Food & Drink

As the previous home of the Bond Street Market, 949 NW Bond St., was known as a great spot to pick up such delicacies as Twinkies, a pack of Marlboro Lights, or a 40 of PBR.
But no longer.
With the opening of La Magie Bakery in the spot on Jan. 30, owner Di Long has transformed the space into a European-inspired bakery and lunch spot decked with lavender and Granny Smith apple-colored walls.
Magazine displays have been replaced with bistro tables adorned with Peruvian Lilies and arrangements of bamboo. Huge picture windows welcome in the sunshine, and the upstairs offers a secluded spot for a reflective cup of coffee.

Until recently, 920 Bond Street was better known for changing hands than for menus. Barcelona and 28 opened and closed, but it seems that Tart Bistro may be in for the long run.
Globally inspired, but focused on classic French cuisine, Tart gives Bend something more than the boring beurre blancs and faux-fancy frites found elsewhere. Though the black-on-white boutique-patterned booths, intimate tables and low lighting hit a sexy bistro note, it was their charcuterie and cheese plate, called “The Board,” that first brought me in the door shortly after they opened for business in June of 2010.

The year was 1983. Michael Jackson Thrilled us, Madonna made her debut, and the only thing bigger than Jennifer Beal's Flashdance hair was the birth of Bend's Biggest Burger. Now a legend unto itself, the Pilot Butte Burger is still an 18-oz. 100 percent certified Angus Beef burger, erupting with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions, slathered with secret sauce and now locavorized with an eight-inch Dilluso-baked bun
The six-ounce version was enough for me when I visited the westside location last week, piled high just like its brother. If they grilled the patty in mustard and upped the onion count, they'd come pretty damn close to an In-and-Out Burger – animal style. Quality meat that is fresh (not frozen), grilled to order patties, freshly baked buns, and real cheese, such standards are rarely replicated. Ever since my first In-and-Out burger, I have been quietly searching out its equal closer to home. I think I finally found it.

What better place for two native New Yorkers to hold a business meeting than a downtown deli, in this case the relatively newly opened Letzer's. Finding Letzer's deli is a little difficult the first time, but if you ask me, that's part of the charm. Walk down the correct corridor off Franklin Avenue and a crisp, black and white striped awning announces that you've found Letzer's, a popular Jewish-style deli that initially put down stakes on south 3rd Street and quickly gained acclaim for authentic sandwiches and ample portions. The new downtonn satellite location, which quietly opened in the Re/Max building in December, has put Letzer's on the roster of go-to restaurants for downtown diners. The interior design is simple; a tall counter along the right side of the restaurant separates the clientele from the small staff. A long bench lines the entire wall to the left. Tables are set close together, but not too close. The space is brand new and correspondingly neat with an upright glass cooler providing beverage options and tri-fold paper menus.

It's easy to take for granted the number of incredible restaurants we have here in Bend. I always thought I'd have another chance to go to a place like Yoko's or Grover's (or Colors, which I still miss constantly), but then once I craved them, they were no longer there. I went to Joolz when they first opened and had a very romantic evening with my wife, filled with an eclectic blend of Middle Eastern, Lebanese and Mediterranean food with drinks that enhanced every flavor. It was a wonderful night, but we never went back because we tried new places and then just eventually forgot it was there. Recently, several people have told me that Joolz has one of the best happy hours in town and, if I weren't a stupid idiot (I don't have nice friends), I'd get over there and get my meze on.