Oregon, California, Washington and British Columbia as well as the great wines of Europe, South America, South Africa, and Australia. We are really excited to provide our guests with an evening dining option so convenient to the Inns. Here is our cool new logo. Check out the Coho website starting early April to keep track of our seasonal offerings.

Spring Is Here Update - Lodging San Juan Islands, Washington

2008-03-15T14:12:00.000-07:00

The Island is lovely this time of year. The grass is that bright spring green, the cherry trees have just popped their buds, and the tulips and daffodils are just beginning to open. Our first cut of the lawn is this weekend. This is a sign that we need to hurry up and finish our winter projects so we can play out in the gardens and begin to welcome all the guests that come to the Islands for spring break. We have just a few loose ends to finish up. We just completed a new bathroom renovation and outdoor deck for the Log Cabin Cottage. Our appliance delivery is Friday and then we can finish up our two kitchen projects. We have already started the seeds in the greenhouse for herbs, flowers, and vegetables for the Inn. Our guests this weekend are out on the water kayaking, bicycling to the vineyards, and hiking down at American Camp. Check our our spring specials and consider a trip to the Islands.

Tucker House Projects - San Juan Islands, WA

2008-02-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

This week we started what seemed like a simple project - retiling the main Tucker House kitchen. Well it snowballed into a much larger kitchen renovation. We were designing on the fly. We kept asking each other what if? So we moved the vent. What if? We dry walled over a door that we no longer use. What if? We moved the range to another wall. What if? We took out the florescent lights and rewired for new lights. What if? We got rid of the wall paper . What if? We took out the byfold closet doors between the parlor which is now my office. We will finish the dry wall this week and will paint the walls a wonderful red called strawberry fields on Friday. The finished product is going to be so much more utilitarian for guests. We use the living room for receptions and formal dinners and the new kitchen is going to provide a much better flow. Here is a picture of the tiling in action.

Remembering why we are innkeepers - Friday Harbor Bed & Breakfast

2008-01-24T10:42:00.000-08:00

Dave and I are fortunate to be touched by many of our guests. We have the pleasure and joy of sharing weddings, anniversaries and birthdays. Last night, we opened our hearts and our home to a couple whose 44 year old daughter, Claudia, is dying of Ovarian Cancer in Bellevue. They came to the San Juans for peace and repose. This morning after they left, we reflected on the fragility of life. Claudia is our age. How can that be? She is dying. She will leave a husband without a wife and two sons 10 and 12 without a Mom. Life is cruel and sometimes unfair. They left Claudia's blog on the guest computer and invited us to be part of her life. We read the 2 year 3 month account of Claudia's illness. Claudia's circle of friends now includes two innkeepers on San Juan Island. We will wait each day to read the family's blog entry. We feel helpless and remote but connected through this virtual community. We look forward to a time when Claudia's family can celebrate her life on San Juan Island.

Happy New Year 2008 from the Tucker House

2008-01-04T15:46:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2008! The Island grew this holiday season to accommodate friends and family who came to San Juan Island to be with loved ones or for those who wanted to escape the typical holiday trappings. Many of our guests enjoyed cooking family dinners, relaxing and reading, and taking long walks around town. One of our guests came with their own Charlie Brown Christmas Tree! It was fun exchanging Christmas traditions with our guests and sharing their holiday treats. This time of year, the days are short. We have been treated to some rather nice weather. We have had our share of northwest sunshine, but all in all a few blue sunny days here and there keep the spirit alive. We are looking forward to daffodils popping their heads out of the ground in just a few short weeks.

Lodging San Juan Island - Thanksgiving

2007-11-29T11:10:00.001-08:00

Well, we had a houseful of guests who stayed at the Harrison House and Tucker House and celebrated Thanksgiving on San Juan Island. Some where here to visit family who live on the Island, others started new holiday traditions, and yet others came for a change from the ordinary. We infused a bit of holiday tradition into breakfast. Dessert on Thanksgiving morning was pumpkin pannacotta and the cookie fairy delivered pumpkin nut cookies that afternoon. You can find the recipes in La Cucina Anna Maria: Good Life Recipes from San Juan Island. The weather was absolutely spectacular and many of our guests worked off their breakfast and thanksgiving dinner by enjoying long hikes along the beaches and parks.

Lodging on Friday Harbor - Thanksgiving on the Islands

2007-11-18T14:45:00.000-08:00

Many of our guests are choosing to spend the holidays on the Islands. Several restaurants including Steps Wine Bar & Cafe and Friday Harbor House will be serving Thanksgiving dinner. Some of our guests are going to prepare their own dinner in their suites and cottages. There is plenty to do on the Island - hiking, biking, kayaking, and whale watching - weather permitting. We had three guests take a bike ride this morning! If the weather is showering us with Northwest Sunshine, there are plenty of indoor options. Griffith Bay Books and Serendipity Used Books are the best places in town to find that perfect book. Then you can come back to the Inn and curl up in front of your fireplace. You might consider sipping a cup of lavender tea with some short bread at Pelindaba Downtown and for your evening entertainment- Stage Left is presenting Doubt, a mystery at the Roche Harbor Pavilion through December 1st.

Accommodations San Juan Island - Update

2007-11-18T14:40:00.000-08:00

The new birch hardwood floors in Victoria's Flower Garden look great. Two rooms are complete and we are working on the flooring for the second bedroom and kitchen this week. We are in the process of designing the kitchen and selecting new tile for the back bathroom. Once we finish the floors, we will start installing the kitchen. This has been quite a transformation and we are looking forward to sharing the pictures soon.

Friday Harbor B&B Hosts Pilots Fly In

2007-11-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

This morning we had the pleasure of hosting a Fly In from a local Air Club out of Seattle. The group flew two Cessnas and a Moonie into Friday Harbor Airport (FHR) and enjoyed breakfast and a tour of the Inn. The weather was perfect for their flight from Payne Field - one of the regional airports near Seattle. Conversation around the table included everything from flying to food. Speaking of food, we ate fresh fruit and homemade granola, homemade sour dough everything bagels, lox, cream cheese, onion, capers with a goat cheese scramble, and Crème brulée for dessert.

There is an active aviation community in Friday Harbor. The airport is only a 1/4 mile from the Inn and has plenty of tie downs for overnight guests. We will be more than happy to pick you up. For those traveling by float plane, the Friday Harbor Marina is only two blocks away.

Friday Harbor Hotels - Winter and Holiday Getaways

2007-10-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

As the days begin to get colder and shorter, we are beginning to prepare for winter. One of our winter projects include a renovation to Victoria's Flower Garden. We are installing new hardwood floors and a kitchen in the suite in early November. This is a fabulous - 2 bedroom 2 bath suite with a living room that has all the architectural features of the 110 year old Victorian House. We will post new pictures of the suite by Thanksgiving. The Tucker House will remain open all winter to welcome guests. The guest rooms in the upper house with their 2 person jacuzzi tubs and fire places are perfect for retreat from cold winter days. We are offering several great specials. Check out our web site and we'll hope to see you soon.

San Juan Island Hotel - Fall is in Full Swing at the Tucker House

2007-10-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

This week we are enjoying beautiful fall weather. One of our guests went kayaking and enjoyed a private tour! This is the beauty of the fall. While we can't always guarantee perfect summer weather, guests have the hiking trails at the state and national parks, kayaking tours, and whale watching trips virtually to themselves. Today, two of our guests went whale watching. They had the rare experience of seeing the superpod - this is when all three of the resident pods J, K & L come together - upwards of 90 animals feeding and frolicing in the water.

From our snail mail box

2007-10-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Anna Maria & David,

Your hospitality was the best. The raspberry torte - oh my gosh- it was so delicious, my mouth waters every time I think or talk about it. Raspberries are my favorite so you couldn't have given me a nicer treat.

Last evening, I tried your stuffed peppers on page 97. Also a keeper! I've searched for years for the best pepper recipe and now have found it.

My retirement trip to the Canadian Rockies and San Juan Island was a most memorable adventure. I know I will return one day to enjoy more of the sights and friendship.

Fondly,

Gay S., California

Birthday Celebration at the Tucker House

2007-10-18T15:48:00.001-07:00

Kirsten and 25 of her close friends toasted her 60th birthday last weekend at the Tucker House. They had a harvest meal prepared by the staff that featured Roasted Chicken from Synergy Farms - San Juan Island, King Salmon from the Columbia River, homemade manicotti, brocollini from Thousand Flower Farm on Waldron, roasted fingerling potatoes from Nootka Rose Farm - Waldron Island, and local greens from Synergy Farms. Her friends brought hear a traditional Norwegian Cake that we topped with Lopez Island Raspberry Ice Cream.

Tucker House Neighborhood -1905

2007-09-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Friday Harbor taken in 1905. You can see the historic Tucker House and the Harrison House.
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Tucker Family News!

2007-09-30T12:51:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the Town of Friday Harbor's centennial in 2008, the historical committee is hard at work researching the Town's historic buildings. Today's Tucker House is comprised of two historic homes - the 1898 house owned by Clarence Tucker and the 1900-1910 house owned by the Joy family. We shared some news clippings with the historic committee and they located William Grant Tucker IV, Grandma Tucker’s great-great-grandson. He lives in Rhode Island. He says his father, about to turn 86, has visited Friday Harbor and went to the cemetery to visit Grandma Tucker. He also told the committee that one of the stained glass windows in the Valley Church was donated by Clarence Tucker and his wife (don’t know which wife yet – Marie Jensen or the one before her.) As the exciting history of these two houses and the families unfold, we will keep you posted.

Tucker House Gets New Color Scheme

2007-08-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

The Tucker House received a new face lift this summer with a new exterior color scheme. We chose historical colors complementary to our neighbor Inn the Harrison House. After the major interior renovations that were undertaken during the winter of 2006-2007, the Tucker Houses have been restored to their century-old opulence.

Fair Week 2007 - August 15-18

2007-08-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the last day of the San Juan County Fair. It is always a grand week with music, food, and friendly competition. The Inn took two blue ribbons for its Carrot Cake and Flourless Chocolate Torte. Both recipes can be found in La Cucina Anna Maria: Good Life Recipes from San Juan Island. The 4-H kids do an amazing job and we so enjoy visiting with their live stock and watching them compete in the equestrian events. Tonight is the big steak dinner featuring Misty Isle Beef. It is always a bitter sweet time....we have to wait another year for the fair! It will give us plenty of time to test new recipes for next year's entries.

Welcome to the Tucker House Blog

2007-08-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Tucker House Blog! Feel free to share your impressions of your stay with us and your time on the Islands with your fellow travelers - your favorite hike, best dining experience (you can mention your favorite breakfast or cookie), and most memorable moment. We will do our best to keep you apprised of not-to-miss events on the Islands or news from the Inn. Stay tuned and looking forward to your thoughts....