Ursa Minor - San Juan Islands

The dining experience was spectacular, both in taste and presentation, with a strong emphasis on local ingredients. What I particularly appreciated about the food was the freshness of the ingredients, which truly shone through. The flavors were well-balanced, with the heat, chewiness, and sweetness perfectly seasoned in a way that didn't overwhelm the palate.

The staff and service were excellent, and the food was absolutely delicious!

I’ve visited Ursa Minor twice (in 2022 and 2023), and both experiences were exceptional, featuring entirely different menus each time. The restaurant may have a small selection, but it certainly delivers bold flavors, and you can trust the chef to excel with every dish offered. The service was outstanding; I still remember how wonderful Molly was as a host, even two months later. Her hospitality was truly remarkable, showcasing her unique personality. I'm eager to return, and I believe that if Michelin were to evaluate this place, it would certainly earn a star.

As far as I know, this is one of the best restaurants in the northwest that truly emphasizes a local, seasonal, and natural food experience in a cozy atmosphere. They offer a variety of dishes that showcase different preparation methods—crude, cooked, pickled, dried, fermented, and more—based on the locally sourced ingredients, which change almost daily (depending on their ripeness, age, etc.). Chef Nick Coffey, a genuinely great person, is very skilled in fermentation techniques, allowing them to create delicious fermented dishes for their patrons. A big thank you to everyone involved; I really appreciate their hard work!

Portion sizes for each dish were reasonable for two people. The broccoli was average—something I could easily whip up at home in just a few minutes, so I’d rate it a C-. However, aside from that, the rest of our four entrees ranged from good to very good, scoring between B and B+. I must mention that the panna cotta was exceptional and definitely earned an A+—it was truly OMG amazing! On the other hand, my old fashioned cocktail was quite disappointing, and my companion's drink also fell short of expectations. For $10, the drink was way too small and not worth a second visit. I’d give that a grade of F, or perhaps even a suggestion to come back for a redo. A quick note: we witnessed many guests being turned away because they weren't aware that reservations are mandatory on weekends and must be made well in advance. Overall, it was a nice evening, but not one that left me astounded. The total bill came to about $160, which included a mandatory 20% gratuity added to the bill.