Local Birkebeiners Go Big: Plus 51,000 vertical feet and trail running champs pick Bend

When I was a young lad growing up in Redmond I never paid much attention to food – partly because I didn’t care, and partly because I was too broke to walk in the door.
Returning again as an adult and a professional cook, however, I was constantly reminded that I didn’t miss much. Redmond feels like a culinary wasteland, filled to the brim with mediocre restaurants squeaking by on barely passable food. In every wasteland however, there are always oases. I found one in the Cross Creek Cafe. Nestled behind Redmond City Hall on 8th Street, this gem has become one of the shining lights. Hell, they even serve real pastrami – something I’d completely given up on finding anywhere in Central Oregon.

When I was a young lad growing up in Redmond I never paid much attention to food - partly because I didn't care, and partly because I was too broke to walk in the door.
Returning again as an adult and a professional cook, however, I was constantly reminded that I didn't miss much. Redmond feels like a culinary wasteland, filled to the brim with mediocre restaurants squeaking by on barely passable food. In every wasteland however, there are always oases. I found one in the Cross Creek Cafe. Nestled behind Redmond City Hall on 8th Street, this gem has become one of the shining lights. Hell, they even serve real pastrami - something I'd completely given up on finding anywhere in Central Oregon.

The best bangers and mash in town at the Summit.Local legend has it that downtown Bend’s O’Kane Building is haunted by
the voices of long departed souls. But it’s a different kind curse that
has vexed many of the recent tenants who have struggled and ultimately
failed to gain a foothold in what should be a prime location.
Stuft
Pizza had a good, long run in the huge restaurant space facing Oregon
Avenue. But when rents went north they hightailed it to Highway 97 and
died a slow death. Legends, while always packed on weekends, seemed to
struggle with consistency and imaging problems. Then came the
short-lived catastrophes of On the Rocks and Bend City Grill.

The best bangers and mash in town at the Summit.Local legend has it that downtown Bend's O'Kane Building is haunted by
the voices of long departed souls. But it's a different kind curse that
has vexed many of the recent tenants who have struggled and ultimately
failed to gain a foothold in what should be a prime location.
Stuft
Pizza had a good, long run in the huge restaurant space facing Oregon
Avenue. But when rents went north they hightailed it to Highway 97 and
died a slow death. Legends, while always packed on weekends, seemed to
struggle with consistency and imaging problems. Then came the
short-lived catastrophes of On the Rocks and Bend City Grill.