Amy Belasen

Between sips of any number of bountiful, fresh-squeezed smoothies, regular customers can tell you why “Juice” is Mother's middle name. Have a hankering for chocolate or need a dose of wheatgrass to get you through the afternoon? You'll find the perfect fix for a sweet tooth or sedentary slump at Mother's. Beyond a liquid diet, Mother's other offerings include breakfasts and lunches, with an emphasis on healthy, nutritious ingredients.
Mother's breakfast menu features bagels, homemade sweet breads, waffle sandwiches and more. Bagels are fresh from Seattle in savory varieties including pesto parmesan and jalapeño. Mother's offers four acai bowls, centered on the potent antioxidant and omega-rich acai berry, grown in the Amazon region of Brazil. This super food, pronounced “ah-sigh-yee,” has a rich flavor of berries and cocoa. I enjoyed the small NW Bowl, a blend of organic acai berries, blueberries, marion berries, strawberries, vanilla non-fat frozen yogurt and apple cider, and topped with fresh blueberries, sliced banana, crushed hazelnuts, hearty granola and honey.

With its warm hearth-like interior, Thyme's setting parallels its menu – bistro food that's comforting, rustic and modern. While the menu is not overly ambitious, it is creative enough to remind us of Thyme's lineage; the McCrystals, owners of Jen's Garden, aren't building a fine-dining empire, they are responding to the needs of the town that has spawned their success. Chef Caryl Hosler came over from Jen's Garden to command the stoves at Thyme, setting expectations high.
The restaurant was busy when we arrived on a Thursday evening although thoughtfully placed partitions kept noise levels down. The centerpiece of the dining room is a rustic fireplace that leads the eye to the well-stocked bar. A few leather couches, tables, and bar seats are perfect for a quick drink after work or for watching a game. The dining room combines round banquettes and tables. The wait staff supports one another and is very knowledgeable about the menu and food preparation.

With its warm hearth-like interior, Thyme's setting parallels its menu – bistro food that's comforting, rustic and modern. While the menu is not overly ambitious, it is creative enough to remind us of Thyme's lineage; the McCrystals, owners of Jen's Garden, aren't building a fine-dining empire, they are responding to the needs of the town that has spawned their success. Chef Caryl Hosler came over from Jen's Garden to command the stoves at Thyme, setting expectations high.
The restaurant was busy when we arrived on a Thursday evening although thoughtfully placed partitions kept noise levels down. The centerpiece of the dining room is a rustic fireplace that leads the eye to the well-stocked bar. A few leather couches, tables, and bar seats are perfect for a quick drink after work or for watching a game. The dining room combines round banquettes and tables. The wait staff supports one another and is very knowledgeable about the menu and food preparation.

As the buds of spring begin to bloom, Amalia's, the latest addition to the downtown Bend restaurant roster, offers an array of organically focused Mexican cuisine for lunch and dinner. With an emphasis on family-friendly dining by day, and a lounge with DJs spinning on weekend nights, Amalia's seems to have it all together.
Chef Roberto Cardenas is a friendly face constantly abuzz around the restaurant, maintaining a strong presence with guests to ensure satisfaction. He has chosen a fine group of fresh-faced servers to head up the front-of-house operations. The Amalia's menu is comprised of innovative, contemporary Mexican cuisine with lots of flavor, color and variety.

As the buds of spring begin to bloom, Amalia's, the latest addition to the downtown Bend restaurant roster, offers an array of organically focused Mexican cuisine for lunch and dinner. With an emphasis on family-friendly dining by day, and a lounge with DJs spinning on weekend nights, Amalia's seems to have it all together.
Chef Roberto Cardenas is a friendly face constantly abuzz around the restaurant, maintaining a strong presence with guests to ensure satisfaction. He has chosen a fine group of fresh-faced servers to head up the front-of-house operations. The Amalia's menu is comprised of innovative, contemporary Mexican cuisine with lots of flavor, color and variety.

From the slick, padded walls of the elevator as it takes patrons down below street level to the post-modern, au natural motif – a stylish nod to the Pacific Northwest – 10 Below is one of the sexiest places to dine in Central Oregon right now.
On my first visit in early March, my friend and I began with the Charcuterie. The dish consisted of four or five cheeses, two selections of cured meats, three slices of salami, one ribbon of prosciutto, hardened bread better suited for fondue than a cheese board, and blueberries and strawberries that were out of season. In their place, I would've loved to see some local, seasonal fruit.

From the slick, padded walls of the elevator as it takes patrons down below street level to the post-modern, au natural motif – a stylish nod to the Pacific Northwest – 10 Below is one of the sexiest places to dine in Central Oregon right now.
On my first visit in early March, my friend and I began with the Charcuterie. The dish consisted of four or five cheeses, two selections of cured meats, three slices of salami, one ribbon of prosciutto, hardened bread better suited for fondue than a cheese board, and blueberries and strawberries that were out of season. In their place, I would've loved to see some local, seasonal fruit.

Since opening just last month, 10 Barrel is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best brewpubs in Bend, which, considering Bend's tough competition, says a lot. With heavyweights like Deschutes Brewery, Cascade Lakes, and BBC leading the pack, 10 Barrel has managed to quickly gain a solid footing. With increasing foot traffic as the weather improves, eateries and pubs are quickly turning Galveston into the destination spot every Westsider always knew it was.

Since opening just last month, 10 Barrel is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best brewpubs in Bend, which, considering Bend's tough competition, says a lot. With heavyweights like Deschutes Brewery, Cascade Lakes, and BBC leading the pack, 10 Barrel has managed to quickly gain a solid footing. With increasing foot traffic as the weather improves, eateries and pubs are quickly turning Galveston into the destination spot every Westsider always knew it was.