Christina Orchid's eponymous restaurant on Orcas Island, housed on the upper level of a converted gas station, is one of those iconic spots in the Pacific Northwest. Christina herself is an icon, a living legend, a national treasure. And now there's a splendid cookbook that brings Christina's generous and creative spirit into own kitchens.
Book-signing party yesterday at Dahlia Lounge. Yummy oysters with cassis granita mignonette, chanterelle chive toasts, wild blackberry crema. Recipes in the book, along with charming stories about island life. Go buy it! Photos, by Michael Skott, are mouthwatering. Great work by Sasquatch Books, which upped the press run when editor Gary Luke realized what a gem he was getting.
More photos from the book-signing party:
Left: Amelia Hard, former owner-chef of Portland's esteemed Genoa restaurant; Gary Luke, the cookbook's editor; with Christina. Right: Randy Finley of Mount Baker Vineyards, who produces "house" wines for Christina's restaurant: a fragrant viognier and a luscious syrah.