Banter — Restaurant in Bellingham

I’m going to preface this review with two points. I’m from out of town (Seattle area) and this review is not just about the food.

Point 1: The food was freaking amazing. I got what I think is the only gluten free option in the menu, an eggs and bacon and potato entree. It had a glorious, herby sauce that had cilantro and dill, and probably something else. There was a nicely ripe avocado with black sesame seeds. The bacon was nothing like what I’ve had before at a breakfast place; it was very thick (1/4” at least) and cooked well (as in good, not overdone). The potatoes were creamy smashed fingerlings. I opted for no tomato but I’m sure it would have been great if I liked them. The eggs were cooked well and probably had some cream or something because they were a little brown on bottom but didn’t taste dried out. The hot sauce was great, not hot really (not sure about the reviews that said it was really hot…), but very good flavor. My meal was phenomenal in that regard.

Point 2. The coffee was not my favorite. If you like classic, diner style drip coffee, you will be disappointed. It tasted like some sort of very light roast (read, very acidic), and kind of had a sour note to it. I know there are two coffee camps, one dark roast with full oils and caramel sweetness, the other sour/acidic/washed. This was the latter and I hated it.

Point 3. The utensil, condiment, water bar area was a confusing disaster. I got my drip and then looked for something to stir some cream into it. The area where this stuff was located wasn’t labeled in a way I could tell which spoons were clean and which was dirty. Based on that confusion, I figured most people didn’t know either and what I thought was clean probably wasn’t. So I went to grab a fork from the bar which was very obviously wide open, but someone told me “we’ll bring your silverware out”. The cream for the drip was at that bar area was a tiny little carafe that was empty. I took it up to the bar to get more and she only put maybe 3/4 cup in. I use half of that for a normal cup of coffee, especially the bitter stuff they serve here. 😝 There were no salt/pepper shakers at the table. Instead they were these complicated grinder things at said bar. I tried grinding what I thought was the pepper side and it turned out to be the salt side and it took forever to figure it out. And the water cups at the water bar were insanely tiny. Like not even an 8 oz cup.

Point 4. Parking around this area is abysmal. It’s all street parking and if there is free parking for the restaurant I have no idea where.

Point 5. Everyone was very nice but because the space is so small, it constantly felt like they were trying to usher me out. “Do you need a to go box?” No, I literally just got up to refill my tiny water cup and have only taken a couple of bites.

Point 6. You have to tip up front. While the service is decent, I’d prefer to tip at the end. Maybe bring cash for that so you can leave it on the table if need be.

Point 7. The bathroom is very dark. There’s only one. Considering how tiny the space is, I’m not surprised but maybe put in better light. Could barely see my hands to wash them. Very clean, but bad ventilation, so there was a box of matches. But the soap was delightful and lots of towels.

Summary: Food was amazing, everything...

We stopped by to eat brunch before our NEXUS appointment.

Banter offers a cozy dining experience with a focus on artisanal beverages and casual dining.

Interior & Ambiance: Upon entering Banter, we were greeted by a trendy and inviting atmosphere. The interior is tastefully decorated with a blend of modern and rustic elements. The ambiance is relaxed yet vibrant, perfect for both casual meet-ups and intimate gatherings. The seating is comfortable, and the natural lighting from the ceiling windows offers warm vibes.

Service: The service at Banter was friendly and attentive. Staff members were knowledgeable about the menu offerings and provided helpful recommendations. Our orders were taken promptly, and the dishes arrived in a reasonable amount of time. Overall, the service contributed positively to the dining experience.

Food: Banter Burrito: The Banter Burrito, while generously filled with rice, felt short on content variety. It contained 70% of rice and a modest amount of smashed avocado, eggs, and beans. The rice and tortilla were toasted well throughout, giving a crunchy texture. The texture was satisfactory, but more substantial fillings would have enhanced the taste.

Lavender Matcha Latte: Visually appealing with intricate latte art, the Lavender Matcha Latte was a treat to look at. However, the matcha flavor was disappointingly subtle. The lavender infusion dominated the taste.

Espresso Martini: It delivered a robust coffee flavor with a hint of sweetness, perfectly balancing the intensity of espresso with the smoothness of a well-made cocktail. It was flavorful and satisfying.

Overall Impression: Banter offers a charming setting and attentive service, making it a pleasant spot for a casual dining experience. Prices are reasonable and the ambiance adds to the overall appeal of the restaurant.

If you're in Bellingham and looking for a cozy spot to enjoy artisanal beverages and a laid-back meal, Banter is...

My friends and I would always travel from Vancouver, BC to Banter for the amazing food. However, our last experience was not the same and I would not recommend Banter if you are a person of color.

We came to Banter around 12pm for some brunch and we were a party of 3. I sat down at a booth while my party was in line to order. I was told by a customer that the booth is taken. There was no reservation sign whatsoever. I then proceed to sit at another table which then I was told by the worker that another party is going to sit there.

Coming into Banter, it says first come, first serve. I sat down to save my party a table while they ordered. If I was getting waited on, I would understand that tables are reserved but I wasn’t. So, me sitting there while my party is ordering - would that not entail to first come first serve?

When it came for my party to order, the waitress left the ordering table and went into the back for a few minutes, said she was going to clear a table for us, but then proceeded to have a conversation with another customer and then came back to the booth, stared at us and then went back to the back of the restaurant. While we were in line we saw that every other customer (who were Caucasian) were being served right away with no wait at the ordering table and also got told which table to sit at. We kept waiting in line and ended up leaving without ordering.

This interaction with this particular waitress left a very bad taste in our mouths as we have never experienced this before. I was so excited to take my friend to this place I have been raving about, but instead left very disheartened. For an establishment that preaches inclusivity, maybe the workers need a little bit more training on what that exactly entails. That being said I will not be coming back nor will I ever recommend this...