We love Carnal, which is why we expected the same level of service and taste from this place. However, the service was slow even though the restaurant was not busy at all. The food was interesting, but it was also very greasy and salty. The only dish that had less salt was the pork ribs. Additionally, the restaurant changed the way they cut the potatoes, and it looked like shaved potatoes, which was neither pleasing to the eye nor to the taste. I don’t think we will return there.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
I want to write this review before I forget names: special thanks to our fantastic waitress Nadine, and the cooking queen Laurel for a wonderful meal and evening!
We came to Estelle for my birthday dinner; it was highly recommended by good friends. The food was excellent. I think my dish was the family favorite: duck confit. Now, I think I also make a pretty tasty duck confit, but this blew it out of the park! Our waitress Nadine was so sweet to share some tips and tricks with me — not enough to give away the whole recipe (don’t worry, I’ll be back!) — but enough that it felt like eating in a friend’s kitchen. She also knows her wines. Fantastic seasonal dessert, a tarte with cranberries, coconut, and (I think lemon-flavored) cream. Perfect balance of sweet/tart.
It would have been criminal to leave less than 5 stars. We want this place to stick around. Good people, great food. The best of Bellingham. Don’t move back to Portland, Laurel! 😉
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Excellent service. Love the cocktails. Amazing Caesar, beets, hangar steak. Really great architectural details. Always consistent.
My one and only comment would be to consider serving spoons or have some other sharing solution - we always get multiple dishes and it's awkward with just a knife and fork.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Hanger Steak Frites
They were all decked out for the winter holidays and it was a fun and festive vibe. Good cocktails and we each enjoyed our meals. Really sweet server. Street parking.
Service
Dine in
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
This was a neat place! Very French. I hope to visit again. We (3 of us) were there late afternoon, and the staff was stretched (waiting for dinner support). Outdoor seating was really nice. The food was good, but I felt it was trying too hard at times.
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
We loved Estelle so much! The drinks were delicious, the dishes were very good and it was so fun to eat food prepared in ways we had not had before. The garnished radishes were SO good and we really loved the flavors of the honey and orange with the pork ribs. The decor and vibes were also perfection especially at golden hour. We will be back!
We ordered the potato leek mussels, beef tartare and the duck! It was phenomenal!
I recommend this for date night as it’s intimate and caters to smaller groups. It is not as fancy as carnal but I like that!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Duck Confit
This is a long term review of Estelle.
I’ve been to Estelle at least six times since March 2023, and each time, my husband and I have really enjoyed ourselves there.
The cocktails are absolutely yummy and creative. The food is always delightful, comforting and satisfying.
But most important, we love the service. Everyone we’ve encountered is warm and personable yet professional. They’re all clearly proud of what they do at Estelle. Special shout out to Nadine whose warmth and kindness makes her shine.
We’re so lucky to have Estelle here in Bellingham!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
The food was very good. Everyone enjoyed their meal. The drinks were delicious and we got a great wine recommendation. The service was very good but there were a couple questions I wish we had been asked (doneness of meat). I definitely recommend Estelle. It was expensive but delicious. I would give it 4.5 stars if that was an option.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Duck Confit
What a beautiful French style bistro. Me and my wife went there for date night and were very happy with the meal and service. We had the burger and steak frites which were as good as any French bistro I tried in Paris or London when I used to travel for work. I am so glad this group is opening more restaurants in Bellingham as we were really lacking this level of food. Will definitely be going back for with my wife for date night!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
