Like many businesses in Sisters, the quality and sophistication at Jen’s Garden far outpaces what is commonly expected in a small town. One of the finest and best-thought-out restaurants in Central Oregon, if not the state, Jen’s Garden nestles cozily into two rooms of a French country house—and, of course, spills over into a comfortable […]
2014 Best of Central Oregon
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Butte
Luna Butte
If you like buttes, then you live in the right place. Bend is surrounded by hundreds of them. Between Pilot Butte and Newberry Crater 22 miles to the south, there are more than 70 cinder cones that rise 100 feet in height or more. One of my favorites is Luna Butte, located 15.5 miles south […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
2014 Best of Central Oregon
As voted by Source Weekly readers
Even if only a myth, the first known concept of a pageant was a toe-to-toe competition between Athena and Aphrodite. According to Greek mythology, Zeus sent a minion to judge the “fairest of them all,” a judgment (in Aphrodite’s favor) that set in motion a chain reaction resulting with the all-out Trojan War. All told, […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Beer Named After a Person
No Quit Wit
A decade ago, Gary Bonacker, Sunnyside Sports co-owner and mountain bike pioneer who spent the '70s and '80s bombing around Mt. Bachelor on a clunky bike, hit perhaps his hardest obstacle yet: He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. But Bonacker, now 60, went through chemotherapy and survived with his wit, charm and dedication […]
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Best Chef
Chef Andres Fernandez
While he’s not the namesake of the Westside upscale eatery Ariana—that would be his lovely wife and co-chef—Chef Andres Fernandez is certainly one-half of the inspiration behind the meals at one of Bend’s finest dining establishments, and one outta two ain’t bad. After meeting in culinary school at COCC a decade ago, Ariana and Andres […]
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Best Bartender
Cori Hamilton
A bartender for nearly 20 years, Cori Hamilton first started at Monet’s Garden, a popular bar that she launched in the ’90s. “It was originally a way to pay my way through school,” she explains. “Then I realized the schedule, co-workers, creating cocktails and friends that I make in this business are exactly what I […]
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Best Tattoo Shop
Monolith Tattoo Studio
When you’re getting a piece of art riveted onto your body that’s going to last the rest of your life, there’s no screwing around. Monolith Tattoo Studio gets that. That’s why they hire only the most qualified and talented artists. The shop's staff are versed in every aspect of tattooing, grey scale realism, traditional, color […]
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Best Coffee
Backporch Coffee Roasters
Dave Beach started roasting as a hobby while a student at the University of Oregon. At the time, he explains, his then-girlfriend was out of town for a term, and to fill the time, he picked up the new hobby. When she returned to Eugene, she dumped him, but the skill set—and love for coffee […]
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Best Childcare Facility
Westside Shorty’s
As a single parent of an almost-five-year-old, I know how agonizing it can be to find top-notch childcare. So here ya go, parents: Whether you’re looking for just a couple weekdays sans kiddos, or you’re virtually in need of a pseudo-mom, Westside Shorty’s tops our list for outstanding childcare. Open year-round for children ages three […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Happy Hour
900 Wall
While it’s a rare treat to be excused from my desk during typical happy hour hours (who gets off work at 4 pm?!), I’ve made the hard-driven sacrifice to try just about every discounted eating and drinking scenario I could reasonably get my mouth around in Bend. As far as quality and bang-for-my-buck is concerned, […]
