‘Fun, delicious and sassy’: New restaurant opens in Fairhaven, with ‘spunky’ drinks and food
A new restaurant is opening in Fairhaven on Wednesday, Oct. 30, bringing entertainment and bright flavors to the historic Bellingham village.
Sugar & Co., an “American Bistro that blends familiar comfort foods with unexpected flavors and high-quality ingredients,” was launched by Brie and Evan Mueller, a husband-and-wife duo who have lived in Bellingham for 16 years.
Brie, a local real estate agent and now restaurant owner, also owns her own Bellingham cabaret, Sugar. Evan is a theater professor at Western Washington University. The couple decided to start Sugar and Co. as the idea of opening a restaurant fell into their laps after the previous restaurant in the location, Milano’s Italian Restaurant, closed in September.
“I think we’re a little crazy,” Brie told The Bellingham Herald. “I had been in the restaurant industry for about 27 years before I decided to go into real estate. And the past owner of Milanos had reached out to me as a real estate agent to see if I could sell her business. ... and so we sort of started talking, and we’re like, we could actually make this happen. And so we started the process rolling,”
The couple began working on the restaurant when Milano’s closed in September, taking less than 2 months to flip the old space into a completely new restaurant and entertainment hub.
“I couldn’t believe what my husband actually was like talking about it, and I will say ‘til the day I die, he definitely was the first one who brought it up. He doesn’t believe that, but I was, like, I definitely was not the first person. So it just kind of and then it just started rolling, and now we’re opening.”
Once entering through the restaurant’s hot pink door, guests are welcomed into a sophisticated space, as a historic rolling library ladder adorns a full bar and a floral printed wall. The restaurant’s gold, black and pink accents are playfully garnished with white, fluffy feathers on each table and plush chairs along the wooden bar.
Sugar & Co.’s decor ties into the spunky, sophisticated and warm experience Brie hopes to provide visitors, and that they will share with others.
“I just think that Bellingham just needs a little spunk. I think this is going to liven it up a little bit more. My hope is that people come in and enjoy amazing service, because that’s what I’m all about, and amazing food. And get to leave with an experience, and go to somebody in Portland and be like, ‘Oh, my God, you have to go to this restaurant in Bellingham!’” Brie said.
“I want it to be a staple, where people have good food and good experiences, it’s what I’m about. And I think what we’re about here,” Brie said.
The Muellers also built a stage into the back of the restaurant for live music and entertainment, and eventually plan to add specials and brunch to their offerings.
As for the menu, the restaurant will serve a variety of dishes such as oysters, filet mignon, chicken milanese, lamb burgers, pistachio-crusted herb fish, chocolate pot de crème, cotton candy and ice cream. A kids menu is also available.
The restaurant’s bar will have wine, beer and ciders, as well as craft cocktails such as “DollFace Daiquiri,” “Sugar’s Juice,” “That’s That Me Espresso Martini,” and “Tabi’s Old Fashioned,” according to the restaurant’s website.
As Brie longs for visitors to leave feeling full and satisfied, her highest priority is creating a “fun, delicious and sassy environment” where everyone feels welcome.
“I want them to feel seen like and taken care of. I want them to feel tantalized, and I want them to leave feeling deliciously full,” Brie said.
“Just come and check us out and show us some love, and we promise to take care of you no matter what,” Brie said.
Sugar & Co. is open for all ages and will have its grand opening at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. The restaurant will regularly be open from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 1210 11th St. in Bellingham’s Fairhaven Village.
