There are not many restaurants in the world where patrons can enjoy an upscale dinner and watch whales swim by on a good day. The Edgecliff in Langley is one of those few.

The Edgecliff building itself has been a part of Langley’s culinary history since 1902. It has housed the Edgecliff Restaurant since 2002, and before that, it was home to a number of other restaurants, including an Italian bistro.

About a year ago, ownership of the Edgecliff changed. To the surprise of many, not much else did.

Rumors had been circulating that the fine dining establishment was going to become a Hawaiian restaurant or a sports bar.

Neither turned out to be true.

“It’s still the premier restaurant it has been,” said owner Jonathan Darnall. “It’s still friendly and inviting and there is fine dining.”

Darnall and his young team are running the business now. Co-owners Tim Criswell and Darnall grew up together and had wanted to open a restaurant for years when the opportunity arose to take over the Edgecliff.

“We jumped on it,” Criswell said.

They added Executive Chef Micah Noack, who attended the Culinary Institute in Seattle. Criswell and Darnall couldn’t be more pleased to have him on board.

Wayne Carter is the sous chef, and Charity Criswell is the service manager.

Darnall and Criswell are proud of their team.

“We’re fairly young, but it’s a good base to keep growing,”

Darnall said.

The restaurant still stands out through extraordinary seafood specialties, steaks and other island favorites such as crab cakes. They offer a broad wine selection and have a full bar.

On Sunday, Jan. 28, the team will hold a wine pairing dinner. A selection of fine wines will be paired with a seven-course dinner, and a wine expert will be on hand to explain the wines while Noack will talk about his accompanying meal choices. Reservations are necessary.

The kitchen is open from

11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for which and from 5 to 8 p.m. for dinner Monday through Thursday. The bar is open throughout the day and remains open after the kitchen closes. A limited bar menu is available.

On Friday and Saturday, the restaurant is open for lunch from noon to 3 p.m. and from 5 to

9 p.m. for dinner. On Sundays the kitchen closes at 8 p.m. but guests can always get a snack at the bar.

Located on the top of a cliff overlooking Saratoga Passage, the restaurant stands out through its magnificent view and is an attraction to locals and visitors to the island alike. In the summer, patio dining is a must.

“The community is accepting it,” Darnall said. “People come to the restaurant and come back. That’s cool.”