Whidbey Island’s dining scene is about to level up. Johnny Spero, the Michelin-starred chef behind Washington, D.C.’s Reverie, is set to helm the Inn at Langley’s new restaurant when the waterfront property reopens after renovations on May 17. The spot, dubbed Passage, is slated to roll out a multicourse tasting menu starting in May.
According to The Seattle Times, Spero shuttered Reverie and moved with his family to Whidbey in 2025 to get settled and dive into menu research. He told the paper that “it’s a dream to be ... surrounded by some of the best ingredients and produce anywhere.” The Inn’s website, as noted in that reporting, lists May 17 as the reopening date and confirms that Passage will focus on a tasting-menu format.
Spero's résumé
Per Reverie, Spero earned a Michelin star while running the Washington, D.C. tasting room and previously served as executive chef at José Andrés’ Minibar, in addition to staging at Spain’s Mugaritz. His other venture, Bar Spero, drew national attention, picking up James Beard consideration and an Esquire “Best New Restaurant” nod before closing in 2023.
What it means for the island
Local restaurant pros say bringing Spero to the Inn at Langley could push Whidbey’s food reputation to a new tier and pull more diners across the water. As The Seattle Times reported, Brady Ishiwata Williams believes Spero will inject fresh energy into the region’s dining scene and “help lift the tide for everyone,” while Jay Blackinton called Spero’s perspective and skill exactly what the Pacific Northwest needs right now.
With Passage’s tasting-menu format paired to the Inn’s waterfront rooms and intimate scale, tables are expected to be a hot commodity once service kicks off. Ticketing and reservation details are slated to appear on the Inn’s website in the coming weeks as the property locks in its reopening schedule.
