The New Leaf Café on Orcas Island offers guests an exceptional menu and unpretentious elegance.
Everyone told us the New Leaf Café was the place for fine dining on Orcas Island, but I have to tell the truth here: we almost didn't go.
Located in the historic Outlook Inn on the Eastsound waterfront, it all just sounded a little too-too, as my mom used to say – too fancy, too spendy, too indulgent – for our laid-back, vacation-minded inclinations. However, after talking it through, Mr B and I decided that, as usual, we’d like to make our own assessment. Plus, we heard the crab cakes were to die for.
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PLEASE NOTE: This post was originally written Spring 2016. Many Orcas Island businesses are temporarily or permanently closed due to the COVID pandemic, so be sure to call ahead first!
We could not have been happier that we followed our instincts. The atmosphere at the New Leaf Café is one of relaxed refinement, very much in keeping with Pacific Northwest sensibilities. Service was prompt and welcoming, and our waitress very capably toed the line between staying available to attend to any need that arose, while keeping enough distance so that we could enjoy our meal with a certain level of peace and privacy. (Anyone who has ever waited tables, myself included, will tell you that this is a true art.) As for those reportedly too-spendy prices; we found the menu prices very reasonable.
The New Leaf Café menu - built on a strong foundation of locally sourced ingredients - is a testament to Chef Steve Debaste’s culinary ingenuity and his dedication to unpretentious elegance.
Our dinner started out with a basket of warm, freshly-made breads. From the small plates menu, we shared a bowl of Chef Debaste’s rich, robust French onion soup. Thick with soft, caramelly onions, our soup arrived blanketed with a large, toasty French bread crouton and a generous covering of Gruyère cheese. It was as delicious as it looks.
For our main course, there was no mystery about what I was going to order – crab cakes are one of my favorite things in life, and the New Leaf’s dungeness crab cakes did not disappoint. (Technically a small plate, two crab cakes proved more than enough for a meal for me.)
Plated over a creamy Local Goods pear-ginger buerre blanc with habaneros cream, these crab cakes were made with just enough breading to hold them together and no more, and were perfectly seasoned. The habaneros cream not only elevated the aesthetic of the plate, but gave the crab cakes a lovely little kick as well.
Mr B ordered the pan-seared Alaskan weathervane scallops, which arrived beautifully plated over a warm mash of Yukon Gold potatoes and accented with locally sourced Hemplars bacon.
Before I go any farther, it is important you know that I have never been a fan of scallops – they are too “bouncy” for me. However, Mr B encouraged me to have “just a taste.” He said, “Renée, if you are ever going to like scallops, this is the time. These are perfect.”
I took a bite, and yes - they were delicious. (To fully appreciate that statement, you can liken it to a three-year old mushroom-hater suddenly declaring that Hungarian Mushroom Soup is his favorite food.) Mr B ate every scallop carefully, closing his eyes often and savoring every bite. He was, by all appearances, in seafood heaven.
Likewise, the Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, served with a fresh tarragon buerre blanc and asparagus, were amazing.
Overall, I just cannot say enough about the exceptional quality of the food at the New Leaf Café. It more than lived up to its reputation, and we will definitely be visiting again.
Oh, I almost forgot - the view:
SURPRISE! If you’ve taken the time to read this far, I have a surprise for you!
Mr B and I were so taken with the New Leaf Café that I asked Chef Debaste if he would be willing to share one of his recipes with us, and he generously agreed to do so. Please check out Chef Debaste’s recipe for Grilled Halibut over Greens (with Verjus White Truffle Vinaigrette).
Know before you go:
- Make a reservation, especially if you are visitor to the island. (According to various anecdotal accounts, locals may have the inside track here.)
- The New Leaf Café serves a very popular happy hour menu that includes – in addition to drink specials – small plates like duck mac & cheese, warm goat cheese salad, and that amazing French onion soup.
- The schedule and service [breakfast, brunch, dinner] varies seasonally. Check their website for current hours of operation.
New Leaf Café
171 Main St.
Eastsound, Orcas Island, Washington
360-376-2200
Planning a trip to Orcas Island? Be sure to check out my Orcas Island Vacation Guide!
That sounds absolutely lovely! I would love to go there with my family if I am ever in the area.
It is totally worth the trip, Robin. I wish the ferry landing were closer to the restaurant - I'd gladly take the ferry trip over just for dinner.
Lovely! I've been to that cafe before, probably 15 years ago! We stayed at that hotel before I went to summer camp on a nearby island the first year I went, and we've been by again since. I remember it being a very nice place! And at low tide you can walk across the beach across the street to a big rock/island thing.
Those scallops look amaaaazing!
Very cool! Chef Debaste took over the New Leaf Café in 2010, after leaving Microsoft. The little island in the middle of the bay is called Indian Island. I read somewhere that there are about 40 days a years when you can walk to it at low tide.
I can't get over how BEAUTIFUL the San Juan Islands are. They are such a magical place. I've never tried this place, but the photos and menu sound amazing. I will have to give it a try next time we are up that way!
I know! Every time we go to the San Juans, I dream of going home, packing up all house and moving there immediately!
Those scallops look divine... I've never heard the descriptor "too-too" but I can't imagine that applies to New Leaf which seems refined but not stuffy or fancy at all except for using a decorative doily?!
My mom used to say that - "too-too" - with a decidedly nose-in-the-air attitude. And no, it does not apply here. The New Leaf is definitely fancy, but in the right ways, if you know what I mean.
This place looks AMAZING - Those crab cakes?! I hope that's what the recipe is for - The pears and habaneros together sound absolutely fantastic.
The recipe is not, unfortunately, for the crab cakes. However, one of the first things I did when I got home from our trip was figure out how to make the ginger-pear buerre blanc, which turns out isn't too difficult at all. I may just have to put together a copy-cat recipe!
You had me at the French Onion Soup! What a delicious looking meal, such a treat!
I do love scallops, so I'm just imagining how good they must be! I haven't made it to the Pacific Northwest yet, but I'm adding this to my travel pinboard.
Thanks, Julie. Mr B said they were the best he's ever had, and that is saying a lot.
Goodness, how I love crab cakes. Those look divine.
I haven't yet been to Washington, but it is on my wish list! I have bookmarked your review for future reference!
I'm definitely bias, but I think it is the most beautiful place in the world! Be sure to check my Orcas Island Vacation Guide if you ever get up that way.
My mouth is watering looking at all these food photos -- I need to eat something before I come back for that recipe post!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Definitely a place I'd like to check out next time I'm up there. The crab cakes look good, but those scallops...YUM. They're calling my name. Look forward to the surprise recipe!
Those pictures are making me drool! I love scallops. Can't wait for this secret recipe.
Everything you ate is exactly what I would order. All those dishes are some of fav things to order out. I am such a foodie. I loved this post! thanks for sharing.
So glad it made you happy!
Those crab cakes look delicious. I would love to dine in that beautiful restaurant. The building is just gorgeous...could be in a movie.
I wouldn't be surprised if it has been in films - they do a lot of movies up in the Puget Sound area.
I've always loved going to restaurants housed in old style homes. They have a special feel to them. That pear ginger beure blanc sauce sounds heavenly.
It looks absolutely amazing! I am going to have to check this out when I am in the area!
I'm not a big meat or seafood lover, but I adore scallops. I would make a trip to Orcas Island just for the scallops, but I know there are so many other reasons to go! I need a vacation there!
Salmon is my favorite red meat! (And the only one I eat anymore.)
I went to school in Ballard with Chef Steve Debaste. Wonderful review. Can't wait to try this haven't out!
Thanks, Inez!
I've never been to Washington but i'd love to visit this restaurant if I ever to! The images were making me hungry!! 🙂 Yummy! great job showcasing them
Thank you, Jessi!
This looks and sounds incredible! I love that you're going to share a recipe to boot!
I'm a HUGE fan of scallops especially when paired with bacon. I must go to this heaven.
I love Orcas island 🙂 We honeymooned there ... it was so pretty and relaxing. The food at New Leaf looks amazing, and your photos are beautiful. I'm off to look up that recipe on your site. My hubby the chef is always looking for new inspiration. Thank you!
Thanks, Paula. The recipe from Chef Debaste will be up on Friday, May 6.
What a wonderful cafe! Those crab cakes look delicious but I'm completely enamored by the scallops dish! Can't wait to see what the recipe is that the Chef will be sharing!
Great when a restaurant locally sources their food. Beautiful place and scallops look really delciious.
Dinner looked quite delicious. I rather enjoyed your descriptions of the food. I'm like you, I think scallops are a bit chewy and bouncy.
New Leaf Cafe looks like an awesome place! Thanks for sharing your review and your take on their dishes! Hope I can pay it a visit someday!
Such a lovely cafe and in a beautiful location. I really like that it's not a chain and has character.
These dishes look absolutely delectable. The atmosphere around the Café is very elegant but not to pretentious. I would love to dine there one afternoon with my husband.
Everything looks absolutely delicous! I love coastal resteraunts and this one surely fits the bill. The food looks amazing and how awesome that chef shared a recipe!
I am drooling over here! That looks like an amazing dinner! I can't wait to see what the recipe will be!
Oh my gosh... the scallop! I am dying over here! Maybe I'll talk my hubby into seafood for mothers day!
The New Leaf Cafe looks like a really cool place! I love that they had little touches that made it awesome, like the cloth in the basket and the onion soup bowl. Also, those scallops look amazing!
You were not kidding about the view... sigh it is beautiful and the food sounds excellent. I like the sound of a warm Goats Cheese salad!
Gorgeous! I love how the New Leaf Cafe has almost a home-spun look to it with the napkins, bread basket, and all of those small details. I love places that feel like home.
Omg don't mind me as I drool
All over my keyboard! That French onion soup looks delicious!