The paddleboard’s been paddled, the lake swum in, the trail hiked, an unduly large number of food-stall dumplings consumed; now it’s time to cap off the summer with some beer. Summer is always a busy time for craft enthusiasts, but over the years, Bendites have seen the second half of August turn into an unofficial […]
Restaurant Review
Posted inFood & Drink
Food Cart Pod Lands in Sisters
Eurosports adds food and drink to its longtime location
The high-profile food scene in Bend tends to overshadow what’s cooking in Sisters. At first glance, the tight-knit community seems to be behind the times with 1880’s facades and the downtown blocks you can count on two hands—but in reality the home of the world’s biggest little rodeo is also home of some of the […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Eating High on the Hog
Pono Farm & Fine Meats surpasses expectations
Have you had fried rice before? Oh, you have? NO! NO! You are wrong! You have never had fried rice until you’ve eaten Pono Farm’s Fried Rice. Heck, you haven’t even lived until you have had their insanely addictive, bacon-fat-and-meat-flurried-fluffy-rice-and-what-is-that? A-shred-of-carrot? Oh-this-is-healthy! …fried-rice dish. Pono Farm & Fine Meats is a magical place where cows […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Little Bites: Taj Palace Specializes in Fresh South Indian Cuisine
Americans tend to think of Indian food as a single, monolithic cuisine consisting of basmati rice, assorted curries, and tandoori chicken. In reality, Indian food is as diverse as the country itself, where 1.2 billion citizens speak more than 300 languages, and each of the nation’s more than two dozen states features at least a […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A Vessel Worthy of the Craft
DrinkTanks expands along with the rest of Bend’s beer scene
For the past 10 years or so, the watchword for Central Oregon beer has been “expansion.” It’s a trend that continues apace, although it’s perhaps not so noticeable at the moment because not as many new breweries are opening. But our existing breweries are expanding like there’s no tomorrow. So it goes, as well, for […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Vegetarian
1st place | Laughing Planet
Most menus in Bend provide ample options for vegetarians on the hunt for a meatless meal – so in that way, the best vegetarian category has some meaty competition. Still, it’s Laughing Planet that came out, well, laughing. Their well-designed menu makes it easy to decipher which plates are veg-friendly. Meat is by no means […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Mexican
1st place | El Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant
This year’s Best Mexican is an ace up the sleeve, for sure. If you don’t know El Rancho Grande, you should. It’s in the Cascade Village Shopping Center across from the water fountain. You can’t miss it because there’s a giant bucking bull out front. That’s Diablo, their mascot. The dining room is lined with […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Ethnic Food
1st place | Kebaba Restaurant
Serving Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food with a Bend twist for 10 years as of this October, Kebaba is your best bet for ethnic food. Jackpot dishes include a lamb gyro made from house roasted, all natural, hormone-free lamb leg, served on a homemade fresh-baked pita. Also noteworthy are the chicken, lamb, salmon or prawn […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Thai
1st place | Wild Rose Thai
Let’s be honest: Bend drew an Ace when Wild Rose opened downtown. Everyone loves the place because you can play this card multiple different ways. The cozy, eclectic atmosphere is inviting for any occasion. You could bring your mom, have a business meeting, or go on a Tinder date and you’d still feel right at […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Dessert
1st place | Bontร Gelato
Serving up hand-crafted, artisan gelato and sorbets that trump all other desserts, Bontà Gelato sources its ingredients from farms and companies like Rainshadow Organics, Miracle Acre Farm, Tumalo Lavender, Jem Nut Butter, Freddy Guys Hazelnuts, Thump Espresso and Eberhard’s. Much like they have done since their start in 2011 at NorthWest Crossing Farmers Market, the […]