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Seattle Weekly readers voted Whidbey Island as the best One Day Getaway

Published 7:00 am Monday, September 24, 2012

Dinner with Chef Matt Costello. If you love food, dinner at the Inn at Langley is a must. It's an experience in itself.
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Dinner with Chef Matt Costello. If you love food, dinner at the Inn at Langley is a must. It's an experience in itself.
Dinner with Chef Matt Costello. If you love food, dinner at the Inn at Langley is a must. It's an experience in itself.
Being in the Dog House is a good thing in Langley.
Crooked stairs winding down to Langley's waterfront park.
I will say it: BEST CUP OF COFFEE EVER. Useless Bay Coffee Co. is where all the locals hang out. Obviously, for good reason. I'd go all the way over to the island just for another cup of this coffee.
One of Langley's lush backyard gardens - this also tended by Jody Costello.
The fire station at Langley does not have fire trucks (or firemen, for that matter.) Instead, they fire and sell glass.
The Braeburn Cafe - named one of the top breakfast spots in the U.S. Also a great place to collect more stories from friendly Whidbey Islanders.
You know you've had an incredible meal when your dessert is literally covered with gold.
This amazing plate was inspired by the Chef's recent hiking trip in the Saratoga Woods. Featuring locally-raised lamb from Whidbey Island's Anderson ranch.
Craziest thing ever: an intermezzo shot of BLT water. Yes, that's bacon, lettuce and tomato water.
A seared weathervane scallop with garlic scape.
Cold sweet corn, basil, coconut and dungeness crab soup.
Amuse bouche worthy of a pedestal: hazelnut macaroon with duck liver mousseline.
Chef Costello gathers herbs from the gardens tended by his wife Jody. (Hint: clove oil is a lovely-smelling weed killer)
Watch out for wild cats - and artists with chainsaws - on Langley's main drag.
The main drag through downtown Langley. Walking through the town is an experience in colorful island character (and characters.) Everyone here has a story - and it's usually a good one.
This place makes you want to buy old books - just because.
Former Seattle Mayor Paul Schell and his wife Pam chat with visitors at the Inn. (Quick aside: Schell was behind the redevelopment of the historic National building - which Seattle Weekly calls home. Go figure.)
Everywhere you look in Langley: flowers, flowers and more flowers.
A couple of times a week Chef Matt Costello prepares a multi-course dinner of delicacies sourced from Whidbey Island locals.
The open kitchen at the Inn at Langley lets diners in on the culinary process.
Lush gardens fronting cottages at the Inn at Langley.
Basking in sunshine on the waterfront trail.
Views from the rooms of The Inn at Langley. We may have missed the stars but not the sea lions and sailboats.
The Inn at Langley and its stunning gardens. In summer, you can enjoy dinner and an outdoor movie in this cozy setting.
I can't remember the last time I saw an actual phone booth - with a phone in it.
This type of creative advertising is incredibly effective.

Seattle Weekly readers voted Whidbey Island as the best One Day Getaway for 2010 and, being fans of all things stellar, we decided to try a quick trip across the Sound to Langley to see last week’s Perseid meteor showers.Langley is a bastion of comfort, with overflowing gardens, award-winning restaurants, rare book stores, and gorgeous walks on the water. After an incredible meal created by Chef Matt Costello of the Inn at Langley, we ended up missing the Perseids completely – lulled to sleep by full bellies and the sound of lapping waves.Langley is the perfect place for a quick Get Out! getaway – especially if you love food. You should go. It’s a lot closer than you think.Published on August 18, 2010

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