There are restaurant patios, and then there are restaurant patios that make you want to cancel whatever plans you had for the rest of the day. Brooks Street Boathouse falls firmly into the latter category.
The newest addition to downtown Bend’s riverfront dining scene, Brooks Street Boathouse is a seafood eatery and event space from the same folks behind Pine Tavern, Bend’s oldest restaurant. Located just a couple of doors down from Pine Tavern and adjacent to Bend Brewing Company, the Boathouse carries on its neighbor’s prime real estate tradition, with sweeping views of the Deschutes River and Drake Park.
The new space itself is lovely, beginning with the front courtyard with its appealing Parisian cafe vibe. The interior space is light and bright with plenty of tables along the walls, an open kitchen and boathouse decor including a creative canoe light fixture over the welcoming bar. But it’s the outdoor setup that really steals the show. The upper patio flows directly from the interior, featuring a charming corner walk-up bar. From there, the patio terraces down to a larger level filled with tables and umbrellas. An accessible pathway leads to the lowest level, a gorgeous grassy area right alongside the river.
It’s a thoughtful, well-designed space that offers plenty of options for lingering with family or friends, including the furry ones, since dogs are welcome. Grab a drink, settle in and enjoy the river view.
The Boathouse menu is compact, casual and seafood-focused. Current offerings include house salmon cakes with chimichurri, fried oysters, Wild Alaskan fish and chips, an Oregon Bay shrimp roll and a fried oyster po’ boy. There’s also a Boathouse Burger for those who prefer land over sea, along with a kids’ menu featuring chicken strips, grilled cheese and a smaller fish and chips.
For fries, the aptly named Boat Load of Fries offers three options: rosemary sea salt with garlic aioli, Cajun dusted with bleu cheese dipping sauce and garlic Parmesan with ketchup. Starters currently include watermelon salad and ahi poke nachos.
The drink menu is similarly approachable, with signature cocktails, local and regional draft beers, a handful of nonalcoholic options and a short wine list that includes several nice Willamette Valley selections, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and an Italian sparkling wine.
On my first visit, during one of our recent scorching summer days, the upper patio was surprisingly cool and comfortable. There was a private event taking place on the lower patio, but the layout gave us enough separation to enjoy our meal and drinks without feeling like we were intruding on someone else’s party.
The ordering process was a little confusing when we first arrived. It was not immediately obvious where to sit or how things worked, but we soon figured out that drinks and food are ordered at the bar, where guests receive a number and then can choose a table inside or out. Since the Boathouse has only been open for a short time, I suspect the flow will become more intuitive as the staff settles into its new rhythm.
For drinks, I opted for the Blackberry Spritz, a nonalcoholic combination of muddled blackberry, fresh lime juice, ginger beer and soda water. It was delicious, refreshing and full of flavor. The Deschutes Float, made with lime juice, coconut syrup, pineapple, orange juice and a grenadine float, is another tempting nonalcoholic option.
For cocktails, the Dockside Mule combines Wild Roots Huckleberry vodka, lime juice and ginger beer, while the Golden Hour Margarita gets its kick from house-infused jalapeno tequila, lime and mango puree.
We started with the watermelon salad, which was certainly not lacking in watermelon. Huge chunks of the juicy fruit were piled over fresh, peppery arugula with house pickled onions, feta and lemon pepper vinaigrette. The pickled onions were delicious and added a welcome tang, although I would have preferred smaller, more bite sized pieces of melon and perhaps a drizzle of balsamic or another slightly sweet gastrique to pull everything together.
The Wild Alaskan fish and chips, however, were a real standout. The beer-battered pollock arrived as a substantial piece of fish encased in a light, crisp and flavorful batter. It was a generous portion, but I still found myself wishing there had been another piece. Even better was the house-made tartar sauce. Creamy, dilly and perfectly balanced, it was the kind of tartar sauce that makes you wonder why anyone bothers with the bottled stuff.
The fries were hot and seasoned, although they were not hand cut, which is my preference. The house-made coleslaw, unfortunately, did not fare as well. It was bland and needed more flavor.
That observation turned into one of the more encouraging moments of the meal. A manager stopped by to check on us, and we were honest about what we loved and what we thought could use some attention. She was genuinely receptive, explaining that the team was actively gathering feedback during the opening weeks and sharing those comments with the kitchen. It was refreshing to offer constructive criticism and have it received so graciously.
That willingness to listen bodes well for the Boathouse. The fish, tartar sauce and drinks are already hitting the mark, and there is plenty of room for a few opening season tweaks. Prices are in line with what you would expect, with the salad at $15, entrees ranging from $20 to $24, a Boat Load of Fries at $12, cocktails around $15 and my Blackberry Spritz at $8.
Most of all, Brooks Street Boathouse feels like a place built for gathering. With its multiple patios, riverfront lawn, inviting atmosphere and casual menu, it seems destined to become a popular spot for everything from an afternoon beer to a family dinner. The event space should be equally appealing for rehearsal dinners, business gatherings and family celebrations, with bartending and catering packages available.
For now, my advice is simple: Grab a cold one, order some fish and chips, find a spot overlooking the river and settle in. There is no need to rush. The river is right there, the patio is beautiful and summer in Bend is fleeting. Brooks Street Boathouse gives you another very good reason to bask in it.
Brooks Street Boathouse
1003 NW Brooks St., Bend
458-343-7778
Wed-Sun Noon-close
boathousebend.com
IG: brooksstreetboathouse
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