By News-Times staff

Deception Pass, already a powerful draw as a Northwest “must see,” gained another asset this spring with the April opening of the Bridge Café.

Bridge Café owner Lisa Aydelotte said, “A visit to Deception Pass is a rite of passage for any Northwest adventurer. Our hope is to make that adventure just a little more memorable with special treats ranging from a cup of organic coffee and breakfast to a glass of beer or wine enjoyed with our soup of the day and one of our tasty wraps.”

Aydelotte, a Whidbey Island native who has lived on the north end for the past 18 years, emphasizes that the café’s log home on Highway 20 represents opportunity for locals, too.

Deception Pass Café is the exclusive retail provider of JennyBean Coffee, an organic, micro-roasted coffee produced in nearby Coupeville. Also available are Arnie Deckwa’s Cornet Bay food products, a signature “Island Joy” ice cream from Lopez Island Creamery, homemade baked goods prepared daily, and more.

Among retail products are out-of-print books by newspaper columnist and historian Dorothy Neil; hand blown glass by C.W. Donnell; “GurglePot” pitchers by Matt Ellison; and original hand-knit products from fiber artist Kelli Wyll of Fidalgo Island. There is also a book-swap.

The main lobby features museum-quality historic photographs, gas fireplace and a big screen television. The menu includes local beers, wines and specialty liqueur/coffee selections.

“Everyone visiting Deception Pass enjoys that special ‘wow!’ experience,” said Aydelotte. “I hope to enrich that with a memorable Bridge Café experience for locals and pass-through visitors alike. Quality and customer service will be our top priorities.”

The Bridge Café, located in the large “log cabin” just a few hundred yards beyond the park’s North Whidbey entrance. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.

For more information, call Lisa at 675-9438 or visit the website at www.bridgecafe.us. The café address is 40751 State Route 20.