The Year in Restaurants: Dearly Departed and New Arrivals

Times are tough all over, but the local restaurant industry has certainly been taking more than its share of punches. This year saw the passing of restaurants ranging from low-key eateries to the finest in fine dining.

 Hola! Enchiladas
Queretanas

What makes your favorite dish taste so good? Is it only the quality and freshness of the ingredients? Is it the presentation? Does the service and ambience affect your palette? I feel it takes multiple elements working in a symbiotic fashion to create a great experience, i.e.

The only question about La Rosa's late-night scene is whether you can get a seat.Bend's reputation as a town of early birds is slowly but steadily diminishing.

Playing hooky at the BlacksmithLet's be honest, the recession hasn't been any easier on Central Oregon's restaurants than it's been on our furniture businesses. We've lost some good, and some great, restaurants as our local industry contracts.

 Zydeco's Grilled Redfish
Favorite Central Oregon dish? Tough choice. There are many great restaurants and chefs in Central Oregon.

Off the beaten path and right up our alley, Bend's Produce Patch.In winter, the word "fresh" is core to the Central Oregon vernacular.

Sparrow Bakery's
Croque Monsieur

Believe it or not, my favorite local dish is a pastry, sort of. Because I run a dinner house I don't get to go out in the evenings very much.

Braised short ribs with pickled vegetables at Cork. Listening to the latest rumblings, you'd think that no one goes out to eat anymore.

Ryan Barnett, Fireside red
Barnett with Ariana’s GnocchiAriana's Gnocchi and peas
Since the recent closure of Bistro Corlise, my regular dining spot, I was confused as to where to take my wife for a good dinner. Then I found Ariana and their wonderful gnocchi.