Il Caffe Rifugio

The food, the service, the presentation are all 20 out of 10 stars. Richard was a phenomenal host and his presentation was spot on. A must for Italian lovers.

Food was good. Presentation of food was good. Owner and staff was courteous. We felt were robbed on our bill though.
It was quite expensive for what we got. Please note there are no prices on their online menu or for the specials — so be aware they can charge you whatever they want and did! When we were in the restaurant the menu price were reasonable ~ $ 15. Other things I was willing to overlook but won’t due the price I paid. (At this price point I have requirements that should be in place and are expected)
The bathroom should not be that dusty — it questions that cleanliness of their bathroom and restaurant. What are the need of the two Ottomans in a bathroom?
Food was basically a al carte so no salad was served with our meal nor was bread. No Bread! I had to ask for some. It was not even italian bread, instead it was tiny pieces of toast pressed with a panini maker. No sweeter condiments on our table and the one on the table next to us was old dry and clumpy. Sugar was all that was available that I saw.
Like I said all excusable expect the price. We seriously would have come back until I saw the check! The quality of the service, food price, and the ambience was not where it needs to be for the price we paid.

A beautiful night for a drive on the Mnt Baker Hwy to the II Café Rifugio restaurant just east of Deming, WA. Well worth the ride and Richard the owner did not disappoint. Loved the menu and our bottle of Italian wine. Both our meals were outstanding… Best two dinners we have had in along time… Flavor and more flavor with lots of interesting twists and turns. Just back from five days of eating ourselves through Napa Valley and I have to say the meals tonight at the II Café Rifugio were absolutely outstanding topped off with a petite lemon cheese cake that was superb. Nothing but good vibes for this restaurant. exceptional value served with high quality food with unique flavors. Cannot wait to go back and sample the summer menu… A beautiful setting out in Whatcom County, Wa.

We have nothing but good things to say about Rifugios. We are vegetarian and they are always happy to adjust the menu to accommodate us. The food is fresh and always generous portions. We loved the seasonal grilled beets and sauteed Kale. My favorite has to be the home made perogies! Definitely worth the drive!

Being spoiled from San Francisco, this is my second restaurant review after Vita’s on Lopez Island, … I stopped for a dinner to a ski trip on the way to Mt, Shuksan, … actually the food is 4 stars on my palate, but the mood, service, dekor, and atmosphere shoots it past 5 stars, … felt like at home eating mom’s cuisine, … food with a signature, a zest to make it taste special, …

I definitely didnt expect to find such a charming little italian spot way out in this part of the state! We walked in, were greeted by Richard (the owner?), and seated right away for dinner. It was Friday night at 7pm and there happened to be live music, which was a plesent surprise. It felt cozy and personal. We tried the bruschetta of the day which was very well executed. It came out in toast squares that we had to cut to make easier to handle, but the flavors really worked well together. For dinner we had the lasagna of the day (pretty typical) and the T-​Bone steak with polenta and brussel sprouts (solid!). It might sound crazy but they have decent red wine on tap ($ 6/​glass).

We stopped in yesterday after viewing the eagles and were chilled to the bone. A great french press of coffee, some fresh donut holes and a couple of Italian breakfast panini’s did the trick. Thanks Richard for a great dining experience. Your little restaurant is a gem in the woods.

Absolutely superb. Richard is truly creative and a gourmet chef. As with any place where creativity is put to new tests everyday, there might be the occasional time when you’re not sure about the results; but that is the risk of great surprises, and Richard and his other chefs will surprise you with some wonderful combinations of flavor that you never knew would work together.
We just — somewhat apprehensively — tried an appetizer that consisted of salmon roe, crème fresshe, pea sprouts and carmelized pears (to name the main ingredients). We really weren’t sure that was going to work; but, Oh My Gosh! it was amazing! We were ready to order more, and that was just supposed to be our appetizer.

What an awful place. We stopped in around 3:30 on a Friday afternoon. We pulled in at the same time as a couple of young dudes and they walked in the front door right in front of us. The two young guys got their drinks, their orders, and PAID their bill and left BEFORE we even got our food! Outrageous! We were five adults and had simple dishes. Three of us had mac and cheese. One of our party is a restauranteur in France and we were highly embarrassed at how bad her first experience in an American restaurant was. I cannot recommend this restaurant for anything. The kitchen was inept, the service was poor, and the food wasn’t even that good.

My wife and I went on a Thursday evening, we were greeted quickly and eagerly. We had the brusscheta and tried something new with the pickled beet topping. Amazing, neither of us knew we liked beets, we do now.
She had the lamb fettuccine and I had the tortellini with sausage. Presentation was nice on both entrees, she raved about the seasoning of the fettuccine. The tortellini was excellent, cheese was melt in your mouth perfect. Finished the meal with a piece of homemade quince (sp?) and apple pie, also delicious.
We’ll definitely be going back, friendly service, fresh made meals.

I have been driving by this place all summer and finally today stopped in. Not sure if it was a restaurant or a coffee shop, and it is both. Arrived for an early dinner and sat at the bar. The restaurant got busy! Mostly adults, but a family with elementary age girls who could choose macaroni and cheese or grilled sandwich. The food was wonderful — I ordered a special — perogie/​gnocchi filled with mashed potato and cheese with a pumpkin sauce and smoke salmon. The people sitting next to me asked for «something vegan» and were served a red colored pasta and steamed/​sauteed vegies. Menu included veal cutlets, grilled sandwiches, and salad, savory and sweet pies and gelato.
This is not fast food, plan to sit and enjoy with good company. I will definitely be back soon.

Man, is this a special place! Although it looks modest for the outside, it’s a classy, cozy interior with brain-​meltingly good food. It’s a rare thing to have food that fresh and personalized, or to have a chef that sits down at the table to discuss the menu with you. Lovely people and service. We loved the lamb bruschetta and our respective pasta dishes!

5 days of hunger in the baker wilderness satiated thoroughly by chef Richard !!
Stuffed meatballs in tomato sauce with crusty bread
Reuben sandwich with beets and kraut and brown mustard.
And kale Caesar.
Topped it off with a killer cappuccino
Eat here now. And again later.

Definitely the place to stop on the way back from backpacking in the Mount Baker area!

Based on the simplicity of the outside, you’d never know how amazing the food is inside. The meatloaf with mustard seed and diced tomatoes was seasoned beautifully and set on top the best polenta I’ve ever eaten. The owner Richard has done an superb job combining a great menu with an incredibly cute place on the inside. Worth every effort getting there!

Absolutely amazing restaurant… Whether you’re on your way up to ski/​hike and are in a hurry to get a mouthwateringly delicious pesto bacon/​turkey and egg burrito and some perfectly roasted coffee — in and out in 10 minutes. Oh, you want something more than road grub for your AM meal? Well, you can have a full feast if you would like… Or are you coming off of the hill ready for a pasta dish and some local cold beer? Donezo.
My girlfriend said she felt like she was in a five star restaurant that had yet to be discovered. Oh, and the owner is one cool cat.
This should be the place every skier/​boarder/​hiker stops at on their way up 542.

I signed up for Unilocal just to say this is the best food on the mount baker highway, probably Whatcom county. Eat there, if you’re disappointed you should reexamine your life.

Had some nice romantic dinners here with good specials and a bottle or two of wine. I understand they have some cool events with live music, but it’s a bit outside my normal radar for meals, especially at a higher price point. A worthy destination for the romantic couple or group of intimate friends (it’s tiny). I’ve not had their breakfast but sure would like to try it! The owner is passionate and committed to this space, putting a lot into overhauling the facility to make the model work in a tough spot. Easy to drive by if you’re going too fast, although they’ve bumped up the bright signage! Take it easy after the curve out of Deming and look for it on your right.

I live 20+ minutes away from this café and I would commute the any day to eat there. A friend and I were driving by and very hungry so when we saw the sign we pulled over. I saw the place quite a few years ago when the old owner had it and let me tell you the remodel is amazing! so comfortable! I ordered their artichoke pizza and added chicken. We have quite a few really good pizza places in Bellingham where I live and this by far was the best pizza and service I have ever had. I left knowing the owner and wanting to support this restaurant anytime I can. This is a must try. You will fall in love with it! The owner alone is a reason to support this place, he is amazing. Thanks Richard!

Best restaurant ever. Wonderful food… perfect ambiance. Highlight of my trip to northern Washington. Awesome owner. best food of the entire 10 day trip!
1. Don’t come here rushed. Enjoy the beautiful outdoor deck or inside ambiance/​couch and RELAX… this is going to be worth it!
2. OMG the food was PHENOMENAL
3. I wouldn’t change anything about this place other than move it to Kansas City so I could enjoy it once a week!