|
Being a Bend native I often travel to Portland for the culture of a big city. But thankfully one...
More 1 month ago
Being a Bend native I often travel to Portland for the culture of a big city. But thankfully one evening I stumbled into The Blacksmith, and within moments I knew I had found a local business that would soothe my thirst for the big-city, right here in my little town filled with flannels and patagonia jackets, I had found a little piece city nestled on the edge of downtown.
The Blacksmith does one thing better than any other restaurant here in town, the ambiance. It's unique, cozy and urban with the glowing marble bar that immediately sets the mood when you walk-in. Whether I'm looking for a night out with my ladies, the lounge serves as a great place to catch-up, or if I'm looking to have a great meal with my 8-year-old son. I simply make a reservation in the anvil room, and they are MORE than accommodating to my rugrat, which is not always the case at most "upscale" restaurants.
Columbine is the best bartender in town, and as far as severs go ask for Amber, she has never disappointed us, and is probably the most attentive server I've ever had. And in case you've never been, happy hour is amazing, gourmet food for only a few bucks!! If you haven't been... you must go!
Pros: An amazing cocktail list and equally impressive happy hour.
Hide
|
|
We recently revisited Merenda after having a couple of so-so visits in a row. I must say that...
More 2 years ago
We recently revisited Merenda after having a couple of so-so visits in a row. I must say that they have found their position as one of Bend's best restaurants again. First off the food was above my expectations. My wife and I split the Gnoochi and the NY Steak, wow!! And our friends loved their chicken and pizza. Service was polite and knowledgable. Great Scotch selection (too good?) Still noisy, but we had a booth and really felt comfortable. Keep it up!!
Pros: Food and Drink
Cons: Still noisy
Hide
|
|
Vino Mercato
Category:
Romantic Dining
916 Northwest Wall St
Bend,
Oregon 97701
What a great place that has it all! The food was fantastic and the staff was friendly and very...
More
What a great place that has it all! The food was fantastic and the staff was friendly and very helpful. But the food was some of the best that I have had anywhere
Pros: food and wine not to mention great jazz
Cons: small, not a kids joint
Hide
|
|
Whenever we are near Bend, we always turn in for a bite and pint at the Deschutes Brewery. A...
More
Whenever we are near Bend, we always turn in for a bite and pint at the Deschutes Brewery. A typical brewpub, but with above average food and of course my favorite beers on tap. They have a large viewing area to see the vats of beer brewing. The atmosphere and service is friendly and family oriented. If the weather is nice, you can also take a walk through the quaint streets of downtown Bend to work off the beers you consume.
Hide
|
|
This is my favorite restaurant in Bend. The service is good and the food is always great. I like...
More 2 years ago
This is my favorite restaurant in Bend. The service is good and the food is always great. I like the quiche and salad for lunch. They are quick so you can get in & out for lunch if you need to, or you can stay and visit. They don't rush you. I would recommend.
Hide
|
|
Greatest Staff In Bend! I used to work here, so I am a little baised when I say that. I am talking...
More 2 years ago
Greatest Staff In Bend! I used to work here, so I am a little baised when I say that. I am talking about being baised when it comes to the food and drink. The staff, is just simply the best part of the pub. The logo, the history, and all else enrichs what a customer's experience is at Deschutes, but the staff IS the experience (if you take a seat at the bar, you'll see what I mean).
The brewmasters live and breathe the beer. Making a fine crafted, great tasting beer isn't rocket science... it's harder; ask any knowledgable beer connoisseur (if you can find one. And I'm not talking about beer geeks- people who try lots of different beers and throw lingo around to sound informed). The brewmasters there take everything into consideration... I am talking about what stage of growth and season the hop was harversted, to the level of heat used to kiln the ingredients. These guys are the sole reason why the Northwest is the mecca of craft beer. I could go on and on. Try the X-tap if want to see what I am talking about.
The lively crew in the kitchen is a skilled ensemble of savvy artists (Try anything on the specials menu to confirm that statement). For the size of the kitchen, food is prepared and sent out in a miraculous amount of time. Old pub favorites like the Spicy Mac and Garlic Burgers are always a good stand-by, safe and comforting to those who enjoy announcing that they'll "have the usual;" but there is such a selection of new and diverse items on the menu everyday, that even the pickiest eater should venture out and enjoy.
In short, if you want a really good experience... go to the pub and order a daily special and recommended beer pairing. If you want a great experience, go down, grab a seat at the L-bar and strike up a conversaiton with the door host. Ask the bar tender about the Yankies. Ask anyone about Mt. Bachelor. Enjoy the food, enjoy the drink, and most important, enjoy the company (staff and clientel alike).
Pros: Food, Beer, People, Location.
Cons: Wait times, seating availability.
Hide
|
|
We moved away from Bend about seven years ago and I still have dreams about this place! This is...
More
We moved away from Bend about seven years ago and I still have dreams about this place! This is where locals go to get a good burger. The food is fresh, the service is friendly and portions are giant!
The joke among my friends was that we could all just get kids meals and we'd come out really full. Seriously.
I remember their fries and their homemade fry sauce. They are very generous with everything.
I guess they have other things on the menu, but we always got burgers at Pilot Butte. Just don;t eat too many, or you might start looking like the side of the butte.
It's a really good place to eat at!
Hide
|
|
The best burgers anywhere! And one of the few ways to get me to do pilot butte, with the promise...
More
The best burgers anywhere! And one of the few ways to get me to do pilot butte, with the promise of the pilot butte drive in burger as a reward.
Pros: Ambience
Cons: sometimes parking is difficult
Hide
|
|
The Book Barn
Category:
Gift Shops
135 NW Minnesota Ave
Bend,
Oregon 97701
(541) 389-4589
I really enjoy visiting the Book Barn - it is full of interesting and intellectually stimulating...
More
I really enjoy visiting the Book Barn - it is full of interesting and intellectually stimulating books. I find the atmosphere cool and calming and it seems like an island in the middle of busy, downtown Bend. The people who work here are very knowledgeable about books and can provide all sorts of useful information.
Hide
|
|
We love the fact that this is a family run restaurant offering the best offering a superb menu and...
More 2 years ago
We love the fact that this is a family run restaurant offering the best offering a superb menu and excellent service. Whenever we are in Bend, we make a point of eating at Toomies!
Pros: Friendly, Polished Service; Very Tasty Menu Beautifully Presented
Cons: We live too far away to eat there as often as we like.
Hide
|