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Little Bites: It's So (Big) Easy: After Staccato and Cork, Riverside's revamp

Those in the loop have probably already heard that Bourbon Street Bend, a new restaurant with a New Orleans theme is set to open in the Staccato location by mid-July.

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Those in the loop have probably already heard that Bourbon Street Bend, a new restaurant with a New Orleans theme is set to open in the Staccato location by mid-July. I had a chance to sit down with owner Gavin McMichael (also owner of The Blacksmith Restaurant) to find out more about this soon-to-be new addition to downtown Bend.

Amy: Tell me a little about the concept.

Gavin: Seafood, soul food, really family friendly. We plan to be casual in our approach to food and atmosphere. It'll be good food, good times - just like the Big Easy. We are excited to bring Southern soul food into the downtown area at affordable prices.

Amy: Kid friendly, that's always good for Bend. But what about those of us who prefer a seat at the bar?

Gavin: At the bar, you can expect to see New Orleans favorites like hurricanes, mint juleps, sazaracs, plus a tableside, mix-it-yourself Bloody Mary bar with all of the ingredients to mix it however you want to.

Amy: Ooh...I hope you are open for brunch.

Gavin: Yes, we're going to be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so it's a place you really can stop by anytime.

Amy: Will food be sourced locally?

Gavin: We will use as many local purveyors as we can, we always make the effort to do that.

This summer, patrons can look forward to a three-piece band on the front patio playing live Jazz. On Friday and Saturday nights, live entertainment will include a sing-a-long piano. (AB)

Farewell Cork, Hello Common Table

Also making news downtown is the newly announced plans for a non-profit restaurant in the space formerly occupied by Cork. Common Table combines two of Bend's signature values, a spirit of philanthropy and a love of good food. The idea isn't totally new, it's the founding vision for the popular Sagebrush Classic fundraiser at Broken Top. But the Common Table is taking a street level approach, using a combination of volunteers and a novel payment and voucher system that allows paying customers help feed Bend's homeless population with the restaurant as a middle man.

Rolling Riverside

Changes are also afoot at Riverside Market, which got a pair of new owners in the form of Jon and Melanie Gaino. The husband and wife team have already made some cosmetic changes and other tweaks to the popular neighborhood gathering space, which was filled with soccer fans on a recent weekday to watch a world cup quarterfinal game. In addition to a new coat of paint, the couple has added elevated bar-style seating outside the front door and plans to totally revamp the menu in the coming weeks. If you want a sneak preview, though, just ask for the Bend Burrito, a tri-tip stuffed flour tortilla with chile verde that is already winning fans, soccer and otherwise. (REJ)