In the last installment I talked about our room at the Fogo Island Inn, as well as the general amenities offered by the hotel. In this installment I wanted to talk about about dining at the hotel, as well as what we did on Fogo Island.
Dining at Fogo Island Inn
Rates at the Fogo Island Inn include three meals per day, as well as all non-alcoholic beverages. So aside from a bottle of prosecco we had with dinner one night, we didn’t spend a dime on incidentals.
The inn’s restaurant is on the first floor, right next to reception. There’s a cozy bar and lounge area, where you can enjoy a cocktail, coffee, or pot of tea.
Fogo Island Inn bar & lounge
Fogo Island Inn bar & lounge
For those who drink, the bar has an impressive selection of liquor.
Fogo Island Inn bar
Then there was the dining room itself, which had about a dozen table, with massive floor to ceiling windows that must have been over 20 feet high. For breakfast and lunch, the hotel had colorful and varied tablecloths.
Fogo Island Inn restaurant
Fogo Island Inn restaurant
Meanwhile for dinner there were white tablecloths.
Fogo Island Inn restaurant
What a stunning vantage point from which to enjoy all your meals.
Fogo Island Inn restaurant view
Meal times seemed to be highly flexible. Breakfast is served from roughly 7AM until 10AM, lunch is served from around 12PM until 3PM, and dinner is served from around 6PM until 9PM. Again, these times are highly flexible, and I don’t think you’ll be turned away for a meal at any reasonable hour.
One day I overheard a couple at a nearby table ask what time breakfast started to be served since they were leaving the next morning, and the server said that they’d be happy to come in earlier to be sure they had breakfast before leaving. Now that’s service.
The servers in the restaurant couldn’t have been friendlier. The dining service reminded me very much of an Aman. You never had to sign a check (even if there was a charge for alcohol), you never had to provide your room number, they remembered your water and coffee/tea preferences, and knew of dietary restrictions (for example, I don’t eat pork). Beyond that, they were just so genuine. A special shout out to Amanda, who was a gem.
I should also mention that the hotel specifically discourages tipping of any sort — as you can see at the bottom of the menu, it says “Our Inn is a non-tipping social enterprise.”
With that out of the way, let’s look at the actual food.
Breakfast at Fogo Island Inn
The menu changed once during our stay, so here were the two breakfast menus during our visit (you’ll notice that there’s a fair bit of overlap):
Usually I’m a big coffee drinker at breakfast, but thanks to the great daybreak service where they deliver coffee and muffins/scones to your room I stuck to juice and tea at breakfast. The juice was clearly fresh.
Fogo Island Inn breakfast — juice
The teapot was also adorable.
Fogo Island Inn breakfast — tea
One morning I had the shrimp on toast, to try and eat “local,” and Ford had the rabbit omelet.
Fogo Island Inn breakfast — shrimp on toast
Fogo Island Inn breakfast — rabbit omelet
We also had a parfait to share.
Fogo Island Inn breakfast — parfait
Another morning I had the oatmeal and Ford had two eggs prepared to his preferences.
Fogo Island Inn breakfast — oatmeal
Fogo Island Inn breakfast — eggs any style
They also always came around with pastries, etc. However, given the pre-breakfast daybreak basket, that was plenty of food.
Lunch at Fogo Island Inn
There were also two different lunch menus during our stay, as follows:
The meal always started with freshly baked rolls that were hot out of the oven, and tasty salted butter.
Fogo Island Inn lunch — bread
One day I had the salted cod, while Ford had the scotch egg.
Fogo Island Inn lunch — salt cod & beans
Fogo Island Inn lunch — scotch egg
The next day I had the grilled cheese sandwich with vegetable and yellow pea soup. OMG it was so good.
Fogo Island Inn lunch — grilled cheese and soup
Ford had the warm potato & soft boiled egg.
Fogo Island Inn lunch — warm potato & soft boiled egg
The mains were great, though the desserts were to die for. Ford loved the figgy duff.
Fogo Island Inn lunch — figgy duff
Meanwhile I loved the spruce & berry mess. My mouth is watering as I write this just thinking about it.
Fogo Island Inn lunch — spruce & berry mess
The partridge berry tart was incredible, though our last favorite of the three (which is a reflection of how good the other two were, and not of this one being anything other than excellent).
Fogo Island Inn lunch — partridge berry tart
Dinner at Fogo Island Inn
Dinner had a set menu, though they’d modify it based on your dietary restrictions. The meal always started off with an amuse bouche and bread.
Fogo Island Inn dinner — amuse bouche
Fogo Island Inn dinner — amuse bouche
Fogo Island Inn dinner — bread
With dinner there was a starter, main, and dessert. There was no printed menu, and unfortunately I forgot to write down exactly what was being served, despite their very detailed descriptions. So I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Fogo Island Inn dinner starter
Fogo Island Inn dinner starter
Fogo Island Inn dinner main course
Fogo Island Inn dinner main course
Fogo Island Inn dinner main course
Fogo Island Inn dinner dessert
Fogo Island Inn dinner dessert
When we first checked in there were maybe four rooms occupied at the inn, while towards the end of our stay maybe double that many were occupied. As a result, for the first day or two we typically dined alone, or at most with one or two other parties. Meanwhile by the last night, an average of about five or so tables were occupied.
Across the board the food was excellent. The food served at Fogo Island Inn is very different than what you might order elsewhere. For example, I don’t think I’ve ever had salted cod prior to my stay, while I had it several times at Fogo Island Inn. Similarly, things like a rabbit omelet, moose meat, etc., aren’t the most mainstream dishes in North America, but Ford enjoyed all of them.
Activities around Fogo Island
Fogo Island claims to have seven seasons, and summer is the most popular time to visit (it’s my understanding that the hotel is pretty consistently full during those months). However, there are lots of things to enjoy in the other seasons as well.
What I wasn’t fully prepared for, however, is just how cold it would be. I was expecting it to be pleasant given that we were there in late April, but I was wrong. It was below freezing the entire time, and it was very windy. I’m someone who avoids cold climates at all costs usually, that took some getting used to.
Shortly after checking into the inn we were introduced to the activities coordinator, Sandra, who was so lovely and explained that all guests receive a free island orientation, where a community host shows them around the island. Fogo Island has several towns, and this tour can take one hour, six hours, or whatever you’d like, really.
She also pointed out the board with some of the activities around the hotel, and told us to come back to her if we wanted more ideas of things to do.
Fogo Island Inn activities board
So on our first full day we took advantage of our island orientation, which would be done by Blanche. The hotel has several “community hosts” they work with, who are basically locals who show guests around the island. I imagine in summer they probably need a dozen hosts at any time, while in winter they probably don’t need quite as many.
Having the pleasure of spending a few hours with Blanche was possibly the highlight of our time on Fogo Island. We still talk about it now, and I can’t help but smile when I think of her. Blanche explained that she used to be the county clerk, and had just retired when her husband suddenly passed away, so then she started working again.
Her positive attitude was just so heartwarming, and hearing about her life on the island was great.
I realize this is something many others (understandably) can’t relate to, but when you’re gay, you’re constantly in situations where you can decide whether to “come out” or not. This isn’t at all an issue in major cities, but in smaller communities and countries where it’s not accepted, I certainly think twice about what to say.
When you travel with your significant other, often the question is “are you friends/brothers?” Most of the time we’ll just say “yes,” since it’s often not worth the discussion, especially in places where you feel that might not be welcomed.
Moments after we met Blanche, we were caught really off guard when she said “are you guys partners?” Generally if I were to meet an older person who has lived in a fairly secluded place her whole life, I’d expect they’d ask “are you friends?” or something. So we were very pleasantly surprised when she asked that, and then later it came out that he son was gay too (he’s older and doesn’t live on Fogo Island, etc.), so we had a lot to talk about.
I know this sounds minor, but it sure makes you feel welcome when you can be who you are and don’t have to make up stories (ie, being in the back of an Uber in Russia while they’re trying to sell you discounted tickets to a strip club — no thanks).
I’m not sure if this was just a coincidence or if the hotel (smartly) sets people up this way, but it made the journey all the better. Blanche was such a sweetheart, and hearing her thoughts on the island, the inn, etc., gave us so much perspective of things. We almost want to move to Fogo Island and just hang out with Blanche every night.
Ford and Blanche at the Fogo Island Inn
She also had some interesting stories to tell about the inn. For example, she explained (after I specifically asked) that when it opened a lot of locals were skeptical of it, but the inn has been good to the community. For example, when it opened they gave everyone who lives on Fogo Island a free night stay there. That’s a pretty big gift, when you consider there are just 29 rooms, and there are ~2,500 residents on Fogo Island.
It was also so cool to drive to the various towns and see Blanche waving to everyone — she’s a popular lady.
Driving around Fogo Island
Driving around Fogo Island
Driving around Fogo Island
The Fogo Island Inn also built four residences around the island for artists, which are also ultra modern. You can visit all of them, though due to the snow and temperatures, we decided to only visit the two that were easiest to access, and didn’t require too crazy of a hike.
Wow…
Fogo Island Inn artist residences
Fogo Island Inn artist residences
Bottom line
Our time at the Fogo Island Inn was unforgettable. The scenery was incredible, but even more so than that, the people stood out most to us. The people we interacted with on Fogo Island — both in and out of the inn — were among the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. What a special place…
Hi Ben, a guest at the Inn gave me the link to your review. I’m honoured to have been yours & Ford’s Community Host while staying at the Fogo Island Inn. I’m also honoured to receive such a great review. Looking forward to seeing you again. Cheers, Blanche
Hi
This is the most useful review of Fogo I have read till date.
I am stopping by Canada for about a week around the same period as your review. I am also interested in about the same itinerary as your review, generally just to visit the artist residence and no hiking due to weather. From your review, the time taken to reach Fogo Inn is rather Long, would you say 2 night 3 days including travel is sufficient for Fogo Island.
Thanks a million.
I love all things "Newfoundland" and can't wait to go "home"; although my husband is the Newfie, not me! We are planning a trip to Fogo Island next summer, so your article was very interesting and informative. I'm hoping they still serve afternoon tea at the Inn!
Love your authentic reviews! Thanks
Perfect example of why your blog's so good – honest and warm-hearted.
What a wonderful trip report. As someone that definitely can relate thank you for including the heartwarming story about Blanche.
You had somebody try and sell you discount strip club tickets in russia in the back of an uber? Why didn't you write about that lol.
Where were the dogs you were talking about?
Ford really likes eggs.
Great story, but you don't have to stay at the Fogo Island Inn for that kind of experience. What you experienced was the warm and friendly Newfoundland culture which can be had just about anywhere on "the rock".
This place looks amazing. Please convince them to become affiliated with a hotel group so we can redeem points for a stay.
Fantastic trip report! And FYI, in response to the earlier post about the inn, it appears that the 3rd floor rooms have tubs, while the pricier 4th floor rooms have only showers. Odd.
The food looks great. Maybe that's what happened to that giant bunny on the United flight...oh forget it.
I liked following along on this journey you have posted for us to read on Fogo Island. My wife would probably think I "lost it" if I were to say to her, "do you want to vacation to Fogo Island?" But since I have read your story there seems to be a warmth about the Inn and people of Fogo which contrasts the cold looking outdoors. The menu is sure different from what you generally find in the states....again, a good read and thanks!
Awesome review Ben!
Awesome trip report, great photos too!
Yikes Ford eats a lot of eggs!
Ben:
The decor of the Inn as you describe in your last posting was a bit too rustic/comfy for me but wow the menu is just the opposite. Who would have thunk that you see kale in several dishes on the menu in this remote corner of Canada.
And regarding same-gender relationships, Canada accepted such long before the US did. In fact there is a great story about two RCMP constables in rural Nova Scotia...
Ben:
The decor of the Inn as you describe in your last posting was a bit too rustic/comfy for me but wow the menu is just the opposite. Who would have thunk that you see kale in several dishes on the menu in this remote corner of Canada.
And regarding same-gender relationships, Canada accepted such long before the US did. In fact there is a great story about two RCMP constables in rural Nova Scotia who got married in their mountie uniforms.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/constables-to-wed-as-canada-blogs/article966562/
Neil
So cool that you experienced this. It's been on my list since it opened. And, as a Canadian, I've never even been to Newfoundland! Now, reading your comparisons to Aman properties makes me want to visit even more.
Wonderful. Just wonderful.
And I'm sold. I have a symposium in New Delhi this September. I really enjoy the energy and vibrancy of Delhi; however, the place drains the life out of me. I'm now seriously considering spending a few tranquil days at the Fogo Island Inn to recuperate from Delhi's vibrancy. Even now, I could really use a dose of brisk air and North Atlantic ocean spray.
Ben, do you think five days/six nights...
Wonderful. Just wonderful.
And I'm sold. I have a symposium in New Delhi this September. I really enjoy the energy and vibrancy of Delhi; however, the place drains the life out of me. I'm now seriously considering spending a few tranquil days at the Fogo Island Inn to recuperate from Delhi's vibrancy. Even now, I could really use a dose of brisk air and North Atlantic ocean spray.
Ben, do you think five days/six nights (assuming reservations are even available) on Fogo is excessive?
Interesting - I always had Canada, even rural Canada, down as a pretty tolerant place. As you point out, perhaps it's easy for me to miss given it doesn't personally affect me, but I'd be more shocked if a random resident turned out to be homophobic than a random resident turning out to be accepting.
Russia on the other hand (and to a lesser extent the US), your tactic seems prudent!
This is all lovely, but what about the dogs? I demand more Make & Break! ;-)
Great place, though one caveat given the price (which is up quite a bit from even two years ago): the vast majority of the experience at Fogo can be had without staying at the Inn. You can book dinner there, having a drink at the bar, hike on the many trails on the island, visit the old (by which I mean, used until the 1960s, when Fogo still had no electricity!) "fisherman's store", and so...
Great place, though one caveat given the price (which is up quite a bit from even two years ago): the vast majority of the experience at Fogo can be had without staying at the Inn. You can book dinner there, having a drink at the bar, hike on the many trails on the island, visit the old (by which I mean, used until the 1960s, when Fogo still had no electricity!) "fisherman's store", and so on. No other hotels on the island but plenty of people rent houses on Airbnb/vrbo (the population is half what it was at its peak), or you could stay in Twillingate. Definitely a great place to visit even if you don't want to spend the full fare (and though it is expensive, I do appreciate the work Cobb has done in making sure it helps the community!)
Did I miss something? Are you on the lam? Leaving the country because of Trump?
Ford and Blanche make a good looking couple!
Great review, Lucky! Any place that serves fish cakes, morels and fiddleheads with poached eggs for breakfast deserves a visit in my book. Blanche sounds like a really sweet lady.