Alice Finer

Hummus, check, kebabs, check, spirit apparition server, check. With the corpse of Bistro Corlise still warm, and its cherished memory fresh in my mind, I figured I’d instantly and probably unfairly compare, contrast and ultimately find fault with whatever took its place. That was before I heard about Joolz. The latest from Ramsey and Juli Hamdan, owners of the Jackalope Grill until 2005 and more recently Barking Squirrel Kitchen and Catering, Joolz couldn’t be further from the classic French cuisine of its predecessor. The menu, tagged “Where Mezze Meets the Mesa,” features traditional Middle Eastern flavors and recipes (Ramsey is of Lebanese extraction) with Southwestern accents and a nod to local ingredients and preparations. Being a recovering big city gal, constantly craving the many and varied ethnic foods of my former life, they had me at halloumi-and hummus and kafta and kebabs.

The room, while largely retaining the layout and the core fixtures from the old space, has been thoroughly beJoolzed with assorted pieces of Middle Eastern flare like hanging metal lamps, hookas, camels and bright shocks of cloth to complement the orange and brown drapery. Mesa touches, most notably a series of stylized mounted horns from various ungulates, are interspersed in keeping with the concept. The result is a comfortable, festive dining room with great lighting and a large and lively bar area that’s ripe for the happy hour scheduled to begin in the next week or so.

Hummus, check, kebabs, check, spirit apparition server, check. With the corpse of Bistro Corlise still warm, and its cherished memory fresh in my mind, I figured I'd instantly and probably unfairly compare, contrast and ultimately find fault with whatever took its place. That was before I heard about Joolz. The latest from Ramsey and Juli Hamdan, owners of the Jackalope Grill until 2005 and more recently Barking Squirrel Kitchen and Catering, Joolz couldn't be further from the classic French cuisine of its predecessor. The menu, tagged "Where Mezze Meets the Mesa," features traditional Middle Eastern flavors and recipes (Ramsey is of Lebanese extraction) with Southwestern accents and a nod to local ingredients and preparations. Being a recovering big city gal, constantly craving the many and varied ethnic foods of my former life, they had me at halloumi-and hummus and kafta and kebabs.

The room, while largely retaining the layout and the core fixtures from the old space, has been thoroughly beJoolzed with assorted pieces of Middle Eastern flare like hanging metal lamps, hookas, camels and bright shocks of cloth to complement the orange and brown drapery. Mesa touches, most notably a series of stylized mounted horns from various ungulates, are interspersed in keeping with the concept. The result is a comfortable, festive dining room with great lighting and a large and lively bar area that's ripe for the happy hour scheduled to begin in the next week or so.

Clams and mussels at the Trout HouseIn a departure from our usual format, we sent writer Alice Finer in search of a different kind of dinner pairing: a day of play in the great outdoors followed by a memorable meal at one of the many far-flung restaurants around the region. Look for other destination dining stories under the Retreats flag in upcoming issues.

Last week, with Memorial Day looming, my organizational skills severely lacking and a dramatic economic recovery increasingly unlikely, it was time to come to terms with the collapse of my summer’s more ambitious plans. But living in the land of plenty when it comes to recreation, I could instead embark upon a season-long staycation here in Central Oregon to rival my most riveting excursions to date. Unfortunately, in all my excitement, pragmatism flew out the window, and I kicked off the summer with a tour of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument on a holiday weekend along with every visiting man, woman and their six screaming children. I ended up on a trail of tears, the highlight of which was a full panic attack about 50 feet into the mouth of the Lava River Cave that sent me screaming back into the light while grannies and preschoolers skipped by me with their lanterns and wide-eyed enthusiasm.

Clams and mussels at the Trout HouseIn a departure from our usual format, we sent writer Alice Finer in search of a different kind of dinner pairing: a day of play in the great outdoors followed by a memorable meal at one of the many far-flung restaurants around the region. Look for other destination dining stories under the Retreats flag in upcoming issues.

Last week, with Memorial Day looming, my organizational skills severely lacking and a dramatic economic recovery increasingly unlikely, it was time to come to terms with the collapse of my summer's more ambitious plans. But living in the land of plenty when it comes to recreation, I could instead embark upon a season-long staycation here in Central Oregon to rival my most riveting excursions to date. Unfortunately, in all my excitement, pragmatism flew out the window, and I kicked off the summer with a tour of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument on a holiday weekend along with every visiting man, woman and their six screaming children. I ended up on a trail of tears, the highlight of which was a full panic attack about 50 feet into the mouth of the Lava River Cave that sent me screaming back into the light while grannies and preschoolers skipped by me with their lanterns and wide-eyed enthusiasm.

A veggie sandwich on focacia served with sunshine at Jackson’s Corner.It's rare to find an environment where freelancers with laptops, ladies
who lunch, families with children and neighborhood locals are equally
comfortable, but less than a year after opening, Jackson's Corner has
achieved that and more. In attitude, it certainly has the feel of
"corner store," which reflects its location in the historic Delaware
Market building. Though you're out of luck if you're expecting to pick
up your groceries-unless, of course, your diet consists entirely of
gourmet condiments, Kettle Chips, many and varied local and
international beers and organic cat food. But behind the curiously
stocked shelves is a kitchen of the highest caliber, and in the end,
isn't that what you'd rather have on your corner?

It also doesn't
hurt that the open, bright space, dominated by blonde wood and brick,
has something for pretty much everyone. It's perfect for your morning
coffee and croissant with the paper, a lunch meeting or takeout for the
office (it's just blocks from downtown) or a couple of pints with a
sandwich at one of the sidewalk tables on a summer day. As Jackson's is
rather near my corner, I've spent an afternoon or two plugged in at the
window counter using the free wi-fi (as I am now) and have never felt
pressured by the friendly staff to wrap it up after my meal was
finished.

A veggie sandwich on focacia served with sunshine at Jackson’s Corner.It’s rare to find an environment where freelancers with laptops, ladies
who lunch, families with children and neighborhood locals are equally
comfortable, but less than a year after opening, Jackson’s Corner has
achieved that and more. In attitude, it certainly has the feel of
“corner store,” which reflects its location in the historic Delaware
Market building. Though you’re out of luck if you’re expecting to pick
up your groceries-unless, of course, your diet consists entirely of
gourmet condiments, Kettle Chips, many and varied local and
international beers and organic cat food. But behind the curiously
stocked shelves is a kitchen of the highest caliber, and in the end,
isn’t that what you’d rather have on your corner?

It also doesn’t
hurt that the open, bright space, dominated by blonde wood and brick,
has something for pretty much everyone. It’s perfect for your morning
coffee and croissant with the paper, a lunch meeting or takeout for the
office (it’s just blocks from downtown) or a couple of pints with a
sandwich at one of the sidewalk tables on a summer day. As Jackson’s is
rather near my corner, I’ve spent an afternoon or two plugged in at the
window counter using the free wi-fi (as I am now) and have never felt
pressured by the friendly staff to wrap it up after my meal was
finished.

Eat large with small plates at 28.Anyone who grew up with a big brother, particularly one that is
handsome and talented, knows how it feels when said sibling invades the
little niche that you have diligently and meticulously carved out for
yourself, that tiny corner of the world where you shine the brightest.
With one step into your sacred space, he steals your thunder, along
with all the attention and probably a few of your friends. Being just
such a little sister myself, I immediately thought of 28, a fixture on
Bond for the past three years and the second child of owners Steve and
Cheri Helt, when big bro Zydeco opened last month in its new downtown
location right across the street.

As a diner, of course I'm thrilled
to have the whole brood in town. A recent visit to the new Zydeco
showed that, though the decor is slightly more sterile than it was at
the old location, the service remains impeccable and the menu is
largely unchanged. Every bite was as impressive as always. But while
lavishing my attention on the new kid on the block, I felt a little
like a traitor to my kind and increasingly compelled to throw 28 some
much deserved love-for little sisters everywhere.