Mosquito Fleet Galley docks in Coupeville

A long-time coffee house, complete with an “otter window,” has new owners who are cooking something different.

The Mosquito Fleet Galley opened recently on Front Street in Coupeville. Owners Chris and Rita Tomayko are offering a basic menu featuring locally produced ingredients.

The Galley’s specialty is chili, which Chris makes from scratch. He said the beef comes from Whidbey’s Three Sisters Cattle Company.

There’s a variety of other dishes being served too. Mosquito Fleet Galley also offers pulled pork sandwiches, veggie wraps, salmon quiche and a selection of freshly-baked pies including dutch apple and triple berry.

Chris Tomayko said that he understands the times are difficult for people so he said his prices are affordable.

“We know it’s tough economically so we try to keep prices down,” Tomayko said. You can buy chili for four that comes with an apple pie and cornbread for $39.99.

Located underneath a store and having a view of Penn Cove, the Mosquito Fleet Galley occupies the former home of the Coupeville Coffee House, which closed in the summer 2008. There is a window in the restaurant floor underneath one of the booths. Tomayko said he’s seen otters through the window, hence its “otter widow” moniker.

The Tomaykos decided to open their restaurant after nobody came forward to claim the space. They saw an opportunity and grabbed it, deciding to lease the space go into business.

The Galley gives the family a chance to centralize their lives. The Tomaykos and two of their three children, Max and Amelia, work together operating the restaurant. Their youngest, Gus, is also a fixture at the Galley. When they aren’t at the restaurant, the children are home-schooled through the Anacortes Home Education Partnership.

Chris said business during their first few months of operation has been going well considering they haven’t started advertising yet.

The Mosquito Fleet Galley is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Sunday.

He said he plans to make his restaurant available for banquets for up to 50 people. He also hopes to start delivering to nearby homes in Coupeville. For more information, call 678-2900.

Contact Whidbey News Times Staff reporter Nathan Whalen at nwhalen@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5058.

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