Camano Commons Marketplace — Restaurant in Camano Island

I have only ever come here to buy croissants and use the restroom. But the croissants are worth a long review! The bathroom is also nice. ;)

The tricky thing about this place is the layout! They have this amazing display of things you don't really need, but desperately want, right outside the door. And you think, "no, I must resist!" And you walk past these things, through the door, and BAM!! Chocolate counter. Hits you where you're weak. And it's not just, Itty bitty over-priced chocolates that are locked away in a jewel case, practically snubbing their noses at you because you can only afford two of them. Oh, no. These are beautiful, good-size REAL chocolates that you might indulge in on a bad day, or buy for the lady in your life suffering PMS.

Okay, say you're strong enough to get past the chocolates. Don't look to the right, there are very pretty sparkly things over there that are taunting you with upcoming birthdays for ladies who need earrings. Or your friend who likes to collect beach crabs would think that dish towel is hilarious..... but NO! focus, here, you haven't even gotten 10 feet in the door!

Keep going, and hope that the juice counter to the left hasn't got samples, because that's the perfect thing if you managed to abstain from the chocolates! I mean, it's juice! It even has vegetables in it, so it's pretty much healthy- the opposite of chocolate! And since you said 'no' to chocolate, the opposite of that to juice is 'yes', right?

Okay, keep going. You're at the base of some stairs. Upstairs is a beautiful gallery with art from a rotating local artist. But you don't even get that far, because just in your way before you turn to go up the stairs is a table with yesterday's pastries on it- and wouldn't you know it- they're on sale.

You walk up to it- just to look. And you catch a glimpse of this stunningly scrumptious cake in the refrigerated case! They sell it by the slice, but I bet they wouldn't mind if you wanted to buy a whole one.... and those mousse cups! They're in the edible chocolate cups! Drool....

But no! You tell yourself- stay focused. You're here for croissants. You've heard they take 3 days to make! Is that why they're so expensive? If they're so pricey, why do they always sell out? Must be worth it.... so you take a look in the case:

Monkey bread muffins and basil cragles. Scones both sweet and savory. Cookies of a proper size, and cute shortbread with a thumbprint of some sort of jam. Brownies, and sometimes cupcakes...

But there- what you've come all this way for:

☆CROISSANTS☆

There's three flavors. At least. Chocolate, almond, and classic. They're the most perfect shade of toasty golden brown. They have a shine to them that looks like it should be made of plastic. So many layers! And they're poofy, not greasy, soggy, or flat like coughcostcocough. The almonds are perfectly toasted- not raw, and not burnt. Hard to get that right, since they toast faster than most things. Gosh, the filling in the almond croissants has oozed out the middle and its lacy on the edges- I bet it's so crispy and sweet!

Just one wouldn't hurt. A plain one. And you could even get a coffee or hot chocolate to go with. How very European. And if you just happen to spy a little trinket for your kitchen windowsill on the way back out the door, that's okay, too.

The sandwich shop that's connected is also good. I always get a bag of brioche buns to eat plain, but the menu looks divine. Probably if I didnt fill up on croissants, I'd have room to try a...

Today was my most recent visit but I have been plenty of times before and it's always consistent. Whether I'm just window shopping and looking for gifts AND grabbing a croissant from the French bakery, haha!... Or just grabbing a croissant. Never disappoints.

There's seating right past the bakery, coffee and ice cream. There's seating upstairs amongst the art. A few picnic tables and a grassy area behind the Commons. They do hold fairs, community events like live music, other fun activities and vendor tents on the grassy area!

The baked Cafe is nice too, but I'm mostly drawn in for the French bakery. Another plus is that they have a restroom. It does seem like there's plenty of parking, but the parking in front fills up pretty fast sometimes, however, there really is parking all around.

There's also a library next door. Another nice another nice restaurant or bar and some local businesses. Out front you will see a sub shop stand.

There is also a new feature!!! Some vendors who sell indoors have a produce stand of sorts set up. It's only been there a month or two. If you can check it out before the weather gets too cold, you will be pleasantly surprised! They have so many top-notch items. It's obvious that they take great care for what they grow. I was so excited not only to try some of what they offered but to be able to support some community members. Or salad mix was delicious and I wish them...

They just switched their hours to 8:00, I used to come here all the time in the morning before work and now I can't?! Why the hell would they change the hours and who the hell thought it was a good idea? I work long shifts and early in the morning is the only time I've ever been able to get here and order anything and now that has been completely taken away. This has completely ruined my mornings and taken away my ability to ever get coffee or breakfast here ever again. This is insanely disappointing. What kind of breakfast place opens at 8:00 when most people are already at work.

I guess now I have to give my business to somebody else. And don't think I'm the only one, there are thousands of people on the island who are already at work by 8:00 and you guys are losing all of that business.

Me my family and friends have been a loyal customer for years despite the fact that our favorite items have been removed and our requests for those items have been ignored but at this point the disappointment...