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58950 items in 384 feeds
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Ryan Phillips Blog
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Peachy Green
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Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy [xml|www]
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Jack and Mrs. Elliott Move to Bend [xml|www]
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Homeless on the High Desert
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Bend Oregon Real Estate Blog [xml|www]
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Trading for the Masses
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she's just saying ... [xml|www]
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Oh No She Didn't!
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UtterlyBoring.com [xml|www]
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The Blender [xml|www]
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Play Outdoors Campfire
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Paula Watts Photography [xml|www]
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Central Oregon Writers Guild [xml|www]
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Frequency: The Bulletin's music blog
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End Times [xml|www]
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Wrongdude [xml|www]
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Off Piste, by Bob Woodward [xml|www]
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My Back Pages [xml|www]
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Joan Quick [xml|www]
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Chubby Mommy Running Club [xml|www]
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Elan Vital Anthology [xml|www]
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The Payroll Experience [xml|www]
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Bend OR Bust [xml|www]
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Bend Memorial Clinic Blog [xml|www]
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WAVE Journey.com [xml|www]
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there once was a girl [xml|www]
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The gr8ful grind [xml|www]
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The Ardent Thread's Weblog
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best minimum wage job a middle aged guy ever had
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BendTech
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Bend Sux [xml|www]
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The Wizard [xml|www]
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The Commercial Photographer [xml|www]
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Official Shade Clothing Blog [xml|www]
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COISUG
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Central Oregon Athlete
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Blooming Eventually [xml|www]
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High Desert Diva [xml|www]
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Solar Power -- PV Panels
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Don's Sunnyside Blog [xml|www]
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Fully Briefed
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Fox CX [xml|www]
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Diary of 1 [xml|www]
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The Grand Adventure [xml|www]
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Until All have Heard [xml|www]
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Trying to live the raw food life in Bend, Oregon [xml|www]
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to knit in peace [xml|www]
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Cheri Smith's Bend Oregon Real Estate Blog
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The Lone Cowgirl [xml|www]
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G5 Search Marketing Blog [xml|www]
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High Desert Musings [xml|www]
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Campbell PR Blog [xml|www]
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The Jackalope Grill Blog [xml|www]
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The Bend Beer Blog [xml|www]
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Downtown Bend
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The Blacksmith Restaurant [xml|www]
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Spiritual Awareness Community of the Cascades [xml|www]
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Occidental Tourist
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Connect with the Campus Library
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Solar Power -- Green Energy
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The Brew Site [xml|www]
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Hack Bend [xml|www]
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Tangled and True [xml|www]
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knives and lanyards
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High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon [xml|www]
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Lance Hardy Photography
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Run Bitches Run [xml|www]
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Scott Louis Brown [xml|www]
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Redmond Spokesman Blog [xml|www]
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Dustin Cowell Enterprises Blog
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White-House-On-An-Acre [xml|www]
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The Martini Chronicles [xml|www]
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Dating Is Weird [xml|www]
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Volcano Vineyards Blog [xml|www]
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Fred Real Estate Group [xml|www]
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Wanderlust Wanderings [xml|www]
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Snowboard Mt Bachelor
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Be Well with Qigong [xml|www]
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Pressing On [xml|www]
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Beth Patterson [xml|www]
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Bend Spirit Club
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Go Light. Go Fast. [xml|www]
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David VanKeuren's Photography
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Create and Relate [xml|www]
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Diner Life [xml|www]
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Training For Fun! [xml|www]
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thumpology [xml|www]
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Color Conversations with Cristina [xml|www]
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Escape to Books [xml|www]
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Bend and Beyond [xml|www]
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Sentences We Love [xml|www]
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Harold's Blog [xml|www]
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Community Learning Instructor [xml|www]
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Wonder Worman [xml|www]
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Ethereal Graphics
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How the Real Mother Hen Sees the World [xml|www]
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Wandering Words
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Liana's Lifetime [xml|www]
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A Year In The Life of Krystal
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Photos Northwest Blog [xml|www]
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Foot Zone Blog [xml|www]
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The Grumpy Forester [xml|www]
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High Desert Gallery Snippets [xml|www]
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Show & Tell [xml|www]
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Red Carpets, Saw Dust & DC Insiders [xml|www]
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Seeking Grant Money Today [xml|www]
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My Scrap Home [xml|www]
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Gill Adventures Blog [xml|www]
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Ginger's Kitchenware [xml|www]
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Jane Johnson Photography [xml|www]
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Grizzly Mountain Arts [xml|www]
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Umami Media Blog [xml|www]
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mark leary designs - mobiles & other swirlygigs [xml|www]
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Brand Insight Blog [xml|www]
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The Way....to Oregon [xml|www]
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Brysons of Bend [xml|www]
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Leave it to Barney [xml|www]
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DT from da FP [xml|www]
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Dudley's BookShop Cafe [xml|www]
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Tom's Book Publishing Blog [xml|www]
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Mike Putnam Photography
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Stroller Strides - Bend, OR [xml|www]
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View From The Cliff [xml|www]
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ralph phillips .com
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Damian Fagan [xml|www]
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Wannabe Hipster Mom
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Hydro Flask Blog [xml|www]
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Bill's Blog
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Ad HOC : Words + Ideas [xml|www]
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Edwards Photography
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monkeyinabox [xml|www]
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Juniper Seahorses [xml|www]
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CS Distributors and Creative Smocking [xml|www]
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Standup Paddle Flatwater [xml|www]
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Nitro Sister- Christina [xml|www]
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Fleet Feet Sports Bend Blog [xml|www]
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Cowgirls Blog [xml|www]
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KerryONeal.com
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Things that go great with coffee, friends and waffles [xml|www]
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Pomegranate Seeds [xml|www]
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BF Stop
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MYC Yoga Bend
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THEMdidit
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Alpine Blogs [xml|www]
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Slightly Twisted!
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Bankermom
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chuggnutt.com [xml|www]
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Pastor Mike's Faith Journey Adventure [xml|www]
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Arabella's Garden [xml|www]
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Women's Hunting Journal [xml|www]
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Blueturtle's Space [xml|www]
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Smoke Signals
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RAMBLETRON 4.75.269 [xml|www]
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Buzz By Annie's [xml|www]
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Moving On [xml|www]
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WOW! And I say it louder. [xml|www]
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The Wagger [xml|www]
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An Eskimo bakes [xml|www]
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It Was Written [xml|www]
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Ignite Bend
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Central Oregon Web Professionals Usergroup
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Life by Nate
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Think, Love & Live Green
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The Biggest Winner [xml|www]
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Central Oregon Food [xml|www]
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Backporch Coffee Roasters
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Camalli Book Company [xml|www]
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Amerine.net
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BendNights Dot Blog [xml|www]
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Bend Real Estate Sales [xml|www]
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Barker Bass Blog [xml|www]
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Nugget Newspaper Blog [xml|www]
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parla (speak) [xml|www]
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coldframed tomatoes [xml|www]
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Bend Oregon Restaurant [xml|www]
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Build Baby Build [xml|www]
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Fade Away... [xml|www]
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Pacific Crest Stock Photography Blog
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Dwyer Williams Potter, Attorneys, LLP [xml|www]
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Forever Family Designs [xml|www]
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Bend Oregon Real Estate News [xml|www]
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Sovereign Grace Church, Bend
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PPP (Pole Pedal Paddle) [xml|www]
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acloudtree [xml|www]
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Heather Leggett Photography Blog
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Bend Mothers Acting Up [xml|www]
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Isabella Acosta Barna [xml|www]
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Cascade Winds News [xml|www]
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Central Oregon Real Estate Blog
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BendBubble
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WebCyclery Blog
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Search Consulting Service Blog [xml|www]
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Tyler Roemer Photography Blog [xml|www]
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life is weird (and so am i) [xml|www]
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BendBubble Phase Three [xml|www]
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Bend Morons [xml|www]
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Eloquently Stated [xml|www]
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An Angry Bend Bitch [xml|www]
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Madras Matters [xml|www]
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Good Fitness, Great Life [xml|www]
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Bend Attachment Parenting
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Emerald Bay Photo News and Updates
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robertwrose.com
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bent and beat [xml|www]
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the. Blink. Blog
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Greener By Design [xml|www]
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COTA News
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Good Dirt Jewelry [xml|www]
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Bronco Billy In Sisters Oregon [xml|www]
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Tina Harris Photographic Art
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IronHorse [xml|www]
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Cauzal Connections [xml|www]
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The Huni Family (Almost) Daily Diatribe [xml|www]
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Brewerman [xml|www]
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Images by Jeff Kennedy [xml|www]
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It's the little things in life... [xml|www]
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Bend Bubble 2
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Bend, Oregon, Daily Photo [xml|www]
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Central Oregon Critic [xml|www]
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Rob Umphress [xml|www]
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The Minkz
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Pondering Philosopher [xml|www]
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Pale Musings
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backstage pass [xml|www]
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RankByDesign
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NitroSister Christina : Artwork [xml|www]
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Phillip Wise Photography
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If you're not ready to die for it... [xml|www]
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THE JC PEOPLE [xml|www]
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The Debut Effect [xml|www]
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pinkwik
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In the Know [xml|www]
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Friday's Food Fancy [xml|www]
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Stride Steady [xml|www]
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bent paradox
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olivefingers
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Bend Drum Circle [xml|www]
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Victoria's Secrets Told [xml|www]
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Learning Conversations [xml|www]
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vorpal.cc/blog [xml|www]
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disturbing the comfortable [xml|www]
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The Trading Desk [xml|www]
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Central Oregon Landwatch [xml|www]
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XC Oregon [xml|www]
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Forget-About-It Golf
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The Pure Ingredients [xml|www]
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Parking Lot Mamas [xml|www]
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Blessed Wanderer
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Parenting An Adult with Complex Special Needs
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Parenting A Complex Special Needs Child [xml|www]
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Ania Designs [xml|www]
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There Goes Today, it Slowly Fades Away [xml|www]
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Dusty Tales [xml|www]
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Bring Back the 80's! [xml|www]
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Into the Wild Oregon [xml|www]
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Katie [xml|www]
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The Beeb, the Beagle & My Bestfriend [xml|www]
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Garage Improvement [xml|www]
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NeighborImpact Food Bank News [xml|www]
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Life Behind the Lens [xml|www]
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Bend Oregon Photos [xml|www]
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Bend Gazette [xml|www]
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Craving [xml|www]
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Bend Chiro Blog [xml|www]
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Journey in Bend [xml|www]
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Karen Duvall [xml|www]
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Sagewind Voices [xml|www]
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Latitudes and Lassitudes [xml|www]
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Our journey to Paige [xml|www]
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Rachor Photography [xml|www]
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Bicycle43 [xml|www]
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Live on the Fly Studio [xml|www]
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Pensees [xml|www]
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Postcards from the Edge [xml|www]
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Bend Oregon ... and a little beyond! [xml|www]
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The BF Stop: The Official BIG Folio Blog [xml|www]
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Birdies 4 Babies Golf Charity [xml|www]
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of running and other pursuits [xml|www]
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Bivwak Outdoors [xml|www]
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What's New in Allyson's Kitchen [xml|www]
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the ecomoderate
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eMusings [xml|www]
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Blog from a dude ranch
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Tom Cornilliac
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yarrow [xml|www]
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Call Me Ed [xml|www]
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I intentionally wrote it out to be an illegible mess [xml|www]
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Gregg Zivney [xml|www]
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Music and Musings [xml|www]
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The Adventures of Rich Jandt [xml|www]
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True North [xml|www]
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The Christensons [xml|www]
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Peebo the Bike Commuter [xml|www]
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The Frequently Unvisited Portion of the Internet [xml|www]
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Kitchen Weech [xml|www]
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Juniper Ridge Info [xml|www]
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Lighthouse Parents [xml|www]
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Blog of 4Sight [xml|www]
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Not So Sex and the City [xml|www]
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Laura @ Curl Up & Dye [xml|www]
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John Gottberg's Blog
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The Little Things
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Media Review [xml|www]
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The Wealthy Business [xml|www]
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Chinook TC
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just a little thought [xml|www]
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Poetic License Photo Blog [xml|www]
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Talking the Walk [xml|www]
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Jesus is Close [xml|www]
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Gather at the Table [xml|www]
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Dawn Robison's Blog
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Dreaming In JavaScript
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Central Oregon Emergent Cohort
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The Bend Journal
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Political Pop Culture [xml|www]
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Renegade Rollergirls of Oregon Blog
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BNI Bend [xml|www]
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nook & cranny [xml|www]
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Mike in Bend [xml|www]
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On The Bright Side.net
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Season To Taste ... Cook Until Done [xml|www]
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ezekielblog
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VoIP Now [xml|www]
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The Speed Test
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Pimpin' All Over The World [xml|www]
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Mom2Mom Bend, Oregon [xml|www]
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Steph's Simple Solutions [xml|www]
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A Predicated Life [xml|www]
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Bend Oregon Restaurant
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Cafe 3456 - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantCafe 3456Cafe 3456, located out at the BEND airport, is well worth the trip out East. If you live on the east side, you have no excuse to not drive over. I want to emphasize that Cafe 3456 is at the BEND airport since every person that I've talked to seems to hear airport and assume Redmond. Even when I say Bend airport, they get Redmond airport stuck in their head.My first trip to Cafe 3456 was -
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Trattoria Sbandati
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTrattoria SbandatiOur first trip to Trattoria Sbandati was absolutely fabulous. We've gone for lunch twice and for dinner three more times since then. I feel fortunate in my life that I've been able to go this many times. Lucky for me, a couple of those dinners were paid for by our guests. The best way to dine out is on someone else's dime!I love that we have Trattoria Sbandati in Bend - a great -
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Deschutes Brewery's 8th Annual Crabfest
» Bend Oregon RestaurantDeschutes Brewery's 8th Annual CrabfestThe 8th Annual Deschutes Brewery Crabfest sold out so fast this year that they opened up a second day. I was smart and got my reservation in nice and early so we were locked into the traditional Saturday event. When we heard that the second day was on Friday, I was a little worried that we'd get left over crab.Turns out they threw all of the left over crab -
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Baldy's BBQ - 5TH Anniversary
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBaldy's BBQThis week Baldy's BBQ is celebrating their 5th Anniversary with $5 specials all week long. From what I've heard, they're doing $5 full racks, smothered fries, dozen wings, 2 pulled pork or chicken sandwiches, and more + drink specials.**Update**After lunch at Baldy's today (Monday) I have the $5 specials:- Full Rack of ribs (these are the Danish ribs, little smaller than their normal -
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Beach Side - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBeach Side Beach Side is the new burger joint that took over the old La Costa Azul location near Port of Subs. The menu looks very affordable and they have a happy hour burger for $5 and free buffalo chips.A friend and I sat down for lunch and were presented with a basket of potato chips which appeared to be made on site. They were ok, something to nibble on while we waited for our lunch.I -
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Group Pizza Orders Suck
» Bend Oregon RestaurantOrdering Pizza as a group like in an office environment or at a gathering of some sort has got to be one of the worst ideas ever. It used to be that you'd have your mom call up Domino's and order up a bunch of pepperoni pizzas. Then you and your buddies would scarf it down and get back to watching Real Genius and pretend that you too could be a cool nerd like Val instead of just a nerd.Now your -
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Brother Jon's - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBrother Jon'sI've gushed over Brother Jon's in the past but that was just about their regular menu. Lately I've been all over their specials. I love showing up and seeing whats on the big chalk board for that day. I haven't been disappointed yet. Brother Jon's is my favorite restaurant/hangout in Bend right now. Everything is great and its all priced right. Specials are normally right at $8.50 or -
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Chili Cook Off 2010 - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantOn Saturday The Athletic Club of Bend and Scanlon’s hosted up to 17 restaurants and chefs who cooked up their best chili concoctions. All proceeds donated to the Education Foundation for the Bend La Pine Schools.Some friends, the Wife, and I made it over to the Athletic Club of Bend for this event and had a great time. After paying the measly $10 per person we were warned to "pace ourselves" but -
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Taco Bell - Beefy 5 Layer Burrito
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBeefy 5 Layer BurritoWell I didn't even make it a full year since my last visit to Taco Bell. But that Beefy 5 Layer Burrito just looked too good to pass up. I know I should never EVER look at fast food or chain restaurant commercials and think "that looks good" because it NEVER looks like it does on TV or on the menu.Seriously, why do restaurants put photos of their dishes on their menu's? The -
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Flatbread Community Oven - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantFlatbread Community OvenI've written about Flatbread Community Oven before but that was for lunch shortly after their opening. We've tried to go a couple of times since but the place was slammed so we ended up going elsewhere.Recently we made it to Flatbread Community Oven for some pizza and had a wonderful experience. Upon arrival there were many tables filled and not much in the way of staff. -
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5 Spice Happy Hour
» Bend Oregon Restaurant5 SpiceI already wrote about 5 Spice but the Wife and I wanted to go back to check out their $5 Happy Hour Menu. The Wife and I can't get enough sushi or even Asian food. So when you say that you have sushi rolls for $5 and its from a quality restaurant like 5 Spice makes me want to jump at the chance.We surveyed the options and opted out of the ridiculous $5 edamame but went for the Assorted -
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McRib
» Bend Oregon RestaurantMcRibYup, I took a bite of one. It wasn't good.I pulled up to the drive thru speaker box at the McDonald's and before any pleasantries were exchanged, the voice immediately asked "Would you like to try our McRib?"Thinking only of you, my loyalest of loyal followers, I responded "Absolutely I would" even though I really didn't. I've never been enticed by the McRib. But since I felt an obligation -
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Chicago Style Hot Dogs - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantChicago Style Hot Dogs and Italian BeefSince the Hottest Dog up and left me without even a Dear John letter, I've been praying for another hot dog joint to show up. When I heard that Chicago Style Hot Dogs was open in the old Baskin-Robbins spot on 3rd next to the Taco Bell, I got a excited. Then all of the friends that went there told me their opinions and I wasn't so excited.I heard that it was -
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5 Spice - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon Restaurant5 SpiceMy Facebook friends have been pestering me to write about 5 Spice. Finally the Wife and I made it over there to test it out. We've heard a couple of opinions from friends that 5 Spice is a bit pricey for what you get. Still, we wanted to see for ourselves.We walk in and it doesn't look too much different than deep (the previous restaurant) looked aside from the lack of water in the -
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Summit Saloon - Downtowner Menu
» Bend Oregon RestaurantSummit SaloonNow with The Downtowner MenuOne of my biggest complaints of the Downtowner was always the tiny sitting space with huge tables. I've documented this a couple of times. The Downtowner is no longer in its old breeze-way location with the HUGE tables and customers that don't abide by the commonly known rules of not claiming a table before you ordered your food (rude). Instead, the -
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Friday Rant - Beavers vs Ducks
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI have a few minutes before I have to get started on a project. So while I wait for this email to arrive I thought I'd rant a bit on a non-food related issue. I may have talked about this before or maybe just said something on facebook or twitter about it.In the age of Tivo and DVRs it is very easy to record a sporting event. I like to record sporting events especially when I have a weeknight -
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Trattoria Sbandati
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTrattoria SbandatiTrattoria Sbandati, located in the old La Rosa location on College Way, is one of my new favorite restaurants in Bend. If I could, I would eat there once a week for the rest of my days.I tried for weeks to get in...actually I sort of was hoping I'd get asked to come in but since they've been booked solid since they opened, that wasn't going to happen. The Wife and I made it in -
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Thank you Veterans!
» Bend Oregon RestaurantThank you for your service!A while back the Wife and I were in the process of buying a house here in Bend and I needed my DD214 (a form showing my time in service and status of my discharge) so I could get a VA loan. I called the VA office and was talking to a helpful fellow who was telling me about all the other benefits I could take advantage of.I remember saying "No no, those are for "real" -
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Little Pizza Paradise
» Bend Oregon RestaurantLittle Pizza ParadiseOne day I overheard someone mention that there was a little pizza place on the corner of Butler Market and 27th. I made a special effort to go out that way to check it out. Little Pizza Paradise shares a parking lot with a gas station and a kung fu shop and some other weird/random East Side shops.I jumped in for a lunch time slice. Little Pizza Paradise boasts that they make -
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Del Taco - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantDel TacoA friend of mine was raving over the Del Taco Combo #6. I love cheap tacos. I'm not talking about real tacos with two corn tortillas and some carnitas, onion/cilantro mix and some cojita with a twist of lime. I'm talking about hard shell, ground beef, iceberg lettuce, and shredded cheddar. Quite a few years ago in another state I saw a sign that read "5 tacos for $1". I dropped a five -
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The Source Weekly's Best of Bend 2009
» Bend Oregon RestaurantThe Source Weekly's Best of Bend 2009I got a text the other night that said "congrats on the mention" and I had no idea what they meant. After a few more texts I was told that this little restaurant blog got an honorable mention in The Source Weekly's Best of Bend 2009 for Best Local Blog. I have to say, I'm very honored by this. I didn't even know the polls were open and didn't try to get votes. -
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River Mill Grill
» Bend Oregon RestaurantRiver Mill GrillThe River Mill Grill has taken over the old Fireside Red location and I've been excited to get over there to sample the goods. The Wife and I got the opportunity to go on a beautiful day and sitting on that famous deck was the best part of our evening.The deck was just under half full and only one table occupied inside the restaurant. We sat down and only had one set of silverware -
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My Twitter Coffee Mug
» Bend Oregon Restaurant@bendeats Coffee MugThe infamous @Mugmkr has created the best coffee mug of all time. My mug rocks so hard that T-Pain carries my mug on stage. Michael drank what he thought was wine (even though he was told it was blood) out of my mug in Lost Boys. Neo washed down the red pill from the tap water in my mug. My mug is so awesome that it was cup the evil Nazi dude mistakenly drank from at the end -
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The BOR-pprentice
» Bend Oregon RestaurantRaz LacticI have an apprentice, or rather a BOR-pprentice as Raz Lactic calls himself. He even started a fan page called The BOR-pprentice which I sent invites to all my Facebook Friends. Raz is starting with the basics while he gets his literary skills fine tuned and is eating his way through his pantry, under his car seats, in old jacket pockets, and writing about it. Funny s**t. You should -
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Friday Fun
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI asked on Twitter and Facebook if I should write a food review or if I should just rant. Apparently no one actually cares for my food opinions and would rather have me just talk some s**t about whatever I like or better yet, don't like. Ok.When you sit down at a restaurant, do you pick up your knife and fork and start tapping them on the table and glasses and relive those memories of playing -
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Deschutes Barrel Aged Tasting AND Upcoming Events
» Bend Oregon RestaurantOh Deschutes Brewery, how I love thee so. Today I received a Tip List of what's going on with Deschutes Brewery in the next couple of months. I also realized that I never got the photos of the last event that I attended, the Barrel Aged Tasting, posted online. For $40 per person you get to sample (all you can drink - please drink responsibly) a variety of beers that have been soaking in bourbon -
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Brother Jon's Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBrother Jon's Public House Brother Jon's Public House is open in the old Makhana's coffee shop location on Galveston. Jon and Steve (formerly with the Downtowner) are open for business with a full bar, 5 beers on tap including one of my favorites, Terminal Gravity's IPA, and familiar staff since they've hired all ex Deschutes Pub employees - it feels like I was eating at Deschutes Brewery like 4 -
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The Deschutes Brewery Sagebrush Classic Feast
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTOP WORLD CHEFS MEET IN BEND, OREGON TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES The Deschutes Brewery Sagebrush Classic Feast and the Golf Will Be First-Rate and, As Always, It’s the Community That Will Take Home the Biggest PrizeBEND, Ore. – What sort of event is so powerful that it attracts 18 of the world’s most celebrated chefs – all to a summer gathering in Bend, Oregon?It would have to be big on -
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Joolz Restaurant - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantJoolzThe Wife and I made it into Joolz for a couple of small plates. I was previously at Deschutes Brewery for a pint (or possibly two) so I sat and drank water for the most part. That was until the people next to me ordered a traditional liquor which was called Raki or Arak (ok, maybe three pints). It is a anise flavored liquor that they mixed with water turning it milky. Sooooo I had to order -
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900 Wall - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon Restaurant900 WallI had the pleasure of attending 900 Wall's soft opening. I am going to continue writing but for those of you short on time let me sum up my review...if you liked Merenda, you'll like 900 Wall. Basically 900 Wall could have done a "find and replace" on all marketing materials, name tags, and menu's and just replace Merenda with 900 Wall and there you have it. Actually, not even a find and -
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Crooked River Dinner Train
» Bend Oregon RestaurantCrooked River Dinner Train Opens May 30Under new management, a Central Oregon icon returns with a fresh approachThe Crooked River Dinner Train and Cougar Canyon BBQ announced that the train will have its first dinner run of the season on Saturday, May 30th. The train is under new management and will run every Saturday, with more dates to be scheduled as the summer progresses. The train will also -
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Club Sandwich
» Bend Oregon RestaurantClub SandwichWhat makes a sandwich a Club Sandwich? I ask because many times I see a Club Sandwich on the menu at a restaurant and what arrives on my plate varies. My research (wiki) defines the club as:"A club sandwich is a "double-decker" sandwich with two layers of fillings between 3 slices of bread. It is often cut into quarters and held together by cocktail sticks. The traditional club -
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Jake’s Diner’s Third Annual Race Night
» Bend Oregon RestaurantJake’s Diner’s Third Annual Race Night On Wednesday, May 20th, Jake’s Diner will be holding it’s third annual Race Night BBQ.Dragsters from Madras drags and Circle track cars from Madras Speedway will join with local cruisers for a big car show in Jake’s parking lot. Madras Drags and Madras Speedway officials will be on hand to answer questions regarding their upcoming season.Jake’s will be -
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Ocean RollThe last post I wrote was ...
» Bend Oregon RestaurantOcean RollThe last post I wrote was about a tasty sandwich from the Sparrow Bakery. My Facebook friends were commenting away as were my Tweeps (shutter) like @MelindaCampbell who kept telling me that I have to try the Ocean Roll.I'm not a huge fan of sweets but that damn! This thing is crazy good. Its like a cinnamon roll on steroids. I'll call it the Manny Ramirez of Cinnamon Rolls. @thewritegal -
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Sparrow Bakery
» Bend Oregon RestaurantSparrow BakeryA friend of mine has been dying to try the Sparrow Bakery. He wanted to go so bad he even tried to schedule via outlook. I had a short opportunity to grab a quick bite and we met up over at the bakery. I wasn't going to publish this review until I tried the Ocean Roll that EVERYONE keeps telling me to get. But @cassondra on Twitter said I should go with my rebellious insticts and I -
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Wendy's - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantWendy'sWendy's has some of the smallest burger's I've seen! The photo below shows a burger off their value meal with fries and a frosty. I put the small frosty spoon next to the burger so you can see how small this sucker is.Now that's tiny. I like Wendy's when it comes to getting a fast food burger. Fast food is rarely on my list of options but every now and then I get the craving for some gut -
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El Burrito
» Bend Oregon RestaurantEl BurritoMy last visit to El Burrito was ok, not great but just ok. So the Wife and a friend that was with me on the last visit, and I went back to El Burrito to give it another try.The chips and salsa arrive at the table immediately and I was happy as I remembered them being quite good. Normally I don't like to complain about a freebee like chips and salsa but these weren't good. The chips were -
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Alpenglow Cafe - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantAlpenglow Cafe The Alpenglow Cafe has had a loyal following for a long, long time as do most of the breakfast restaurants in Bend. I have been to Alpenglow a few times. I used to go there back when they had the location next to Deschutes Brewery. I remember that they had great eggs Benedict's. I also remember that they used to be the hippy's #1 choice for breakfast complete with a pack of dogs -
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Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
» Bend Oregon RestaurantKrispy Kreme DoughnutsKrispy Kreme Doughnuts have been spotted on Century Drive next to Dutch Brothers and in front of the gas station on Butler Market Road. $10 will get you a dozen.I was going to go to Richard's Donuts this morning but it is in the opposite direction than my new office. So when I saw the little girl holding the sign on Butler Market, I had to make a quick U-turn."Here you go -
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Deschutes Brewery Sagebrush Classic Announces 2009 Celebrity Chefs
» Bend Oregon RestaurantDeschutes Brewery Sagebrush Classic Announces 2009 Celebrity ChefsBend, Ore. – The yesterday announced its line-up of celebrity chefs who will participate in this summer’s Classic Feast, the highlight of the popular two-day celebration which benefits the Deschutes Children’s Foundation. The Sagebrush Classic, which typically sells out, is a favorite among the star chef crowd, many who return -
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H. Bruce Miller - Awesome
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI haven't read much of The Source Weekly since Laurie J. Rice stopped writing the food reviews but damn if H. Bruce Miller might get me back. The last two paragraphs of his Westside Is Reeling After Meth Bust article are pure genius."Well, gosh, who wouldn’t be shocked? Swarthy guys with moustaches peddling drugs (and METH, no less – how yucky, how déclassé!) is something that’s simply not -
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Rigoberto's Meth Tacos
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTags: Rigoberto's Taco Shop [edit]
Finally I have the answer as to why I would get the urge to steal VHS players and pawn them off for cash so I could get more tacos at Rigoberto's [www.ktvz.com] brothers who own Rigoberto's Taco Shop on Bend's Westside have been arrested on numerous drug charges as their restaurant and homes were raided following months of undercover detective work, the -
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Win $25 Carino's Italian Gift Card - Free
» Bend Oregon RestaurantSimply join UtterlyBORing's March Madness pool for free and you could possibly win a $25 gift card to Carino's Italian donated by your's truly. There are some great prizes that you could win besides the gift card including:First Place: Meals for two (breakfast, lunch, or dinner, as it's all served all day) from Jake's Diner here in Bend (though, considering the portion sizes at Jake's, you could -
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Voodoo Doughnut - Portland Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantVoodoo DoughnutThe Wife and I watch No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain on the Travel channel. One episode featured the NW and he went to a couple places in Portland. One place was Voodoo Doughnut. We knew about Voodoo Doughnut but the kicker was the Maple-Bacon Doughnut that Tony had. I had to get my hands on one of these bad boys. So simple, just add a slice of bacon to a maple -
MVHS Band Halibut Feed 2009
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBOR was in his High School's Band, so was the Wife. Band is cool. Support it.MVHS Band Halibut Feed 2009Who: Anyone who likes Halibut or MVHS BandWhat: Halibut Feed at MVHS to benefit Japan Exchange ProgramWhen: Saturday March 14, 2009, 5:00pm to 8:00pmWhere: Mountain View High School Cafeteria/ CommonsWhy: To help students going to Japan pay their wayHow: Cash or check paid to MVHS BandChildren’ -
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Worst Tweets I Want to Twrash
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI've been on Twitter for a short while which means I'm a Social Media Expert now. Since I'm the leading expert in Social Media, I thought I'd post some of the rather annoying tweets in an attempt to silence some of the noise.Twitter is a social networking microblog (Bend Oregon Restaurants is a MegaBlog) that you can access from the interweb, on a cellular telephone, or via text message. If you -
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Le Cakery
» Bend Oregon RestaurantLe CakeryLe Cakery on Galveston offers a daily menu of 7 cake flavors and 9 frosting flavors and serves up some of the tastiest Cupcakes (for $2.50 each) and Kidcakes (for $1.50 each) I have ever had. On Valentine's Day I went into Delusso Bakery for a baguette which would be used for the Valentine's Day dinner I'd end up making for the Wife. She saw the small sign for Le Cakery's cupcakes and -
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Friday Comments
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI have been busy lately and haven't taken the time to write up one of my clever, award winning, reviews. So instead of taking time to write something good, I thought I'd just post a comment or two that I found amusing."The best fast Mexican food is, by far, Del Taco. Taco Bell is El Segundo (second). The fact of the matter is I grew up and lived in East LA, and man, you don't have any good -
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Rigoberto's Taco Shop
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTags: Rigoberto's Taco Shop [edit]
Rigoberto'sI have a friend who requested a review of Rigoberto's and over beers I agreed to go with him. I agree to a lot of things over beers. Stupid ballet tutu. I selected the Carne Asada Taco, the Carnitas Taco ($2 each), and couldn't resist going for 3 rolled tacos with sour cream for $2.80. TACO TOWWWWN!First I tried the Carne Asada. After a couple of bites I somehow was flooded with -
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bistro corlise - latest to close
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI'm very disappointed in you who have not tried bistro corlise and helped keep one of the finest restaurants in Bend open. I just received an email from the very talented Jason Logan announcing the upcoming closure.I'm sad. I thought you all loved me. We have a good thing going here. I tell you where the good places are and where to avoid. If I say that somewhere is good, you should believe me -
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Ariana Restaurant
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTags: Ariana restaurant [edit]
ArianaAriana Restaurant has been on my list of dining options for a long time. I am sad that it has taken us this long to make it to Ariana's. When the hostess sat us at our table, the Wife mentioned that the last time she'd been in this house was when it was Cup of Magic. The hostess responded, "Gee, its only been four years." The Wife holds grudges. Cup of Magic was her favorite coffee shop and -
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Band of Brothers and Jake's Diner Spaghetti Feed
» Bend Oregon RestaurantSpaghetti Feed to Fund Bend Heroes MemorialThe Bend Band of Brothers and Jake's Diner are partnering for a spaghetti feed to raise money for the Bend Heroes Memorial to be built at Brooks Park near the west end of Veterans Memorial Bridge on Newport Ave.This event will be held at Jake's Diner on Sunday February 22nd from 4pm - 6pm.The cost of the meal will be $10 per person (cash only). All the -
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Italian Cooking School - Day 2
» Bend Oregon RestaurantOver the last couple of weeks I have been attending Dr. Juri Sbandati's Italian Cooking School and I posted Day 1's review a couple weeks ago. Well I never got around to writing about Day 2 so here we go.On Day 2 Juri taught us how to make Pollo alla Cacciatora (chicken cacciatore), Risotto ai Funghi Porcini (Mushroom Risotto), and Stock.First we started with the Cacciatora since it needed to -
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What are you doing for Valentine's Day?
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTags: valentines Day [edit]
I was too busy (read Lazy) to put together a Valentine's Day post. I was also too busy to plan something for the Wife and I to do. Most likely, we will end up getting the Heart Shaped Pizza from Papa Murphy's like we always do.So if anyone has any ideas or wants to host BOR and the Wife, let me know. Comments are welcome. What are your Valentine's Day plans? -
White America
» Bend Oregon RestaurantMy Edamame post delivered one of my all time favorite comments - "you arrogant anus." Now, my Bubble Tea post has delivered another favorite. I absolutely love logging into my eMachine and seeing all the comments and emails that I receive (all two of them). The latest and greatest is""i have never read such a close minded review in my life. Although you didnt like it, you could have given a more -
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bistro corlise
» Bend Oregon Restaurantbistro corliseThe Wife is kicking me, and I'm kicking myself for not trying to get us seats at bistro corlise's Head to Tail Dinner on Feb. 22. The event is already sold out but I still needed to mention it. 15 course dinner of deliciously pork heaven. Chef Logan is working some serious magic with this pork filled menu from Confit of pig heart and sprouted lentils to Pork blood Ravioli with pig -
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Taco Bell = Crap - Deliciously Disgusting Crap
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTaco Bell = Crap - Deliciously Disgusting Crap -
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Baldy's Customer Appreciation Week and BaldyFest
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBaldy's Customer Appreciation Week and BaldyFest -
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Tony's Deli
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTony's Deli -
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The Downtowner - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTags: Downtowner [edit]
The Downtowner - Bend Oregon -
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Super Bowl @ Baldy's
» Bend Oregon RestaurantSuper Bowl @ Baldy's -
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Where to Eat/Order for Superbowl 2009
» Bend Oregon RestaurantWhere to Eat/Order for Superbowl 2009 -
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Deschutes Brewery 7th Annual Crabfest
» Bend Oregon RestaurantDeschutes Brewery 7th Annual Crabfest -
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Scanlon's at the Athletic Club of Bend
» Bend Oregon RestaurantScanlon's at the Athletic Club of Bend -
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Italian Cooking School - Day 1
» Bend Oregon RestaurantItalian Cooking School - Day 1 -
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Restaurant Closings Update - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantRestaurant Closings Update - Bend Oregon -
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Port of Subs - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantPort of Subs - Bend Oregon -
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La Costa Azul
» Bend Oregon RestaurantLa Costa Azul -
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Pastini Pastaria - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantPastini Pastaria - Bend Oregon -
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Italian Cooking School
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI'm excited to announce that I will be attending Cooking School with famed Personal Chef, Juri Sbandati. One of the great benefits to the class is that the students get to take the food home. So I might not be going out to eat as much over the next month. That's another plus since I'm broke.I'd love to hear from anyone else that is taking the class. Details below."Learn how to cook the Italian -
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I has comentz!!
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI has comentz!! -
Two Days of Giving - It is too difficult to give
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI don't know how you volunteers and givers out there do it. I tried to give for a few days and couldn't keep my streak alive. Yesterday I gave to Deschutes Brewery. I gave bartenders Shawn and Allison a nice tip. I gave my belly a couple of pints. I gave Best Buy and Ross some money.I did buy a gift for a giving tree but I'm not going to mention where or for who (or is it whom?). On my way back -
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A Week of Giving - NeighborImpact
» Bend Oregon RestaurantA Week of Giving - NeighborImpact -
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A Week of Giving
» Bend Oregon RestaurantA Week of Giving -
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Salvation Army Food Drive
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI was sent the following announcement about a local food drive going on which benefits the Salvation Army. I like the Salvation Army. I bought the refridgerator which I converted into a Keg-o-rator at our local Salvation Army. The weird thing is, that location seems to be some sort of church instead of the thrift store. I don't know what's going on there.A while back I developed this weird phobia -
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Restaurant Ramblings
» Bend Oregon RestaurantRestaurant Ramblings -
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Papa Johns Pizza - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantPapa Johns Pizza - Bend Oregon -
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Longboard Louie's - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantLongboard Louie's - Bend Oregon -
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Deschutes Brewery
» Bend Oregon RestaurantDeschutes Brewery -
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Szechuan Restaurant - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantSzechuan Restaurant - Bend Oregon -
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Reed Market Pub
» Bend Oregon RestaurantReed Market Pub -
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Thanksgiving Dinner - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantThanksgiving Dinner - Bend Oregon -
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The Breakfast Club - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantThe Breakfast Club - Bend Oregon -
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Jackson's Corner - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantJackson's Corner - Bend Oregon -
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Bend Burger Company
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBend Burger Company The Bend Burger Company is NOT THE BBC. The BBC stands for the Bend Brewing Company. If I tell my friends that I'll meet them at the BBC, I better see them at the Bend Brewing Company with a pint of Outback Ale waiting for me. If I hear you describe the Bend Burger Company to your friends and you refer to them as the BBC, I get to slap you across the back of your neck. -
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Quiznos Sammies
» Bend Oregon RestaurantQuiznos Sammies -
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Village Grill $5 Breakfast Buffet
» Bend Oregon RestaurantVillage Grill $5 Breakfast Buffet -
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La Rosa - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantLa Rosa - Bend Oregon -
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Pisano's Pizza vs Cibelli's New York Pizza
» Bend Oregon RestaurantPisano's Pizza vs Cibelli's New York Pizza -
Pisano's Pizza - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantPisano's Pizza - Bend Oregon -
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Fireside red
» Bend Oregon RestaurantFireside red -
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Pita Pit - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantPita PitI'm not sure if it matters what I say about the Pita Pit or not, that place has customers all the time. I don't care for it but the wife and my friends seem to like the Pita Pit a lot.
To me, there is not a big difference between the Pita Pit and Subway sandwiches. Dave enjoys the Pit and does a good job of describing how they make the Pita's:
"They open up the pita pocket (a large one) and split the top half into two flaps. Then they stuff the bottom half with your order, tuck in one flap and fold the other flap over, so it's like a burrito with pita bread instead of tortilla."
I found that this process is very smart. Whenever I've had a pita in the past, I've always cut the thing in pita in half and then made two "tacos" out of the halves. How stupid am I?
With the cool wrap technique aside, Pita Pit is a glorified Subway and sub-par Steak Escape. They take your order and one Pit Person starts stuffing your pita with your Subway style toppings. Pretty much the same exact assortment of ingredients aside from the veggie options like Falafel, Hummus, Babaganoush, and Feta. The veggie options are great if you like that sort of thing, but honestly, go over to Kebaba for all that jazz.
While the one pit person is stuffing your pita, another is working the grill warming up your meat. All the meat is already cooked, they just warm it up. So the grill seems almost pointless. A microwave could do the same feat in a fraction of the time but I understand that it is more visually appealing. Even if it makes the shop hot as balls. Seriously, hot as balls.
On my first visit I asked for the Club. Ham, chicken, and "real bacon." There was barely any meat at all in that huge ass pita. It was about one deli slice of ham, a few chunks of chicken, and two McDonalds thin slices of "real" bacon. Real thin bacon is more accurate. With all the bread and veggies, I could barely taste the meat.
Second visit I went with a friend's recommendation and ordered the chicken Caesar that also comes with "real bacon." It was a little better but still not really that great.
The price is right and the hours are awesome. I'll go on record and say that the Pita Pit is the Best Restaurant in Bend Opened After 2am. If I'm stumbling around downtown that late, I'll definitely go to the Pita Pit and think that it is the best meal in town. I also think that my microwaved nachos that I make with the late night munchies are the best ever...cause I'm drunk.
For a sober lunch/snack/dinner, the Pita Pit is not for me. Now, if you like a ton of prepacked, prewashed, veggies stuffed into a cleverly wrapped pita, then you're going to be in heaven.
I'd rather go to the Downtowner or the Speedshop for a sandwich downtown. That is until I'm trashed and starving, then you rock my world Pita Pit!
Pita Pit
Bend, OR
806 NW Brooks Street
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 389-7482
[www.pitapitusa.com] -
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Blacksmith Beer Tasting
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTags: Blacksmith [edit]
The Blacksmith Restaurant has brought back my favorite event in Bend, the Wednesday Beer Tastings. From 4:30-7 you can get tasters of a bunch of different beers that you probably wouldn't normally get or know if you would like. The theme changes weekly and I don't know what this week's theme is nor do I care. Beer is good, I drink it up!
For $10 you get to sample beer selected by my new best friend Robin. Robin pours the samples from beers he's selected for the week and will give you little nuggets of info about the brewery the beer came from, the type of beer it is, and why he likes it. Robin is working his way to become one of only a few official Beer Snobs. I mean, beer Sommelier or something like that.
Robin is actually really cool about his beer knowledge. He doesn't bore you with too much useless information about IBU numbers and s--t. But he can if you want to know. I just want to drink it.
I'll be there tonight with head shots to sign for all my fan.
the Blacksmith restaurant
211 NW Greenwood Ave,
Bend, Oregon 97701
541.318.0588
http://www.theblacksmithrestaurant.com
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Mio Sushi
» Bend Oregon RestaurantMio SushiMio Sushi is setting a new standard for Bend Oregon Restaurants. I have not been this excited about a restaurant opening since Don Don took over the spot where blue fish used to be downtown. We were excited to try a new sushi restaurant as we only have a couple of options here and none are affordable. Japanese restaurants like deep, Sumi’s, and Kanpai need to pay particular attention to the business practices at Mio Sushi. All you stupid commentors that have testified to the reasoning behind the crazy expensive sushi in Central Oregon need to shut the hell up. Mio Sushi has figured out a way to bring quality sushi to Bend without charging a month’s mortgage for it.
The wife and I went out of our way to visit Mio Sushi after I heard that it finally opened. This place is effing awesome and if you like Japanese food or just want to finally eat some affordable Sushi, drop what you’re doing and get over there.
I wouldn’t be BOR if I didn’t call it like I see it so I’ll tell you that they are experiencing some restaurant opening struggles. On our first visit it took forever to get our sushi order filled.
Our appetizers and entrees arrived promptly and were great. While we waited for the sushi we shared some Tonkatsu (pork cutlet that has been breaded and deep fried, served with a house salad, miso, and rice), an order of Shumai/Gyoza, and Agedashi (deep fried tofu). But we waited a solid 15 minutes after we had eaten everything for our sushi to show up. That sucked. Sucked so bad that when we realized that our order had been skipped or not submitted properly, we adjusted our order to just get the rainbow roll and a couple orders of Saba (Mackerel). BUT, when the rainbow roll finally arrive, it was amazing. More on that later.
Agedashi Tofu - Deep fried tofu (the only way to eat tofu) with sweet sauce for $4.25.
As with most of the dishes, presentation does not seem to be the focus. Instead we got to eat great food at a very fair price. The Agedashi is great when you want a filler for cheap. My dad told me a story about a roommate of his from college. He made this huge kid eat a loaf of bread before they ate their dinner. If he didn't, his roommate would eat too much too fast and my dad wouldn't get his fair share. I use that same technique when dining with a group at sushi restaurants by ordering a couple orders of Agedashi Tofu. That way all the chumps fill up on tofu and I get to pick off all the left overs of unagi and ebi as everyone will be stuffed. I'm cheap and selfish that way, get over it.
Shumai and Gyoza for $4.50 (4 pieces of each)
The wife mentioned that she's never seen Shumai (a traditional Chinese dumpling) deep fried. I'm not sure if this was a mistake or not but normally they are steamed. I didn't care, I like anything deep fried. Throw some bacon on that mug and I'm dying happy.
One of my favorite dishes is Katsu, especially Tonkatsu - breaded pork cutlet fried and served with a thick Tonkatsu sauce for $9.95.
I was surprised at the portion. I expected one cutlet over rice but got like 2.5 to 3 cutlets with miso and rice for only ten bucks. Great portions, great price and prepared perfectly. The Tonkatsu Sauce is a thick, sweet (mostly sugar and corn syrup) sauce that looks like reduced balsamic vinegar but tastes great with fried anything. Our brand that we keep in the fridge is Bull-Dog. The wife grew up on this stuff. She even has a song from her poor ass childhood.
Imagine a chain gang smashing rocks like in Oh Brother Where Art Thou:
Bull-Doggin on the lows of high
Bull-Doggin on the highs of low
(and repeat over and over again)
I love her ghetto ass. I get treated to this song every time the Bull-Dog comes out of the fridge.
We ate these dishes and sipped on our miso while we waited and waited for our sushi to arrive. Sadly they had not received their liquor license so no booze for BOR....sounds like a great charity event - Booze for BOR, let me know if you want to contribute. Don't worry, they have their liquor license now and you can get all sorts of alcohol. But if I see you at the sushi bar with a sake, I'll drink it up.
BOR - "Here, if you have a hot sake, and I have a hot sake, and I have a straw. There it is, that's a straw, you see? You watching? And my straw reaches acroooooooss the room, and starts to drink your hot sake... I... drink... your... hot sake!"
[sucking sound]
BOR screams in your face - "I drink it up!!!!"
Now, the rainbow roll and saba (mackerel) finally arrived. The Rainbow Roll is a California Roll that has slices of nigiri rolled on the outside of the roll. There is taco (octopus), sake (salmon), ebi (shrimp), maguro (tuna), white fish, and avocado for only $8.95.
HUGE roll and great quality. I didn't care for the sauce that was drizzled around and under it but I was still happy with the portions that the wife let me have. The Saba was just insane! Very good cuts and one of the only places in Bend to get mackerel.
We went back to Mio Sushi the next day and had a new server who was not on top of her game....again, working out the kinks. But this time they had their liquor license so I got some hot sake and the wife got some fruity sparkling sake thingy. I also got the Bento Combination #1, my favorite and my recommendation if you go for lunch or dinner.
Chicken Teriyaki, Vegi-Gyoza, and assorted Tempura for $11.95 (dinner, lunch is only $7.95) and you get miso, house salad, and rice. Of course I forgot to get a photo. But I did get a photo of the Spider Maki (soft shelled crab that has been fried to a crisp). I have never seen a soft shelled crab this big used in a sushi roll before.
The end piece with the crab legs sticking out, I was able to take this part and actually break off a leg and the body section, there was actually crab meat in it. That's just redonkulous!! Normally the crab is so tiny that you never get any meat out of those suckers.
I feel like I've been writing for days on this review of Mio Sushi. But before I wrap up I have to even mention that they have THE BEST kid's meal on any menu in Bend. For $6.95 ($5.95 at lunch) kids get Teriyaki chicken, miso, edamame, rice, and their choice between a full 6 piece California roll, gyoza, or assorted tempura. That's the best deal in town, I wish I was under 12.
Mio Sushi
63455 N. Highway 97, #35
Bend, OR 97701
[www.miosushi.com]
PS, Get the Green Tea, best I've ever had.
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Bo Restobar
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBo RestobarBo Restobar was our third and final stop on our world tour of downtown Bend on a magical night. We'd already visited bistro corlise and deep. French to Japanese to Thai(ish). Now we're pretty tossed and feeling great. So more drinks are in order and my friend and I select the Bourbon Flight ($25). The wife gets the Sake flight ($8).
Why spend your money on one bourbon when you can try four different types of bourbon? Great pours of liquor and great quality all around. I love me some Basil Hadens. The wife enjoyed the Pearl Sake from Sake One the best from her sake flight.
For snacks we shared the Sticky-Finger Ribs ($10) (when I say share I mean the wife let me get one). We also tried the Thai Nachos ($9).
Excellent! I liked my rib, their sauce is soooo good. The nachos were good as well but the ribs are just insane. I like Bo Restobar a lot. I especially like their late night happy hour. It's a great deal if you're out and about after 9pm.
Bo Restobar
550 NW Franklin Ave
Suite 118
Bend Oregon 97702
[www.borestobar.com]
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deep
» Bend Oregon RestaurantdeepThe last time we visited deep it was for my wife's friend's birthday. I tried the tempura bacon and it was everything that I had hoped it was. After we ate our French appetizers at bistro corlise, we stood on the sidewalk trying to think of where to go next. We considered Goombas, Cork, and Marz and then my friend said deep, and off we went.
deep is expensive but fun. We sat at the bar and put together a plan of attack. We settled on The Nine Bites, Saba, Crab BLT, and a Tempura roll.
I absolutely love doing things like the Nine Bites - The Chef’s Daily Selection of
Nine Different Hot and Cold Tastes of Deep for (ugh) $16. It is such a cool way of getting little tastes of all sorts of goodies. We had kobe beef, avocado and bacon tempura, scallop, rib, salmon, tuna, squid, tofu, and beets. I claimed the beef immediately but paid the price as I got stuck with the effing beets. I also got the fatty tuna and enjoyed all three bites. The wife got the rib, squid, and tofu. All was great and I was jealous that I didn't get the deep fried bacon.
And now, my fellow OmniBORes, I present to you one of the coolest sushi rolls I've ever had....the Crab BLT:
Crab roll with watercress, bacon, and tomatoes. Crab + Bacon = Smiley Face BOR. This roll was great BUT it was also $14....ouch!! The tempura shrimp roll was $12 and the Saba was $6. Deep is very expensive all around but it is quite good.
On Monday, look for my review of Mio Sushi ... great sushi, not expensive.
deep
821 n.w. wall street, suite 100
bend, oregon 97701
telephone: 541.323.9841
hours of operation:
open 5 p.m. daily
[www.deepbend.com] -
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bistro corlise
» Bend Oregon Restaurantbistro corlisebistro corlise has a happy hour menu with $5 appetizers and $5 glasses of wine. We've visited bistro corlise before and had a great dinner. Since our last visit they have made some nice changes to the atmosphere. If you haven't been to bistro corlise yet, go for some happy hour items to get a feel for the place and you'll probably end up staying for dinner.
We sat at the bar and asked about the happy hour items and our waitress/bartender explained that they had a red and white wine. I totally forgot what the actual types or names of either were but I selected the red and the wife took the white. Both were very good and heavily poured. We were happy for only $10.
On our visit, they had three appetizers that were only $5 each.
sanglier - boar rillettes, crustini, dijon mustard. The photo for the boar rillettes was a little blury but that's ok since it's not much to look at. Two scoops of boar patte with some little crustinis and a dollop of mustard. It was my second favorite of the three appetizers. I spread a good portion on the crustini and then added the mustard. Creamy boar goodness.
terrine du style de la campagne - country style pork terrine, vegetable accompaniment, whole grain mustard. I'm not a fan of terrrines. It was good for what it is but I wouldn't get it again. But, for only $5, it was a great experiment. The wife liked the green beans.
porc - chilled pork, smoked air dried ham, oil cured olives, red peppers, zucchini mousse. YES! This was my favorite. The wife really liked the chutney of peppers and it went great with the pork. I'd gladly get this and the Boar dish anytime.
I'm pleased to see that bistro corlise is still around in this time of restaurant closings and still sitting over there next to Merenda's and I'd recommend that you get in there. If not for a full meal, go try one of the appetizers and let me know what you think.
bistro corlise
916 NW Wall St.
Bend OR 97701
[www.bistrocorlise.com]
After bistro corlise we continued our World Tour of Bend. Stay tuned...
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Ciao Mambo - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantCiao MamboCiao Mambo is a great place for fast, family friendly, and affordable dinner in downtown Bend. The Americanized version of Italian cuisine can be found in the old Han's location. Ciao Mambo is not the best Italian food I've ever had (of course that has been well documented) but it was a nice meal with good service at a fair price.
We got a table outside on the back side where we could people watch. The back side outdoor seating is much better than the front sidewalk in my opinion. We ordered drinks while looking over the menu and settled on some safe dishes. I was a little bit scared to try the seafood unlike LJR's review at The Source. Normally I don't read any other reviews before writing my own but I was looking for some information on Ciao and her review was ranking in the top results (was in the top, until this gets published). Laurie's review of Ciao Mambo is great, you should read it.
Finding a dinner downtown without breaking your wallet is a difficult task. The following items that we sampled came to a total of $40 not counting drinks.
The wife selected the Pasta Ravenna - Bowtie pasta, grilled chicken, sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and mushrooms in a roasted garlic cream sauce. This was our favorite of all the dishes. It was prepared nicely, seasoned well, pasta cooked perfectly, and a huge portion. The photo doesn't do it justice, that bowl is quite deep. She ended up taking enough home that served as her lunch the next day.
Our guests decided to split a large pizza. Abby's Favorite - Fresh mozzarella, pepperoni and roasted garlic marinara. Nice thin and crispy crust (baked in their brick oven) with a tasty sauce. I felt it was too salty but not to the point that I wouldn't eat it.
I selected the Manicotti Ripieni - Pasta stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. For only $10 I felt it was a great deal although it was pretty bland. A couple pinches of salt and some pepper and it was just fine.
Now, there are some haters out there that are talking about how it sucks that we have a "chain" restaurant downtown. I think that's just silly. No one said anything about that when Typhoon! came to town. In fact, everyone seemed really excited about it. Plus this chain is only 4 restaurants big so far. Ease up off Ciao Mambo. Shoot, El Caporal's family has like 183 restaurants in Bend. No big deal.
I've also heard that Ciao Mambo is the Hooter's of Italian restaurants. Meaning that the waitresses could be part time models and are well endowed. I didn't witness anything to give me that impression. Although when our waitress poured my beer while standing on a bar stool, hula hooping, and singing, I thought it was rather familiar. I wish Hooter's comes to Bend.
Ciao Mambo
915 NW Wall Street
Bend, OR 97701
Phone: 541-382-3000
Hours:
Every day 5pm-close -
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Krista's at Widgi Creek
» Bend Oregon RestaurantKrista's at Widgi CreekKrista's at Widgi Creek serves up the best Club Sandwich that I've had to date in Bend, Oregon. The latest trip out to Krista's for this club sandwich was my second visit. I don't know what happened to the photos after the first time we went and then I forgot about writing the review. So some friends and I made the drive out to Widgi Creek specifically for the club of all clubs.
The club served at Krista's is on three slices of buttered toast with smoked chicken, ham, American and Gruyère (Groo-Yair (yeah like that helps pronounce it any easier)) cheese, red onion, tomatoes, avocado, lettuce, mayo, and of course bacon.
If it didn't cost me $8 in gas to make it out there to Widgi Creek, this club sandwich for $9.25 would be an amazing deal. Both times the sandwich and fries were awesome. After chowing on this sandwich, watching the Senior Women's Golf Club run the waitresses ragged, and drinking a pint, I was ready for a nap. I don't have a clever name for it like the Mexicoma but I was tired.
This is a true club and one well worth filling up the gas tank and making the trip up Century Drive....unlike this one.
Krista's at Widgi Creek Golf Club
18707 Century Drive
Bend, Oregon 97702
(541) 382-4449 -
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Tony’s Delicatessen
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTony’s DelicatessenTony’s Delicatessen located by Safeway, Starbucks, and Taco Del Mar on the west side serves up Italian deli meats, sandwiches, and salads. There are also pre-made take home items like Calzones or Lasagna that you can warm up back at the house. The owner's name is not Tony. From what I've heard, no one involved is named Tony. But it is a good name for an Italian deli. I mean, is there a more Italian/American name than Tony? When I think of Tony, I immediately think of Tony Micelli from Who's the Boss. Sadly, no Alyssa Milano behind the counter, even though she could probably use the work.
I selected "The Adamonator"
Pepperoni, Capicola, Mortadella and Mozzarella topped with a balsamic vinaigrette. The flavors were good and the meat quality was great. For $9.25 it was a decent sandwich. There was a disproportionate amount of stuffing to bread. Before my first bite I ripped off a good chunk of bread so I could get to the meat. After inspecting the other half of the sandwich I made an executive decision and transported the meat from one half to the other and ditched the remaining bread.
A friend of mine decided to go with the meatball sub. She said she liked it but her meatballs are better.
Overall the staff was really friendly and helpful. The food was pretty good but overkill on the bread. I looked around and only one person at our table didn't have at least 3" of bread that they tore off or had left over when finished. She was the only person that ordered an Americano style sandwich so she didn't have the same sub style bread that we did.
I do want to go back for one of those Calzones but I doubt I'd get the Adamonater again. Maybe I'd try a different sandwich but we'll see.
Tony’s Delicatessen
320 S.W. Century Dr., Suite 410
Bend, Oregon
647-1653 -
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Chicken and Nacho Cheese
» Bend Oregon RestaurantWe went to see the Bend Elks play the night that the famous San Diego Chicken was visiting. We drank Cascade's Golden Glove Ale and ate peanuts for the first couple of innings and laughed as the SD Chicken played first base coach, heckling the opposing pitcher, and argued calls with the umpire.
On a poorly called strike, the Chicken went nuts on the Ump and pulled out a visual acuity test (the eye exam chart thingy). He had quite a few tricks and gags which were very entertaining in between innings.
We enjoyed the Chicken so much that it made it difficult to find a break to go get more ball park food. But the wife made her move and was able to score some goodies from the concession stand. She brought back one of my all time favorites. The nasty-ass Nachos.
When I was kid, my mom would send me up to 7-11 for Nacho cheese. I'd play a game of Shinobi and then get ready to scam the store out of gallons of cheese. See, you could get a plate of nachos for like $1.19 from 7-11. But my mom figured that its silly to put the nacho cheese on top of the chips, which wastes precious space in the container that can be filled with cheese AND it makes the chips soggy.
So I was instructed to pay for the nachos and ask for a bag to carry them in. I was to dump the chips into the bag and then go over to the push pump Nacho cheese dispenser and fill up the nacho bowl. Now, if you've seen the nacho cheese plate at 7-11, they give you a shallow plate for your chips and cheese and then a big dome like lid to cover them up. I was to turn this upside down and use the lid to fill up with liquid gold and place the plate on top to act like the lid. So instead of just a couple of pumps of cheese, I would be there for a good 15 minutes violating the hand pump to get a good 40 ounces of cheese. Pour a little out for the dead hommies and I was on my way back home to feast on Nacho Cheese for a week.
This worked for about a year. Then one day while attempting to take full advantage of my mom's ghettofabulous ways, I noticed that they put holes in the plastic lid! You won this round 7-11. So after that failed, I was sent to KFC for a quart of gravy. That's all, just a quart of gravy. I'll explain that one another time.
Anyway, I can't look at Nacho Cheese without remembering the good old days of trying to get extra cheese and playing Shinobi. I owned the bonus level. It's sort of amazing that Nacho Cheese has not changed in 2,000 years (yeah, if you look closely, you can see that there was a cup of nacho cheese at the Last Supper). It is just as you remember it, (like Lucky Charms) they're disgustingly delicious.
When telling a couple friends about the game and the nachos, my friend "eBay K" wanted to know what nacho cheese actually is. Well, I can't say for sure what was used to make the nacho's at the ball park but I found the ingredients to Frito Lay's Nacho Cheese here.
The SD Chicken stole the show in my opinion. The game started at 7 and for a Wednesday night, my belly stuffed with fake cheese, beer, and peanuts, it was time for bed right around the 7th inning stretch. After watching a gang of kids swarm the chicken while singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Then half the stadium joined us as we left. The Elks lost 8-2.
Here's a recipe for Nacho Cheese Sauce just for you eBay K:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
7 slices processed American cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
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Kona Mix Plate Delivers
» Bend Oregon RestaurantKona Mix PlateKona Mix Plate delivers in quality, value, service, and now, delivers right to your door. When you're at the house or work and laziness kicks in, who you gonna call? Sometimes I'm too lazy to go out to get some food and when I look in the fridge, nothing looks good so I start thinking about who delivers in Bend. Pizza is an obvious choice but gets tiring. Maybe some Chinese or Thai....eh.
Lately, my favorite delivery has come from the Big Island. Kona Mix Plate delivers and delivers well. I normally order some Bulgogi, Kalua Pork, and Teriyaki Chicken with an order or spring rolls and I select the rice and potato/mac as my sides.
About 30 minutes after placing the call the doorbell rings and dinner is served in the comfort of my our own house. I get to chow down on some tasty treats while watching I Survived a Japanese Game Show or So You Think You Can Dance....Twitch, you're awesome but Katee is by far my favorite!
The above photo was taken after I dished myself up. I prefer to eat off of a plate instead of out the togo containers. I'm silly like that. I had enough to fill up my plate and my belly with plenty left over for lunch the next day.
Everything is great. I can't complain about one item. The meat is always tender and juicy. The Kalua Pork had a good smoke with it and the Bulgogi's marinade of garlic/teriyaki are a great combination that makes my mouth water as I write this. I just love food and Kona does it right. If you have a craving for some great food delivered right to your door while working today or getting ready to watch whatever reality show you watch tonight, I recommend that you give Kona a call and see for yourself.
I have to mention our most recent visit for lunch. We were out shopping some sidewalk sales on a Saturday afternoon and ended up over by Kona. The friendly staff/owners offered the usual courtesy and help as we look over the menu. While we were making our selections, we noticed a new edition to the menu - sushi. So we thought we'd give it a go. The rainbow roll for $9.50. (photo via cell phone)
Absolutely brilliant. Probably the best sushi deal in Bend. While most places are cutting smaller and smaller rolls, Kona is serving up great quality, proper portions, and at the right price. You can't get a roll this size and with these cuts of nigiri anywhere in Bend for $9.50.
Kona Mix Plate
Call for Pick up/Delivery - 633-7378
61470 S. Highway 97, Bend, Oregon
Open Monday - Saturday 11am - 8:30pm, Closed Sundays.
[www.konamixplate.com] -
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Volo - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantVolo RestaurantVolo is awesome and if you have the opportunity to enjoy a meal of small and large plates at Volo, I highly recommend it. I've been to Volo a few times. Once just for drinks when they first opened, once with visiting family where we sampled almost all of the small plates and a variety of specialty drinks, and most recently, for dinner with the wife.
I would have posted about my earlier visits but for some reason, without the photos, I don't think the review is worthwhile. I made sure to bring the camera to dinner. It was a busy Saturday night and we didn't have a reservation. We settled on eating at the bar which is rather comfortable. Just after our drinks arrived, the hostess said that they could seat us at a table if we like. We got the corner table in the back room with a full view of the entire restaurant.
Our waitress, Erin (who was also our waitress on the visit with family), went over the menu changes and gave us her recommendations as well as answered any and all questions that we had.
We started off with a couple plates of the baby greens. The wife chose the lemon vinaigrette and I took the balsamic. We both agreed that we picked correctly. For a $4 salad, it was quite large and was very good. But since it was just a salad, I didn't take the camera out.
When we eat at the fine dining restaurants which obviously are the more expensive restaurants in Bend, we tend to map out a plan for dinner. Like, if I get this, you get that, and we'll swap plates half way through. On this visit, we decided on three small plates and then one large plate and we'd just eat whatever. We selected the Sweetbreads, scallops, and crab cake as our starters and the Organzola Filet as our main dish.
MMMM mmmm, Sweetbreads!! Probably my favorite dish at Volo. Who are the ad wizards that came up with this one? Taking the thymus gland out of the neck of a cow, pig, or lamb, bread it and fry it up like a piece of chicken and then call it Sweetbreads! That's just brilliant. Sort of like calling boiled (or steamed) soy beans something sexy like edamame.
All that aside, the thymus gland at Volo is awesome. Light and crispy breading that is seasoned nicely and served over a bed of Spaetzle (like a mini dumpling) and bacon. The beef Sweetbreads sort of taste like fried chicken if you stretch it.
The scallops were prepared with a port reduction and served with peaches (stone fruit on the menu). Erin recommended this one and we went back and forth throughout dinner about the idea of seafood and fruit. On the first taste I didn't really care for scallop and peach. I liked the port reduction just fine but as I tried the peach with the scallop, it didn't get better. Beautifully presented, scallops cooked perfectly, the port reduction was a great addition and made for a savory dipping sauce, but I'd rather have a slab of pork belly instead of those peaches.
The crab cake is also one of my favorites. The actual crab cake is chuck full of crab instead of a jambalaya of veggies. The veggies were outside, where they belong, and actually quite nice. The combo of Jicama, English Cucumber, and mango (again seafood and fruit = weird) were actually quite refreshing. So the scallops matched with peaches didn't take but this small amount of mango with the Jicama actually went well together.
Finally we enjoyed the Oregonzola crusted Filet served with a potato puree, spinach and a Fig Balsamic Jus. At first I thought the entire filet was crusted but was pleased to find out that only the Gorgonzola was crusted. The filet was perfectly prepared medium rare and melted in my mouth. We grubbed up the steak and enjoyed every bite. The only knock on this dish was the spinach. It was basically steamed spinach...without any seasoning. I think it's funny that the only bad things I have to say about Volo comes with the veggies and fruit. Everything else was insane!
The service was amazing. Erin rocked. Andy, the GM helped us pick some wines that went perfectly with dinner, and the (I don't want to offend but don't know what else to call him) bus boy was on top of things with clearing our plates, restocking the silverware, and refilling the water. My water glass NEVER made it passed half filled (as opposed to half empty).
Brilliant dinner, excellent service, great food, all in all, a phenomenal experience. I can't leave you without mentioning the price. Dinner for two can easily take you over $100. Our dinner was $110 not counting the tip. But for a nice night out, it's well worth it.
Volo
www.volobend.com
919 NW Bond St
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 728-0580
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Restaurant Closings - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBend Oregon Restaurant ClosingsRestaurants in Bend Oregon are closing, most blame economy, I blame bad food and service. There are too many restaurants in Bend serving up shiite. Is a little thinning of the herd what the restaurant industry in Bend needs? There are great restaurants in Bend and I feel bad that most are struggling but is the economy the only thing to blame? How about the fact that we have/had about 290 restaurants in Bend and only about 100 of them are any good? I mean the Source did their restaurant guide of the top 100 restaurants and it seemed like a stretch to get to 100.
How about restaurants serve up great food and separate themselves from the heard? We don't need another Mexican restaurant, we're good on fast food, we don't need another brew/pub/sports/bar. What we need is for the food and service at our current restaurants to be amazing. Can't restaurants focus on their strengths, adapt, improve their weaknesses, and overcome? I've thinned my list of restaurants I rotate through, cutting out the restaurants that haven't changed, that have poor service, that are overpriced for what you get. I want the best meal for my money.
All of the reports I've heard about the restaurant closings mention the poor economy. When was the economy really that good? The job market in Bend sucked 3 years ago and it still sucks today. That didn't stop new restaurants from opening. I mean the real estate market in Bend obviously blew up and then blew out but was that the only thing that was keeping these restaurants open? Was it all the successful realtors, mortgage brokers, and builders keeping the restaurants afloat? I don't have any of the answers. I just know that there are restaurants in Bend that have gotten away with poor quality and service for a long time and am shocked that some are still open.
Pepe's was a loss but there are plenty of Mexican restaurants to choose from. The others, I'm not so sure are going to be missed. Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for the owners and the employees that are losing their business and jobs. That sucks ass. I feel bad for anyone that owns a restaurant right now. I'm just saying that I don't think it's JUST the economy to blame.
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In an exception to the above comments, 38 Degrees appears to be closed. I can't seem to get the official word but I've driven by a couple of times when they should have been open and they were not. That's sad, I really liked the sangria flights. Their tuna was always great and I loved their clams and chorizo (when the chorizo was not dried out). Instead of just blaming the economy on this one, it could be that 38 Degrees really didn't have the best location. Could be a combo of things but their food and service were good.
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Kayo's Roadhouse in Bend and Redmond has closed. A reliable source shot me an email and was able to find the Z21 news story to confirm that in fact Kayo's is done. The news article mentions that Kayo's is probably best known for the buckets of peanuts and the shells on the floor. I never got around to writing my review of the one trip I made it over to the East side for dinner at Kayo's, but it would have focused on the same point.
The food was bland. We tried the appetizer sampler which was a cut bomb of overcooked chicken wings, huge potato skins covered in cheddar, mozzarella sticks, and spring rolls. We totally should have waited to order our dinners until after the appetizer. After sampling the appetizers, we weren't really hungry.
I had the bacon burger which was overcooked and the Kraft singles slice of American was tough to wash down even with my huge beer. The wife got the ribs which were some of the worst we've tried. We ended up taking a bunch of left overs but ended up throwing them out as they stayed in the fridge way too long.
I never got to the Kayo's review as all of the photos came out way too dark. I couldn't get a good photo but trust me, there wasn't a way to get a "good" photo out of what was on our plates. Great peanuts and really cold beer are the best parts of Kayo's.
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Ernesto's closed their doors. I didn't post my review of Ernesto's before I heard of their closing. I had visited for lunch as a dare about a week before the news of their closing was announced.
A friend and I went to Ernesto's for lunch. After reviewing the menu we both decided on getting the buffet which consisted of soup and salad bar, pasta with a choice of three sauces, pizza, some sort of chicken dish, and then the special of the day. I think it was a Wednesday and prime rib was the special.
I decided to try all three pasta sauces, tomato, pesto, and Alfredo. In order from left to right, or right to left, or mix matched (doesn't matter really) they were blah, blehk, and boring. I also tried a slice of the pizza which looked really dried out but tasted ok. Old pork is still good pork in my mind. I just call it aged and be done with it...until I'm running to the restroom in the middle of the night. Damn you aged pizza!
The prime rib was a waste of time. I got a couple of good bites out of it. My favorite parts of the meal was the salad, bread, and water. Actually, the soup was pretty good. They had the normal minestrone soup out front but the waitress told me about the specialty soup of the day in the back, chicken pesto. It was rather good.
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Pepe's Restaurant moved back to Madras. "I'm going back to Madras, to Madras, to Madras, I'm going back to Madras, no, I don't think so." Could you imagine if LL Cool J lived in Central Oregon? No, I don't think so.
I wrote up my review of Pepe's Restaurant and am actually sad about this restaurant leaving. I really liked going to Pepe's. I went up to Portland for the International Beer Fest and saw that Pepe's has a restaurant right on the main strip in Madras. -
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Flatbread Community Oven Pizza - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantFlatbread Community OvenFlatbread Community Oven Pizza and Wine Bar located in the Old Mill is the second installation of this new restaurant chain. A couple of friends and I went to visit the new pizza place for lunch.
When we arrived in the old mill, parking was easy to find and we were able to get a table outside right away. As with most new restaurants in Bend, Flatbread Community Oven appeared to be benefiting from some early success. Their take on pizza is that they are VPN certified which means that apparently, they are approved by the Vatican to make pizza in America. The waitress explained it a little better and their menu's as well as their site is pretty big on this certification. But none of that really matters to me. I just want a good pizza at a fair price. Seriously, does it matter if your pizza has a certificate of authenticity? As long as it's good, eat it.
For lunch we chose from the Lunch Menu (available from 11-4) where you get to pick any two items from the Pizzetta menu, half sandwich, half salad, mac & cheese or soup. I decided on the Capicola, Sausage, and Salami pizza with the mac & cheese.
For the price, I found the lunch to be a pretty good deal. For around $9 you get a good set of options and I found the mini pizza and salad or mac & cheese to be the better value. I enjoyed my three meat mini pizza. The salty pork products blended well with the FCO Formaggio. FCO Formaggio is a type of cheese that I have never heard of before. I think they made it up. Sounds too much like fromundercheese.
I used all of the crust as bread sticks and dipped them into my left over cheese sauce from my Mac & Cheese. It was a rather heavy lunch but I enjoyed my meal.
A side note. I have written an Outdoor Dining Guide but I should have written some rules about outdoor dining etiquette. Actually I can't imagine there being that many rules but one stands out as I was eating at the Flatbread Community Oven ... KEEP YOUR DAMN SHIRT ON. This rule is actually meant for the fellas only. I mean, ladies, by all means. But if you're a dude, I don't give a damn if it's 110 degrees outside, you're at a restaurant and we're all eating. Unless your shirt is on fire, please keep your shirt on. No shirt, no shoes ... IT'S THE FIRST ONE!
While we were sitting at our outdoor table, half of us enjoying the mountain views, this tool and his family roll up on their bikes and sit down a nearby table. After ordering, all of the sudden, dad goes shirtless. Nice. It's great that we live in a small town were you can take advantage of a beautiful Central Oregon day and ride your bike around town with your family, getting all sweaty, thirsty, maybe a little hungry, and are able to stop by a restaurant for some refreshments and a nibble. I'm glad that I get to share in your successful workout regiment over the years as you work on your tan and continue to sweat two tables away from my Pope blessed pizza. Thank you sir, thanks for sharing. Tool.
I wish that the staff would have asked this jacknut to put his shirt back on. It's inappropriate.
Flatbread Community Oven
375 Powerhouse Dr, Bend, Oregon
541-728-0600
[www.flatbreadpizza.com]
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Baldy's BBQ - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBaldy's BBQ
Just when I think Baldy's can't get any better, I get hit with the Beef, Chicken, and Pork combo platter at lunch for $10. I'm really loving these three meat combo's lately. At Baldy's the combo is pulled pork, BBQ chicken, and beef brisket plus a gigantic salad (your choice of house or Caesar).
After stuffing my face with fork full after fork full of deliciously smoked animal flesh, I realized I need something else. I ordered some garlic toast which really helped out. You have to have garlic toast with BBQ, it's only natural. For $10, this combo is definitely my favorite of the three meat platters that I've tried so far. Absolutely worth it.
Go Baldy GO!
Baldy's Barbecue
235 SW Century Dr
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 385-7427
385-Ribs
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Aloha Cafe - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantAloha Cafe
Aloha Cafe is the second Hawaiian Grill in Bend. Located on the east side near Kayo's Roadhouse and next to Celina's Latin Bistro, the Aloha Cafe offers the east siders an alternative to Kona Mix Plate.
There are some similar items on the menu and the side dishes are the same on paper. For $12 the wife and I split the sampler which contained all the meat options and all four side dishes.
For $12, I don't think there is a better deal in Bend. We tasted the ribs, terriaki chicken, BBQ chicken, Kalua pork, basically every meat item they have to offer. All of the meats were very good. We GRUBBED!! Everything was juicy and tender, well seasoned and the sauces were great with their sweet and savoriness. Very Hawaiian and very good.
For side dishes there were the yakisoba noodles, white rice, pineapple slaw, and potato mac. The best side dish was the white rice. I mean the slaw was ok but the only thing that made it different from the regular old mayo tossed slaw were the very few pieces of pineapple. The pineapple did not make the slaw any better, in fact made it worse. The potato mac didn't hold a candle to Kona's salad. So the meats were great but the sides were a disappointment.
That little promenade over there has quite a few tasty dining options. For the money, Aloha Cafe is a good addition and great change from taco bell and burger king both within a stones throw away. For our $12 we had too much food for both of us to finish and ended up taking a doggy bag home. The side dishes aside, it was still well worth it just for the meat.
Aloha Cafe
NE Bellevue Ave
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-5662
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Deschutes Barrel Tasting 2008
» Bend Oregon RestaurantDeschutes Barrel Tasting 2008
I had the opportunity to hit up this years Barrel Tasting at the Deschutes Mountain room. This has been one of those events that I try to make it to year after year. This year the beer was flowing in great quantities, a variety of flavors, and served with some tasty treats.
For $35 a person you get to drink 8 different beers that have been brewed by Deschutes and then aged in a variety of different wine and liquor barrels. You can read all about the beers and opinions on each from my buddy the Brewerman. I agree with him for the most part. When he says that the Anniversary Ale was on the sweeter side, I found it undrinkable. The wife loved it but she also drinks Beringers white zin. The flat Oud Bruin was another one I found to be undrinkable. My favorite quote from the Brewerman is about the Abyss:
"Drink this beer whenever a glass of it is in front of you. If you say, “I don’t like dark beer”, you should get slapped … hard … immediately. Don’t be that guy. Drink it I say, and be set free!"
For the other 6, I couldn't get enough. I felt like Augustus Gloop
diving into Wonka's chocolate river. I was swimming in a sea of Abyss and couldn't care less. I love beer but I also love food. I'm glad to see that Deschutes is providing better appetizers to snack on in between sloshing down a few beers in comparison to years past.
When we arrived a couple of friends were already out on the balcony so I grabbed a couple beers and we headed out to say high. Lucky enough there was a grill filled with mini lamb chops served with mint infused oil. I ate my weight in these.
Prosciutto Wrapped Fresh Mozzarella Balls with Sweet Wort Drizzle and Smoked Albacore Spread on Sesame Crackers
Fennel Apple Goat Cheese Flatbread
Chocolate Cake Bites with Macadamia Coconut Caramel
Not pictured - Quajillo Braised Pork on House-Made Tortilla Chips
The lamb was my favorite dish. Cooked medium rare unless you asked specifically for a piece to be cooked a little longer, eaten right off the grill in the view of the mountains while sipping on one of the great beers is how I want to spend every Saturday night.
The braised pork on the chips were also very good. One of my friends grabbed a couple of those and drizzled some of the roasted red pepper spread on them from a different table, that made them even better!
The Prosciutto and mozz balls are a staple but I didn't get enough wort drizzle on mine. They were pretty plane, the cheese was very very mild and lacked any flavor. We ate the Prosciutto with the other cheeses instead. The smoked tuna spread started off really good but left a weird after taste. Could have been that they were sitting out a while since the first one I tried didn't seem to have that fishy after taste.
The Fennel, Apple, Goat Cheese flat bread were very good and went quickly. That was one of the stations that was constently being refilled. Very clean and crisp, it was a great mix of flavors that went really good with the Cascade Ale.
The chocolate cake bites were out of this world.
I loved it all, a great evening. My favorite part is that they served the beer in half pints instead of the little shot glasses.
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Blacksmith Restaurant = Beer
» Bend Oregon RestaurantThe Blacksmith Restaurant has been a favorite restaurant destination for me especially between 4:30 - 6pm for happy hour. Sporting the Best Happy Hour in Bend, the owners are continuing their quest to dominate my beer consumption with their Wednesday Beer tastings and the upcoming Beer dinner.
Beer Tastings - For $10 you get to sample beer and snack on unique appetizers from the kitchen. Robin pours you samples and will give you little nuggets of info about the brewery the beer came from, the type of beer it is and why he likes it. Robin is working his way to become one of only a few official Beer Snobs. I mean, beer Sommelier. He has a different name for it but after sampling the 6 beers this week, I couldn't remember.
Robin is actually really cool about his beer knowledge. He doesn't bore you with too much useless information about IBU numbers and s--t. But he can if you want to know. I just want to drink it. If it tastes good to me, then that's all that really matters.
The kitchen brought out potato skins that were fried up as chips, sprinkled with crack, and melted cheese. You can't eat just one. First bowl is free, after that you'll be hanging out in the ally turning tricks just for a taste.
They also served up some Cod Balls. MMMMmmm Cod Balls are like the rocky mountain oysters of the sea. Actually they are merely deep fried cod mixed with mayo and other goodies served with tarter sauce. Very good and went very fast.
I really didn't want to write about the beer tastings at Blacksmith as I want to be selfish and not have to wait in line for my next sample. I also want to see how many cod balls I can stuff in my mouth at the same time. But, you really should give it a try.
Beer Dinner - Blacksmith and Deschutes Brewery team up on Tuesday, June 24 to create a five-course meal paired with five Deschutes brews. Mix and mingle starting at 6:00 p.m., then sit down to a gourmet meal at 6:30 with a Deschutes Brewer. $75 per person. RSVP: 541-318-0588
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Bite of Bend 2008
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBite of Bend 2008I was able to attend the Bite of Bend 2008 for a little bit before the rains came on Saturday and I made it back on Sunday for a few hours. I was impressed with the improvement from this year's layout compared to last year. I was also pleased to see more restaurants dishing out their goods as well as offering a few tasters for only a buck.
There are still some improvements that I'd like to see implemented. While the list of restaurants is increasing, I really would like to see more restaurants and maybe some rules around what they offer. I talked to a couple restaurant owners and apparently for most restaurants, it's not profitable. Why wouldn't Lay it Out Inc (the company that runs the Bite) let restaurants come in for free. The main focus of the Bite should be food from restaurants. Make the catering companies and taco trucks pay extra for entrance into the fair.
All the restaurants should offer tasters for a minimum fee and should not have an item/dish over $5. This way we can afford to get a bite from a variety of restaurants that we normally would not visit or have not had a chance to visit. I tried a bunch of different items from the places that offered $1 tasters. But Taste of Thailand (or Thai on the Fly) was serving up HUGE portions starting at $7. If you got one of those, you wouldn't be tasting anything else for the rest of the day.
Chicken tamale and the chili verde from El Burrito - FANTASTIC!
I recommended to my friends that I bumped into that they go give the chili verde a try.
Crab cakes from the Blue Olive and right next to them was a Chef's Association tent (I forget the actual name) and they were dishing out shrimp cocktail for a buck. The crab cakes were soggy due to all the salsa on top which you can see from the one on the right. The wife liked the crab cakes but I didn't care for them. The shrimp in the shrimp cocktail was still frozen making them taste like one of the worst icicles ever.
Lobster chimichanga and the portobello chimichanga from Hola - AMAZING!
If I only had $3.50 to spend, I would spend it on the Lobster and Prawn chimichanga from Hola.
One of the only downtown restaurants to have a booth was Typhoon offering phad thai and chicken satay. For $1 you get one skewer and for $2 you get 3. The chicken satay and peanut sauce were really good but small.
The army of Stilt walkers were out if full force as usual but I sort of missed the poodles like last year.
The Iron Chef Competition still needs improvement but the new MC did a very good job keeping the audience captive even though no one could see anything. I liked that they brought one of the dishes into the crowd so everyone could see what the judges got to taste. Please, will someone hook up a couple of monitors so the audience can see what the chefs are doing? Dave has a pretty good idea of taking the stage down and having bleachers so the audience can view what the chefs are preparing. I still want to see tv screens next year.
And where are the results? Who won? I have heard that the Fireside Red has claimed this years Iron Chef competition but no one has the results posted yet. Congrats to Fireside Red.
I'll partially retract my earlier comments of the upcoming disappointment. While there is room for improvement, this was by far the best Bite of Bend so far.
Early Comments:
The Bite of Bend 2008 is set for Saturday and Sunday June 21st and 22nd in Downtown Bend. There is info about the Iron Chef Competition posted online by AdHoc and HackBend. The Source has published the official EVENT guide to the Bite (though it is only available in this week's insert instead of online) and of course the official Bite of Bend website is available.
What sucks for me is that NO ONE has a list of the actual food that will be present at the Bite of Bend. I mean, isn't that what the Bite is supposed to be about? I would LOVE to see all the restaurants have a booth with samples of their trademark dishes. Might as well let the neighborhood kids set up a lemonade stand and sell homemade cookies. I'm half expecting to see a Girl Scouts booth. Mmmm thin mints!
Last year I expected to see more restaurants but when I arrived, the food was not the top priority. Instead there were mostly caterers and taco trailers. Pretty much the same participants as munch and music/movies. I guess it makes sense to have these people show up as they are already prepared to serve food on the go with their trailers and portable BBQ grills and all. But I would really like to see more restaurants this year.
Just call this the Iron Chef of Bend instead of the Bite and I'll be happy. The Iron Chef competition was a disaster for me as a attendee. I couldn't see anything, didn't get to sample anything, and the MC annoyed the piss out of me. This year it appears that they have swapped out the MC and have actual foodies on the Judges panel.
Look for my review/rant/disappointment next week. -
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Toomies - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantToomies Thai RestaurantI've written about Toomies quite a few times but this will be the first time with a good photo served on a plate vs a cell phone camera or a to-go order. I absolutely love Toomies for lunch. I've voted Toomies to be the Best Lunch in Bend Oregon and as long as they are the only meal in Downtown Bend for $5.95 I'll keep on voting them the best lunch.
I wanted to mention Toomies again since it is getting difficult to get a sit down lunch for under $6 in Downtown Bend and wanted to give them some props (urban slang for respect, whitey). With a few exceptions, most of the other restaurants downtown are fine dining and don't offer lunch. Sure you might be able to get something cheaper from one of the downtown street corner vendors serving up their rat burgers all Demolition Man style but even the gerbil wraps are over $8. (Note - I have no idea what the street vendors are serving and I doubt I'll ever find out)
Sure at Super Burrito you can get a burrito for under $6 but does it compare to the meal you get at Toomies? Thai salad, phad thai, rice, your selected dish, and normally an orange wedge even though I didn't get one this time, or a $5 burrito? The choice is obviously yours but for me, I'll take...
Here is my favorite quote from my past reviews:
"The best part of Bend, or Deschutes County for that matter, is that while restaurants offer the organic ingredients, their to go containers are (or can be) Styrofoam. Good thing you carry a nalgene to reduce waste but you look silly walking to your Hummer carrying your Toomies lunch meal deal in a Styrofoam box. Good going."
Toomies Thai Restaurant
119 NW Minnesota
Bend, OR 97701
541-388-5590 -
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Bella Cucina - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBella CucinaBella Cucina received a favorable review recently from Hack Bend for their breakfast burrito/wrap. A couple of friends of mine went there for a late lunch not too long ago and had a good time, thought the service was good and the price was great.
So on those recommendations I thought I'd give Bella Cucina a shot. I met a friend for lunch and we sat outside enjoying one of the only warm sunny days in Bend so far this year. After looking over the menu and waiting 5 minutes for water, and another 8 for the waitress to come back I ordered The Italian - "Served hot on our fresh baked focaccia bread with salami, pepperoni & prosciutto, melted mozzeralla cheese" for $9.
Well, for being on ciabatta bread instead of "fresh baked focaccia", half the sandwich was cooooold instead of "served hot", and for being light on the meat, it was ok. Now I think I've been spoiled by the BORwich over at the Speedshop deli (my personal creation of course) which is only $9.50 and comes with a great Asian style coleslaw.
This sandwich from Bella Cucina was served with bland, oily chips. The service was bad but I'll blame just our server. She couldn't care less about us or the speed in which she did anything. Could have been a "red" week or some other personal issues going on. I don't really care.
We had to wait forever to get our bill and for her to come back and collect the bill. We waited so long that we got up and started walking inside to pay. She came out and met us half way. I paid in cash and she took another 5 minutes to bring my change.
For lunch, I was not impressed at all by Bella Cucina's and if I decide to go back for breakfast or dinner (unlikely), I'll make sure to request any section other than the old ass biker chick with the raspy smoker's voice which you can barely understand's section.
Bella Cucina Italian Cafe
450 SW Powerhouse Drive
Old Mill District
Bend, Oregon
385-7774
[www.bellacucinacafe.com] -
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Sonic - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantSonic - Bend OregonSonic, the fast food burger chain that calls itself America's Drive In, recently opened up in Bend Oregon. The Bulletin announced it's opening but didn't mention much other than the fact that Sonic has in fact opened. I tried to go and check it out a couple of times but I'll be damned if I'm going to wait in line out on the street while my car burns gas (at $4.17 a gallon as of this posting) just for some fast food burgers and a shake.
The lines have been nuts every time I drove by. I'm not that dedicated to getting the photo and review to waste my time waiting for a Super Sonic Burger and a Sonic Slushy. It just isn't worth it yet the two times that I went which were off hours, the place was packed and the line of cars extended into the street. So I pulled a u-turn and headed somewhere else. Finally, the wife and I made it into Sonic for a late dinner the other night.
Sonic Menu for anyone that cares:
Just for kicks I wanted to see what the Sonic Jr. Burger for $0.99 would get you. Meat, Mustard, Ketchup & Dill Pickle. It was pretty dry, I didn't finish it as I had my own burger to get to:
I also got the Sonic Bacon Cheeseburger for $3.79. It was a decent size but also pretty dry. For the money, I was not that impressed. I'd rather wait at Dandy's for a much better burger.
The wife selected the Sonic Toaster Sandwich and I was jealous. Her burger was stacked with Bacon, Dill Pickle, Onion, Lettuce, Tomato (they forgot the tomoto), Cheese, an Onion Ring & Hickory BBQ sauce. It was a much better deal for only $4.29.
And finally, we got ourselves some Sonic Blasts. She ordered the Butterfingers while I got the Oreo. Mine was better.
So we went to dinner pretty late and didn't have to wait long at all. We were able to drive right up to one of the Carhop service stations and took our time looking over the menu before pushing the button for service. Once we pushed the button the gal inside was immediate to answer and we ordered and paid easily.
About five minutes later, a wobbly kneed carhop stumbled her way to our car and delivered the goods. Fast and friendly service to say the least. However, my friends at Eat Salem have a horrid tale to tell and in it they mention that someone comes around with sauces. For the tots and fries that we ordered, we didn't get any ketchup or mustard offered or delivered. I'm sure we could have pressed the button again and requested, though I was sort of hoping to see the Sonic Sauce Server.
If there is any wait time, I don't think it's worth it. I will go to Sonic for fast food over McDonalds. Everyone I talk to says the same thing - "the burgers aren't that great but they have the best shakes and slushies." Whatever, it is NOT better than Goodies, Dandy's, Pilot Butte, or even worth the wait for a slushy compared to the 8 gallons of slush you can get at 7-11 for only five cents more. Come on, it's only five cents more.
Sonic - America's Drive In for Slushies and Shakes.
SONIC Drive-In
63076 NORTH HIGHWAY 97
BEND, OR 97701
(541) 306-4153 -
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Speedshop Deli - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantSpeedshop Deli
The Speedshop Deli is definitely my favorite sandwich shop in Bend Oregon. I have gone there on an average of once every 2 weeks since the first time I visited. 6th gear every time. I chat with the owners every chance I get but lately they have been slammed with business. I'll take partial credit for getting asses in the seats but Keith (one of the owners of the Speedshop deli) is definitely doing a great job and getting them to return for seconds.
I've been working at getting my own sangwich on the menu. I have tested all sorts of sandwiches off of the 'build your own' menu and I finally found my sandwich. I start off with the Italian roll and select the roast turkey and spicy Capicola (or Gabagool as Tony Saprano would say). This sets the foundation of a turkey and bacon sandwich. To which I add Havarti, lettuce, and nuke sauce. For all this the total comes to $9.50. Now, that's quite a bite for a sandwich but it is well worth the price in comparison to the other sandwich shops downtown. You can't match the quality of products or the quantity.
Some Bendites are die hard NY Sub Shop lovers. But I just can't take the loaf of bread with a dash of meat for the $11 it costs get a foot long. I'd rather have top shelf meat and not as much bread. Seriously, why is the NY Sub Shop so damn expensive?
Some Bendites are di hard Downtowner fans. I can only get a spot in there during off hours as the tables ar HUGE in such a tiny place. So there is never a place to sit and eat.
Back to the BORwich. I forgot to mention that I add the Olive Tapenade to the beast which is still covered under the $9.50 price. So right now I have one of the best turkey and ham(ish) sandwiches topped with olives, special nuke sauce, mild cheese, and lettuce that I've ever had. I go the extra mile though and add on a nuke pickle and the 6th Gear Nuke Paste.
The full on 6th gear's worth of nuke paste will set you back another $1.75 but for me, it aint a sangwich without the "WICH" as in, "which gear are you going to get, pussy?"
HAHAHA yeah that's right, if you're only on the first gear or none at all, might as well try on some of the skirts available downstairs before heading over to Blockbuster to reserve your copy of Atonement. I'm talking to you Lucas.
Speedshop Deli
805 NW Wall Street
Bend, Oregon 97701
728-0303
M-F 10am-8pm
S-S 10am-5pm
http://www.bendspeedshop.com/ -
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Pilot Butte Drive In - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantPilot Butte Drive InPilot Butte Drive In has been voted Best Burger in Bend Oregon by all the magazines and newspapers for many years. I've had Pilot Butte burgers before and good luck finding a parking spot on Sunday. I like PB but my favorite burger is served up over at Dandy's. I recently realized that I've never written about Pilot Butte Drive In so the other day we swung by for some burgers.
The wife went all basic and got herself just a cheeseburger, tater tots, and a Pineapple Malt....weirdo. I don't even know where to begin on the pineapple malt. That's just wrong. She always gets tater tots when sh can. Tater tots are lame. I know that many of you are fans of the Tot buy I am not. I gave up tots when I graduated elementary school. French fries are better. Just accept it as I am always right.
I went for the Tavern - Grilled ham, bacon, swiss, cheddar cheese, and, "to raise your cholesterol", a fried egg with sauce, mayo, lettuce, tomato and pickles. For $9.50 (comes with an order of fries), it is a damn fine burger. I like the ham and bacon with egg. Lately I have been loving combo dishes with multiple animals. Flesh is just soooo good.
I enjoyed the burger very much. It was one of the better burgers that I've had and it makes sense that Pilot Butte continues to be named best burger in Bend. I'm not converting away from my Dandy's burger just yet though.
For being only a 6 ounce patty, this is a huge meal. The burger was so big that they couldn't even close the top of the box it came in. I was hurting after and feeling guilty for finishing the whole thing. Makes me wonder if I should even attempt the 18 ounce Pilot Butte Burger for $15. It's only $5 more. I smell a challenge!
Pilot Butte Drive-In Restaurant
917 N.E. Greenwood Ave.
Bend, Oregon 97701
541-382-2972
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Decoy - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantDecoy - Bend OregonUpon my first visit to the Decoy Bar and Grill I was not that impressed with the "club" sandwich that I was served. But I wanted to go back and sample something else on the menu. There have been a couple favorable reviews from trusted sources but I have received some mixed responses via email and amongst friends.
Recently, the wife and I made it downtown for some lunch at Decoy. She was excited since it was going to be her first time eating there. After reading through the lunch menu we thought we'd start off with the wings. For $9.95 we received some tasty wings in a mild sweet chili sauce. All 6 of them. 6 drumettes for $10. That's $1.66 a wing. They were pretty good but not anywhere near $10 for 6 wings good.
The wife decided on the Ruben and potato salad. Her sandwich was piled high with corned beef and sauerkraut. The sandwich was big and falling off the plate. She also got a healthy scoop of potato salad that was very good. It was also $10.
How can 6 drumettes sauced with the same sweet chili sauce I have in my fridge cost the same as a Ruben and salad? What am I missing here?
Good ol' Hack Bend has his favorable review of Decoy on his site and based off his recommendation, I decided to try the burger.
Hand pressed patty on two thick slices of sour dough with the traditional fixins and accompanied with fries for $12. The burger was juicy and messy. I was actually quite pleased with it and the fries. The fries were pretty good unlike the first go around.
My photos did not turn out very well so I'll not post them. All in all I enjoyed the meal but found the prices to be off.
Decoy Bar and Grill
1051 Bond Street, Suite 100
Bend, Oregon 97701
(541) 318-4833
[decoybarandgrill.com] -
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Kebaba - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantKebaba - Bend OregonFirst trip to Kebaba was not that great but there were a couple of good points. My recent trip to Kebaba was a treat. I really enjoyed the food, the service, and found the prices to be very fair.
We started off with a Mini Mezza from the specials menu, for $4 we got a little bit of this sour cheese stuff. It was similar to sour cream but saltier. Spreading the cheese on the pita and eating with the olives and pickled onions made for a great start to dinner.
The wife selected the Moroccan Steak for $14.95. Harissa rubbed sirloin steak topped with sweet and sour red onions. Served with rice pilaf and Kebaba salad. Everything was great. The steak was cooked and seasoned perfectly.
I went for the Sultan's Feast which isn't even on Kebaba's online menu. I'm the Sultan of Critiques. The Sultan of the Snark. The Sultan of BOR. I like to think that I'm something like a Sultan and I like to feast. I got to choose two kebabs, the type of Schwarma (special hummous, topped with roasted, spiced chicken or lamb), and comes with pilaf, veggies, and salad. I called it my new Tres Caballos out of respect to one of my favorite dishes at El Caporal consisting of bacon wrapped prawns, chicken, and steak. I'm just doing my part to keep those pesky animals in check. So with the Sultan's Feast, I devoured some lamb and steak kebabs and some Chicken Schwarma.
That will do it. For only $16 it was a feast fit for BOR and the price to match. I was stuffed. Washed it down with a couple of Stella Artois and went home happy, ready to rule whoever it is that a Sultan rules.
Kebaba
1004 NW Newport Ave
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 318-6224
[www.kebaba.com] -
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Jackalope Grill - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantJackalope GrillI love the Jackalope Grill. On my birthday I had some Nancy P's for breakfast, tried the Country Catering Company for lunch, and when it came to my birthday dinner, I decided on the Jackalope Grill. I've already discussed the layout of the Jackalope Grill and its odd location in the strip mall on my first post so I'll hold off on that this time around.
A new email buddy said that they wished the Jackalope Grill would take over the old Robby J's location and I couldn't agree more. That would be a great spot and if anyone could do well there, it would be them.
Of all my "reviews", non have the amount of positive comments that the Jackalope Grill has received. Nothing but glowing comments about this "hidden treasure" as one commentor put it.
Of course we started off with the clams and they were soooooo good. The sand quantity has been fixed or at least it was on this occasion. We soaked up the gravy with our bread again and enjoyed every bite.
The wife went for the Soup du Jour. She asked "What's the Soup du Jour?" and the waitress said "Its the soup of the day." The wife responded with "Mmm, sounds yummy. I'll have that."
I had the field greens salad. I know I know. Yes I do eat vegetables from time to time.
For my entree I decided on the Filet Mignon. The filet could not have been cooked any better. It was absolutely perfect. After a couple Sapphire Martini's I don't think I noticed that the filet was covered in the classic brandy sauce. Normally I want my steak to be seasoned with salt and pepper, then throw a pat of butter on it as it comes off the grill and call it a day. I am now a fan of the brandy and peppercorn sauce. It was very good and I may even get it again.
Awesome dinner! If you have not been to the Jackalope Grill yet, then you're stupid.
Jackalope Grill
1245 SE Third St.
Bend, OR 97702
[www.thejackalopegrill.com]
541-318-8435
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Celina's Latin Bistro - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantCelina's Latin BistroWith Celina's Latin Bistro recently opening up on the East side of Bend this month, I've decided that I'm going to look into getting a condo out there or something to use as a vacation home. I could put together a 5 day 6 night vacation package with recommendations of where to eat every meal...well a few meals. With gas prices at $3.69 for unleaded, its cheaper to just get a place out there. Maybe I can do some HomeSwapping with those East Side bloggers.
My experience at Celina's was amazing. There is a familiarity to the drink menu with the Perfecta Margarita being available. Makes sense because the same owners of El Caporal and their many restaurants also own Celina's Gourmet Latin Bistro. I didn't actually get to see a menu as they haven't printed one off yet, but the waitress was happy to recite the options.
Celina's lunch and dinner menu's don't look a whole lot different aside from a couple dishes. You can get sandwiches on lunch, but you can't get any at dinner. My friend and I decided to split the Chorizo and cheese appetizer since we were just discussing the same dish at Baltazar's.
The sausage and cheese was good as only sausage and cheese can be but I'd rather have had chips or tortillas instead of the pitas. The dish is already filling enough, the pitas were rather thick. It was a meal in itself.
I had already ordered the Mole Poblano or else I probably would have been fine with the appetizer for my lunch. I was taking a little bit of a risk getting some chicken breast completely smothered in Mole as I have not been a fan of any Mole in any restaurant in Bend yet. Our waitress said that they make the Mole from scratch unlike restaurants that simply use the canned sauce.
The chicken breast was cooked perfectly, the home made mashed potatoes were seasoned perfectly and had that "home made" consistency, and the fried plantains added a nice fruity/sweetness to the dish.
Oh man, the mole sauce made the dish. It was so good. Not too sweet but just sweet enough with chocolate. I can't believe how good it was. I can't wait to hit the lottery so I can afford the gas to make it out East again for some Celina's.
Celina's chips and salsa was even impressive with it's presentation as well as the flavors. Reminded me of the three sauces that Hola started out service, just without the peanut butter one.
What a great lunch, I am really looking forward to my next east side adventure so I can try to hit up Celina's again.
Celina's Latin Bistro
547 N.E. Bellevue Drive (off 27th Street), Suite 109
Bend, Oregon
318-7567
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Outdoor Dining Guide - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantOutdoor Dining GuideDining outside during the warm summer months in Bend Oregon is a great way to pass the time, relax, and enjoy some good food and drinks. I am very picky when it comes to outdoor dining. Most people are pleased as punch to be out in the sun as they eat. They like to be seen or to just soak up some rays or whatever. I don't like eating outside when there are cars puttering by or civilians walking too close to my table. I don't like people all up on my table with their kids coughing or their dogs doing their dog business peeing on a pole or plant within smelling distance. I don't like sitting outside while the bible thumper exercises his right to free speech so he belts out how I'm going to hell as I try to enjoy my happy hour peel and eat prawns and draft beers.
SO, just because you put some tables and chairs outside doesn't mean that you should offer outdoor dining. Here are the restaurants that claim to offer outdoor seating. Below is my guide to dining outside in Bend Oregon.
Outdoor Dining Guide as told by the Bend Oregon Restaurants Blogger:
Bend Brewing Company
1019 N.W. Brooks St.
Bend, Oregon
383-1599
Outdoor seating review - By far my favorite outdoor dining in all of Bend, Oregon. View of the river, no foot traffic, no vehicle smell all work in your favor while scarfing down some buffalo wings and downing some Outback Ale.
McKay Cottage
62910 O.B. Riley Road
Bend, Oregon
383-2697
Outdoor seating review - The outdoor seating at McKay Cottage is awesome, if it wasn't located on OB Riley Rd. Under that big ass tree, the scene is actually really nice. People seem to like it alot.
38 Degrees Mediterranean Bistro
745 N.W. Mt. Washington Drive (Northwest Crossing)
Bend, Oregon
318-8161
Outdoor seating review - Located on Mt. Washington Drive, you're going to hear some traffic fo sho, but the views of the Mountains are amazing. After some sangria, you wont care about the traffic at all.
Anthony's Homeport
475 Powerhouse Drive
Bend, Oregon
541-389-8998
Outdoor seating review - Beautifully located along the Deschutes river, Anthony's and Greg's Grill are equally great dining options. Big plus for being able to eat and drink while listening to whomever is playing at the amphitheater. Negative points for having outdoor seating with public access. I don't like being on display while eating.
Greg's Grill
395 S.W. Powerhouse Drive, The Shops at The Old Mill District
Bend, Oregon
382-2200
Outdoor seating review - Beautifully located along the Deschutes river, Anthony's and Greg's Grill are equally great dining options. Big plus for being able to eat and drink while listening to whoever is playing at the amphitheater. Negative points for having outdoor seating with public access. I don't like being on display while eating.
Baldy's Barbeque
235 S.W. Century Drive
Bend, Oregon
385-7427 (385-RIBS)
Outdoor seating review - For being located near a busy traffic circle at 14th and Simpson, Baldy has created a total backyard BBQ vibe...if we were in Beaverton. HAHA well he's done the best for what he's been dealt. Its actually quite nice with a separate bar, heating lamps and whatnot.
Baltazar's
1465 SW Knoll Ave (just off of 14th)
Bend, Oregon
382-6622
Outdoor seating review - Very similar to Baldy's, a nice little spot just off of 14th.
Bend Fish Company
212 NE Revere Ave.
Bend, Oregon
330-6131
Outdoor seating review - Not bad for being on the corner of busy and busier street with zero view. I'm not really a fan.
Downtowner
852 NW Brooks St
Bend, Oregon
388-2467
Outdoor seating review - Apparently the Downtowner has worked out something to expand the seating area just outside the breezeway. Seems like a decent spot, not a whole lot of traffic but you do get to observe, or deal with, the transients that hang out and the foot traffic. Not to mention the occasional street performance or art display or what not. All good for anyone that likes that crap.
El Burrito
335 N.E. DeKalb Ave.
Bend, Oregon
382-2177
Outdoor seating review - Nice deck but the location is not optimal for outdoor dining. I mean you might have a nice view of a mountain or the parking lot of starz. You might get a chance to see someone stealing your hub caps as you eat some Al Pastor burrito but that doesn't make for the best scenery.
Jake's Diner
2210 N.E. U.S. Highway 20
Bend, Oregon
382-0118
Outdoor seating review - Jake's has a nice deck for you to eat your over sized pancakes on. The view is of Pilot Butte. There is not any foot or motorized traffic or anything like that. Great place to watch the fireworks on the 4th.
Kanpai Sushi and Sake Bar
990 N.W. Newport Ave.
Bend, Oregon
388-4636
Outdoor seating review - Located right on Newport, eating sushi on a hot day with traffic passing by at 25 mph doesn't getting any better.
Kebaba
1004 N.W. Newport Ave.
Bend, Oregon
318-6224
Outdoor seating review - Located right on Newport, eating a falafel sandwich a hot day with traffic passing by at 25 mph doesn't getting any better.
CHOW
1110 NW Newport Ave
Bend, Oregon 97701
541-728-0256
Outdoor seating review - Located right on Newport, eating a delicious but small portion of breakfast, lunch, or dinner on a hot day with traffic passing by at 25 mph doesn't getting any better.
La Rosa Authentic Mexican Kitchen
1444 College Way, #104
Bend, Oregon
318-7210
Outdoor seating review - The tiny outdoor seating on College Way and Newport right next to the new Chevron gas station doesn't offer the best views. Of course, since the Source says that La Rosa has already relocated to Northwest Crossing, the views from this location are probably awesome, and doesn't smell like gasoline.
Longboard Louie's
1254 NW Galveston Ave.,
Bend, Oregon
383-2449
Outdoor seating review - Right off of Galveston, the outdoor seating is actually really nice for what it is. Plenty of shade to keep you cool while eating your MBC burritos.
McMenamins
700 N.W. Bond St.
Bend, Oregon
382-5174
Outdoor seating review - With your 189 options for dining outside of McMenamins, how can you go wrong? For downtown outdoor dining options, this is probably second place in my opinion...if only it were not for the horrible service, s--tty food, and subpar beer. Other than that, its quite nice.
Merenda Restaurant and Wine Bar
900 N.W. Wall St.
Bend, Oregon
330-2304
Outdoor seating review - See the entry paragraph above. The wife reviewed this guide and thought that I should just lump all of the sidewalk dining restaurants together. Merenda, JC's, Decoy, Pizza Mondo, El Jimador, Soba, Marz, Toomies, and whoever else that put tables and chairs out on the sidewalk and call it good don't really count.
Parrilla Grill
635 N.W. 14th St.
Bend, Oregon
617-9600
Outdoor seating review - The only good thing about the outdoor seating here is when a band is playing...if they are good. Other than that I wouldn't eat outside.
Pizza Mondo
811 N.W. Wall St.
Bend, Oregon
330-9093
Outdoor seating review - Love the pizza, outdoor seating consists of two tables next to a bike rack which usually has a big ass dog tied up to it. I wouldn't sit there.
Soba Asian Bistro
945 NW Bond Street
Bend, Oregon
318-1535
Outdoor seating review - For being on the street in downtown Bend, at least the seats are set in to the building vs taking up valuable sidewalk space. So the civilians are not all up in your spicy shrimp noodle soup.
Super Burrito
1133 NW Wall St, Ste 101,
Bend Oregon
Outdoor seating review - Lots of space to enjoy your burrito's outside but you are right up on Greenwood/Newport/Hwy 20 and have a view of the Boondock's parking lot. I liked sitting out there while I waited 30 minutes for my panini from the previous occupants.
El Caporal West
744 NW Bond Street
Bend, Oregon
541-322-8916
Outdoor seating review - Decent spot to watch the criterium in the summer. I don't really like eating outside there as you're basically in the parking lot but on hot days it seems to be packed.
Staccato's at the Firehall
5 N.W. Minnesota Ave.
Bend, Oregon
312-3100
Outdoor seating review - Not bad seating normally, but for this summer you can expect plenty of construction to accompany your poor service and overpriced wannabe Italian cuisine.
Toomie's Thai Cuisine
119 NW Minnesota Ave.
Bend, Oregon
388-5590
Outdoor seating review - Same as Marz, sure you're outside but you're spitting distance from the street, and pedestrians are all up in your chicken red curry.
Victorian Cafe
1404 N.W. Galveston Ave.
Bend, Oregon
382-6411
Outdoor seating review - Best as it gets on a busy intersection. With the wait for a table getting over an hour on a regular basis, be happy with any spot you can get.
The Decoy Bar and Grill
1051 Bond Street, Suite 100
Bend, Oregon
318-4833
Outdoor seating review - Tables and chairs are outside, that's about it. Busy intersection with a view of the courthouse. Great.
Cascade Lakes Lodge
1441 SW Chandler Avenue
Bend, Oregon
388-4998
Outdoor seating review - Outside sipping on nasty beers next to a busy traffic circle. Nice location for those heading out Century Drive. When I drive by, I CRANK up my car stereo with some gangster rap. Its funny.
Alpenglow Cafe
1133 N.W. Wall St., Suite 100
Bend, Oregon
383-7676
Outdoor seating review - There is ample room to enjoy the sun but the views and traffic are lacking. Most of the time there is construction close by or the smell of vomit from last night's Joker's patrons trying to make it out the door. Kidding...Joker's aint even there anymore.
Bella Cucina Italian Cafe - Old Mill District
450 SW Powerhouse Drive
Old Mill District (across from Anthony's)
Bend, Oregon
385-7774
Outdoor seating review - Like Greg's Grill and Anthony's but with way more traffic (both foot and motorized), tons less space, and no view.
Fireside Red
803 SW Industrial Way
Bend, Oregon
306-3121
Outdoor seating review - Can't complain about the view much at all, mountains, river, Colorado Ave. Especially with all the floaters on the river having to get out to cross over the damn right there. You get the full view...of things. I can hear the owner's now - "Old Man BOR is here again requesting patio seating." I can't wait.
Marz Bistro
163 N.W. Minnesota Ave.
Bend, Oregon
389-2025
Outdoor seating review - Outdoor dingin in Downtown Bend is hard to come by. Marz throws some tables outside but every time I walk by them, I sort of laugh at the outdoor patrons. I like to pretend cough and pass gas just to help with the ambiance. Kidding of course, but I wont dine outdoors at most downtown restaurants for this reason.
Pine Tavern
967 NW Brooks St.
Bend, Oregon
382-5581
Outdoor seating review - Glorious spot, probably the best outdoor seating in all of downtown Bend, if only the food was good. The food was great in 1930, and the patrons that had it back then are still loving it today.
Pizzicato
1288 SW Simpson Ave.
Bend, Oregon
382-1228
Outdoor seating review - I'm sort of getting tired of writing these now...you get to sit outside and watch the cars go in and out of the Safeway parking long on Simpson Ave. The pizza is overpriced.
Scanlon's Athletic Club of Bend
61615 Ahtletic Club Drive
Bend, Oregon
385-3062
Outdoor seating review - GREAT views of the pool. You'd think that at an athletic club you'd see some hard bodies but unfortunately, it is not that great.
If I've missed a restaurant in this category. Please submit a restaurant via email.
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Dining Guide - the Source Weekly
» Bend Oregon RestaurantDining Guide - the Source WeeklyLast week the Source Weekly published their Dining Guide for 2008 complete with their restaurant of the year and their favorite 100 restaurants in Central Oregon that provide dinnertime table service. Sounds good...is there a restaurant in Bend that provides dinnertime table service that is NOT in the list?
Not counting the chain restaurants like Applebees or Outback...I can only think of La Costa Azul as not making the list but I don't know if they're even open anymore. So if basically every restaurant is in this list, why are they referring to the Dining Guide as "100 of Our Favorite Dining Spots?" I mean, that's all there is.
Before I get too far into my rant on the Dining Guide, let me say that I like the Source Weekly. I like that it is free in print and ONLINE (Bulletin). I like the editors that I've met and or emailed with. I think all in all, they do a good job for being advertiser funded. I am going to complain about the Dining Guide for a few issues but all in all, I think it is a good list of restaurants that serve dinner, offer tables and chairs, and employ waitresses.
So hopefully anything I complain about will be viewed as constructive criticism.
#1 - The restaurant of the year - I don't get it. What is the criteria for this sort of honor. Marz will have the plaque in the window for the next few years but what does it mean? Why or how did they beat out the rest of the competition? Because they "broke the steak and potatoes mold 10 years ago" tells me that they should have won restaurant of the year ten years ago. This isn't the hall of fame where your name comes up for eligibility years after retirement.
#2 - Why bother with Standouts and Regrets. We all know that the paper is advertiser funded and 90% of the ads in the Dining Guide are restaurants. So why have a Regrets line if all you're going to say is "can be a bit noisy", "can be a bit rowdy", "a bit inconsistent", "it's hard to extract yourself from those comfy chairs"....OOOO you sure taught them a lesson with that one. Every regret is a bit this or a bit that or could be this or maybe a little more that. Man up and just say it. "It's flippin noisy as hell in there. Makes my ears bleed." Or you could say "Sure they make their own beer but the food is served in plastic baskets, why are they on this list?"
#3 - Celina's Latin Bistro opened on Friday...two days AFTER the Dining Guide was published. Shouldn't a restaurant open before it gets a good review. I mean sure, the "regret" listed is "untested menu" but if it is untested, then why is it even listed in the Dining Guide? Who wrote the description?
#4 - La Rosa hasn't moved to Northwest Crossing yet.
#5 - Jake's Diner doesn't offer the Elvis Cinnamon Roll anymore.
#6 - "the most comprehensive and honest assessment of the Central Oregon dining scene you'll find anywhere around - guaranteed." See #3. I love coming across guarantees like this. Reminds me of Tommy Boy - "...I can take a s--t in a box, and slap a guarantee on it, ...but all you're getting is a guaranteed piece of s--t."
#7 - Prineville only has two restaurants listed. I mean come on! Oh wait, no, that's actually accurate. The Prineville Princess says that Barney Prine's is great but Club Pioneer is "glorified Sizzler." Isn't there a Chuck E Cheese in Prineville? There should be.
You can read the online version of the Dining Guide at:
[www.tsweekly.com]
Currently it is the 2007 version online but hopefully that will be updated soon.
The Source Weekly
[www.tsweekly.com]
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Victorian Cafe - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantVictorian CafeThe Victorian Cafe or The Vic as the locals call it is a favorite of the Bendites. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I drive to the Victorian Cafe and upon hitting the traffic circle at 14th and Galveston and seeing the huge crowd waiting outside and all the cars lining the street, I'll continue to drive around and around the traffic circle while making my decision of going to Makahna's Cafe, Longboard Louies for a breakfast burrito, Original Pancake House, Nancy P's, or Westside Bakery. I'll just go round and round. I can't stand waiting an hour for breakfast, I don't care if the eggs are seasoned with stone ground diamonds.
"Look kids, there's Big Ben, there's Parliament" - Me
The wife and I decided to swing by The Victorian Cafe for lunch and sure enough there were a couple of open parking spots so we figured there wouldn't be a wait. When we walked in we got a great spot with a window immediately.
I browsed the menu of speciality drinks and contemplated the Man-Mosa - champagne and OJ in a flippin pint glass. Good lord, I wouldn't have been functional for the rest of the day. I had to pass. You won this round oh Pint Glass of Love, but I we will meet again.
After the comments and emails I've received about the eggs benedict being the best in town, I had to give em a shot. Looking over all the options for the eggs bene's, I decided on the Cali Benedicts which consist of your classic poached eggs, english muffins, and covered in hollandaise. But instead of ham or salmon you get turkey (hormone free for you hippies that give a crap about that sort of thing), spinach, bacon, and avocado slices. And I was pleased as punch to see actual avocado slices on top instead of guacamole like at McMenamins.
I can't praise this dish enough. I absolutely loved every bite and I ate it up. I made little stacks on my fork with a little of everything so each bite had all the ingredients. I even managed to make a couple mini-Bene stacks for the wife. She was quite jealous of my meal and even said "Next time I come back, I'm getting that."
Normally she's the one that gets something different that I normally wouldn't order and then that dish becomes my favorite. But how can you go wrong with eggs, bacon, turkey, and cover it with hollandaise? I mean that's a perfect storm in my gullet. These were the BEST eggs benedicts that I've had in Bend.
The wife went for the 18 Wheeler.
She was sort of happy with it but the biscuits were really thick and heavy. We like fluffy biscuits that soak up the gravy easily. I tried them and they seemed awfully dry even covered with gravy. So she sort of scraped all the gravy off and was still satisfied.
Victorian Cafe
1404 NW Galveston Ave.
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-6411 -
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Nancy P's Baking Co
» Bend Oregon RestaurantNancy P's Baking CoNancy P's Baking Co sits to the left of the Newport Market. Not behind Newport Market or across the street like everyone kept telling me. Well technically it is across the street but when you say that, everyone is going to assume you mean across the street in front of the market. Am I wrong? When someone says across the street do you ever think that they mean across the street to the left or right? Or behind? Come on people, work with me.
I finally found this little bakery and when I visited at around 9am on a week day I found the place packed. In the small dining area there was not an empty seat. Sort of freaked me out. Don't you all have jobs?
There were all sorts of baked goods to browse though and we made a few selections The brownie was sooo sweet and rich that I couldn't finish it. That's not a knock on the brownie, it was very good but I can't take that much chocolate or sugar.
I was able to wrestle a couple of bites of the cinnamon roll away from the wife and considered fighting for more. But again, the sugar is a killer to my thunder thighs.
Instead I got this ham and cheese turn over thingy. I forgot what it was actually called. I didn't really care, I was just trying to decide between the ham and cheese or the one with bacon.
The wrap type thingy was good, the bread was soft and had some nice salty seasonings on it. I found that there was not enough ham and cheese and way too much bread. There was a stone ground mustard inside but it was not spread evenly. So when I ate this thing I had about half of it left and it was all mustard which wasn't on the first half....with the ham and cheese. Other than that it was good.
Nancy P's seems to have a loyal following. I get a couple emails here an there asking if I'd been there or when am I going to write about it. Well here you go, now you can shut it.
I have one small complaint. I would have liked to have seen prices on the items in the case while I was browsing. The wife paid so I have no idea how much our breakfast snacks cost. The wife has one complaint, why is the Nancy P's part of the sign out front sooooo tiny and the BAKING CO is sooo big? People should start referring to this place as the Baking Company instead of Nancy P's so we can find it.
Nancy P's Baking Co
1054 NW Milwaukee Ave
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 322-8778
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Breakfast - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBreakfast, Bend OregonBreakfast in Bend Oregon - Judging from the comments and emails I get everytime I review a Breakfast restaurant in Bend, you all love your breakfast joints.
Below are the Breakfast restaurants that I've reviewed:
McKay Cottage
62910 O B Riley Rd
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 383-2697
[www.themckaycottage.com]
Victorian Cafe
1404 NW Galveston Ave
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-6411
Jake's Diner
2210 NE Highway 20 (Behind the A&W)
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-0118
[jakesdiner.blogspot.com]
Makahna's Cafe
1227 Northwest Galveston Avenue
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 678-5750
Westside Bakery
1005 NW Galveston Ave
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-3426
Cafe Sintra
1024 NW Bond St
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-8004
Original Pancake House
1025 SW Donovan Ave
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 317-0380
[www.originalpancakehouse.com]
CHOW
1110 NW Newport Ave
Bend, Oregon 97701
541-728-0256
[www.chowbend.com]
Bend Oregon Breakfast restaurants that I have NOT reviewed:
Alpenglow Cafe
1133 NW Wall St
Bend, OR 97701
541-383-7676
Batter & Beans
824 NW Wall St
Bend, OR 97701
541-317-5717
D & D Bar & Grill
927 NW Bond St
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-4592
Mother's Juice Cafe
1255 NW Galveston
Bend, OR 97701
541-318-0989
Nanette's Cinnamon Roll & Coffee Co
62090 Dean Swift Rd
Bend, OR 97701
541-385-6216
If I've missed a restaurant in this category. Please submit a restaurant via email.
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Steak House - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantSteak House, Bend OregonSteak House in Bend Oregon - I love a good steak. Below you will find all of the restaurants in Bend where you can get a good steak.
Below are the Steak Houses that I've reviewed:
Jackalope Grill
1245 SE Third St.
Bend, OR 97702
[www.thejackalopegrill.com]
541-318-8435
Blacksmith restaurant
211 NW Greenwood Ave,
Bend, Oregon 97701
541.318.0588
[www.bendblacksmith.com]
Zydeco Kitchen and Cocktails
1085 SE 3rd st
Bend, OR
541-312-2899
[www.zydecokitchen.com]
Greg's Grill
395 SW Powerhouse Dr
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 382-2200
Outback Steakhouse
269 SE Reed Market Rd
Bend, OR
(541) 383-8104
[www.outback.com]
Bend Oregon Steak Houses that I have NOT reviewed:
Tumalo Feed Co
64619 Highway 20
Bend, OR
(541) 382-2202
If I've missed a restaurant in this category. Please submit a restaurant via email.
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Asian Restaurants - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantAsian Restaurants, Bend OregonAsian Restaurants in Bend Oregon - I wish we had enough restaurants from the Pacific Rim in Bend to not just lump all of Asia into one group. You know, China and Japan are two different countries.
Below are the Asian Restaurants in Bend Oregon that I've reviewed:
SOBA Asian Bistro
945 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97701
Ph: 541-318-1535
[www.eatsoba.com]
Angel Thai Cuisine
1900 NE Division St., Bend
541-388-5177
Kanpai Sushi & Sake Bar
990 NW Newport Ave
Bend, OR 97701
541-388-4636
Double Happiness
2115 NE Hwy 20
Bend, OR 97701
Toomie's Thai Cuisine
119 NW Minnesota
Bend, OR 97701
541-388-5590
Deep
821 n.w. wall street, suite 100
bend, oregon 97701
telephone: 541.323.9841
Ode to Deep by MC Arl
Hong Kong Restaurant
530 Se 3rd St
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 389-8880
Chan's Chinese Restaurant
1005 SE 3rd Street
Bend Oregon 97702
541-389-1725
Sumi's Japanese Restaurant
1444 NW College Way, Suite 1
Bend Oregon
A Taste of Thailand
696 NE Greenwood
Bend, OR 97701
541-815-0180
Typhoon!
Franklin Crossing Building
550 NW Franklin Ave., Suite 148,
Bend, OR 97701
541-385-8885
Mongolian BBQ
61535 S Hwy 97
Bend, OR 97701
541-318-8500
Shoji's
62929 N. Hwy 97
Bend, OR
(541) 389-0701
Szechuan
1600 NE 3rd
Bend, OR 97701
541-383-9033
Bend Oregon Asian Restaurants that I have NOT reviewed:
China Sun Buffet
Bend River Mall
Bend, ST 97701
541-382-1122
Red Dragon
61247 S HWY 97
Bend, OR 97702
541-389-9888
Royal Thai Cafe
2210 NE Hwy 20
Bend, OR 97701
541-312-2240
Yoko's Japanese Restaurant
2670 NE Hwy 20
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-3300
If I've missed a restaurant in this category. Please submit a restaurant via email.
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Italian Restaurants - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantItalian Restaurants, Bend OregonItalian Restaurants in Bend Oregon - I'm not sure why I really have this category. The only good Italian meal I've had in Bend is courtesy of Dr. Juri Spandati from Spandati Personal Chef Services. The second best Italian meal I've had in Bend is courtesy of American pizza.
Below are the Italian Restaurants in Bend Oregon that I've reviewed:
Sbandati Personal Chef Services
1466 Ne Revere Ave
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 610-6278
[www.sbandatipersonalchef.com]
Johnny Carino's Italian Restaurant
63455 North Highway 97
Suite 118
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 318-6300 Phone
(541) 318-6300 Curbside
Staccato at the Firehall
5 NW MINNESOTA Suite 101
BEND, OR 97701
Phone: 541.312.3100
Bend Oregon Italian Restaurants that I have NOT reviewed:
Bella Cucina
450 Powerhouse Dr
Bend, OR 97702
541-385-7774
Ernesto's Italian
1203 NE 3rd St
Bend, OR 97701
541-389-7274
Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant
932 NW Bond St
Bend, OR 97701
541-389-8899
If I've missed a restaurant in this category. Please submit a restaurant via email.
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Pizza - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantPizza, Bend OregonPizza in Bend Oregon - Below you will find all of the pizza places in Bend Oregon that I have reviewed.
My personal favorite right now is the Run Little Piggy pizza from Pizza Mondo. For a quick slice my favorite is Cibelli's New York Pizza on the west side.
Bend Oregon Pizza
Pizza Mondo
811 NW Wall St
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 330-9093
[www.pizzamondobend.com]
Olde Towne Pizza Company
118 NW Greenwood Ave
Bend Oregon 97701
541-318-9018
Cibelli's New York Pizza
318-2800 Westside
385-8646 Eastside
330-8646 Tumalo
Papa Murphy's Take n Bake Pizza
NE:
(541) 389-7272
211 Ne Revere Ave, Bend, OR
South:
(541) 382-6767
61160 S Highway 97 Ste E, Bend, OR
Bend Oregon Pizza restaurants not yet reviewed by me:
Abby's Pizza
1115 NE 3rd St
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-7372
Domino's Pizza
210 SE 3rd St
Bend, OR 97701
541-388-4681
Grover's Pub & Pizza
939 SE 2nd St
Bend, OR 97701
541-982-3754
Izzy's Pizza
2940 N Hwy 97
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-2135
Little Caesar's
1120 SE 3rd St
Bend, OR 97702
541-312-3377
Little Pizza Paradise
2625 NE Butler Mkt
Bend, OR 97701
541-312-2577
Papa John's
755 NE Greenwood
Bend, OR 97702
541-385-7272
Papa's Pizza Parlor
Bend, OR 97701
541-317-9095
Pizza Hut
2139 NW 3rd
Bend, OR 97701
541-389-5991
Pizzicato Gourmet Pizza
1288 SW Simpson
Bend, OR 97702
541-382-1228
Round Table Pizza
1552 NE 3rd
Bend, OR 97701
541-389-2963
If I've missed a restaurant in this category. Please submit a restaurant via email.
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Mexican Restaurants - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantMexican Restaurants, Bend OregonMexican, Bend Oregon - Mexican food is probably my favorite. I could eat Mexican food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My personal favorite is El Caporal for a variety of reasons. I love the service and they have the best chips and salsa in Bend.
Below is a list of the Mexican restaurants in Bend Oregon that I have reviewed.
El Caporal
744 NW Bond
Bend, OR 97701
541-322-8916
Baltazar’s Seafood & Spirits
1465 SW Knoll Ave
Bend, OR 97702
541-382-6622
La Rosa
1444 NW College Wy
Bend, OR 97701
541-318-7210
Hola!
2670 NE Highway 20
Bend, OR 97701
541 389 4652
http://www.holabend.com/
Taco Stand
221 NW Hill St
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-0494
Pepe's Mexican Restaurant
2650 NE Division
Bend, Oregon 97701
Phone 541-330-2652
http://www.mypepes.com/
Longboard Louie's West
1254 NW Galveston
Bend, OR 97701
541-383-2449
Parrilla Grill
635 NW 14th
Bend, OR 97701
541-617-9600
Tortillaria Reyes
1155 SE Division St
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 383-2025
Super Burrito
New address info soon to come.
El Burrito
335 NE Dekalb
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-2177
Los Jalapenos
601 NE Greenwood Ave
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 383-1402
http://www.losjalapenos.biz/
El Rancho Grande
63455 N Hwy 97
541.312.2002
Taco Del Mar
63455 N. Hwy 97 Suite 41
Bend, OR 97701
541-317-1112
www.tacodelmar.com
Baja Fresh
916 NE 3rd St
Bend, OR 97702
541-617-8781
Bend Oregon Mexican Restaurants that I have not reviewed:
Del Taco
612 SE 3rd St
Bend, OR 97702
541-322-8702
El Jimador
801 NW Wall St
Bend, OR 97701
541-318-1333
El Rodeo
785 SE 3rd St
Bend, OR 97701
541-617-5952
La Cabaña
1939 NE 3rd St
Bend, OR 97701
541-312-9462
Las Cazuelas
547 NE Bellevue Dr
Bend, OR 97701
541-318-7567
Longboard Louie's East
62080 Dean Swift Rd
Bend, OR 97701
541-383-5889
Puerto Alegre
547 NE Bellevue Dr
Bend, OR 97701
541-318-7567
Ranchero Mexican Restaurant
150 Bend River Plaza
Bend, OR 97701
541-330-0685
Rico's Tacos Restaurant
1326 NE 3rd St-
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-4022
Rigoberto's (South)
1913 NE 3rd St
Bend, OR 97701
541-388-6783
Rigoberto's (West)
1365 NW Galveston
Bend, OR 97701
541-389-6751
If I've missed a restaurant in this category. Please submit a restaurant via email.
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Bend Oregon Brew Pubs
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBend Oregon Brew PubsBend Oregon Brew Pubs - Some of my favorite restaurants in Bend are the Brew Pubs. What's better than some local beers with your burger or hot wings while watching the game?
Below are the Bend Oregon Brew Pubs that I've reviewed:
Bend Brewing Company
1019 NW Brooks St.
Bend, OR, 97701
(541)383-1599
Deschutes Beer Pub
1044 NW Bond Street, between Franklin and Greenwood
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-9242
Cascade Lakes Lodge
1441 SW Chandler Avenue
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 388-4998
McMenamins - Old St. Francis School
700 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-5174
Bend Oregon Brew Pubs that I have NOT reviewed:
Silver Moon Brewing
24 NW Greenwood Ave.
Bend, OR 97701
541-388-8331
If I've missed a restaurant in this category. Please submit a restaurant via email.
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Jake's Diner - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantJake's DinerJake's Diner recently went through a make over in the main dining room. While the dining room has a new look and feel, the food has not changed....thank goodness!
I was able to cash in some savings bonds that my Grandparents gave me when I was a kid so I could fill up the gas tank for yet another trip to the East side of Bend. This time I was actually in search of the Aloha Cafe but forgot to look up the addy before heading East. When we finally found the cafe, we were already in the turning lane to head back to the West side and figure out where else to eat. My friend is a big fan of Jake's so we decided that we'll check out the new dining room and hit up Aloha some other time, when gas prices drop.
When gas prices drop! haha that's the new "When Hell freezes over" or "when pigs fly". I challenge you to use "When gas prices drop" today in conversation. When the kids get home from school and want to play video games tell them "sure, when gas prices drop."
"Hey, we should go try out the new Vola" - your spouse
"Sure thing babe, just as soon as gas prices drop....OOOoo IN yur FACE!!" - you
Try it and give me credit since I just made that up.
Jake's Diner serves up some great portions for low prices and everything can be covered in gravy and/or syrup. I've had the biscuits and gravy, a burger, the pancakes, and hash browns. I browsed the menu and decided on the Monte Cristo. Ever since having the Monte Cristo at McKay Cottage, I have been wanting one every time I see it on the menu.
Oh momma, french toast, turkey, ham, and slices of kraft singles type cheddar and Swiss in between creating this melty, fake cheesy goodness. What a great lunch for $7.95.
My favorite part of the redesign is that they have taken all the celebrity photos and articles, framed them, and placed them on the walls in various spots. Even BOR made it on the wall...
Immortalized.
Jake's Diner
2210 NE Highway 20 (Behind the A&W and the East side Liquor Store)
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-0118
[jakesdiner.blogspot.com]
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Country Catering - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantCountry Catering - Bend OregonCountry Catering, located WAAYYYY over there on the East side of Bend, has been on my list to visit for a long time. I heard about their tri-tip sandwich and breakfast burritos. It sounded good to me so I was really looking forward to it.
It was my BORthday so I wanted to try something new and I knew I could leverage that it was my special day/week/month/year to get my friends to go anywhere I wanted. So on a beautifully freezing day in Bend Oregon, we filled out gas tanks and headed east across the railroad tracks to seek out some tri-tip. Country Catering is not that far on the east side, I just like to make fun.
We walk in and start looking through the menu trying to figure out what to order while we waited in the short line. When it was our turn, everyone in my group was getting the sandwich deal which comes with your choice of salad and a drink for $6.50. We order but with each one of our orders the guy behind the counter asks us what salad we wanted. We look in the case and feel the pressure as the line is forming behind us. We scramble to make our picks as the cashier was not too happy with us holding things up. He seemed to be feeling the pressure of the line forming as well.
I ordered the spicy tri-tip with the cole slaw and took my seat in what appeared to be the only waiting area in Bend that is actually colder than it has been outside. It was sooo cold in there that no one in our group took their coats off and we contemplated eating outside. Seriously.
The sandwich tasted good although I had to add some hot sauce since it wasn't even close to being anything remotely spicy. The flavors of the sandwich and slaw were pretty good and for $6.50, it was a pretty good deal.
I did not care for the Laker's jersey hanging on the wall though. I guess it's fitting with all the Cali's coming to town that they bring some "fans" with them.
If I find myself on that side of the tracks again, I will give Country Catering another try. That is assuming that they are willing to turn on the damn heat. Their menu looks plenty big so there is plenty to try. I also noticed that the deli case has premade breakfast burritos at great prices for a quick grab.
Country Catering & Deli Co
[www.bendcatering.com]
900 SE Wilson Ave
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 383-5014
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Baltazar's - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTags: Baltazar's [edit]
Baltazar's - Bend OregonBlah blah blah Baltazar's Blah No kids Blah...yeah I've heard the news. But I loooove the chorizo and cheese that you can grab off of the appetizers menu. If you get the chorizo and cheese, some guac, and some tortillas, you don't have to get dinner. With a cast iron skillet filled with chorizo and bubblin hot cheese, I'm a happy BOR!
What I love about this dish is the simplicity but full of salty, greasy, cheesy, porky goodness. They use ground chorizo instead of being slices of sausage in it's casing. Oh it is soooo good.
Blah blah Don't go there, Blah. I'm sorry, I've gone there and I'll go there again (insert the two snaps and a twist like from In Living Color's "Men on Film"). You can't tell me what to do.
The fish tacos for lunch are also really good. I like how light everything is. Nothing heavy or greasy that makes you want to pass out when you get back from lunch. I call that feeling of wanting to crash after a heavy Mexican meal the Mexicoma.
Baltazar's
1465 SW Knoll Ave (just off of 14th)
541-382-6622 -
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CO Blogger Meet Up 2008 part B
» Bend Oregon RestaurantCO Blogger Meet Up 2008 part B
[www.cowpu.com]
"Wednesday, April 30, 5:30ish at the Summit, Downtown Bend
To RSVP visit this event's page on Upcoming and click "I'm Going!", leave a comment, or email me at jenblackledge at gmail.com
The first blogger meetup was a big success! Since then there's been a lot of growth and new folks have popped up in our local "blogosphere". Meetups like this are a nice chance for all of us to gather, unwind, and put some faces together with the blogs.
This event is primarily intended for bloggers who wish to meet other bloggers. If you don't have a blog, then this may not be the get-together for you. So, if you just can't stand not being there and don't already have a blog... what are you waiting for?!"
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Free Cone Day - Ben and Jerry's
» Bend Oregon Restaurant"The Prineville Princess", my friend who for some reason lives in Prineville, informed me that today is the Free Cone Day at Ben and Jerry's. I guess that's big news in Prineville. Since the closest Ben & Jerry's to Prineville is Bend, I'd recommend avoiding South 97 if at all possible today.
I can totally see 1000's of RVs, trackers, and horse trailers making the drive from Prineville and Redmond today to hit up our Ben and Jerry's. Then on the way home they'll stop in that Mega Walmart Stadium Campus to stock up on recently dropped prices of lawn ornaments and water toys.
Get your Free On!!
Ben & Jerry's Bend
Old Mill District at Riverbend
Bend, OR 97702
541-312-8115
[www.benjerry.com] -
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Super Burrito - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantSuper BurritoMy friend went to the new Super Burrito before I got the opportunity and he said "I don't think they're going to make it there. How can they keep that location busy?" Well, when I went for lunch late last week and there was a line out the door and every table was filled. What do you have to say now Lucas?
I visited the old location a couple of times and had mixed results. The new location appears to be much cleaner and the food seemed to taste better. I had the carnitas burrito and some taquitos. But since photos of burritos never work out for me, I took a pic of my friend's carnitas tacos.
I was truly amazed by all the customers and loyal followers that Super Burrito has and had on the day that I visited. The CarniBORes LOVE Super Burrito. Even with as busy as it was, my food only took a few minutes to get there. Plus it was 50% off day which I didn't know about. I spent $5 on my burrito, taquitos, and a soda. What a great deal!
The burrito was packed with meat, beans, cheese, and a medley of onions and tomatoes. On every other bite I squeezed on a little of their hot sauce into the mix. I love their hot sauce. I'll be back fo sho!
Super Burrito
1133 NW Wall St, Ste 101,
Bend Oregon, 97701
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BOR BASH Vol 1 Episode 2
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI received the following comment on my eloquent review of deep, the modern Japanese style restaurant in downtown Bend Oregon. Please read and take notes, your comments on this comment are welcome.
"deep is quite overpriced, if you ask me. Check out some of the better sushi places in Seattle, and you can feed 4 people for around $100 there, or you can spend $200 at deep. The fish isn't as fresh, either, as it spends an extra 12-24 hours to get down here, instead of being fresh off the plane from Japan. Also, anything labeled "Kobe beef" probably isn't (having been to Kobe and had real Kobe beef, which starts at $50-90 per pound, I haven't had anything here that would remotely compare, or that is legitimately Kobe beef). I recommend Kisaku for great sushi in Seattle. I guess deep is trendy for non-traveled locals who don't know any better, but deep is a poor imitation of real sushi (we go to Japan once a year, and the $1 per plate conveyor belt sushi place over there is better than deep. The "good" sushi places are unreal: some of the fish is still swimming in a tank when you order it, or at worst, was caught that afternoon). Save your $ and plan a trip to Japan for real fish"
This is some of the best commentary and advice I have ever received. Starting off complaining about how over priced Deep is but your advice is to either drive 14 hours round trip to Seattle or fly to Japan. When you add in the cost of gas or flights, hotel stay, and taking time off of work, is Deep really that overpriced?
If you haven't noticed, Bend is in CENTRAL OREGON. We are not near a Salmon filled river or next to the ocean for some fresh Tuna. Should the Bend Oregon sushi restaurants serve up Nigiri Trout or Bass Hand Rolls in order to keep the non-traveling locals happy with fresh fish?
One of my favorite lines from your comment is "The fish isn't as fresh, either, as it spends an extra 12-24 hours to get down here, instead of being fresh off the plane from Japan." HAHAHA fresh off the plane from Japan!!! All that fish in the Pike's Place FISH MARKETs where the guys throw them back and forth are all fresh off that plane from Japan? You know Seattle has a port, where boats bring in fish right from the Pacific ocean. I mean did the Pacific run out of fish? The Ocean called, they're running out of shrimp.
Fresh fish from a plane....wow. Are there fish tanks on this fish packin plane? What if there was turbulence? Sounds like a Tyler Perry movie in the making. Big Momma's Fish on a Mother Effin Plane. Sammy Jackson could just combo up his roll when the shark bit his head off and Snakes on a Plane.
Look Sporty Spice, this is the Bend Oregon Restaurants Blog, not the "Sushi fresh off the Japanese Airlines in Seattle WA Restaurants" blog.
"we go to Japan once a year, and the $1 per plate conveyor belt sushi place over there is better than deep."
I've had Conveyor Belt Sushi before, tasted like rubber and was very tough.
So basically your whole comment is summed up with "for good sushi, go to Seattle or Japan." I guess I can agree with that. I mean I've been complaining that the hot dogs in Bend are overpriced. The wife and I fly to Germany every other weekend and the brats for $1 are amazing and still on the pig or at least cut that day.
Buffalo wings are not even fresh here. I mean there's no way that the chickens can be fresh after coming all the way from Buffalo, NY. Save your $7.95 for a trip to NY.
When Brewerman and I were cracking up over your comment, he came up with "If you want good coffee, Thump is OK, but the beans aren't fresh. Portland has some decent places, but better yet, go to Columbia. We go every year and our beans are picked by Juan Valdez himself. He even lets the kids ride the burro!"
If you want pizza, Pizza Mondo is decent but overpriced. You should try the places in Denver, the higher elevation makes for even thinner crust. Or better yet, go to NY for a real pie or even Italy where they don't make it American style...who the hell do they think they are? Now THAT's pizza, we go 3 times a year.
Don't eat the food that you like within walking/driving distance from your house...no no, instead, save your money by not going to the overpriced meals in CO so you can fly to an overpriced Japan for cheap, fresh sushi. Makes perfect sense to me.
To all my loyal CarniBORes, please feel free to post your comments. I'll even take comments from you HerbiBORes. You know you're a tool when a hippy makes fun of you. That's like getting a Canadian to cuss you ooot.
And since you asked, I think Kobe beef from Kobe, Japan is overpriced. Try Redmond, Oregon: [www.kobe-beef.com] .
You've been BORed! -
Food News - April 25, 2008
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBend Oregon Food Related News - April 25, 2008
Well the most important news was that I celebrated my BORthday this week. Birthday's during the week are sort of lame. I try to celebrate the whole week but that didn't work out. So I started my day with a couple treats from Nancy P's. Had lunch at Country Catering. Then played video games in my new video gaming chair until dinner at The Jackalope Grill.
Reviews will be coming out next week.
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Jake's Diner's Grand Opening
Lyle must be swamped over there at Jake's Diner with the Let's Make a Space redesign since he hasn't posted an update since Day 1 of the redesign. Tomorrow, April 26th, is the big day where they unveal the new digs. All proceeds for from the day long celebration will go to the new kitchen at the Bend Community Center. All profits for the day will be turned over to the Center with Andy and the LMAS crew matching their give. Other businesses chipping in to assist include Wood Awakening, Hardwood Industries, Steve Newman Custom Wood Furnishings, and Franz Bakery.
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Art walk is next Friday so I'm sure I'll get my normal announcement for Thump and bistro corlise by Friday. But for now all I received was the announcment from The Speedshop Deli:
In the upcoming Art Walk in Downtown on May 2nd, one of Bend's newest businesses will be featuring a local preschool's Art on Canvas.
Bend Montessori School's 3 thru 6 year old students have been working hard at putting their imagination on to canvas and they will be ready to be showcased at
The Speedshop on May 2nd. "They are coming together beautifully" says the students teacher, Ms. Robin. The colors are vibrant and the innocence of these preschoolers is showing through!
The Speedshop is a moto inspired store with clothing downstairs and a gourmet Deli in the upstairs loft. A welcome change and fun combination to hit downtown. The Speedshop is located at 805 NW Wall St. Come in to see the work of these artists of our future!!
www.bendspeedshop.com
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Happy BORthday to Me!
» Bend Oregon RestaurantIt is my Birthday today and I'm not sure what's in store for me culinarily speaking. I've given advice to a few people on what I'd recommend for a birthday dinner based on the little information given and what not.
However, going out to eat as much as I do, I tend to not know what I'm in the mood for when trying to decide on which restaurant to visit. If you have any advice or recommendations for lunch or dinner, please feel free to let me know.
I just got back from Nancy P's so my day has started out nicely.
Your Starving Moderator,
-BOR -
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Richard's Donuts - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantRichards Donuts & PastriesOn my nominations for Gusto's "Best of" list, Jake disagreed with my Best Donut suggestion. He said "Doughnuts: Sweethearts has NOTHING on Richard's Doughnuts. Those things are like crack."
Righard's Donuts are like crack! Not that I've had much crack lately...I'm more of a Black Tar kind of guy. I went out of my way Sunday morning to find Richard's on Hwy 97. I selected a mixed dozen as well as a dozen donut holes.
The donut holes are a steal at $1.75 for a dozen. You can polish off a dozen of these bad boys over a cup of joe. These little nuggets of pure heaven are the closest thing to a Krispy Kreme donut that I've ever come across. They just melted in my mouth.
The rest of the donuts were very good. The dough was light and the frostings were perfectly sweetened. Yummy all around. I will agree with Jake, Richard's has some killer donuts. However, I did pay about twice as much as I did at Sweethearts.
Now that I've tried Richard's, I'll have to give Sweethearts another go in order to compare more accurately.
Richard's Donuts & Pastries
61419 S. Hwy 97 Suite T
Bend Oregon 97702
541-385-3310 -
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Bubble Tea
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBubble TeaBubble Tea ... sigh. Another fad that I can not endorse, but the wife loves it.
"I took the large straw out of its sheath and plunged it into my blueberry and lavender bubble tea breaking through the thin plastic wrap lid. Placing the straw to my lips I sucked the large Pearl Tapioca balls into my mouth. The squishy balls rolling around in my mouth was an awkward sensation at first but then as my tongue worked them over, the feeling began to grow on me."
That snippet was taken from my new book on Bend Oregon Restaurants. Its a romantic story of one guys journey from Milan to Minsk that will be on the shelves in the check out line next to the books with the hunky Fabio looking dude on the cover. Reserve your copies today at Amazon.
Bubble Tea is one of the stupidest things you can buy and drink/eat that I have ever heard of. Almost as stupid at edamame. I mean I experimented a little back in college but now that I'm a grown man, I'm done with squishy balls of tapioca in my mouth. That stuff has the consistency of pre-chew bubble gum. I did not like it.
Bubble Tea, Pearl Tea, Boba Tea, whatever. Silly I tells ya. You kids these days with your Bubbles in the Teas. You have green, black, white teas, you have loose leaf, bags, hot, iced and so on. In my day, we had one kind of tea...TEA. It was hot and you drank it. Helped fight off scurvy. You said "I'll have some tea please" and they brought you some hot water with a tea bag. You didn't know what it was, you didn't want to know what it was.
I guess you can say that I'm not a fan. I don't really care for iced tea unless it has a few shots of Maker's Mark in it. Seriously, during the Summer there is nothing better than a pint glass filled with ice, then mix half and half of Lipton's Sweetened Iced Tea and Maker's Mark bourbon. I call it the Mark Lipton. Sooooo good!!
If you don't care what I think and still want some Bubble Tea in Bend Oregon you have two options. Townshends by Great Harvest or Balay by Pine Tavern.
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Food News - April 18, 2008
» Bend Oregon RestaurantFood News - April 18, 2008
BOR BASH Vol 1 was a success in my mind but I'm on the fence about doing it again. I write honest reviews of the meal that I pay for at a restaurant and don't ask for anything in return aside for supporting my sponsors so I can donate the revenue to charity. I take on quite a few insults from people that disagree with my opinion. I can only take so much before my fingers turn into 10 individual incredible Hulks and release the rage.
Speaking of NeighborImpact, I have finally received payment after quite a bit back and forth with AdWords so I'll be able to send that money to them asap.
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Visitor counts to the Bend Oregon Restaurants site jumped this week as Google ranked my edamame post fourth in the search results when searching for "edamame". This is hilarious to me since that post is very anti edamame. Take that you boiled soy bean lovers.
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Jake’s Diner and Let’s Make A Space will be partnering with Bend Community Center to raise money for the center.
On Monday, April 21st, Jake’s Diner will be turning over it’s main dining area to the Let’s Make A Space crew for a complete room makeover.
After 5 days, on Saturday, April 26th, the new dining area will be revealed and a day long celebration will commence to raise money for the new kitchen at the Bend Community Center. All profits for the day will be turned over to the Center with Andy and the LMAS crew matching their give. Other businesses chipping in to assist include Wood Awakening, Hardwood Industries, Steve Newman Custom Wood Furnishings, and Franz Bakery.
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Big Island Kona Mix Plate has a newish website. After an short email exchange I learned that they will be getting rid of the Styrofoam containers for reusable flat wear. That is great news.
Aloha Web
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Gusto Magazine is accepting your votes for Bend's Best of 2008.
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Jenna Bush had some new ranch cuisine at the Blacksmith while visiting Bend on a book tour.
Click here for more Bush
"According to Chef Gavin McMichael, he and Bush chatted briefly about their shared connection to the Lone Star State and mutual affection for Austin."
I LOVE 6th Street!
The Blacksmith is also doing another wine tasting next Wednesday:
Next week, The Blacksmith's Wednesday after-work Wine Tasting features wines from Woodward Canyon, a Washington winery located in the Columbia Valley. A representative from Woodward Canyon will be on site to pour and discuss Woodward Canyon wines. The winery is known for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Background:
The Blacksmith Restaurant has started Wednesday Tastings after work, and each month spotlights a different beverage. During April, Kevin Gilman, the Blacksmith's sommelier, will host Wednesday Wine Tastings. Cost is $10 to taste approximately eight wines, and every week will feature different vineyards, varietals, vertical tastings and other fun ways to experience the beauty of the bottle.
Kevin Gilman is general manager at The Blacksmith Restaurant and a certified second-level sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. The Blacksmith Restaurant is nationally know for Chef Gavin McMichael's New Ranch Cuisine. A recent renovation includes a new lounge and full bar, designed in backlit alabaster. The Blacksmith is located in downtown Bend in the historic Pearson Blacksmith Building, 211 NW Greenwood Avenue. For reservations and info, visit www.bendblacksmith.com or call 541.318.0588.
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Another food review by the Minkz in a new segment called Foodies Four. Get some photos going grl!
Foodies Four
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Speedshop Deli's Friday Special:
A Fresh Baby Spinach Salad
tossed in a creamy Gorgonzola Cheese Dressing with Roasted Turkey Breast, sprinkled with Dried Cranberries and Toasted Almond Slivers
Today's Soup is:
New England Clam Chowder
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Gusto Magazine's Best of Bend 2008 Ballot
» Bend Oregon RestaurantGusto Magazine's Best of Bend 2008 Ballot
Gusto is asking for people to fill out their Awards ballot. I have never been shy about saying that I think these types of polls are silly especially this early in the year but what do I know. The form that Gusto has online seems easily manipulated since you don't have to login or create a profile or anything. Any restaurant can get their psycho fan base (who goes off on you if you say their portion size is small even though you said the quality of food is great) to submit their restaurant over and over. I could fill this form out as many times as I like. But they don't want you to.
The survey questions at the top of the page include a question:
"Where do you go first to get your dining info?"
The Bend Oregon Restaurants Blog is not listed as an option. You KNOW I should be listed in there. I emailed them and it was explained that the options are print publications. I'll accept that. I know I'm dominating the interwebs anyhow.
Anyway, at the bottom of this post I'm providing the link to visit Gusto and fill out the form. But first I want to force you to read my suggestions. This way you can simply copy and paste my answers since I am right. I'm always right. Accept it.
Please Indicate Your Favorites in the Following Categories:
Asian - Bruce Lee. Favorite Asian is a broad category but I'd go with deep, Kanpai, or the newcomer Bo Restobar (yes, over Typhoon).
Bar - I'm going assume this mean that hard alcohol is served instead of just beers. There are plenty of options but currently, my favorite bar is the Blacksmith.
Bar Food - Blacksmith HANDS DOWN. That Bar menu is insane and all top shelf ingredients. They need to update their online menu cause they've added quite a few more dishes to their bar menu.
BBQ - I can't believe that this is still a category. I bet Kasey's BBQ still gets honorable mention. Even when they aren't being robbed at gun point, they still couldn't smoke flesh worth a damn. Baldy's BBQ is the ONLY BBQ in town. Sure there are catering companies that will tow their smoker around and provide pulled pork for your shotgun wedding but if you want BBQ any day of the week, its Baldy's and everyone knows it.
Best Sports Bar/Restaurants - Village Grill is pretty sweet even though they didn't buy the NCAA sports package. TVs every where and they are willing to switch channels if you ask. Plus they are smoke free which is great.
Best Sub Sandwich - I do like the Downtowner which will most likely win with NY Sub Shop coming in second BUT you are all fools if you don't go to the Speedshop Deli which is literally sandwiched between Pizza Mondo and El Jimador. I'm still perfecting my "sangwich" which is a work in progress. Turkey, gabagool, pepper jack, olive tapenade, lettuce, nuke pickles, nuke sauce, and 6th gear of nuke past on an Italian roll. More on that later next week.
Breakfast - Jake's Diner
Brunch - I've never been to a brunch in Bend.
Burger - Dandy's, just had one today and they're still grubbin.
Catering - How many catering companies dose the average Bendite have the experience with? Are we qualified to vote on this? I hear that Han's is now a catering company. Does that count?
Chef - Dr. Juri Spandati from Spandati Personal Chef Services. Sure there are great chefs in town but how do you pick one? Does that chef get credit for dishes that he/she created yet didn't personally make while you were visiting? I guess so. But I like Dr. Juri because he personally made everything that I had on that glorious evening and I watched it happen. How cool is that?
Cocktails - Well, since Best Bar went to the Blacksmith, how can I select somewhere else for best cocktail? That's part of being best Bar.
Coffee House - Starbucks. I mean, they've done so well for so long...all other coffee houses strive to be bought be Starbucks. Trust me, they do. Honestly, I like the one with free wifi.
Culinary Event - The beer dinners at Deschutes Mountain room.
Cup of Coffee - More coffee? If you like coffee this much, it might be time to cut back. It's a drug maaaaaan, get off the bean!
Deli - The Speedshop Deli is a deli. Not rocket surgery here.
Dessert - Hurricane's. I said it before, it really is great for dessert after a nice dinner at Baldy's or Baltazar's.
Doughnuts - Sweetheart Donuts.
Drive Thru Coffee Location - Oh man, if you want to say "best drive up coffee hut" than just say it, otherwise the winner is clearly Starbucks by Safeway on the west side. Just give in, Starbucks is it baby.
Espresso - OMG WTF DSE (double shot espresso) More coffee? There isn't a difference. It all tastes bad. Just get yourself some Coffee Mate's French Vanilla creamer and a tall drip and drink it. It is NOT that serious. But if you like it, you like it.
Family Dining - El Caporal pleases everyone.
Fine Dining - The Jackalope Grill, The Blacksmith, Zydeco. Can't go wrong. bistro corlise is in the running as well but so new.
Food Presentation - The Jackalope Grill, The Blacksmith, Zydeco. Can't go wrong. bistro corlise is in the running as well but so new. Hola has some nice presentations as well, they could easily win this one.
Grocery Store/Market - The one with the best products at the lowest prices.
Happy Hour - Blacksmith, hands down!
Italian - Spandati Personal Chef Services. Until you try it, be quiet and trust me. I swear, the next person that says Staccato is Italian is getting slapped across the back of their neck. It aint.
Late Night Dining - I eat the early bird special and am in bed by 8pm normally. I don't really know this one. I don't even know how late anything is open in Bend. I know when I moved here, wasn't crap open past 10pm. I think I got used to that.
Local Brewery - Durrrr. OK tourists and new residents, if you haven't given BBC a try, then I suggest cutting the tourist umbilical cord and give it a go. You've been here for 2 years now, time to branch out there SoCal.
Lunch - Toomies. For $5.95 (and that's not counting the lunch special for $4.50) you get salad, rice, phad thai, and your main dish.
Margaritas - Hola, La Rosa, El Caporal...doesn't matter, they're all the same.
Mexican - Hola, La Rosa, El Caporal...doesn't matter, they're all the same.
Milkshake - Dandy's until they close and then Goodies.
Most Dependable/Consistent - I don't like this category. All the places that I go regularly are consistent, that's why I go back. I'm sure you're the same with all the places you go. If you like it, it's good.
NW Cuisine - Seafood, yeah its Anthony's. I was not pleased with Bend Fish Company lately but I know you'll all vote for them and High Tides. The latter is actually pretty good but I've only had their deep fried fish so I can't say just yet.
Pancakes - Jake's.
Pastries - How's that different than donuts or desserts? I don't know, Village Baker, Westside Bakery, Hurricane's?
Pizza - Pizza Mondo - Run lil Piggy RUNNNN
Place to Buy Meat/Butcher - Speedshop = Meat.
Place to Buy Wine - Costco
Prineville Family Dining - Do they have a Chuck E Cheese? If not, then don't they have that Super Walmart?
Prineville Fine Dining - HAHAHAHAHA seriously?!?!?!
Redmond Family Dining - Do they have a Chuck E Cheese? If not, then don't they have that Super Walmart?
Redmond Fine Dining - HAHAHAHAHA seriously?!?!?! (showing these lines to the wife while laughing so hard I'm crying she says in a serious voice "That's not nice, they have a nice place don't they?" HAHAHAHAHA I love it)
Restaurant for Kids - See "Family Dining"
Seafood - See NW Cuisine
Service - hmmmm do we just give it to McKay Cottage like last year? I still say Les Schwab has the best service and they count with their free beef and popcorn.
Sisters Family Dining - El Caporal
Sisters Fine Dining - Jen's Garden
Soups - Downtowner
Steak - The Jackalope Grill or Blacksmith...take your pick.
Sunriver Family Dining - No idea
Sunriver Fine Dining - No idea
Sushi - Kanpai Happy Hour. Bend has not had good sushi at a fair price since Don Don bailed on us. So I go to Kanpai for happy hour. You can afford it and it is very good.
Thai - Angel Thai Cuisine.
Value - Everyone has their own price. I like...surprise....El Caporal.
Wine List - Jackalope Grill, Blacksmith, bistro corlise are all places that I've seen the wine list...are they good? I guess. I vote for Costco!!!
Vote Here
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Riley's Market - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantRiley's Market - Bend OregonRecently I grabbed a breakfast burrito from Riley's Market over in the NW Crossing Town Center. My friend always wants to stop there for these pita chips that are dusted with Cinnamon and sugar. Another friend swears by their cuts of steak.
I stopped in to pick up a copy of the new parenting magazine - True North Parenting and try a breakfast burrito.
The magazine made for great reading material while eating my burrito. Riley's Market makes their burritos the night before using a tortilla type wrap made by the folks at Kebaba. They steam up the burritos and send you one your way for $5.50.
The burrito was pretty good. The addition of the country potatoes was a nice touch and made the burrito quite filling. The thicker wrap from Kebaba was a nice touch. However, for the same money, I think I'd rather get a burrito at Longboard Louie's thats made fresh and you can order whatever you like on it or spend the extra buck fifty for that delicious croissant from Makahna's Cafe.
I can see that Riley's has potential especially during the warmer months when people can sit outside and eat their breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Being right there in NW Crossing can't hurt much either. For those that live in that neighborhood, they have a nice little market to pick up whatever instead of having to drive down to Newport, Rays, or Safeway.
Riley's Market
2755 Crossing Drive
Bend Oregon 97701
[www.rileysmarket.com]
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BOR BASH Vol 1 Episode 1
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBOR BASH Vol 1 Episode 1
Last night I received the following Anonymous comment on my bistro corlise review and it gave me an idea. Since people are stupid enough to post the most ridiculous drivel even though I moderate my comments, I figure its about time for me to do what I do best, make fun of these dips--ts.
Now it may be stupid of me to open myself up for even more of these BOR Bashings but what do I care? I write for fun and making fun of morons is rather enjoyable. So instead of bashing this jacknut on the bistro corlise post which will take away from the stellar review that I wrote, I'll keep it separate in my new segment called BOR BASH.
Anyway, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with my bistro corlise post before reading the following Anonymous rant. I'll comment after the idiocracy.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "bistro corlise - Bend Oregon":
Hmmm,
Well the picture may not be good because you're too busy trying to be discreet about taking it! Your palate is like, um the bottom of a shoe with yesterdays gum stuck on it or better yet, a pattie left by a cow.
Lets see, main course, a silver grey for the lady, not sure what kind of fish that was, but hey, you must have been busy looking in the idiots guide to eating.
I am looking at your review of Bistro Colise and tally $50 without the silver grey at market price and I see wine too?! How do you get at your pricepoint of $73? HMMMMM. Are you comp worthy?
Your take on food is humorous at best and I cant believe you are taken as seriously as you are.
You are a self described non foody who loves wine from Costco, probably their own label because they actually have very good prices for the wines they carry, but so would any company that has sales revenue in the millions.
I'm "Bored" with BOR.
Your recent critiques of many restaurants leaves me to wonder, who are you? No, you are not a "comp' worthy guest at any restaurant except Mcdonalds, which by the way will "supersize' any selection that you want. Or Burger King, remember "Have it your way, Have it your way" was their theme back in the day.
Enough of my rant. If you choose to listen to this person instead of judging for yourself at any of the places that this faceless person has presented him/herself, then your palate is the same, tasteless.
Oh, yeah by the way, do you still need your one way ticket South!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for writing up a well thought out and constructed comment that has nothing to do with bistro corlise at all. I also appreciate the way in which you attempt to mimic my writing style...that part about Burger King really had me rolling. You're a riot! How do you do it..."have it your way" is pure gold!
In the post I explained that the photo wasn't very good because the colors were not vibrant, not that the photo itself was bad. I gave up being discreet with my photos a while ago. Once the food is in front of me, there isn't much the kitchen can do to make it better so I don't care if they see me taking the photos at all. Explain what this has to do with my palate.
I like my palate. I'm confused about this comment and your entire rant for that matter, the bistro corlise review was a favorable one. Why so angry? So you're bashing me on my palate which means you didn't like bistro corlise? I'm not sure I follow.
Idiots guide to eating!!! HAHAHA oh man you're a clever one. Did you get that out of your Idiots guide to blogging? All this negativity yet you don't bring any value to the post. Explain why my palate sucks. Other than your misunderstanding of simple addition, what don't you like about my reviews? I think you're just pissy because your co-workers at Walmart read my reviews on the Packard Bell P120 display model and laugh hysterically while you have to clean up aisle 4.
The pricepoint bit. I came up with $73 because that's how much the food cost you dips--t. Yes there is wine in the photo because I felt it made for a better photo. But since I didn't discuss the wines I didn't add them to the price of the dinner. And what is with the comp worthy crap? Did you comp me for this meal? No, then shut the hell up.
The comment about liking wines from Costco - I'm not sure how to take this. Are you insulting me? Should I feel bad that Costco's sales revenue is in the millions? Its like you're insulting me using the Metric System. I don't quite get it. Is 4 degrees Celsius hot or cold? Is it the temperature of the sun or do I need to put on a sweater? Oooooo Costco makes money and has wine - in your face dummy!
Another random comment about my palet. Let me get this straight, you're saying that if people listen to me, that their palate is the same as mine...tasteless? I'm not sure you know what a palate is. You can't catch a palate by listening to some one's opinion. I can hear you yelling out the broken screen door of your double wide to your shoeless kids playing with their favorite stick "Git in here and warsh your hands before dinner, we can afford you catching the palates again."
I love that you call me faceless while commenting Anonymously. That is always one of my favorites. And I love that you still haven't figured out that my post about moving south was an April Fools joke. Put your smock back on and get back to aisle 4.
"I'm "bored" with BOR" - That's right you are, cause you've just been BORed!! In "bor" FACE!
Your starving moderator,
Senior BORbash III
PS - I'm taken so seriously because you touch yourself.
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I thought that went well but I received another Anonymous comment today and this person is claiming to be the original Anonymous commentor. I'm half thinking that this is a different person because this comment is a slightly clever while the original was ass. He must have been drinking the big barrels of wine from Costco last night while crafting the first comment.
I thought I had knocked him out in round one but he keeps coming back for more. So here we go with round two.
Since I've wasted enough time with this schmo, I'm going to just throw my comments in Italics throughout his comment instead of writing a whole new bit.
-BOR
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "BOR BASH Vol 1 Episode 1":
BOR Bash Vol 1 Episode 2
Amuse: I just finished my smoke break and my smock is back on. After my double shift at "Walmart" I was laughing so hard at your retort that I had to change my underwear. Lets clarify a couple of things.
First Course: Bistro Corlise is a wonderful place to eat, many of the places you comment on are worthy of trying for oneself. My rant is more towards your self proclamation of not being a foodie, so how can you make such comments about food and dining that are worth anything?
BOR SAYS - That's what bloggers do dummy. We're all self appointed experts in whatever we want to be. I say I'm a non-foodie because saying you're a foodie is stupid. What is a foodie? M-W says "a person having an avid interest in the latest food fads." That's exactly what I don't want to be, up on the latest food fads. I like what I like. NOT what you and you're foodie friends like. I represent a big majority of diners that like to go out and have a nice meal without all the stupid hype. I want a great meal at a great price.
I can make comments on anything I damn well want and it doesn't have to be worth anything to anybody. I'm not writing this for you. I don't get paid to do this, I donate the ad revenue to charity. So I get the liberty to write whatever I want and you can like it or not, I don't care.
Yeah you are right, I am not a blogger, (BOR interrupts - I never said you were) I do enjoy reading your depictions and critques and laugh myself silly as I touch myself (yeah right) I don't need to go to Makhanas cafe for titilating stimulation before going home and jumping on the wife and fantasizing about the hottie who served me. Oh, by the way, do you need your Viagra refilled? Since I work at Walmart I can get your perscription refilled.
BOR Says - You obviously haven't been to Makahna's. Viagra jokes? Don't get me started, don't EVEN get me started.
Main Course: Well, I just finished fixin the back porch screen so back to my story. Opinions are like a-holes, everybody has one and they all stink. I find it humorous to read your opinion of my opinion of you. Kind of looking in the mirror right? The wine comment was your self proclaimed wine cellar stocked with Costco wines. Am I insulting you? HMMMMMMMMMMM, I will leave that one for you to determine.
BOR Says - How is a wine cellar "self proclaimed?" Why even write the above paragraph? Nothing of value. You use my joke making fun of yourself and don't use it very well...plus you're not telling a story. Then you take an OLD ASS saying which basically is labeling your opinion as stinky too. Then you say that my opinion of your opinion of me is like looking in a mirror. No, it's more like reading lame comments and then making fun of the tool that wrote them. Your mirror sucks if that's what it looks like to you.
Finally, you don't even answer my damn question. Your original paragraph about Costco made no sense and this one doesn't either. Yes I buy wine from Costco. Get up off me.
The metric comment? let me review, ah yes, that must come from your comments on your experience at another relative new comer to Bend. Chow and your conjure about an open faced sandwich. (BOR's Confused here - "your conjure about" I don't think that's right) When I look at the pic, I see three halfs of bread which equates to almost two full pieces of bread. (BOR's Half Empty - Or it equates to almost one full piece of bread) It looks to me that they have chosen to present the dish a little different than other open faced sandwiches. (BOR Interrupts - THEN CALL IT SOMETHING ELSE. Call it an open faced half sandwich and I wouldn't have said a thing, I wouldn't have ordered it either but at least we'd all be happy) I cant attest to the portion size of the meal because I havent eaten there, you know workin here at the "Mart", I guess I can "supersize my big Mac right?
BOR Says - Thanks for taking the virtual time to review, ah yes, I did mention the metric system in my CHOW post but somehow I was able to expand on it, make it a little different, and it is still funny. Your math skills are improving, you can count three halves of bread (which according to you is almost two full slices - again thanks) on the plate in my CHOW review.
A sandwich normally contains two slices of bread with edible goodness between them. So if you have an open faced sandwich, that would be one slice of bread with food on top of it. CHOW had one half of a slice of bread with food on it and then another half of a slice of bread laid sort of on sort of off the food. THEN there was another slice of bread that came with the meal. So Watson, what can you deduce from that?
Since you haven't eaten there, why are you even saying anything? You don't know me but yet you felt the need to bash me and my palate, say I'm not "comp" worthy, bust on my photos cause I'm busy reading the "idiots guide to eating" all cause you are offended that a self proclaimed NON FOODIE has an opinion about food. I'll use a generic saying to help you understand, "Everyone has to eat." I have an opinion of the food that I eat and pay for, and I write about it. I write about my experience, not make s--tty comments about you and your experiences on your blog.
Dessert: Yeah, I got it April fools joke, too bad, I was ready to give from my tax refund to help you leave our community, but oh, I forgot, I need to go git shoes for my chitlins sorry I cant throw you a party, but hey Costco even makes cakes so when you buy your next scuba tank of wine to go with your first course of spam, followed by an open faced sloppy joe and finished with a can of woop ass, take it from me, you can have your blog page, have your tasteless opinions of the community restaurants, enjoy your next sausage party at Deschutes and remember what Forest says, stupid is what stupid does
BOR Says - Really? One sentence?
Forrest (two Rs) quotes his mom twice in the movie using "Stupid is AS stupid does" but the original line was when talking to Jenny on the school bus and said "Momma says 'Stupid is as stupid do-es."
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You've been BORed again! Now I'm getting BORed with you. This case is closed.
-BOR -
Food Events and News - April 11, 2008
» Bend Oregon RestaurantUpcoming Food Events and News in Bend Oregon - April 11, 2008
Today marks the second Friday in a row that I'm posting some food events and news that were sent to me via email. I don't always have all of the information. If you know of an event or are hosting an event that you'd like to announce, shoot me an email with the details. You can let me know about a new restaurant fixin to open, a charitable event hosted by a restaurant and what not and I'll post it on the following Friday.
You can even let me know about any specials going on. Like Taco Del Mar's double stamp Mondays or 38 Degrees Tapas Tuesdays. I know that my favorite sandwich shop, Speedshop Deli has a Hot Pastrami sangwich that they are pushing every Wednesday.
It would be cool to have a compilation of daily specials that I can maintain here. Help me help you!
Here's the scoop on local happenings that I know of:
My boy HOC has a great post up about some wine samplings going on at The Jackalope Grill and The Blacksmith.
Check it and get your wine on!
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Jake's Diner getting it's remodel on
The owner, Lyle (not Jake but he'll answer to Jake), has all the details listed on the Jake's Diner blog. Lyle is such a cool cat. Its amazing how much he gives back to the community.
"The diner will not be closed down during the five day makeover event. We will serve out of our back room and weather permitting, deck. On Saturday, April 26th, there will be a Revealing party and the main room will be reopened to the public. All profits for that day will be handed over to the Bend Community Kitchen and Let’s make a Space will be matching Jake’s give. It even looks like Kristi Miller might be on hand to pour some coffee and talk to the crowd. It should be a huge day."
I'm going to try my best to get out there for this one.
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The Source Weekly published a Dine on a Dime section in this week's paper but I can't find it online yet. I was going to provide some commentary on a separate post with my opinions but I may not get around to it. Grab up a copy anyhow and give it a read...Hey, it's FREE!
[www.tsweekly.com]
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Bistro Corlise Presents A Five-Course Journey Through German Border Country
(BEND, OR) Bistro Corlise’s Chef Jason Logan presents an evening of culinary delights from the Alsace region of France on Tuesday, April 22. Seating is limited to 16 for this special five-course meal paired with regional wines. Cost is $125 per person (gratuity included). For full menu and reservations, visit www.bistrocorlise.com or call 385-6979. Bistro Corlise is located downtown Bend at 916 NW Wall Street.
Full Press Release via -HOC
Dude, ad hoc is killin the restaurant PR on my blog. If you're a restaurant and you don't have someone handling your PR then you're just stupid. That's right, dumb.
Check out a couple of the folks that are smart enough to send me info (which is PR 101):
Harold Olaf Cecil
[wordsideas.com]
Renee Davidson
[www.grassrootspr.com]
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I have some competition! Another Restaurant Review blog has popped up in Bend Oregon. So for all you punks that send me your nasty comments and emails (which I crack up at every time, keep em coming) now have someone else to annoy.
Bend's Underground Food Beat
"A wannabe food critic's ponderings about restaurant experiences in Bend, Oregon."
[bendfoodbeat.blogspot.com] -
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Makahna's Cafe - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantMakahna's CafeOn the west side of Bend there are a s--t load of breakfast joints and coffee houses. Driving down Galveston recently I noticed a sign for Makahna's Cafe and Coffee house. It got me thinking of the last time that I went to a place called Makahna's (Trattoria) where Super Burrito is currently (or very soon to be) occupying. The service was hella slow and the food wasn't worth the money at all.
On this visit for a quick breakfast, my friend and I were greeted by a cutie behind the counter who discussed the menu and gave us the scoop on the place. Seriously, what's with the restaurants on Galveston? They only hire hotties. If you're a single fella or a hottie looking for work, I think Galveston is the place to be.
Anyhoo, I ordered a regular old breakfast sandwich for $6.95. A croissant with scrambled eggs, basil, cheese (I forgot what kind), and bacon with some Makahna's sauce that was like a ranch and honey mustard dressing combo.
Effing heaven -
Service was good, didn't take too long to get our breakfast and the scenery was nice. Seriously, good looking ladies like Makahna's cafe. There were women every where. I swear I'm going to be pissed if the next time I go in there its a sausagefest just like Monday nights at Deschutes pub.
For being the same owners of the old Makahna's, they've done very well with the new menu and location...and clientele if you know what I mean.
"Why do you always want to go get breakfast at Makahna's?" - The wife asks. BOR turns and winks to an imaginary camera off to the side.
"Loser" - she sighs.
Sucks that I don't have an address. I know they're on Galveston. I guess I'll have to go back for a business card. 'BOR turns and flashes a big thumbs up again the imaginary camera'
Makahna's Cafe
1227 Northwest Galveston Avenue
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 678-5750
Thanks for the addy Dave!
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bistro corlise - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon Restaurantbistro corliseThe wife and I went to bistro corlise for dinner and with the help of our awesome waitress, thoroughly enjoyed our entire evening. We sat down and viewed the small menu of starters, salads, and entrees to map out our plan for dinner. The wife and I like to make sure we get items that we can share. That way we can swap if something doesn't agree with one of us.
Then, she decided on the onion flan.
In my mind, I started thinking that she's mad at me or that I did something wrong. I can't think of something more unappetizing as an onion flan. But, since I can't tell her what to do:
tartre des allymes
onion flan, belgian endive 9.
We ate the whole thing...she ate most of it and really, really liked it. I had a few bites and liked it as well. It wasn't all oniony like I thought it would have been. You know what I mean. We think of a flan as what you get at Mexican restaurants for dessert, that runny, jiggly snot lookin thing. This was not like those at all.
Our waitress explained that this dish was more like a quiche than a flan so she decided to give it a try. We both agreed that this should be called a quiche instead of a flan. The wife says she'd go back just for that if it was a lunch item.
I only had a few bites since I was busy with my Wild Boar appetizer. Wild BOR appetizer. I'm a BOR you're a BOR wouldn't you like to be a BOR too? I'm a carniBORe.
sanglier braise
basque braised wild boar,
le puy lentils, celeriac 8.
Yup, that will work even though I have no idea what a sanlier braise is. I know the photo is not that great and the colors do not shine but for me, this is just want I want, meat and beans! Chef Logan is a fan of salt which agrees with me. I like my dishes heavily seasoned and bistro corlise does not hold back. My boar (or BOR) was very tender, it had the same texture as stew meat, and the lentils were grubbin. I enjoyed every bite.
After these two starters we wanted something on the lite side so we opted for the watercress salad.
la salade
watercress, goat cheese, golden beets, radish
champagne vinaigrette 7.
Unfortunately the photo did not come out but it was very good for a salad. The yellow beats were a great mix and the wife, who does not like beats at all, enjoyed them. She actually snagged the last couple before I could. Ok, that's way too much info on a flippin salad. On to the next course!
The wife had a tough time deciding between the duck breast and the fish special of the day. She finally settled on the fish. A silver grey fillet served over a bed of asparagus with a prosciutto reduction (the pork reduction means more salt).
poisson du jour
seasonal fish, daily preparation market price..JPG)
The skin was crispy and the meat was similar to a fatty tuna instead of being flaky like halibut. The jus was salty and delicious.
Now for my entree. I swear this menu item was right up my ally. Before looking at the bistro corlise website, I talked to my hippy friend who said "ask for the meat, meat, with a side of meat dish....they have it." I would not think that this French bistro would be catered to a meat lover like myself but sure enough, there was a entree just for me.
le veau goute
veal new york, veal sausage, veal sweetbread
potato dumpling, carrot 26..JPG)
I'm in heaven with my all meat entree. The medium rare veal went well with the potato dumplings. The best part was taking a little slice of all three veals for each bite. Yummy. There was not a scrap left on any of our plates especially this one.
The wife and I had a good chuckle over the name before I ordered it. With the combo of the all meat entree and Chef Logan's love of salt, le veau goute was quickly turned into le veau gout. My father in law has many gold sayings like "I'm gonna slosh this down real quick" in reference to his can of BER (cheap beer, so cheap they don't waste the extra ink on a second E) and my favorite via text message at inappropriate hours of the evening while he's kickin it at his local bar ... "my gout's acting up...too many hot dogs and pretzels today." I have very little understanding of the gout but I think it has something to do with too much meat, salt, beer, and lack of movement. I'm days away from calling the MD.
All in all, the dinner was insanely good and I will be going back to try the duck. I have some constructive criticism for Chef Logan that I hope this is taken as constructive.
First, I'd love to hear some French music or something to make the restaurant a little warmer. The restaurant is nice, I just think the ambiance could be upgraded a bit.
Second, I would like the idiot's guide to the menu. I've said it time and time again that I'm just your regular guy. So when faced with this French menu, it can be a little intimidating. We had to ask quite a few questions so we knew what exactly we were ordering and what to expect. Our waitress was so helpful and polite. She gladly answered our questions and gave her recommendations. We felt very comfortable asking about anything. At one point I asked "What about frogs"...do you know what she answered? (total Portland joke from back in the day)
Finally, I would like a wine pairing or recommendation for each entree. I didn't recognize many of the wines on the menu but I'm not really a wine guy. The wine shelf/cellar in my house contains mostly Costco red wines. They're my favorite. So when presented with the wine list I'm out of my element. I'd love to see a recommendation on a wine that will go well with each entree especially from a certified Sommelier by the International Sommelier Guild as Chef Logan is.
Obviously the wines that Chef Logan is stocking his shelves with are good, he knows what he's talking about. So all I need is for him to tell me which wine to sip on while I shovel fork full after fork full of food into my gullet.
For all of the above we only spent $73. That's a great deal for a great dinner out at a fine dining establishment in downtown Bend Oregon. When you get two starters, a salad and two entrees with this quality and for this price, you're doing alright. For the money I felt the portions were spot on and I'd gladly revisit bistro corlise.
On top of all that, you get to dine in Central Oregon at a fine dining restaurant rubbing elbows with locals wearing cowboy boots...seriously, that happened. Cowboy boots + fine dining French bistro = True Bend Oregon Dining.
bistro corlise
916 NW Wall St.
Bend OR 97701
[www.bistrocorlise.com]
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Upcoming Food Events - April 4, 2008
» Bend Oregon RestaurantUpcoming Food Events - April 4, 2008
I hope this will be a pattern that I can post any upcoming food related events on every Friday. Unfortunately, I don't always have all of the information. If you know of an event or are hosting an event that you'd like to announce, shoot me an email with the details.
First up is my April Fools Joke. I know internet April Fools jokes are tired but I have to admit, I really enjoyed all the comments and the emails wishing me well. Turns out that there are a few people that actually read this silly blog.
I got quite a few of you, I was cracking up all day. We've been in Bend for quite a while now and we don't have any plans on leaving anytime soon.
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Jackalope Grill & Bend WineStyles Women’s Wine Dinner Menu Finalized
EVENT DATE: Monday, April 7, 5:30 pm
(BEND, OR) Chef Timothy Garling of the Jackalope Grill has finalized his special four-course wine dinner menu:
Women’s Wine Dinner Menu
Shrimp Cocktail
Oregon jumbo salad shrimp and Jackalope cocktail sauce, paired with Amaboka Chenin Blanc.
Artisan Pheasant Sausage
House-made pheasant and wild mushroom sausage served with a duck confit and barley risotto, paired with Mio Valpolicella.
Medallions of Pork Tenderloin
Dried plum and zinfandel sauce, poached dried plums, potato puree and haricots vertes. paired with Sandholt Zinfandel.
Orange Mousse
Chocolate-orange sauce and cookies, paired with Fiororange
Carol DelMonico, a certified life coach, and writer Linden Gross will speak briefly on how to slow down and take time for yourself. Cost is $60 per person. For reservations, please call WineStyles at 389-8889.
Seating is limited.
For more, visit [www.jackalopegrill.com] or call 318-8435. The Jackalope Grill is located just off Reed Market road in the Scandia Plaza, 1245 SE Third St. (S. Hwy. 97) in Bend.
:: ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Carol Delmonico is a Certified Life Coach and RN. She has studied Nonviolent Communication for four years and facilitates workshops and classes based on this model. She runs a successful coaching businesswhere she specializes in working with individuals who are ready to commit to living in balance with their personal values. Carol can be reached at 541-389-0831 or visit her website [www.intobalancecoaching.com] .
Linden Gross is a national magazine journalist, bestselling writer and writing coach, who draws on her editing and writing background - as well as her experience with and love for teaching - when working with others. She specializes in helping people to express their truth and their story, and in the process to extend their writing abilities. She believes that we all have the ability to find the writer within.
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Art Hop: James Simmons’ Solo Acoustic Guitar - Open Late and Pouring Wine
April New Exhibit: Robert Johans’ Avis Lofts
Continuing in April: Artists Local 101 group show, Mark Bernahl's new "Wishes"
Thump Coffee welcomes spring with an exhibit of Avis Lofts. Tumalo-based artist and custom furniture designer Robert Johans elevates the humble, utilitarian birdhouse into the fine art realm. His designs are so sleek, modern and cool it makes one wish for wings simply to be able to live in his Avis Lofts.
“Modern homes for modern birds,” is how Johans describes his creations. “Avis Lofts are meticulously handcrafted birdhouses that render a whimsical nod to the classic design elements of modern architecture,” he says. “These boxes are ornithologically functional, and feature found, recycled, or sustainable materials and natural, non-toxic finishes. They’re just as beautiful on display indoors as in the backyard.”
For Art Hop on Friday, April 4 Thump Coffee will stay open until 9:00 pm, pouring complimentary wine and showcasing the guitar talents of Thump barista James Simmons. Though Simmons took up the instrument himself only a decade ago while in his 20s, music runs deep in his blood. His father Larry played for the Grand Ole Opry and toured with top country musicians, and grandfather Buddy, uncle Don and cousin Dean
are all professional musicians.
Simmons endlessly explores the possibilities of the guitar fretboard. When asked to describe his music, Simmons simply shrugs. “My friends describe my music as an eclectic mix of finger-style progressions interspersed with bluegrass-style flat picking.” His guitar heroes include father Larry Simmons, and such pioneers as Michael Hedges, Pierre Bensusan, Mike Marshall, Tony Rice, and Scott Huckabay.
Continuing in April will be a group exhibit by Artist Local 101, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting contemporary and outsider art. For many years the group has provided local artists who work “outside the box” with a vehicle for exhibiting their art, as well as a place to network with other artists. The show at Thump Coffee runs March through April and features a diverse representation of many artists affiliated with the organization, from the well established to newcomers. Artist Local 101 welcomes new members, and membership forms will be available at Thump.
Mark Bernhahl’s popular “Wishes” installation is hanging again, and customers are encouraged to continue creating wish planks to be rotated into the installation throughout the year.
Thump Coffee is located in downtown Bend at 25 NW Minnesota Ave. For details, visit [www.thumpcoffee.com] or call 388-0226.
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Bistro Corlise Spring Art Hop Open House
Friday, April 4, 5-7pm
Complimentary wine and hors d'oevres.
Dinner reservations available after 7pm.
For reservations and info, visit [www.bistrocorlise.com] or call 385-6979.
Bistro Corlise is located downtown Bend at 916 NW Wall St. -
Allyson's Kitchen Deli - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantAllyson's Kitchen DeliI heard about a new deli in the Old Mill shopping center that had some amazing soup and wanted to go check it out. In the back of Allyson's Kitchen there is a small deli providing sandwiches and a couple soups as well as a nice dessert case.
All of the sandwiches sounded very nice and contained great ingredients like the roast beef with fresh mozzerella. I ordered the Turkey sandwich on sourdough with smoked guoda and a cup of their chicken noodle soup to go. The Turkey sandwich is my benchmark sandwich for any new place.
I was pretty pleased to see the little extras when I opened the bag. A nice pickle, a couple olives, and some bread for my soup. But that's about where my pleasure ended. While the soup tasted good, it was only 8 ounces and cost me $3.50. The sandwich was $6.95 and I would have much rather just bought a pound of turkey and made my own sandwich.
The turkey was of the same quality that you can buy in any prepackaged Hormel type sandwich meat in any deli case and the bread, regular, thin sourdough that was quite dry. I was not impressed with the sandwich or the soup for $10.45. Maybe I'm spoiled by the Boars Head meats piled high with some nuke paste/sauce at the Speedshop which I'm a big fan of.
Now this is not a knock on Allyson's Kitchen as a whole. I rather liked the store and will definitely go back to shop but I'll look elsewhere for a quick bite. I hear there is a working kitchen upstairs that will host cooking classes and what not. I want to check those out as well.
Allyson's Kitchen Deli
375 SW Powerhouse Dr
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 749-9979 -
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Chow - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantCHOW - Bend OregonMy first trip to CHOW was for lunch. My second visit to CHOW was for dinner. Everyone kept telling me that I have to go to CHOW for breakfast so I finally did. Recently I received a comment saying that CHOW can hang with McKay's Cottage and the Victorian Cafe for breakfast any day.
While I'm not going to go that far, I think CHOW is a nice, quaint, dining option on the west side of Bend. I'm definitely not as in love with CHOW as some commentors or those that write for the Source. The food is good but I'm still having quantity issues. I want more food for my money.
For breakfast I decided on the open faced sandwich. Basically it was Salmon Benedict's on sour dough instead of English muffins.
The Salmon and hollandaise were very good. The bread used for my open faced sandwich was very, very tough. I couldn't cut through most of the bread with my fork. Only the very center of the bread was soft enough to cut and eat with a bite of egg and salmon.
I had an issue with the portion size at CHOW for lunch in the past. This time I thought I'd be safe with and ordered the open faced sandwich, not the open faced HALF sandwich. Look at the photo, my sandwich is one slice of bread cut in half. That is half of a half of an open faced sandwich. That's a fourth of a sandwich, 25%. For you on the metric system, that is aboot a small bite of a royal with cheese.
Think about it, an open faced sandwich usually is one full slice of bread on a plate piled high with tuna fish or sloppy joe or chili cheeseburger or whatever comes "open faced." I don't care what you say, the portions are small.
The potatoes were good and I always like the little extras like the pineapple and pear skewer. So for $10, my breakfast was good in quality but I still feel it is over priced for the quantity that I received. I know there is a fan base already for CHOW and I'm going to get a bunch of comments supporting CHOW. If you like it, then its good. So enjoy it if you want to.
CHOW
1110 NW Newport Ave
Bend, Oregon 97701
541-728-0256
[www.chowbend.com]
Hours
Open 7 days
Breakfast and Lunch 7am to 2pm
Dinner 5pm to Close
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I'm Moving to Cali - Need Replacement Blogger
» Bend Oregon RestaurantUPDATE @ 10pm on 4/1/08. I'm not going anywhere. Merry April Fools losers!!
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To all my loyal readers I wanted to say thanks for all of your comments and support. But it is with a heavy heart I have to announce that I'm shutting down the Bend Oregon Restaurants Blog.
It has been fun writing about all the different restaurants but I have not been able to keep gainful employment here in Bend. I'm moving to San Mateo for a great new opportunity for me. With the recession as well as the cost of living here in Bend I just can't afford to live here while going out to eat like I do. Over the next couple weeks I will be traveling back and forth quite a bit. I doubt that I'll be able to get any posts going so this may be my last one.
In retrospect I probably could have eaten at home more often and saved my money but then my blog would have sucked ass. I'd have to make fun of my own cooking and service. "The taco salad was good but I'd like a little more beef. Why so cheap with the meat there hippy. Plus the chef was rude." I've been using 'hippy' a lot lately.
If anyone is interested in taking over the blog, please feel free to shoot me an email. I'm willing to hand over the username and password to someone with the drive to continue writing these hilarious and snarky reviews.
Thanks again to all of you that have sent nice comments and emails my way in support of my comments/reviews. Please keep in touch. To all of you that disagreed with me, Testa di cazzo.
Your starving moderator,
-BOR
[www.bendeats.com]
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Sbandati Personal Chef Services
» Bend Oregon RestaurantSbandati Personal Chef Services
I want a personal chef. I need to figure out how to make some money so I can hire a personal chef to make my meals in my house all the time. That's how I'm feeling after having Dr. Juri Sbandati from Sbandati Personal Chef Services cook us the best Italian dinner I've ever had.
Seriously, the best Italian dinner I've ever had. The best. I'm going to hit up the "Italian restaurants" in Bend this year so I can write up some good comparisons so when I do my Best of 2008 it won't looked rigged. But its already a lock that Sbandati Personal Chef Services will receive the Best Italian in Bend Oregon award. Call me unfair, I don't care. I've been called worse.
Ok, enough sucking up. We started off with imported Mortadella with rustic bread and three year aged Parmigiano Reggiano which was served with 25 year old balsamic vinegar.
The parm and balsamic was a great combo and balanced out the saltiness of the Mortadella. The 25 year old balsamic had a syrupy consistency and I couldn't get enough of it. I want to pour it all over my bod....wait, never mind.
After some wine we sat down to a serving of Penne alla Chiantigiana - Penne pasta with a Chianti red wine sauce, tomato, sausage and fennel seed sauce.
Sausage and pasta...yeah you know I'm going to like it. After I finished my plate we were sipping our wine and chatting away and next thing I knew...next course. I had actually forgotten that there was more food and was quite content with the appetizer and the Penne.
But sure enough, next came the Maiale in Crosta di Pane - Pork tenderloin wrapped in a roasted baguette served with a field greens and pear salad drizzled with that same 25 year aged balsamic.
OH mamma, the pork was so tender and juicy. The baguette was like a salty, warm pretzel that just soaked up all the pork juice. Even the salad was good and you know I don't say that often.
It was about this time that I brought up the fact that I worked in a cheesy restaurant back in the day and my manager was a 5'2" Italian named Claudio. He use to reach up and grab me by the back of my neck and curse me in Italian when I messed up. I told this to Juri and Kinley and actually was able to recite the words that Claudio taught me.
Juri and his wife Kinley's eyes lit up in shock as the words rolled off my tongue. I've used those same words in traffic jams or in long lines at Safeway (why soooo long lines Safeway....why?!?!). All this time I've sort of thought that Claudio was just messing with me and calling me things like "Your face looks like a Salami" or "You think a you know a everything" but he was really cussing at me and in some pretty harsh words. Thanks to my man Claudio, I now know some GREAT cuss words in Italian.
Testa di cazzo - Google it.
Back to the meal. We had tortino di Monteveronese (cheese souffle) for dessert.
Now you can see actual photos as to why I said this was the best Italian meal I've ever had. Absolutely delicious all around and the company was awesome as well. It was great to have Juri describe the dishes in his heavy accent and to hear some stories from his lovely wife Kinley about their adventures here in Bend.
One such story cracked us up. Soon after Juri came to Bend via Italy, he heard a knock at the door. With Kinley at the store he went ahead and answered it. Friendly neighbors had been dropping off cookies and other baked goods welcoming them into the neighborhood so when he saw the two girl scouts at his door dropping off the cookies that Kinley had ordered, he thought it was just another friendly neighbor. They don't have girl scouts in Tuscany. The two girls stood there waiting for their check and Juri says "Thank you, I make a you Lasagna" with his boisterous Italian accent.
Kinley is rolling up the driveway and sees two girl scouts standing at the door and their mother's are across the street letting the girls do their thing. She's in slow motion waiving her arms like in some action movie "Noooooooo." The poor girls standing there confused as Juri tries to explain that he'll bring them lasagna to their house in exchange for the cookies.
It all worked out fine and an animated Kinley tells the story much better than I just wrote it up. If you have the means, I highly recommend looking into the personal chef services of Dr. Juri Sbandati.
You'll have to contact them for pricing information as I'm not sure if they have a set fee or if every party is priced based on menu and number of guests but you can expect somewhere around $70 a head. Again, you'd want to talk to them about pricing.
Sbandati Personal Chef Services
1466 Ne Revere Ave
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 610-6278
Sbandati Personal Chef Services
There is more about Sbandati in the Source
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Family Friendly Restaurants - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantFamily Friendly RestaurantsIf you were asked to name the best family friendly restaurants in Bend Oregon, what would your choices be? Tonight I received an email from a family that is going to be visiting Bend this weekend with quadruplets that are celebrating their 12th birthdays. Oh my goodness!! Could you imagine? I've written about dining out with kids before but I couldn't imagine going out to eat with four kids every time. That's like taking out two other couples every time you go out to eat!
Andre Jensen wrote a good article on his top 5 family friendly restaurants over at True North Parenting which I will totally agree with. Deschutes, BBC, Baldy's, SOBA, El Caporal, 38 Degrees, and Jake's are all great places to take the fam. If you're going to take your kids to 38 Degrees, go on Tuesday for their special Tapas Tuesday's menu on top of their normal menu.
One of the questions in the original email was about which restaurants will sing Happy Birthday or do something special for the birthday child. I instantly thought about one of my favorite movies "Waiting" when the waitress yells "Birthday Singers!!" and everyone groans and cusses before singing one of the worst birthday songs to an oversized 6 year old.
The only places that I know in town that will sing Happy Birthday are Red Robin and Every Mexican Restaurant. I like El Caporal where they sing in Spanish and again in English and will take your photo in a Sombrero. But I'm 89% sure they do the same at the other El Caporalesque restaurants in Bend.
Red Robin is ass and they sing Happy Birthday every 37 seconds. Time it....I'm accurate. There was a study at the University of PSU that the average Red Robin employee loses their upper register by the age of 37 due to their overactive singing glands, which is 58% higher than the average Red Robin employee in China. Google it.
If you know of another restaurant that you'd recommend for birthday kids please feel free to let me know. If you say that pizza place by Fred Meyers, I'll block you from my site.
Tumalo Feed Company is a good one and rather affordable, I'd take that pack of kids there for sure, even though I don't have a review of them.
UPDATE: Alandra Johnson from the Bulletin has compiled a list of family friendly restaurants HERE. The list is pretty good but a little heavy on the chain restaurants. Everyone knows that McDonalds is kid friendly. I'd like to see the chain restaurants in their own section at the bottom of the list with the local restaurants towards the top.
Now I want to see a list of Adults Only restaurants or Date Night Dinners. -
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High Tides - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantHigh Tides - Bend OregonMy first ever visit to High Tides restaurant in downtown Bend was just a couple of weeks ago. I like to consider myself on top of the restaurant scene in Bend but not going to High Tides until recently is almost a crime.
So some friends and I met up at High Tides for a quick lunch and were able to score the last table available in small restaurant. We all ordered different dishes off the menu and I, of course, went for the all deep fried option. Deep fried prawns, clams, scallops, and halibut with fries and slaw...done and done.
For everything being deep fried, it wasn't that heavy. The batter was light and everything was fried to perfection. I especially enjoyed the prawns and could have had a whole plate of just those. The fries had some Red Robin type seasoning on them which I loved.
The slaw was a bit thick with mayo which I'm not a fan of, and it wasn't deep fried so it had two strikes against it. All in all, I think High Tides is a great spot for a nice sit down lunch for an affordable price. I've heard that dinner is pretty much the same menu but twice the price. I don't like that but I've never been there for dinner so what do I know.
High Tides
1045 NW Bond St
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 389-5244 -
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McKay Cottage - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantMcKay Cottage - Bend OregonMcKay Cottage is soooo far away from where I live and work. I've actually said "man, that's so far away" when someone says we should go to McKay Cottage. That's funny cause nothing in Bend is that far away. I'm spoiled...and a bit of a whiner obviously.
I've already tried the Mckay Burger and received many glowing comments/recommendations about McKay Cottage that when a friend recommended going back, I was all for it. I looked over the menu and was wanting something that I normally don't get the chance to have. Merlot Braised Short Rib Open Face Sandwich or the Turkey Pot Pie looked tempting but then I saw it...
Classic Monte Cristo
Egg bread topped with turkey, ham, and Swiss cheese dipped in egg batter and grilled to a golden brown. Served with a side of strawberry preserves, $8.95
OMG WTF TMC!!! This was insane! The egg bread (french toast) was sooo good as a sandwich and with the strawberry preserves, I thought I was in heaven. I was a bit cynical about McKay's in my last post and all the glowing reviews but I have to say, I'm a fan. I'm sold. McKay Cottage is money and you should go...right now.
I left giggling like a school girl over the joyous meal I was presented. It had everything I love in a meal and the price was right. That was honestly the best Monte Cristo I've ever had and I can't wait to get it again. You go girl!
McKay Cottage
62910 O B Riley Rd
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 383-2697
[www.themckaycottage.com] -
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Village Baker - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantVillage Baker - Bend OregonEvery so often someone will bring in goodies from one of the local bakeries or donut shops. Whenever the Village Baker is brought in, there is always one of these "Brain Bug" looking things filled with cheese and ham. Its flaky like a croissant and it has just a little bit of ham and cheese, just enough to let you know it's there but not enough to be a croissandwich. Lovely.
I know what you're thinking - "Brain Bugs?!?! Frankly I find the idea of a bug that thinks, OFFENSIVE!!"
Brain Bugs Video Clip
I like to throw mine in the microwave for just a few seconds to warm it up. But just before I hit start, I imagine that I'm Doogie Howser, M.D. and I say "It's afraid!!" and then I laugh a little to myself.
Village Baker
1470 SW Knoll Ave # 201
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 318-1054 -
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Easter Brunch in Bend Oregon 2008
» Bend Oregon RestaurantEaster Brunch in Bend Oregon 2008
Update on March 21 to include Terrebonne Depot
I received a couple of emails asking for information on any Easter Brunches this year. I was able to dig up a some info on a few places online and I sent an email out to some restaurants to find out who's doing something special for Easter Brunch. There are a few restaurants opening early (Jackalope Grill) and doing special menu items (Blacksmith) but for brunch, the following restaurants are open for business:
NOTE - If you're restaurant is doing and Easter Brunch, let me know and I'll update the details below. Luv ya.
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Staccato has a brunch every Sunday:
[www.staccatosfirehall.com]
Easter Sunday they are open with their "standard plated brunch in addition to some specials." Hours for brunch are 10am-1pm and reservations are excepted.
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Scanlon's
[www.athleticclubofbend.com]
Scanlon's Brunch 10am-2:30pm
Easter Egg Hunt - 3pm
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McMenamins
[www.mcmenamins.com]
EASTER BRUNCH
9 a.m. 'til 3 p.m. $23.95 adults; $18.95 for seniors; $11.95 kids 6-12; free fkids 5 and under All ages welcome; reservations required
Put on your Easter best and come out for a delicious holiday brunch. All are welcome! Enjoy McMenamins houseroasted coffees or perhaps a glass of Edgefield sparkling wine along with your meal.
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Terrebonne Depot
Will be open this Sunday at 9am for Easter Brunch. They will have a special brunch menu that will run from 9am -2pm. They will also offer our full lunch/dinner menu starting at 11:30 am and close at 5pm.
http://www.TerrebonneDepot.com
Reservations are recommended: 541-548-5030
Some of the Easter Brunch menu items include:
- Blina (crepe style pancake) stuffed house smoked salmon with a lemon beurré blanc sauce
- Spinach Feta Quiche served with rosemary roasted red potatoes
- House smoked Andouille Sausage Scramble with roasted red peppers, caramelized onions and Monterey Jack cheese.
- Homemade biscuits and gravy
- Fresh baked pastries.
- They will also offer our lunch/dinner menu starting at 11:30am.
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Mt. Bachelor Ski Restort - Easter Sunday Brunch
[www.mtbachelor.com]
Date: Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008
Location: The Clearing Rock Bar in West Village
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM $
19.95 Adults/ $12.95 Children 12 or under
Required Reservations can be made at West Village Information booth or by calling 541-382-2442 ext. 2280
Brunch Menu
Eggs Benedict Provençal
Smoked Bacon, Italian and Pork Link Sausage
Roasted Red Potatoes and Pesto Rice Pilaf
Stuffed French Toast with Crème Anglaise and Fresh Berries
Dungeness Crab Cakes with Tomato Cream
Tequila Chicken Sauté
Home Made Pastries
Cheese and Berry Blintz
Smoked Salmon with Bagels and Herbed Cream Cheese
Baked Honey Ham
Roast Prime Rib Au Jus
Three Cheese Egg Scramble
Fresh Fruit Assortment
Extensive Dessert Selection
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Sun River Resort
Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt - Sunday, March 23, 2008
[www.sunriver-resort.com]
MEADOWS AT THE LODGE
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Cost: Adults $33 / Children (6 to 12) $17 / Kids 5 and under eat free
Unique interactive serving stations will include creme brulee station, make-you-own juice station, sushi station, kids-only station, and more.
GREAT HALL
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Cost: Adults $33 / Children (6 to 12) $17 / Kids 5 and under eat free
Elaborate buffet-style brunch featuring a carving station, omelet station, seafood station, gourmet salads, a house-made dessert table and signature hot entrees.
EASTER EGG HUNT
Starting at 11:30am, children are invited to take part in the annual Great Hall Easter Egg Hunt. For $10, each child receives an official "hunting license," a basket and all the eggs he or she can find.
Please call 541-593-4609 for reservations. -
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Quick Lunch on the West side - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantThere is a new Taco Del Mar open on the West side next to Starbucks in the Safeway parking lot. I am very pleased to see another quick lunch option in that area. I find myself over on THE Westsieeede often and sometimes I need a quick bite before one of my important board meetings where I buy and sell things on the nasdaque jones. I'm a big time power lunch kinda guy.
That got me thinking of all the spots for a quick bite on the West side of Bend. West side being between Colorado and Newport and West of downtown.
Baldy's is not super fast plus is it can be messy. You have to call ahead at Croutons if you want to eat lunch during lunch time. McDonalds is ... well ... McDonalds. Subway is ok but gets old really fast. Pizzicato lacks seating space in the winter months. Cascade Lodge is not very good. Longboard Louie's is decent if you get in before the highschool punks flood the place. Cibelli's is good if you don't mind standing while you eat your monsterous slice as other patrons bump paste to get theirs. Parilla is aight, but it's difficult to get a parking spot sometimes and doesn't really fill you up. Mother's is for the organic smoothy lovin hippy's along with the quick wraps at Devours.
I actually love the wraps at Devours. A nice filling wrap for a few bucks and some kettle chips are some good eats, if you can only get into them. Seriously, they seal those things in about a ton of plastic wrap. Take it easy on the earth there hippy. A wrap from Devours followed by take out from Toomies and you've just made Al Gore shed a single tear.
So, where else can you get a quick bite on the West side?
UPDATE - Because of the great comments, I had to update the above post. I meant to say Pizzicato in the post instead of Pizza Mondo. I was going to mention the grocery stores but I don't like any of them really. Props to Rays Liquor Store, that's the best lunch in town!
I forgot that Hurricane's has sandwiches, I'll have to give them a try. The OHP isn't quick enough to make the list in my opinion.
And I've never heard of Nancy P's. Do they have food?
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New York City Sub Shop - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantNew York City Sub Shop New York City Sub Shop in downtown Bend Oregon serves up sub sandwiches on bread that's baked fresh daily. They have a great story and you can read all about it and view their menu online. I don't really care about all that, I just want a good sandwich at a great price.
On my latest visit to the NY Sub Shop I decided on the New York Special - Extra Salami, Provolone, and Ham served hot.
When I told a friend that I went to the NY sub shop for lunch, she summed it up nicely with "Want some meat with your bread".
The bread is good but there is a lot of it. For the $11.20 I paid for the full sandwich, about $9 of it was bread. For the $11.20 for the sandwich, whatever for a fountain drink that will cost $0.75 for refills, the Sub Shop is crazy expensive for the amount of meat you get. Now if you like bread, this is the place for you.
New York City Sub Shop
[www.newyorkcitysubs.com]
1043 NW Bond St.
Bend, OR 97701
Phone: (541) 388-4498
Fax: (541) 388-0090 -
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Beer is Good
» Bend Oregon RestaurantHave I mentioned that I like beer? Well, I do. I love it. I've only met a few beers that I have not liked. If I come across a beer that is not my favorite I'll say "This is not my favorite" and I'll slosh it down and get something else.
You like that? I don't want to waste, you know, just doing my part for the environment and all.
Anyway, I got word that the Blacksmith had two new beers joining their already impressive beer list. The Blacksmith has the best beer list Bend by far. The new additions are the Victory Storm King Stout and the BBC Imperial Pilsner.
The Victory Storm King Stout reminded me of the Abyss which has been so popular in Bend. It has 7.6% ABV which I think means Alcohol Beer Volume and 72 Kuricks, 12 parsecs, and 3 credits. They threw in some IBU (International Beer Units) for that robust, rich, malty flavor.
BBC's Imperial Pilsner was scrumptious. Containing only 5 xml's and 6 php's this beer is incredibly flavorful. All my research on the beer attributes are thanks to the interwebs. I use my AOL 4.6 cd's to gain access to my emachine. It worx wells.
I think the IBUs have done their job for the evening.
[www.bendblacksmith.com]
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Chow - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantCHOW - Bend OregonIn my previous visit to CHOW, I expressed my concern over the rather small portions. Since then many people have expressed their different opinions on CHOW to me. One friend said "CHOW is the best thing to happen to Bend in ages". I still have not had the opportunity to try CHOW's breakfast but was able to swing by for dinner.
The menu we looked over was quite a bit different than the one posted online. We decided to start off with the Ahi Tuna with a slab of pork belly. The tuna was delicious and when you combined it with a small bite of the fatty pork belly, you're in heaven. Pork is really good for you. No it's not healthy, but it is good for you. Makes you feel good inside, like a hug.
The tuna appetizer was $14 dollars and I'm not so sure I'd get it again. I felt that the portion of tuna was a bit on the small side. I would have liked more tuna and less pork belly (I can't believe I just said that). Tasted great all around though.
I ordered the Beef Tenderloin served with some foie gras butter, a beef cheek ravioli and some greens for $28.
The beef was cooked a little long but was still very tender and absolutely grubbin. I was very pleased with my meal and the beef cheek was insanely good. Beef + Beef + very little greens + fatty duck liver butter = Happy BOR. I'd go back for this dish for sure.
The wife got the Pork Loin that also came with a slab of the pork belly, some potatoes au gratin, and some collard greens for $27. The only knowledge I have about the price of pork belly comes from the 100 times I've seen Trading Places with Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroid. I know that pork in general is not as expensive as beef so why would her pork loin cost only a dollar less than my double beef delight? No idea, but that stuff drives me nuts.
The photo of her entree did not come out. After this dinner, CHOW will be in the rotation for a nice dinner out. Oh, I have to mention the HUGE clock by the fire place. Not sure what's going on over there but the wife pointed out that the time on the clock was 4:20 and not moving. Funny stuff.
So anyway, the portions were much better at CHOW this time around and I do look forward to going back. I also am really trying to get over there for breakfast. Stay tuned.
CHOW
1110 NW Newport Ave
Bend, Oregon 97701
541-728-0256
[www.chowbend.com]
Hours
Open 7 days
Breakfast and Lunch 7am to 2pm
Dinner 5pm to Close
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BOR made the Bulletin, almost
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI'm pleased to see that Peter Sachs covered the Blogger Meeting that took place last month. The meeting was news worthy, you bloggers are a powerful bunch. It was great to see so many people that write about some interesting things.
It's so easy to post about a news worthy event and get the word out before the traditional press can get it to print. I'm always trying to post about a restaurant before Jon does. There is only one publicist that sends me any news on restaurants so sometimes I'm finding out about a new place thanks to the CO Bloggers. So it was good to hear that Peter was interesting in writing an article on the CO Bloggers.
I enjoyed speaking with Peter briefly at the Blogger Meeting and we exchanged a few emails afterward to set up an interview but I withdrew when his editor would not allow me to be quoted as BOR or the Bend Oregon Restaurants Blogger. They had to have my real name to use in the article so I decided against it.
I really enjoyed the article and was mentioned by my boy Keith over at the Speedshop Deli. I like chatting with Keith every time I go in. I like to get updates on the nuke pickles and now he even has Nuke Peppercini's and looking to add more NUKE items to the deli. I was just visiting the Speedshop the other day and got the Red Line. Genoa Salami and Swiss Cheese. Keith sliced the salami paper thin and stacked it up high. It was hella good. But I wussed out and went to 2nd gear. Don't tease me bro, don't tease me.
The article is going up on the wall but I'll just put a burger over Jake's face and pretend that it's me.
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Bistro Corlise Open House & Tasting
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI received this notice the other day about Bistro Colise's wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres coming up tomorrow evening. I am going to start posting things like this that I hear about on Friday's. However, since this event is happening tomorrow night, I am posting today. I really don't feel that I need to explain, just read it, show up for your free food and drink and shut up.
I'll be there.
EVENT DATE: First Friday, March 7
First Friday: Bistro Corlise Open House & Tasting
(BEND, OR) Bistro Corlise will host an Open House & Tasting with complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres for First Friday, March 7. The restaurant will be closed for dining, but the bar will be open. For more, please call 385-6979 or visit [www.bistrocorlise.com] . Bistro Corlise is located downtown Bend at 916 NW Wall Street.
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El Burrito - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantEl Burrito - Bend OregonSome Mexican food lovin friends of mine met me at El Burrito for some lunch last week. It is no secret that I and a huge fan of Mexican cuisine. I'd eat it for every meal if I could. El Burrito was off my radar until I took a wrong turn looking for Stars and ended up on the wrong side of 3rd street.
I'm kidding. I wasn't looking for Stars...shoot, I KNOW where Stars is. I'm just not allowed to go. The wife doesn't really mind the naked ladies, just doesn't like the idea of me giving them our money. It just occurred to me that I have not reviewed the food at Stars yet. Mmmm stripper glitter on my steak like some sea salt sounds good right.
Anyway, one of my friends uses tacos as his benchmark for whether a Mexican joint is good or not. He orders three tacos; al pastor, carna asada, and pork/carnitas on "a comal" (soft corn) tortilla shells. I totally bit off him and ordered the exact same thing. I LOVE tacos and I don't care that I ordered the exact same thing as someone else at the table.
I didn't fall in love with El Burrito like many of the loyal followers yet. I do want to go back to try something else. The tacos were ok but not great. The al pastor was really salty and the carna asada was a bit dry.The chips and salsa were just like I like them, free and spicy. Nothing on the menu is overly priced and I am looking forward to trying something else soon.
El Burrito
335 NE Dekalb Street
Bend Oregon 97702 -
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Bo Restobar - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBo RestobarI went to Bo Restobar for lunch last week and honestly can't wait to go back. There were so many different Pan-Asian dishes on the menu that looked really good and quite reasonably priced. Prices ranged from about $8-$13. The small plates were not that cheap in comparison to the sandwiches and looked really small when I was watching them arrive at the tables around us. For a fatty like me, I need something with more substance for my dollar.
I looked over the menu and was close to getting the Thai Chicken sandwich but at the last minute I saw the King Crab Club. You all know that I'm a sucker for a good club. I mean, slap some bacon on a sandwich and I'm totally there. I also could not resist trying Bo's Lemongrass Clam Chowder. With a description like "a chowder to make you forget all others" I had to give it a go.
First up, the Chowder:
I would say that this is the best clam chowder I've ever had in Oregon but I can't honestly remember any of the others. Funny how that happens. The photo was taken after I had grubbed up half the cup.The King Crab Club consists of crab cakes, bacon, avacado, and lettuce on toasted egg bread. For a side, I chose the Asian Salad over the fries since I was getting the club and had a cup of creamy chowder. You know, got to watch the figure and all. This bad boy was a killer club and followed most of the traditional requirements that I enjoy (aside from the crab cake).
I was also able to get a bite of my friend's Koreadilla. Another awesome name for a dish. I was cracking up thinking about Napoleon's Grandma saying "Make yourself a dang Koreadilla". Ahhh good times. Anyway, it was good too.
I will be back soon to give some of the other dishes a try. Believe Dat!
Bo Restobar
550 NW Franklin Ave
Suite 118
Bend Oregon 97702
http://www.borestobar.com/ -
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Bistro Corlise Regional Dinner - March 18
» Bend Oregon RestaurantThis sounds hella good! Anyone been to Bistro Corlise yet?
EVENT DATE: Tuesday, March 18
Dinner Celebrates Food & Wine of France’s Southwest Region
Bistro Corlise Presents A Five-Course Journey Through Beam, Quercy, Gers and Basque Country
(BEND, OR) Bistro Corlise’s Chef Jason Logan presents an evening of culinary delights from the southwest region of France on Tuesday, March 18. Seating is limited for this special five-course meal paired with regional wines and liqueur.
“Gastronomically, this region is defined as the Bearn, the Quercy, the Gers, and the Basque country; areas south of Bordeaux, north of the Pyrenees Mountains, and west of Languedoc,” explains Chef Logan. “With enough diversity and tradition to fill a lifetime of cooking, eating, and drinking, we take an evening to travel through this area of culinary treasures and amazing regional wines.”
The menu for the evening includes a first course of soupe (fish soup, fish mousseline) paired with Domaine Brumont, Pacherenc Du vic Bilh Sec, 2005. Second course is langue d’agneau (lamb tongue, cabbage, lentils, potato, lamb daube) paired with Domaines Jouffreau, Clos du Gamot, Cahors, 1989. Third course is canard (pan roasted duck breast, crépinette of duck leg, yellow foot chanterelles, cauliflower, sauce bigarade) paired with Domaine Brumont, V.V, Madiran, 2002. The fourth course pairs Domaine Brumont, Pacherenc Du Vic Doux Brumaire, 2004 with gâteau de noyer (walnut cake, prune curd, orange gelée). And for the finish, fromage (Roquefort cheese, golden raisin) and Bernard Boutinet, NV, Pineau des Charentes Blanc.
Certified by the International Sommelier Guild, Chef Logan lets wine lead the way through the cuisine. “We will be featuring three of Alain Brumont’s wines, a famed winemaker from the Madiran, says Logan. “Jean Jouffreau’s 1989 Clos du Gamont Cahors is another delightful find for this evening; the Jouffreau family has been making wine since 1610, passed down from father to son. Finishing the evening will be a Pineau des Charentes, an unfermented grape juice added to cognac, thus making a beautiful ‘vin de liqueur’.”
Cost for the Southwest France dinner is $125.00 per person. Seating is limited. For reservations, please call 385-6979 or visit www.bistrocorlise.com. Bistro Corlise is located downtown Bend at 916 NW Wall Street.
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Parilla Grill - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantParilla GrillParilla Grill is a little on the fufu side for me but every now and then I like to mix it up with the hippy types and go for a wrap with some bamboo shoots in it. I swear I have never seen bamboo shoots on sooo many different menus in one location as there are in Bend.
Parilla Grill has some creative wraps to choose from and you really can't go wrong with any option. I like the red headed step child and the Wrap of Khan the most. Below is the Chicken Wrap of Khan.
The Wrap of Khan comes with a bean paste, rice, cabbage, and bamboo shoots. I get the recommendations which consist of corn salsa and Gorgonzola. Then I ask for a healthy dose of wasabi. The wasabi is a great addition for flavor and heat but the only drawback is that while you eat your wrap, all the wasabi runs to the bottom and your last few bites can be painful.
A couple things to note...first there is that little container of hot sauce / salsa that you see in the first photo and a good portion of it in the second photo being put to use. Second is how the tin foil is still wrapped around my wrap.
The hot sauce is called Stash. They call it stash because they keep it stashed under the counter and only bust it out for the cool folk like me. Ask for it on the side like I do so you can distribute as you please. This s--t is hot as balls. I'm not sure why I use that saying but I do. Hot as balls. It's funny to me. Anyway, Stash adds great flavor to any wrap and brings some serious heat.
The foil is pointed out mainly so I can make fun of this rookie employee at a company I work at (sometimes). She says that Parilla has the wettest burritos ever. Even calls them soup in a tortilla. She loves the place but complains about having the juice run all down her arm.
OK, "rook", keep your wrap wrapped up in the foil as you eat it. It's not difficult. It's not rocket surgery. Be smarter than the wrap, it's difficult sometimes but you can do it.
The wraps from Parilla are rather juicy but if you keep it wrapped up and don't try to eat and drive, you'll be alright.
My wrap from Parilla ran me $7, threw a buck into the tip jar which has a sign that reads "don't be mean, add some green if you want to hear the bell ring". Homeboy rings the bell as my dollar falls into the jar. I get my recognition and I'm out.
Parilla Grill
635 NW 14th Street
541-617-9600
Bend Oregon -
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you arrogant anus!
» Bend Oregon RestaurantAt last night's CO Blogger Meeting at the Blacksmith I got to meet a lot of the Bend Oregon Bloggers, well, the good ones anyway (kidding, they aren't that good! hahaha in your collective face!). Just jokes, I really liked meeting everyone.
I received some pretty good feedback on my blog like "I agree with you 40% of the time" or "How could you possibly say that CHOW has small portions" of "I thought you'd be more portly". Most were disappointed when they found out that I am who I am. That hurt a little inside Jake.
Look, I'm just a regular guy who likes to eat at restaurants. I don't boast having the best pallet or that I can write good words and stuff. Just like some people don't agree with my commentary, I don't agree with many of the restaurant reviews that are published. I think they are too nice to too many places. I pay for my meals so I tell it like I see it...if I enjoyed my meal, I'll let you know. If I didn't, I'll REALLY let you know. Now if a restaurant were to give me free food, that might change things...how can you say something bad about something free? Just say thank you.
I write this blog for selfish reasons. I like to write. I laugh at my own jokes. I think I'm really funny and when I get going on rants, that's when I laugh the most. I LOVE my edamame post, it's by far my favorite and I think I'm going to try and do more of that type of posting. This blog was not created to make me any money. I have ads like most blogs do and it generates a few bucks here and there. All of the money I make from my ads goes directly to NeighborImpact. I'm not associated with them in any capacity, I just thought that a food blog should donate to a Feed the Need type charity.
Once I receive my stinkin check from Google, I'll be sending it right on over. For some reason, I still haven't been paid...it's a looong story. It'll happen soon.
Anyway, at the Blogger round up, I was explaining about the hate mail that I get. I LOVE the comments that I get. All of them. I don't publish all the comments cause most are stupid. I send some of them on to the restaurants if I think it's a good enough rant but not reliable enough for me to publish. Some are just weird.
There are the weird rants:
"I think that all of you who have said something negative about this place....should do some re-thinking. How much time do you think these hard Chinese workers work to just get you stupid customers what you want. It's all TAKEOUT TAKEOUT TAKEOUT. They don't need all this %&&$*#* pressure from you Americans. Now you need to think again...you think is too greasy? Think about McDonalds. Mcdonalds is considered as greasy but you still eat it."
There are the long stories about the history of the owners. I don't care where the owners of Hola! came from in your opinion. I don't want this history from you. If I ever post about the owners, it is because I know them or have talked to them.
I love the negative comments about my favorite places...yeah I'll be sure to publish that one. My blog is not your blog. I don't care about your anonymous opinion, I only care about my anonymous opinion.
The spellchecker kills me. "spellcheck:clomplaints" That's it, that's all I get. I love whoever this is. Sometimes I forget to click on the spell check or it doesn't work or whatever. It just tells me that you're reading, and you love me.
There are the comments that look like restaurant owners or employees commenting:
"This is absolutely my favorite favorite place to eat! I feel they have perfected the usually ordinary club sandwich. If you are ever lucky enough to be there on a day they are serving corn chowder then grab some!! Potato Bacon comes in at a close second. Yummmmmmmmmmmm"
There are the "worst service ever" rants which I don't publish. I wasn't there buddy, I can't verify that this actually happened. I appreciate the heads up but until I experience it for myself, I'm not going to publish your "the owner didn't even come out boo whoo waaaaah" comments. Speaking of which, I am amazed by some of the comments I get about service. What really do people expect when a dish is not exactly what they ordered? Of course have it corrected but do they need to kiss your ass after that and parade the owners and chefs out with their tails between their legs and beg your ever lasting forgiveness? Do you do that for your customers when you make a mistake? Shut up and eat.
Then there is my all time favorite comment I have received to date. Well, the deep rap was a comment that was so good that I had to give it a post of it's own. So other than that, this is my favorite comment of all time. This comment came in on my Edamame post and floored me. I was dying. I still laugh every time I read it. This person read my post about the boiled soy beans and simply said
"you arrogant anus!"
So simple, so brilliant! How often do you get to throw around "anus" in an insult? Ahhh man that's good stuff.
Well, keep the comments and emails coming. It's great stuff and keeps me entertained throughout my day.
-BOR
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CO Blogger Meet Up 2008
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI read that the blogger meet up was a big success. I couldn't make it but I guess some JackNut showed up saying he was me. That guy thinks he is so cool. Trust me, he isn't. I'll make it to the next one.
In the photo, I'm wondering where is Monkey or Lyle? Where is the Bubble Boy? Duncan? Maybe next time. Who's the tool with the School House Rockish wanna be Mayor McCheese icon for a face?
[somethingalways.blogspot.com]
[chubbymommyrunningclub.blogspot.com]
[utterlyboring.com]
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I'm Coming Out!
» Bend Oregon RestaurantI want the world to know...
That's a Diana Ross quote, not the newer version. Anyway, there is the Blogger Meet-Up happening at the Blacksmith this Thursday. I know that everyone is really going just to meet me but whatever, I'll play along.
Haha, I'm joking. I love this idea and while I'd like to try and remain anonymous, my identity has been leaking out so I might as well meet the local bloggers in person. Although I've met a ton of the local bloggers already, I bit my toungue so I wouldn't let out that I'm the jacknut that writes this silly blog. So I'm really going just so they could actually meet me.
But honestly, z21 needs to be there to cover this event, the Bulletin, the Source, everyone with a blog, and if you don't have one, start one and come buy me a pint.
RSVP to Shannon - email: shanlee at gmail.com
Blacksmith restaurant
211 NW Greenwood Ave,
Bend, Oregon 97701
541.318.0588
[www.bendblacksmith.com]
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Nuke Pickle - Speedshop Full Throttle Deli
» Bend Oregon RestaurantNuke CyclesSo I've been to the Speedshop Full Throttle Deli quite a few times now and always go with the same turkey sandwich and get the 6th Gear. On my last visit, I noticed the big ass pickles in the deli case and asked for one...I like pickles. But Keith (the owner) had a better option for me. From the fridge in the back he brought out his latest concoction, pickles soaked in Nuke Paste Juice. Nuke Paste is his blend of 7 peppers and some other goodies that add great flavor and heat to his sangwiches. He gave me one of the pickles and OH MOMMA was it good.
Crispy, juicy, spicy, garlicy pickles. They had only been brining for 24 hours so over the next few days, these bad boys should be packing a punch. Now all he needs is to make some Nuke Drink. "We got some milk, some soda, some purple stuff, oh and Nuke Delight....yeahhhh".
Ok, so if you're still reading this, Keith needs your help. Well, he didn't ask, I'm asking for him. He's trying to figure out a name for these pickles. He's thinking "Nuke Bomb" or "Nuke Missle" since the pickles look similar to a missle. For me, I like the Nuke part but am thinking of something less destructive to counter the Nuke name.
I want to call them NukeSickles or Nuke Cycles like Nuke+Sauce+Pickles and then add in the Cy like motorcycles, ok, not my best work. My friend HopHound wants to call it the Nuke Gingrich. Please send in your comments, lets get these bad boys a killer name.
Speedshop Full Throttle Deli
805 NW Wall Street
Bend, Oregon 97701
728-0303
M-F 10am-8pm
S-S 10am-5pm
[www.bendspeedshop.com]
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Heart Shaped Pizza - Papa Murphy's
» Bend Oregon RestaurantPapa Murphy's Heart Shaped PizzaI hate Valentine's Day. I never have like the Hallmark of Holiday's and I especially have never liked the price of flowers. Good lordy, you'd think roses were made of gold or could get you high by sniffing them for how much they cost in February. The wife and I started our lives together pretty poor. In fact, I recently found a pay stub from a job I had when we moved in together. Oh man, after rent, I think all I could afford was the Heart Shaped Pizza from Papa Murphy's on Valentines Day. Back then I believe it was $5.99 and was a nice break from our nightly chicken and rice (and some nights it was just rice).
We've been renting a movie and eating the Heart Shaped Pizza every year since. This year was no exception. Wouldn't you know it, Bend's Best Food Critic (yeah, that's me) eats Papa Murphy's Pizza on one of the best dining out nights of the year. That's right, I think I am the best food critic in Bend. I'm not the best restaurant reviewer. I think you need some writing skills which I aint gots. Laurie J. Rice takes the prize there although I don't like some of the restaurants that she reviews, that girl has skillz.
MMMmmm. I preheat to 430 and bake for 10 minutes, rotate and bake for another 5 on the bottom rack. Good eats!
Papa Murphy's Take n Bake Pizza
[www.papamurphys.com]
NE:
(541) 389-7272
211 Ne Revere Ave, Bend, OR
South:
(541) 382-6767
61160 S Highway 97 Ste E, Bend, OR
Another awesome review of Papa Murphy's - Bend Oregon -
The Summit Saloon and Stage - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantThe Summit Saloon and StageOn my first visit to the Summit Saloon and Stage I was all excited to get a photo of my food (to share with all of my loyal readers of course). I got my food and bust out my good camer, turn it on and realize the memory card is not with me. Dang it. So I wanted to go back and get better photos instead of the cell phone crappy ones.
On my first visit to the Summit Saloon, I ordered the special, a meatball sandwich and then a cup of the crab soup. The sandwich and fries were great, the soup was tasty but missing the crab. $5 for a cup of soup you'd hope to get some crab at least. Cell phone photo below.
On my most recent visit to the Summit Saloon, and after reading the comments on Shannon's blog about the burger and fries, I had to give them a shot. I was waiting for some friends so I ordered the chips and salsa. For $4, it's probably the best deal on the entire menu. Both the mango and traditional salsa's were awesome. The chips were salty which is great while sipping on one of the many beers on tap. It was a great starter while we waited for our grub.
I ordered a regular burger for $9 and added bacon for a buck. You do get a nice selection of sides on the menu which I always like to see but since Shannon said the fries are the best in Bend, I ordered the fries as my side.
I was rather impressed with the size of the burger on a hearty kaiser roll. The burger tasted good although it was a little over cooked for my liking. I asked for it medium which usually has a little pink inside and it was between well done and medium well. The fries were not the best fries in Bend at all. They were just your basic french fries.
All in all, I like the menu, the beer selection is decent, I like the server (Becky) on both visits. Even though one server for lunch is not enough so if you're in a rush, The Summit Saloon may not be the fastest option. I felt there were good aspects to the meals I've had but I'm not entirely head over heals.
The Summit Saloon
125 NW Oregon Avenue
Downtown Bend 541-749-2440
[www.myspace.com] - Get a real website fellas -
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Baldy's BBQ Customer Appreciation Week
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBaldy's BBQLast week was Baldy's BBQ's Customer Appreciation Week as Baldy was celebrating their 3 year anniversary. It was their actual 3 year anniversary unlike other blogs that post yearly anniversaries after a couple months. I remember going to Baldy's the first night they were opened. I was super excited to have an actual BBQ joint in town.
I called up a BBQ friend and with the wife, we shared the sampler to try out all the different options. Everything was great and we've been back many times in the past three years. I normally get the ribs, by far the best in Bend.
Anyway, I noticed a big yellow sign the last time I drove by:
So we decided to go in for a quick lunch on Saturday. The wife and I split the $3 chili and $3 smothered fries and each had some ribs. Awesome all around. But watching Brian (Baldy) and his crew put a 70 lb pig into a smoker on top of a big snow bank was really interesting. No camera with me and cell phone photos were not going to do it justice. So I asked when the piggy was going to come out and said I'd come back for some photos.
I was lucky enough to get one of those pieces he trimmed off but the pig wasn't completely ready to come out. The piece I had was juicy, tender, and the skin was crispy and delicious! I wish I could have stuck around until it came out but I had to jet.
Another review of Baldy's Barbeque
And yet another review of Baldy's Barbeque
Baldy's BBQ
235 SW Century Dr
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 385-7427
385-Ribs
[www.baldysbbq.com] -
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Zydeco Restaurant - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTags: restaurant Zydeco [edit]
Zydeco RestaurantWe made it back to Zydeco Kitchen and Cocktails to try out these Ribs that people keep telling me I have to try. In the Best Ribs in Bend Oregon 2007 post, I didn't even mention Zydeco because I've never tried their ribs. So I on this visit, I wanted to make sure to give them a shot.
I don't have a photo of my dinner, for some reason none of the shots came out. The photo of the wife's steak came out just fine.
Her steak was awesome! It couldn't have been any better. I was jealous. But back to the ribs. On the menu they are discribed as Barbecued Baby Back Ribs - slow-cooked with mashed potatoes & roasted vegetables. They only thing Barbecued about these ribs is the BBQ Sauce applied as they are thrown in the oven.
Now I don't know this for sure, but I'm willing to bet that these ribs never see a flame. They are delicious, don't get me wrong. But these ribs are slow cooked in a crock pot and finished in the oven. That is NOT barbecue. So my beef is just with them calling them Barbeque ribs.
The ribs were presented in sets of threes and stacked on top of each other. I used a fork to try and lift the top set off as they were covered in sauce. The bone was the only thing that came up off the plate and the meat stayed put. If tenderness is a big deal for you, it doesn't get any more tender than Zydeco's Ribs.
The ribs were delicious, super tender, and the sauce was good. We grubbed them up. Zydeco is damn good. I have not been disappointed yet. The service is great and the food comes out quickly and is prepared as requested. All around a great place.
Zydeco Kitchen and Cocktails
1085 SE 3rd st
Bend, OR
541-312-2899
[www.zydecokitchen.com] -
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Deschutes Brewery’s 5th Annual Crab Bake
» Bend Oregon RestaurantDeschutes Brewery’s 5th Annual Crab Bake
This past Saturday was a great day. I started off with a 6th Gear Sangwich and met the Monkey and finished it off with all you can eat crab at Deschutes Brewery 5th annual crab bake. I am a whore for some crab. Seriously. I love shell fish especially crab and lobster. So when I got an email from the Deep Rapper about the crab bake, I was in.
The wife can’t stand the smell of crab or lobster so I save $75 and I still get my fill of beer and all the crabs I can handle. It’s a win win win….win.
I arrived just after 6 and am slapped in the face by the Island sounds of Bill Keale giving a Hawaiian twist to some classic songs. I quickly get a pint of the absolutely delicious Green Lakes Organic Ale which I stuck with for the entire night aside from a miss timed blown keg episode where I was forced to slosh down a tourist favorite, Mirror Pond. Longest 10 minutes of my life.
Back to me whoring it up for some shell fish. I took my pint to my table, dropped off my camera and jumped in line for some oysters. Fresh raw oysters in the half shell you can keep, I don’t dig on the slimy uncooked raw oysters in buffet style fashion. I’ll stick with the cooked Oysters Rockefeller or in this case, the seafood medley as they had renamed it from the time I viewed the menu online to the printed version on my table.
I grabbed three Oyster Medley’s and spooned on a sample of each of the three sauces available, one cayenne pepper sauce (probably too spicy for the Monk), one cocktail, and one mystery clear, buttery/oily looking thing with pepper and garlic mixed in. All were great and the cooked oysters mixed with all sorts of goodies and some bacon…a winner in my book.
Next up was the Crab Vol-au-vent or as any regular chap would say - Seafood filled Puff Pastry. The Brewerman summed it up nicely when he said “I could eat 20 of those”. Sounds like a challenge for another time. They were good and not to heavy on the mayo which I sort of expected.
Ah the Crab Louie. Redmond Rodge didn’t make it out to this event like he did the last time but he’d have done the same as I did…eat the crab, leave the veg. My wedge of iceberg could have taken down the Titanic. I barely touched it. I want CRABS!!! (yeah, make your jokes…I don’t care)
At last, a HUGE mixing bowl was placed in the center of our table. I have never stood up to take a photo of food in any restaurant to date, but I was in awe. It was massive. We dug in. I devoured a whole crab and took my time to get all that I could out of each one not wanting to be wasteful. But once that second bowl of crab boil was place on our table, I was all about the claws, large leg portions, and body meat. I didn’t waste much time with the smaller portions of the legs and whatnot.
And I had to take a photo of the Coffee Pot full of clarified butter.
I was sad as our bowls didn’t have any sausage as promised by the menu. As I went up for another pint, a friend at another table shared the same disappointment. I talked to a couple of the friendly waitresses and wouldn’t you know it, later in the evening a small bowl of sausages topped with one peel and eat prawn was placed in front of me. Thank you Missy and Jen!
Then there was dessert but it had coconut which I don’t really care for and I’m not even a big fan of dessert anyhow so here ‘s the photo of the Keylime pie and we’ll move on.
Awesome night all around. I absolutely love these events and wish I would get more notice for when they are doing something up at the mountain room. They should have an RSS feed on the events page.
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Monkey Likes the 6th Gear
» Bend Oregon RestaurantThe wife and I were on our way to Soba for a late lunch on Saturday when I saw the sign for SpeedShop and realized the wife had not been there yet. I was excited to get another shot at the 6th gear.
As we sat waiting for our order, a man stood at the register waiting to place his. He orders his sandwich with the 6th gear. Keith, the owner, mentioned that I was getting the 6th gear as well and pointed me out. There are only two names on the 6th Gear Sign up sheet, so it's pretty obvious that I'm not Danielle.
The customer asked "Are you BOR"?
I paused thinking if I could pass it off as not being BOR in anyway....not a chance as Keith totally outed me. "Yes" I answered.
"I'm Monkey in the Box" he replies and we shake hands.
That was pretty funny. He even ordered the same sandwich as I get every time - The Roost. We chatted while we both ate our turkey sandwiches with the spicy sauce. Of course on his blog he says I was whimpering over the spice. I don't whimper and I took the heat like a man. It does make my nose run though. I love that stuff. As I remember it, the Monkey had to take his sandwich to-go as the heat was too much for him. He tried to hide the pain but we saw right through it.
Most of the bloggers I've met, don't know that I'm BOR. I'm not even sure if most of them know that they've met me. I've met Jake, Jen, Dave, Jon, Shannon, Duncan, Chris, Brian, Lyle, and Elise. It is amazing how tight knit the Bend Blogging community really is. Now the Monkey knows my face. Its only a matter of time before my identity is public knowledge.
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Sweetheart Donuts
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTags: Donuts Sweetheart [edit]
Sweetheart Donuts - Bend OregonI was driving down 97 (or 3rd street) and noticed Sweetheart Donuts sitting there. Lately I have noticed that I scan the streets for restaurants that I have not been to that I'd like to visit and write about. I realized as I saw the 25 year old donut shack that I have never had a donut from there.
That's a shame. So this morning I made it a point to swing by and grab a box. For only $6.60 I was handed this box of delicious donuts.
I'm not going to lie and say they were all incredible since I only ate one. I mean, I'm a fatty but I'm not about to polish off a box of donuts all to myself. I shared with some office folks and I kept the maple bar for myself. The dough was light and after a quick toss into the microwave for 5 seconds it was soft and warm. I nuked it since the box of donuts were so cold just from the parking lot into the office.
The maple frosting was spread on generously and very rich. With my coffee, it was a great start to a Friday. The wife enjoyed her Coconut donut (ick). She said it was "blah blah blah" I wasn't listening since it was Coconut. Nasty. I took a quick survey and everyone said their donut was good. It could have been that no one wanted to say anything about a free donut but whatever. I don't care, I don't really even work there.
Sweetheart Donuts
505 Ne 3rd St
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 389-7928 -
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Speedshop Full Throttle Deli
» Bend Oregon RestaurantSpeedshop Full Throttle DeliThe Speedshop Full Throttle Deli "will supply you with the best East Coast Style Deli "Sangwiches" (made with Boars Head provisions), salads & local micro brewed beers & wines."
I was chilling at the Best Happy Hour spot in Bend Oregon with some friends a couple weeks ago. While mingling with some of the other guests I heard about this new deli near Pizza Mondo downtown. This guy was telling me about the nuke paste that the Speedshop Deli will put on any sandwich that kicks up the heat and adds great flavor.
Not one to back down from a challenge, I thought I'd give Full Throttle Deli a shot. This little deli is located in the upstairs portion of the Speedshop apparel clothing store. Seems like an odd combination to me. Feels like you're in a showroom or fancy garage with the metal walls and gear all along the walls.
Who cares about any of that? I'm there to eat some spicy sandwiches or "sangwiches" as they call em. I browse through the sandwiches like the Burnout and the Red Line which are all chuck full of Boars Head Meats - MENU. I settle on the Roost - roasted turkey, swiss cheese, roasted red peppers, lettuce & nuke sauce.
Nuke Sauce? What about this nuke paste I heard so much about? They charge me about $0.75 for the first gear. They will go up to 6 gears. If you get 6 gears they will give you a free soda. The owner explains that the nuke paste is a blend of chillies and peppers with some other goodies. Each gear he basically adds more of this paste. 1st gear is a thin layer on the bottom, 2nd gets a layer on top, then its just more and more until you get to 6th gear where you get about 3 tablespoons of the paste.
I take my sandwich, soup, and beer and sit down gearing up for some grub.
The ingredients were top notch and very filling. The freshly sliced turkey was piled high on a delicious roll. The slaw had an Asian vibe to it and was a nice change of pace from the mayo slathered slaw at 99% of the restaurants in Bend. The nuke paste in first gear added a nice bite and the flavor of the blended chillies and peppers really made this sandwich unique. I've never had the opportunity to add that much spice to any sandwich before. I HIGHLY recommend getting at least one gear.
Now, since this first visit, I made it back and jumped from first gear to sixth gear. They charged me an additional $1.75 to shift up to 6th gear but gave me a $2 soda for free. I signed the paper on the counter accepting my membership into the 6th gear club and waited in anticipation. A friend had arrived before me and ordered his sandwich with the first gear and found it rather hot. I was getting nervous.
My first two bites were just fine, I could feel the heat but it wasn't unbearable. Then I hit a bit more nuke paste and was burning up. The free soda was a life saver as I slowly ate the first half of the sandwich. The owners swung by to check on me.
"Well you had 4th gear the last time you were here right?" He asks.
"1st gear only" I say in between gulps of fire quenching beverage.
"1st to 6th?!?! Who does that?!?!?"
Now I feel better. I get glances from the other patrons, one of which was on his 3rd gear and probably feeling manly. But no, I am all that is man. 6th gear puts hair on your chest! Why settle for anything less than the best? Go for the gusto. All or nothing. This is how I dooze it.
Even writing this I can feel my lips tingling. At one point during the second half of the smoking hot Roost, I lost feeling to the left corner of my mouth. I was sweating. I asked for a second napkin as my nose was running so much I needed a separate napkin just for it.
I finish proudly and feel good. I wasn't hurting too bad but kept my snot rag in my pocket as we leave since my nose hasn't stopped running. My dad once told me "A meal isn't a meal unless it makes your nose run".
I received more props as we head downstairs from the other owner and her friend who's working on the front window display. High fives around, and I leave feeling like a rock star. I'm hooked. 6th gear! I dare you.
I dare you.
Speedshop Full Throttle Deli
805 NW Wall Street
Bend, Oregon 97701
728-0303
M-F 10am-8pm
S-S 10am-5pm
[www.bendspeedshop.com] -
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Decoy Bar and Grill - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantDecoy Bar and Grill - Bend OregonIt is not difficult to convince me to try out a new bar and grill and The Decoy (pronounce 'di quah' jokingly amongst my friends) is just that. I was able to join the power lunch crowd recently to check out the The Decoy. I felt a little under dressed as tables around me seemed to be wheeling and dealing with their stocks and bonds and yields, buy / sell, hooplah. I might have been the only person there without a tie.
The Decoy is a nice bar with an elaborate and sort of spendy menu. I looked over the dishes and ended up settling for one of the least expensive items, the Turkey Club for $9. That plus my $8 drink and I was already breaking the $20 mark (including tip).
When my "club" arrived I was sort of confused. What does this look like to you:
To me, it looks like a turkey sandwich with bacon. So then I started thinking about what constitutes a club sandwich vs a regular sandwich. In my opinion a club sandwich should have three slices of buttered toast, cut into quarters, and contain chicken or turkey, ham or bacon, crispy lettuce, juicy tomatoes (which I usually leave off as it can make a mess of things), and mayo.
The above sandwich had two thick slices of toast and was cut in half. The house mayo was a nice touch and added some flavor. The bacon was thin and forgettable and barely noticeable in the photo. It was alright. I wasn't really impressed with the fries either. They were thin and oily if not too thin and burnt.
I'm sure there are other dishes that are much better than this one and I'll probably go back to give it another try. I must try the burger and Laurie and Jon both are loving it. But as far as the club is concerned, I wont order that again.
One thing I have to mention is the water....it tastes like dirt. When restaurants/bars fill your water glass with the same gun they use to spit out your soda, it tends to pick up a stale, dirty flavor. Both my friend and I agreed that the water was not good. Give me some regular tap water instead and I'll be happy.
Laurie has a review of The Decoy Bar and Grill HERE.
Roundabout Bend will post how Decoy is celebrating their one year anniversary soon I'm sure.
The Decoy Bar and Grill
1051 Bond Street, Suite 100
Bend, Oregon 97701
(541) 318-4833
[decoybarandgrill.com]
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Victorian Cafe - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantVictorian CafeIn my recent Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon 2007, I did not name The Victorian Cafe as the winner and a few people have disagreed with me. I knew that would happen but what I did not realize is how important a good breakfast restaurant is for a lot of people. I mean you guys take breakfast very seriously and the loyalty is astounding.
I was lucky enough to get into the Victorian Cafe with zero wait time recently. The wait time is one of the only clomplaints anyone has about the Vic. On weekends you can expect to wait a good hour before being seated.
I went on a weekday and around 9:30ish and we were seated pretty quickly. I was going to go for some of the eggs benedict that are so highly regarded by everyone but instead I opted for the chicken fried steak special. I can't resist fried steak covered in gravy. I just can't!
The only complaint I have is that I ordered the eggs over easy and I should have asked for them over medium. Over easy eggs AND the gravy was a bit on the messy side. The chicken fried steak was crazy good and the gravy was perfect.
I can't wait to go back for one of the drink specials they have for the winter and some of those eggs benedict. Hopefully that will be soon. Here are some other reviews of the Victorian Cafe:
Hack Bend
Bend Living
The Victorian Cafe
1404 NW Galveston Ave.
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-6411 -
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Cafe Yumm - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantCafe Yumm!I'm confused by Cafe Yumm and the people that eat there. Sure the food is healthy, the restaurant is the "Greenest" I think I have ever heard of, and it's located in the Old Mill. But I can't help thinking about my non meat eatin, ultimate Frisbee playin, nalgene totin, NPR listenin, dog lovin, Newport shoppin, friend (yeah, only one of them) when I look over the Tempeh filled menu.
I've been through some rough times in my life where money was really short. Back then we'd eat mostly at home and it was mostly something and rice. One dish in our repertoire came from the wife's ghetto days - chili and rice. Chili from a can, over white rice. Since almost all of our dishes included rice, mixing it up with some chili would be a nice change of pace.
Still, chili and rice was what we had and we enjoyed it mainly cause it cost us about $2 for the entire meal. Now I can drop $5 for the small bowl (and the small is really small - I recommend at least the medium size) of glorified beans and rice from Cafe Yumm and remember the good old days. It's just beans and rice.
Ok, more seriously now, when I visited Cafe Yumm, we were greeted by the friendly staff and given samples of the Original Yumm Bowl which was rather tasty. I didn't think that I'd enjoy an entire bowl of it and I usually look for something with more meat...any meat. I settled for the Secret Asian Man™ salad. Not only did the ingredients sound great together but the name is just hilarious.
Organic field greens, red cabbage, carrots, tomato, cilantro, crispy noodles, sliced almonds, Ginger Miso dressing. Choice of seasoned organic Tofu or premium Turkey. Of course I selected Turkey.
For being a salad, it was pretty good. I was still hungry after I was finished though.
The wife really liked her soup and half sandwich. She's thrilled with Cafe Yumm and is trying to convince me to go back. I don't think it's going to make the rotation until there is a pork product on the menu.
Café Yumm!
The Shops at the Old Mill District
325 SW Powerhouse Drive
Suite 130
Bend, OR 97702
541-318-YUMM (9866)
10am-9pm Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm Sun
[www.cafeyumm.com] -
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Dishcraft Catering - Hans Restaurant's New Venture
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTags: Hans restaurant [edit]
dishcraft cateringWhile reading Roundabout Bend's spamtastic blog I was confused by the posting about Han's Restaurant. Then I read Hack Bend's post about the inaccuracies on the post. So I figured that I should add in my two bits about the link from Spamabout Bend's post to Han's Restaurant (which is a dead link).
Using my wonderful world wide interweb 3.0 skillz I was able to find the real Han's Restaurant website in hopes to see a new location or plans to reopen and found discraft catering instead. The website appears to be more of a place holder as none of the internal links are working yet. But there is a little diddy on dishcraft catering:
"What is dishcraft catering?
A full service catering company in Bend Oregon; bring well crafted food and good company together for your next event. Offering corporate, drop off, wedding, special event and cocktail party catering. Dishcraft utilizes the freshest and highest quality ingredients while working with you to match both your culinary and budget needs."
Good luck to Heidi and her new venture.
dishcraft catering
[www.dishcraftcatering.com] -
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Best of 2007 - Bend Oregon Restaurants
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBend Oregon Restaurants Best of 2007So far I have reviewed over 80 Bend Oregon restaurants and have really enjoyed corresponding with fellow foodies, restaurant owners, and anonymous enthusiasts who all have their own comments and favorites. I made my comments on the 2007 Best of Bend lists published by the Source, Gusto, and Bend Living. I have given advice to tourists who are looking for a couple spots with specific requests.
I've felt cocky enough to spout off my opinion on topics like dining out with kids, when to send food back, restaurant tipping, and breastfeeding in restaurants. Now I feel that I would like nothing more but to stuff some more of my opinions down your throat. So I'm doing my own "Best of" but my best of list has to be a little different. Since I provide my opinion on the actual meal that I eat and not so much on the restaurant itself, I figure my "Best of" list needs to be focused on the actual meals compared to others.
I also feel that "Best of" lists are silly when published before the year is over. A good example is Hans getting best dessert....but they are now closed. Must have been insanely good desserts to win the award without participating for a few months of the year. Anyway, since my opinion is the only one that matters, you'll read the following and love it. My favorite restaurants are based on my own personal experiences at restaurants that I've actually visited.
Here we go.
Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon
Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon
Best Burger in Bend Oregon
Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon
Best French Fries in Bend Oregon
Best Burrito in Bend Oregon
Best Lunch in Bend Oregon
Best Pizza in Bend Oregon
Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon
Best Ribs in Bend Oregon
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Best Burrito in Bend Oregon - 2007
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBest Burrito in Bend OregonBack in August of 06 I spent a week's worth of lunches trying a few different burritos around Bend. Since then I have been able to visit and write up a post on Los Jalapenos, Tortillaria Reyes, El Caporal (chicken burrito this time), The Taco Stand, and Taco Del Mar.
Of all these burritos, I can say that it was tough to pick a winner for Best Burrito in Bend Oregon. I really like the speed, price, and quality of the burrito at the Taco Stand and the quick meal at Taco Del Mar after shopping at Best Buy is a great bite for lunch. It really depends on what you want out of your burrito to determine where the best one is. If I'm in the car or on the go, you dont want to deal with a knife and fork so I'd recommend Longboard Louis or Tortillaria Reyes.
But when you weigh the quality and the price, the value you get from El Caporal is unbeatable. Chips and salsa are complimentary, you get rice, beans, and an enchilada style chicken burrito for $8.25. El Caporal's Chicken Burrito is my choice for the Best Burrito in Bend Oregon.
El Caporal West
744 NW Bond Street
Downtown Bend, Oregon
541-322-8916
Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon
Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon
Best Burger in Bend Oregon
Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon
Best French Fries in Bend Oregon
Best Burrito in Bend Oregon
Best Lunch in Bend Oregon
Best Pizza in Bend Oregon
Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon
Best Ribs in Bend Oregon
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Best Lunch in Bend Oregon - 2007
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBest Lunch in Bend OregonThere are so many places that you can grab a great lunch meal in Bend. What I look for in a good lunch is speed, quality, and value. I have a job...technically and need to get food quickly from time to time. But I don't want fast food. I want good food in a timely manner.
I like the Downtowner a great deal for a sandwich and some soup but I can't stand the seating situation in there. Especially when a group behind me and my friends decides to snag a seat before they've ordered. I hate this soooo much. You're throwing off the order of things!
Look, you are at the back of the line, you send your friend/kid/significant other to go grab a table. This is soooo wrong. What about the people in front of you? They are waiting to order and then grab a table. So what if by the time they order there are not any tables? Their food arrives and they have no where to sit....yet you haven't even ordered yet and you have a table waiting for you. We live in a society people!! Take your seat after you order and all will run smoothly as it should.
For my money, the Best Lunch in Bend Oregon is found at Toomies. For only $5.95 you get a small green salad with some peanut sauce, rice, phad thai, and whatever your main selection is. I always go for the chicken red curry with some extra spice to it. I ask for three stars over the normal two. I think it means they throw in an extra dash of crushed reds but whatever, it's hot.
Toomies Thai Restaurant
119 NW Minnesota
Bend, OR 97701
541-388-5590
Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon
Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon
Best Burger in Bend Oregon
Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon
Best French Fries in Bend Oregon
Best Burrito in Bend Oregon
Best Lunch in Bend Oregon
Best Pizza in Bend Oregon
Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon
Best Ribs in Bend Oregon
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Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon - 2007
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBest Happy Hour in Bend OregonI love Happy Hour cause I like to sample different dishes for a cheaper price. Basically I want to gorge myself for as cheap as possible without sacrificing quality. Plus Happy Hour is a great way to end the work day and start your evening. You can eat just a light snack or make it an early dinner, have a nice drink at a discounted price, and unwind. I wish everyday was Happy Hour all day.
Some of my favorite Happy Hour locations are Merenda's and Kanpai. Kanpai is awesome for an early meal and some sushi for a reduced price until 5:30. The Hamachi Kama is a great deal and goes well with some $4 hot sake. I still end up spending a bunch of money cause we order quite a bit off the Happy Hour menu.
But my favorite place to go for Happy Hour is the newly redesigned Blacksmith Restaurant. The bar menu rocks with items like lobster corn dogs, Kobe beef burgers, gourmet hot dogs, ceviche of the day, and so on all for affordable prices. Plus they have 12 beers on tap that only cost $3. It's my new hang out.
Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon - Blacksmith Restaurant.
Blacksmith restaurant
211 NW Greenwood Ave,
Bend, Oregon 97701
541.318.0588
[www.bendblacksmith.com]
Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon
Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon
Best Burger in Bend Oregon
Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon
Best French Fries in Bend Oregon
Best Burrito in Bend Oregon
Best Lunch in Bend Oregon
Best Pizza in Bend Oregon
Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon
Best Ribs in Bend Oregon
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Best Pizza in Bend Oregon - 2007
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBest Pizza in Bend OregonI absolutely love Pizza. Next to Mexican cuisine, pizza is my favorite meal. We often get Papa Murphy's since I want my crust cooked, not soggy like many of the chain delivery places make them. I also like the price at Papa Murphy's but sometimes you're already at the house and don't want to go out or you're too lazy to cook up your own pie.
Sometimes I want a pizza delivered or drive and pick one up that's already cooked and ready to go. For lunch my favorite is grabbing a slice from Cibellis and its quite inexpensive. $2.75 for a HUGE slice of pepperoni that's large enough to fill you up.
But my favorite pizza in Bend and the winner of the Best Pizza in Bend Oregon award goes to Pizza Mondo's Run Little Piggy.
Pizza Mondo
811 NW Wall St
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 330-9093
[www.pizzamondobend.com]
Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon
Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon
Best Burger in Bend Oregon
Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon
Best French Fries in Bend Oregon
Best Burrito in Bend Oregon
Best Lunch in Bend Oregon
Best Pizza in Bend Oregon
Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon
Best Ribs in Bend Oregon -
Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon - 2007
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBest Phad Thai in Bend OregonI've actually written up a little ditty on the Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon before so I'll just add in the newbie - Typhoon. We had the Crab Phad Thai not too long ago and it was really good. But was it good enough to win? No.
The Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon is SOBA Asian Bistro....BUT you HAVE to get extra peanut sauce on the side.
SOBA Asian Bistro
945 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97701
Ph: 541.318.1535
[www.eatsoba.com]
Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon
Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon
Best Burger in Bend Oregon
Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon
Best French Fries in Bend Oregon
Best Burrito in Bend Oregon
Best Lunch in Bend Oregon
Best Pizza in Bend Oregon
Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon
Best Ribs in Bend Oregon -
Best Fries in Bend Oregon - 2007
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBest Fries in Bend OregonI've had fries all over Bend Oregon and for me, the fries really compliment your meal. The fries I had on my visit to JC's Bar and Grill were probably my least favorite. The oil needed to be changed in a bad way. The sweet potato fries at CHOW were very tasty, just a little inconsistent on the texture.
The special sauce at Dandy's makes up for their fries being a little on the mushy side. The shoestring fries at The Hottest Dog compliment their weiners nicely. And I know I'm going to upset some people but I do NOT like the "chili" fries from Longboard Louis.
When Deschutes is making their own fries, they are hard to beat and with their own mustard, should probably win for best fries in Bend Oregon.
But that honor is going to Merenda's pommes frites. They are top shelf and have the best presentation for fries.
Merenda Restaurant
900 NW Wall St
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 330-2304
[www.merendarestaurant.com]
Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon
Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon
Best Burger in Bend Oregon
Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon
Best French Fries in Bend Oregon
Best Burrito in Bend Oregon
Best Lunch in Bend Oregon
Best Pizza in Bend Oregon
Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon
Best Ribs in Bend Oregon
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Best Ribs in Bend Oregon - 2007
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBest Ribs in Bend OregonNote that this is NOT the category for Best BBQ which there is only one BBQ place in town ... Baldy's. There is NOT another BBQ restaurant in town. Just Baldy's. Trust me. So this category is all about the rib.
There are some great ribs out there at places like Deschutes, Marz, Kona Mixed Plate, and from what I hear, Zydeco. But can any of them in all their different styles of ribs compete with Baldy? His ribs are awesome and his sauce is good enough that my family received bottles of it for Christmas (not their only gift, I'm cheap but not that cheap).
Best Ribs in Bend Oregon goes to Baldy's
Baldy's Barbeque
235 SW Century Dr
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 385-7427
385-Ribs
Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon
Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon
Best Burger in Bend Oregon
Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon
Best French Fries in Bend Oregon
Best Burrito in Bend Oregon
Best Lunch in Bend Oregon
Best Pizza in Bend Oregon
Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon
Best Ribs in Bend Oregon -
Best Burger in Bend Oregon - 2007
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBest Burger in Bend OregonI absolutely love a Bacon Cheeseburger and any place that does a solid burger, wins a place in my heart. I've had burgers all over Bend and of course the best burgers come from the places that specialize in such. So all the best of lists always have the same two mentioned....Pilot Butte and Dandys. We'll, I'm not much different. The only difference for me is that I rarely make it to Pilot Butte that much.
There are many places in Bend that will serve up a mean burger. Pilot Butte obviously, Village Grill, Cheerleaders, Deschutes with their hand made buns, Jake's Diner with the Megaburger, McKay's Cottage with the $10 burger, but for me, the Best Burger in Bend Oregon comes from Dandy's Drive-In.
My favorite part of the post I wrote about Dandy's is:
"If you go to Dandy's Drive-In and you're driving your F25000 Diesel Mac Truck Hemi 2x4 V89, do me a favor and shut your stupid engine off. People like to have their windows down but no, you need to keep your nasty engine running right next to me for 15 minutes while you chit chat on your old cellular telephone while waiting for your chocolate malt to take back to your double wide. I don't like you. But I do like the Grand Dandy."
The Grand Dandy is insanely good. Get it.
Dandy's Drive-In
1334 Ne 3rd St
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-6141
Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon
Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon
Best Burger in Bend Oregon
Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon
Best French Fries in Bend Oregon
Best Burrito in Bend Oregon
Best Lunch in Bend Oregon
Best Pizza in Bend Oregon
Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon
Best Ribs in Bend Oregon -
Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon - 2007
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBest Hot Wings in Bend OregonIf a restaurant that I visit has Hot Wings on the menu, I have to try them. I love hot wings. I love spicy chicken in general but hot wings are just awesome. I've tried wings in all sorts of places in Bend such as Hardy's, Baldy's, Applebees, BBC's, Deschutes, Cascade Lakes Lodge, Outback, Red Robin, and Village Grill.
I can't find a place in town that consistently serves the flats or wingettes instead of just the drumettes. I like the flats much better and they tend not to have any weird pieces or chewy bits like the mini drumsticks do. But I'll take what I can get.
Hardy's has a combination of drumsticks and flats and also sport the hottest wings I've ever had in Bend. I've had hotter and I have a great story about it that I'll share some time. But from my sampling of the wings in Bend, Hardy's isn't even in my top three.
I love the traditional "Franks Red Hot" style of hot wing sauce on my wings. I don't need the coke sauce or the crazy thai peanut sauce. Just give me the normal hot sauce or possibly a honey BBQ from time to time to mix it up.
Baldy's made my list in third place for the best wings in Bend Oregon but I can't put them any higher. Their wings are tender, the sauce is great, the breading is great, they're almost too good that I think there is something shady going on. I'm disappointed that Baldy's will no longer let me split the wings amongst the BBQ and Hot. The wife likes BBQ, I like hot. let me split the order man.
BBC or Bend Brewing Company has my favorite hot wing sauce in all of Bend. Unfortunately the consistency is not there. Some times the wings are drenched in sauce and are cooked to perfection, other times they can be dry and overcooked. If they were more consistent, I would have chosen the BBC as top honors.
The award of Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon goes to Deschutes Brewery. Deschutes has the most consistent and an amazing flavor to their hot wings. I'll get a half order of wings on almost every visit. I look forward to eating them again and again.
Deschutes Beer Pub
1044 NW Bond Street, between Franklin and Greenwood
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-9242
[www.deschutesbrewery.com]
Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon
Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon
Best Burger in Bend Oregon
Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon
Best French Fries in Bend Oregon
Best Burrito in Bend Oregon
Best Lunch in Bend Oregon
Best Pizza in Bend Oregon
Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon
Best Ribs in Bend Oregon -
Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon - 2007
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBest Breakfast in Bend OregonBreakfast is not a big priority for me but when I do go out to eat, I want either a great omelet or some awesome biscuits and gravy. I know that many will say Victorian Cafe or Alpen Glow and I'm sure you have your reasons. I can agree that the Victorian Cafe is a great place to eat breakfast and they have a full bar. The price is fair for breakfast, drinks I found a bit high priced and on weekends, it's going to be a wait.
Alpen Glow has great quality and freshness to their ingredients but the portions are small and the price is too high for me.
The huge portions, great food, little wait, and huge portions are some of the reasons that my favorite breakfast in Bend Oregon is Jake's Diner.
Jake's Diner
2210 NE Highway 20 (Behind the A&W and the East side Liquor Store)
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-0118
[jakesdiner.blogspot.com]
Hours:
5:30AM to 9PM Monday through Saturday
5:30AM to 7PM on Sundays
Best Breakfast in Bend Oregon
Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon
Best Burger in Bend Oregon
Best Happy Hour in Bend Oregon
Best French Fries in Bend Oregon
Best Burrito in Bend Oregon
Best Lunch in Bend Oregon
Best Pizza in Bend Oregon
Best Phad Thai in Bend Oregon
Best Ribs in Bend Oregon
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Free Music Downloads from The Bend Bulletin
» Bend Oregon Restaurant
Ben Salmon, music writer from the Bulletin sent me the following info on the latest addition to the Bulletin's website. They have posted 15 songs from local artists and 15 songs from bands from all over. Of course my favorite has to be God Bless the Taco Stand by Mark Ransom and The Mostest. All the songs are available for free download and the best part, you don't have to login to get it.
I have been listening to these songs and so far I am loving the Person People's Oregonize the best.
"Visit The Bulletin to download The Bulletin's free two-disc compilation Near/Far,containing 30 MP3s from Central Oregon and national acts. Nosubscription required. Includes songs from The Shins, Arcade Fire, Aesop Rock, Band of Horses, plus Person People, The Roe, The Mostest,Coyo and more."
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Chow - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantCHOWMy stomach was empty and I was ready to chow down on some serious grub at the new CHOW restaurant located on Newport Avenue. Before going I had not heard from anyone if the place was any good, what type of food they serve or anything. So when I drove by and saw the massive metal CHOW sign and the big metal OPEN signs, I really thought I was going to dine on some serious grub like a West Side Jake's. Much to my surprise our waitress placed a tiny sandwich and small stack of fries before me. This isn't CHOW, it's more like SNACK or BITE.
The food was delicious, just tiny. For a big sucker like me, I need quantity and quality, not just quality. Seems that more and more restaurants in Bend are serving much smaller portions but their prices are increasing rapidly.
Currently CHOW is only offering breakfast and lunch from 7am - 2pm and appears to be geared more towards the healthy crowd than they are to a meat and potatoes guy like me. There are meat dishes like the roasted pork sandwich I had on my visit.
The sweet potatoe fries were ok, some were hella crispy and others were super soft...it was sort of weird. They didn't need or warrant any dipping sauces as the flavor was like a dessert of potaoes instead of french fries. The roasted pork was great...all 6 bites. $8
The wife selected from the breakfast menu and opted for the pumpkin waffle and a sausage patty. Waffle - $7, sausage - $3. Both were great and the sausage was pretty thick, but after $10, you'd think you'd be full. Let me get another waffle at least. Something.
The menu states that they will be offering dinners sometime in the future. I'll try to get back to try that menu, but for now, there are plenty of other options for breakfast and / or a quick, filling lunch on the West side. I know CHOW has just opened so maybe things will change as they get some more services under their belt. The service was awesome and our food came in a timely manner which is great for a restaurant just starting out....but those portions are just too small for the money in my opinion.
CHOW
1110 NW Newport Ave
Bend, OR 97701
541.728.0256
[www.chowbend.com]
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Blacksmith Restaurant
» Bend Oregon RestaurantBlacksmithThe new Blacksmith restaurant has quickly become my favorite bar in Bend Oregon. I like going to the other places in Bend but with the atmosphere, nice televisions, quality selection of beers on tap as well as bottles, bar menu, happy hour pricing, Poem and Dave behind the bar, "Al-B-Sure" working the tables, Gavin and his crew in the kitchen...this place has won me over big time.
I was fortunate enough to visit the Blacksmith for their pre opening (which I'm willing to do for anyone who'd like to invite me) and enjoyed many appetizers of Gavin's New Ranch Cuisine and drinks. Later in the week I was able to make it for dinner and have been back to visit the new bar menu which is killer.
Congratulations to Gavin and the Blacksmith team. I can't recommend the Blacksmith enough for private parties, happy hour, dinner, just drinks, or whatever enough. The place flat out rocks. (Note: I have not been compensated for this uncharacteristically glowing review...when a place rocks, it rocks).
Here are some photos given to me and a couple I took myself like the one of my pork chop which used to be my favorite. Now I'm loving the Purist Steak...effing awesome.
Blacksmith restaurant
211 NW Greenwood Ave,
Bend, Oregon 97701
541.318.0588
[www.bendblacksmith.com]
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Jen's Garden - Sisters Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantJen's GardenJen's Garden is probably the only restaurant in Sisters that I'd actually drive to Sisters for. Seriously, its that good. A little pricey but a great fine dining experience that is worth the trip. Of course I have not been to that many restaurants in Sisters so the bar has been set really high.
Jen's Garden offers a menu that which you can make order ala cart or just enjoy the Prix Fixe menu for $49. If you get a main course, you're already spending $25 so for another $24 you get four more courses. I love Prix Fixe menus because I end up trying a dish that I normally wouldn't order.
On top of the $49 for the five course meal, you can select the Wine Flight for an additional $20. You'll receive about a half glass of wine that's paired with each course. Works out to be about 2.5 glasses of wine. I recommend this if you enjoy wine but don't really know what to order. On my visit the first two courses were paired with some white wines which I'm normally not going to order on my own. But they were delicious with each course.
On to the photos (which are not the best and don't do the food justice, I apologize).
First Course - (Your choice from the following)
Fresh Dungeness Crab and Spinach Salad over a Artichoke, Mushroom and Red Pepper Terrine…10
Provençal Pork Confit in Brioche with Fresh Thyme Au Jus …10
When given the option, I normally will not select the more expensive option of seafood as the portions tend to be smaller. So I chose the pork.
Tender, juicy pork in a bun with a tasty au jus which I mopped up with the bun. I was really happy with my selection of the pork especially when I saw the crab salad. It looked good, just not for me.
Fish Course - La Bourride: Saffron and Fennel Broth with Fresh Seafood…11
The prawn and the clams were (in the excited Oprah voice) fabulous! There was a light broth which I could have mopped up with the crustini that was hiding under the prawn but I opted out.
Main Course - (Your choice from the following)
Roulade of Fresh Fish of the Day with Roasted Vegetable Flan and Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc…25
Coriander Crusted Rack of Lamb with Tsatsiki, Marsala Demi and Curried Lentils…25
Grilled Cascade Natural Beef Tenderloin with Cranberry Demi and Butternut Mashed Potatoes…25
Coq au Vin: Red Wine Braised Chicken Breast with Creamy Blue Cheese Polenta…25
The fish of the day was snapper...I decided on the tenderloin.
The tenderloin was very good but the cranberry sauce was very thick and sweet. It was good but the tenderloin was awesome without it. I ended up making a demi moat using the mashed potatoes to create a wall around my steak to keep the cranberry out. Then I would take a scoop of potato and dip it in the cranberry demi. This allowed me to taste the sauce with the spuds but kept my steak pure.
Salad Course
Mixed Greens with Raclette Cheese, Oven Dried Grapes, Fried Capers, Cashews and Balsamic Vinaigrette…7
I love salad towards the end of the meal instead of at the beginning. This salad is the perfect example of something that I wouldn't order on a menu after reading the description. But man, it was so good. The oven dried grapes were slightly wilted but still bursted with flavor and went great with the Raclette Cheese. The fried capers were like little balls of salt that countered the vinaigrette perfectly. It was a damn good salad, and you know I'm not a salad fan at all.
Dessert - (Your choice from the following)
Chocolate, Caramel and Pistachio Tart with Chantilly Cream…6
Spiced Pear and Dried Cherry Crisp with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream…6The wife took my dessert while I enjoyed another glass of wine.
Overall, great meal, awesome presentation on each course, service was incredible. I felt pampered and loved the pace of dinner and enjoyed every sampling of wine with each course. My only complaint...Jen's Garden is in Sisters. Come on. I mean come on!
Jen's Garden
403 East Hood Ave.
Sisters, OR 97759
Open: 5p.m.-Close
Wednesday through Sunday
Call 549-2699 for reservations
[www.intimatecottagecuisine.com] -
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Typhoon - Bend Oregon
» Bend Oregon RestaurantTyphoon - Bend OregonTyphoon is phinally here! With three Thai restaurants in Bend already, why is it that Bendites have been waiting eagerly at the windows of Typhoon for it to open like that lady in the old Mervins after Thanksgiving sale commercials with her face all pressed on the glass saying "Open, open, open" over and over again?
I have not been to any of the Typhoon restaurants and was dying to find out what all the hype was about. The wife and I tried to get some reservations for a Saturday night but nothing open until after 8:30...crazy. I like the early bird special so I can be in bed by 7:30 so we settled for Sunday.
We started off with the Nibble Platter appetizer which comes with Veggie Spring Rolls, Chicken Satay, Lemongrass Pork, Bags of Gold, Kra-thong Tong and Fried Wontons.
Veggie Spring Rolls - good, for being veggies...the wife liked them.
Chicken Satay - chicken on a stick, tender and flavorful, excellent when dipped in any of the three sauces
Lemongrass Pork - pork on a stick, tender and flavorful, excellent when dipped in any of the three sauces
Bags of Gold - first time having these and since they were also fried, quite good
Kra-thong Tong - like a mini chicken pot pie but with a tough sounding name KRA THONG TONG!!!
Fried Wontons - Its a fried wonton, what do you want, dip it and enjoyWe love the appetizers like this so you can get a sampling of a variety of dishes.
Next we went with the Crab Phad Thai off of the specials menu. I love shell fish and I am always looking for some great Phad Thai. Crab in the Phad Thai is something new for me but blended nicely and there was a good portion of crab in the noodles. The noodles were prepared perfectly and the ground peanuts were a nice touch.
Five-Spice Crispy Duck - Served with steamed buns, cinnamon plum sauce, green onions and cilantro. Now I don't get duck very often but the times I've had it, it was juicy and tender. I figure this duck would be the same but with a nice crispy skin.
The buns were nice and soft and we tried desperately to pull the duck apart to build little sandwiches. Unfortunately the duck was really dry and tough. We didnt say anything cause we didn't really know if this was how it was supposed to be prepared or not. Either way, we didn't care for it at all. It was like duck jerky.Next up was the Pineapple Curry. The pineapple gave the spicy curry this subtle sweetness which was a great addition.
We enjoyed our dinner very much aside from the overcooked duck. For the dishes above, a cup of tea (from their insanely huge menu of teas) and a couple Tsing Tao beers, we only spent $76. I thought we'd spend a lot more.After having such a good first experience for dinner, I wanted to try one of the other curry's and went back for lunch a couple days later. On this visit I tried the Panang Curry. Not so sweet and more peanutty, I was excited. But what I received was a small cup of curry for $9 and a scoop of rice.
I wish I put a spoon or something with this photo cause it was sooo small. You can see how one of the peppers is taking up half of the cup. I was hoping for about twice as much as I received for that price. It tasted great, but I left hungry.
Typhoon is great for dinner, but right now I'd rather go to Toomies for the lunch special over this cup o curry.
Typhoon! Bend
Franklin Crossing Building
550 NW Franklin Ave., Suite 148,
Bend, OR 97701
541-385-8885
[www.typhoonrestaurants.com]
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