For the past several weeks the Source staff has been making itself busy with the production of this year’s Dining Guide, which you can find on stands the week of April 26. Part of that work includes identifying a short list of candidates for our annual restaurant of the year designation. This year, we’d like to hear what you, readers, have to say. So send us your selection for restaurant of the year. It can be any establishment in Central Oregon that offers a dinner menu and a dinner “experience.” That primarily includes establishments with things like a wine list and table-side service, but past winners include Jackson’s Corner, an order-at-the counter casual dining restaurant. Other winners include, Jen’s Garden, Ariana and Trattoria Sbandati.
So send us your fave by commenting below or log on the Source’s Facebook page and vote. The winner will be published in the Dining Guide with a write-up as People’s Choice Award.
This article appears in Mar 8-14, 2012.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
I recently ate at Olive Garden, a quaint Italian eatery located off of Highway 97. The interior features a Tuscan flair that caused me to turn to my wife and say, “You better pinch me, honey, because I think we’ve been swept away to Italy!”
I highly recommend 5 Fusion, their sushi and entrees are at the same caliber as the fine dining establishments in NYC.
La Rosa! I’m there once a week if possible. The food/service/experience never cease to be amazing, and the food specials are always delicious.
It’s won before but its still the best: Trattoria Sbandati. My second choice for a great, overall “experience” would be the original Brother Jon’s. Great “beer list.”
10 Below
5 Fusion is awesome.
5 Fusion offers excellence in customer service, terrific ambiance, and scruptious meals that are beautifully plated. Hands down the best overall restaurant experience in Bend.
5 Fusion has everything going for it! Great food! Great Bar! and Super Staff! I’m glad Lilian went “uptown!”
Five fusion, in my opinion, is one of the very top restaurants in our area. The cuisine is masterfully developed, beautifully presented and is always consistently five star!!! We are fortunate to have this restaurant in our community.
5 fusion is the absolute best! Whether looking for a good happy hour, an elegant celebration dinner, a lunch meeting or a giant sushi-fest, 5Fusion is the spot. Did I mention their amazing service? Oh, and how about their generous and hugely successful fundraising dinners! 5 Fusion = Awesome!
5 Fusion!!
I live in Los Angeles but frequently visit Bend. I have yet to find a comparable restaurant in LA (which says a lot considering the size of the city and number of fine establishments).
Please open one up in LA.
My favorite right now is Zydeco. Local product, consistently great tasting good, excellent service!
Zydeco consistently has a packed house. They are clearly doing something right!! If they don’t land 1st Place I’ll know for sure the Supreme Court picked the winner!
Zydeco! Constantly wonderful food, professional staff & great atmosphere.
Zydeco and 900 wall are our favs!!! Always good and consistant food, awesome service, we go back again and again!
Including my 6-year old daughter, my family members LOOOVE 5 Fusion. The head chef Joe is very creative. His work is like an art!! Looks beautiful and taste fabulous. All the sushi chefs are very kind and friendly. They do an amazing job on making sushi, too. I super recommend 5 Fusion.
5 Fusion! Great food and atmosphere.
Did I just see someone say they were swept away to Italy by going to olive garden? are you crapping in my cheerios right now?..LMFAO! If you think Olive Garden is even in the same category as local restaurants in Bend, you need to stick with your T.V. dinner delights!
Zydaco by far the best.
5 Fusion tops them all. Their sushi is fresh, hot meals delicious, great bar and outstanding service/atmosphere.
Five Fusion is my favorite restaurant. Love their happy hour – and they are open for lunch now! Their food is wonderful – and their service is outstanding. The owner, Lilian, always makes me feel so welcome!
I love Zydeco! Great food and great servers. They are always busy that I can’t believe they haven’t won before.
5 Fusion! I could eat here everyday.
Five Fusion.
5 fusion!
5 Fusion and Sushi! Great ambiance, fabulous and creative happy hour and regular menus made with local produce. Joe Kim and Lilian Chu bring fusion cuisine to a new level.
5 Fusion is my vote. Consistently good quality, new items to keep things exciting, professional service, welcoming environment. My favorite place to go for dinner alone with a good book.
5 Fusion – their new lunch menu is amazing, and extremely fair in the pricing.
5 Fusion. Their sushi and hot meals are fantastic
5 Fusion has the best sushi in bend!!! Best Restaurant in Bend hands down !!
5 Fusion is FABULOUS…the food, the service, EVERYTHING!
5 FUSION is truly the melding of all that is good. The food is incredible, the staff unparalleled, the atmosphere/music is just icing on the cake. Lilian and her staff have set the standard for fabulous dining in Bend. We are very lucky!
5 Fusion Sushi Bar is amazing! Not only do they give to the community. They have a great selection of sushi as well as meals for the person who has never tried sushi.
I eat there at least 4 or more times a month. I have to get my sushi fix!
The owner and staff are exceptional. If you haven’t had their food,don’t waste anytime. Go check it out!
Without a doubt, I vote for 5 Fusion! Their food is consisitnetly amazingly (especially the lobster curry), they have a good happy hour and the service is always wonderful. Their staff are friendly and knowledgeable. We always have a great experience…thanks Lilian!
The Phoenix…Great food, friendly service, as good as anything downtown!!! Wait…I take that back….BETTER than anything downtown.
I love their food and the service. I think the best reataurant in Bend. Their Sushi master, Joe, is the best sushi chef I’ve ever met in my life. Fancy and awesome food.
5 Fusion is our absolute ‘family of five’ favorite! Amazing food, consistent quality, incredible creativity, and of course, impeccable service and atmosphere! Lilian and Joe have totally won our loyalty — and appreciation! We would be there every day if we could — and healthier for the experience!
Soup 2 Nuts 2 Go has the best soup, sandwiches, pizza and salads! The only place in REDMOND for healthy, chef-created casual food! They also have gluten free pizza! Some say best in Central OR! Friendly, warm service.
Boken. Their food never disappoints and the cocktails are innovative.
Soup 2 nuts in Redmond is Great.
Zydeco in Bend – absolutely the best