Despite a recent run of unseasonably warm weather, it's still officially winter, but that didn't prevent Derek and Gregg Yarrow, a pair of Long Island transplants from staking their culinary claim on Mirror Pond plaza. The brothers recently launched a joint venture that might just be the best rolling sausage fest in downtown Bend, apologies to the Classic Car Cruise…
The Yarrow Brothers opened BurlyWurst, an elaborate hot dog-and-sausage cart that would be the envy of any New York street vendor. Using recipes handed down from their German mother that are informed by younger brother Gregg's NYC culinary background, the Yarrows have elevated the wiener to an art form. Garnished with mom's homemade sauerkraut, the Berlin Brat ($4.50) comes served on a toasted bun and is available with slaw or sautéed onions. Or mix 'em all together. The guys are happy to help you customize your order to taste.
Sausage Fest: BurlyWurst rolls out a better wiener
What's Your Sign?: Double black diamonds are a girl's best friend
I should have really written this column last week to make it into the pre-Valentine's Day Source “Love Issue.” But sometimes you just come up a day late and a greeting card short. At any rate, I thought it might be amusing, if not timely, to comment on the outdoor dating scene in Bend.
The other day I skinned to the top of Tumalo with a girlfriend and discovered an impromptu party at the summit. There were shiny, happy people everywhere, munching on Clif Bars, peeling off skins, soaking in the view. My friend and I noted especially the good-looking guys clad in soft-shell and beaming endorphins who were quick to strike up friendly conversation. Advice about the best line in the bowl, homemade brownies and cell phone numbers were shared. OK, I made up that part about the phone numbers, but on the way back down, we declared the top of Tumalo on a sunny winter day the best pick-up spot in Bend. At least way better than the Astro Lounge. Apparently, though, Cog Wild is now hosting Mountain Biker Happy Hour at the Marz Bistro on Wednesday nights.
Zen and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance: Building, repairing and teaching safety at Bend's Community BikeShed
Joe Katroscik is trying to explain something about bicycle parts, while Michael Martin bangs an old frame with a hammer. Pointing towards the front of the bike in progress, Katroscik says, “See this joint, what's it called Michael? A lug?”
“You big lug,” Martin chimes in, clanging away.
Not acknowledging the joke, Katroscik continues to talk bike mechanics and the mission of Bend's Community BikeShed.
What the Hell?: Dante's Inferno was just 700 years in the making
When we first meet Dante, he is midway through his life's journey, seated in a dark forest sewing a red cross across his bare pecs and up the ripples of his sixpack. It's not exactly how I envisioned the ardent pilgrim from The Divine Comedy. And it's certainly not the Dante depicted scowling down from his tomb in Florence. But the buff, barechested Dante is the ideal hero for a videogame in which the torments of Hell are depicted in robust, fleshy glory.
The designers of Dante's Inferno – the videogame – have taken the theologically bold stance of treating Hell like a real location, and its denizens as demons who can be decapitated and destroyed. The minions of Hell include unbaptized babies who skitter around with blades instead of arms, and obese men who spew gobs of bile and what looks like undigested food. Grim devils tower over the landscape, and Beatrice, Dante's beloved, spends much of the game in the nude.
What Is Funny?
What is “funny”? I think we can all agree that “funny” is subjective, in that what may be “unfunny” to one person can be shit-pantsing hilarious to another. My good friend Dave claims the funniest thing in the world is a dog running down the street with a ham in its mouth. I concur this would be hilarious… if it wasn't MY goddamn honey-glazed ham procured from the mall less than an hour ago! (Second funniest thing in the world to Dave: Me chasing a dog with a ham in its mouth down the street. BTW, neither is funny.)
Some think that trying to explain “funny” automatically makes any “funny” thing “unfunny.” Categorically, this is horseshit. Like anything else in the universe, “funny” can be explained mathematically. In this case, with the following equation: person or animal + personality flaw + accidental happenstance – life-threatening injury = HILARITY.
Like Father Like Son: Oedipal twist tears the heart out of The Wolfman
The Wolfman looked like it might be OK, beginning with a lone figure prowling the moors at night, segueing into the first beastly attack. But resurrecting a horror icon should be done with some pizzazz, and the only thing this Wolfman has down is the lavish, Gothic sets.
The plot revives the classic werewolf tale. Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) returns to his family estate to investigate his brother's death, deal with his estranged father (Anthony Hopkins) and contend with a horrifying family legacy. The full moon looms and evil transformation is imminent. But this one made me miss even the abysmal Wolf with Jack Nicholson, not to mention Lon Chaney Jr's sensitive portrayal in George Waggner's 1941 version.
Good Cop, Bad Cop: Nicolas Cage goes nuts playing The Bad Lieutenant in Werner Herzog's instant classic
Sometimes you see a movie, and two thirds of the way through you know that no matter how it ends, this is going to be one you'll be raving about for years to come. The Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans has Nicolas Cage playing the part of the injured, dirty, hopped-up cop Terence McDonagh like the Humphrey Bogart of In A Lonely Place and The Maltese Falcon. Inspired by Abel Ferrara's 1992 Bad Lieutenant, this film gives us a bad cop in Cage who's not half as bad as the world he works in. His every corrupt moment – from confiscating drugs from drunken couples for his own use, to threatening old ladies – is reflective of the police force, the government and the whole system.
Won't Get Fooled Again: Pollo Gordo's rotisserie is a sneaker delight
Owners Ron and Diane Burns opened El Pollo Gordo in 2008 with a mission to provide, “fresh and healthy food at a reasonable price.” I admit when I first visited the restaurant, located across from the Wagner Mall, I anticipated fast food of dubious quality. Drawn in by “dollar taco” sandwich boards dotting the front lawn like maps to an unexpected culinary treat, I was met with a pleasant scene of golden rotisserie chicken, a brilliant salsa bar and endless combinations of chicken meals, salads, burritos and tacos. Ahh, the tacos…
Silver dollar pancake-sized white corn tortillas hugged carne asada and succulent chopped chicken topped with cilantro-spiked salsa. The taste and presentation reminded me of a Southern California or Baja Mexican delight. Satisfying but not greasy and with just enough piquant heat.
Won't Get Fooled Again: Pollo Gordo's rotisserie is a sneaker delight
Owners Ron and Diane Burns opened El Pollo Gordo in 2008 with a mission to provide, “fresh and healthy food at a reasonable price.” I admit when I first visited the restaurant, located across from the Wagner Mall, I anticipated fast food of dubious quality. Drawn in by “dollar taco” sandwich boards dotting the front lawn like maps to an unexpected culinary treat, I was met with a pleasant scene of golden rotisserie chicken, a brilliant salsa bar and endless combinations of chicken meals, salads, burritos and tacos. Ahh, the tacos…
Silver dollar pancake-sized white corn tortillas hugged carne asada and succulent chopped chicken topped with cilantro-spiked salsa. The taste and presentation reminded me of a Southern California or Baja Mexican delight. Satisfying but not greasy and with just enough piquant heat.
Little Bites: Sausage Fest: BurlyWurst rolls out a better wiener
Despite a recent run of unseasonably warm weather, it's still officially winter, but that didn't prevent Derek and Gregg Yarrow, a pair of Long Island transplants from staking their culinary claim on Mirror Pond plaza. The brothers recently launched a joint venture that might just be the best rolling sausage fest in downtown Bend, apologies to the Classic Car Cruise…
The Yarrow Brothers opened BurlyWurst, an elaborate hot dog-and-sausage cart that would be the envy of any New York street vendor. Using recipes handed down from their German mother that are informed by younger brother Gregg's NYC culinary background, the Yarrows have elevated the wiener to an art form. Garnished with mom's homemade sauerkraut, the Berlin Brat ($4.50) comes served on a toasted bun and is available with slaw or sautéed onions. Or mix 'em all together. The guys are happy to help you customize your order to taste.

