Lakeway Inn's Executive Chef David Peterson Debuts Exciting New Menus at Poppe's and Oboe Cafe offering Farm to Table Experience

The Lakeway Inn and Conference Center recently debuted exciting new menus at its two restaurants Poppe's Bistro & Lounge and Oboe Cafe.

The new Poppe's menu features a contemporary twist on the classic "bar and grill" restaurant menu, accentuating Chef David Peterson's standards for using only the finest and freshest ingredients.

The diverse menu allows for a quick bite or a more leisurely dining experience, and feature appetizers such as Kobe Beef Sliders and Curry Coconut Prawns; a tempting bistro pie menu with unique New York Steak Pie with steak strips, carmelized onions, shitake mushrooms, basil-pesto sauce and mozzarella cheese.  Foccacia with Meatballs and Foccacia Eggplant Parmesan selections, several Panini Press Sandwiches, including Lamb Pastrami with Gruyere, and a variety of entree options, ranging from Prime Grade Cheese Burger with Vermont Cheddar and Smoked Onion Marmalade, to Grilled Flat Iron Steak w/ Maytag Blue Cheese Butter and Fries and a Grilled Salmon with Bocachini Pasta, Roasted Garlic, Arugula, Tomatoes, and Basil.

 A wide selection of California wines and delectable homemade desserts round out the experience.

"To develop a unique and creative new menu is very exciting for us," said David Peterson, Lakeway Inn Executive Chef. "With Poppe's growing reputation as one of Bellingham's ultimate martini destinations and local hot spot, the new menus will create a dining destination as well."

Peterson said local growers and food producers - including Bornstein Seafoods, Fairhaven Mill and Joe's Garden of Bellingham and The Bread Farm of Bow - are emphasized in new spring/summer menus developed for banquets and both restaurants. "We want to go straight from the farm to your table," Peterson said, adding that the practice will be good for the local economy as well as for restaurant guests.

David Peterson has more than 13 years of restaurant and resort experience and directs all food-service operations at the Lakeway Inn, including The Oboe Cafe, Poppe's Bistro & Lounge, on-site banquets and off-site catering. Peterson's culinary background includes two years at The Enchantment Resort, a four-start restaurant in Sedona, Ariz. Since 1998, he's overseen kitchens and created menus at various Whatcom County restaurants, including Big Fat Fish Co., Fuego 542 and Boundary Bay Brewery.

Other changes that Peterson is implementing include increased in-house baking and creation of desserts, more displays of food and ice carvings, and customized banquet menus that accommodate a wide range of food styles and ethnic cuisines.

The Lakeway Inn, located at 714 Lakeway Drive, is totally smoke-free throughout its 132 guest rooms, two restaurants (The Oboe Cafe and Poppe's Bistro & Lounge), and 11,000 square feet of meeting-room space. A major renovation of the hotel will be completed by mid-June. For more information, call (360) 671-1011 or (888) 671-1011 or visit www.thelakewayinn.com.