coconut ice cream. The Dish: Open for lunch and dinner Mon-Sat 11-9, closed Sunday.
Shhhh…Keep it Quiet Some of the
secret (not really) items you’ll find in town
If you’ve been reading through this guide, it’s quite likely that you’ve been salivating over the long list of delec- table items we pulled from the restau- rants’ menus. Well, wipe that drool off your chin because we’re going to let you in on some of the things you’re not going to find on the menu. Whether it’s a daily special spelled out for you on a chalkboard or an unspoken, unadver- tised Fight Club sort of specialty item, here are some pointers if you want to wander off the menu and/or find some incredible deals. And remember, you
Tomo Japanese Restaurant JAPANESE/ SUSHI 61160 S Hwy 97. 541-323-8888. bendsushi. com $$ From the proprietors of SOBA, Szechuan and Redmond's BaBa comes Tomo Japanese Restaurant, a good, reasonably priced sushi place with an extensive dine-in menu and take- out options, including sushi ranging in price from $2 for Inari (tofu skin) to $10 for higher end rolls. Tomo's focus is traditional Japanese dishes like sashimi, ramen, tempura, and edamame, as well as the Bento lunch option, prepared with fresh, organic produce as often as possible. The Dish: Happy hour, 4-5:30 p.m. daily, lunch Mon.-Sat. and dinner daily.
to get a feel for our dining landscape, you might want to explore the many delicious ins and outs of Deschutes’ pub menu. But if you’re a local, it’s time to stretch your palate and trust in the wisdom of chef Matt Neltner and his crew by not even opening your menu. Rather, gaze up at the choices spelled out in chalk above the kitch- en. The constantly rotating items are almost always awesome and run the gamut in terms of style, so you’ll never be bored.
TOMO JAPANESE RESTAURANT Let’s get back to the sushi, shall we? Believe it or not, there’s another awe- some yet hush-hush sushi special in town and this one’s down at the south end where Tomo is known to get all crazy on Mondays and allow their pa- trons to eat their sushi at half-price – as long as you consume it in the dining room. Come Wednesday, they also halve the prices on all bottles of sake.
BROTHER JON’S PUBLIC HOUSE We’ll cut to the chase on this one by telling you that Brother Jon’s daily specials include some things that may have contributed to the widening of at least one Source staffer’s waistline. Every day features something different on Bro-Jo’s chalkboard, but allow us to tell you about a little something called
didn’t hear it from us.
THE SUMMIT SALOON AND STAGE Few places in Bend have such a reli- ably delicious and excellently legible specials board as The Summit. There’s a long list of items we could talk about, but let us tell you about the rib special that pops up on the board on occa- sional weekend nights. $10 = a half- rack of ribs, plus fries and ‘slaw. The ribs are tender, meaty and doused in house-made sauce.
SUMI’S JAPANESE RES- TAURANT Some specials are so powerful as to require that they only be passed around town by word of mouth. That’s the case with Sumi’s secret (until now) all-you-can-eat sushi special that runs Monday through Wednesday nights. For $24.99 a person, you can feast on Sumi’s rolls until you’re growing gills and have soy sauce running from your ears.
DESCHUTES BREWERY If you’re from out of town reading this
“bacon-wrapped meatloaf” and our other friend, “chicken pot pie.” These enormous yet affordable items make you feel like you’re back at grandma’s house – if your grandma is a devas- tatingly awesome cook who also hap- pens to have a well-stocked bar and beer fridge.
JACKSON’S CORNER The winner of last year’s Restaurant of the Year doesn’t do much wrong on the culinary front, so when they started serving burgers, we guessed they’d be on the awesome side. And we were correct. But here’s the thing
– they’re only available on Thursday nights. Also, there’s a limited amount to be had, so get in line early to enjoy a $12 gourmet burger that includes some locally sourced, hand-made pat- ties that are dressed in a new style ev- ery week.
KEBABA Are you on Twitter? If so, let us merely say @Kebaba. Follow the Middle East- ern restaurant and every Tuesday your feed will be graced with a special dis- count. Technology, eh?
— Mike Bookey
Toomie's Thai Cuisine THAI 119 NW Minnesota Ave. 541-388-5590. $-$$ One of Central Oregon's favorite Thai restaurants is busy for both lunch and dinner. Lunch consists of a portion of your dish of choice (out of about 35 options) served with Pad Thai, steamed rice and salad. For dinner, you've got over 100 options including meat, fish and fowl dishes fusing classic Thai flavors. Standards like tom kha gai and red, yellow and green curries are available, but there are also the more exotic dishes like lotus talay- shrimp, scallops, mussels and squid served in a delicious, soup-like sauce and served in an artichoke "dish." The Dish: Lunch (special combos $6.50-$6.95) and dinner daily.
Trattoria Sbandati ITALIAN 1444 NW College Way. 541-306-6825.
trattoriasbandati.com $$$ Chef Juri Sbandati brings authentic Tuscan cuisine to the spot formerly occupied by La Rosa on College Way for a complete package that won this westside eatery our Restaurant of the Year honors for 2011 (read the profile in this publication). With just a single-seating prix- fixe dinner Thursday through Saturday and room for around 40, reservations are required and can be hard to come by. But persevere. The experience is exceptional from beginning to end and an incredible value despite the higher price tag. If a $50 prix-fixe isn’t feasible for you on a regular basis, Sbandati’s lunch Tuesday through Saturday is of equally stellar quality at more down-to-earth prices. The Dish: Lunch, Tues.-Sat., dinner, $50 prix fixe, Thurs.-Sat., 7 p.m. seating. Dinner reservations required.
Tumalo Feed Company AMERICAN 64619 Hwy 20 West, Tumalo. 541-382-2202.
tumalofeedcompany.com $$-$$$ Craving a good steak, but don't feel like getting all gussied up and blowing your whole paycheck on dinner? Try the Tumalo Feed Company. You get consistently good food and generous portions with entree prices that include appetizers and sides served family- style, as well as a dessert or after-dinner liqueur. Cap off the evening at the western-style saloon, complete with swinging doors and live western music. A full range of drinks is served, including a list of their signature Jartinis-martinis served in a mason jar ready for you to pour. The Dish: Outdoor seating; children's menu (kids under 5 free, kids under 12, $6.95), "sundown suppers" (early bird special) served until 5:30 p.m. daily, dinner daily.
Typhoon! THAI 550 NW Franklin Ave. 541-322-8889.
typhoonrestaurants.com $$-$$$
The Bend location of Bo and Steve Kline's Northwest Thai empire offers diners four pages of menu items as well as specials. In addition, there are over 100 teas expertly listed and described on a separate menu, as well as Asian-influenced house drinks. This large spot in the Franklin Crossing building downtown has a carefully developed atmosphere to recall a steamy tropical night in Thailand. Don't miss the desserts that will surprise and delight. The Dish: Happy hour, 4:30-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner menu from noon Sat. Dinner daily.
Yoko's Sushi JAPANESE/SUSHI Japanese/Sushi 2670 NE Highway 20, 541- 382-3300 $$ Yoko's has achieved a culinary trifecta on Bend's eastside. The staff is gracious and welcoming, the restaurant clean and simply appointed and the menu fresh and toothsome. A conveyor belt bearing freshly made California rolls encircles the heart of the restaurant where sushi techs carefully prepare nori, sashimi and nigiri to order. The tempura salmon roll was both light and satisfying and the tempura ice cream is a flash fried, creamy indulgence. An excellent way to complete a thoroughly gratifying dining experience on Bend's eastside. The Dish: Beer, wine and childrens menu make this a perfect post-Costco, or pre-Pilot Butte movie option .Lunch and dinner, closed Sun.
Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails PACIFIC NORTHWEST/SOUTHERN 919 NW Bond Street 541-312-2899.
zydecokitchen.com $$-$$$ Since moving to downtown last year, Zydeco has taken its popular high-end cuisine to another level. If you’re unfamiliar, don’t let the handle fool you. Rather than offering Cajun cuisine, the menu is rooted in Northwest cuisine with some Southern influences. Try the popular grilled redfish ($25) or the shrimp andouille jamabalaya ($20) for a taste of the bayou influence or play it straight with the Zydeco’s nearly unmatched ribeye ($29). The mix of urban sophistication with Southern hospitality, has translated into a winning formula for this go-to restaurant. The Dish: Gluten-free menu available, free home-baked doggie treats, dinner. Dinner nightly. Lunch, Mon-Fri.
Redmond
Avery's Wine Bar & Bistro NEW AMERICAN 427 SW 8th St. 541-504-7111. $$ A shining star in Redmond, this elegant little cottage tucked in the city's historic downtown neighborhood offers everything from unique tapas to full meals to pair with their ample wine selection. A relaxed ambience will have you trying all kinds of varietals and vintages you never thought you'd get in Redmond. From the fare to the fine wine with which it's matched, the prices are reasonable and your taste buds will thank you. The Dish: Outdoor seating, dinner Tues.-Sat., closed Sun. and Mon. Avery's Wine Bar & Bistro is now serving both lunch and dinner.
Brickhouse Steak & Raw Bar NEW AMERICAN 412 SW 6th St. 541-526-1782.
brickhouseredmond.com. $$$ Redmond holds its own with this rustic-meets- contemporary steak and seafood eatery. The food is expertly prepared and the crowning feature, steak, is some of the best in the area. The beef is from Snake River Farms and is all
continued on page 25 the Source Weekly Dining guiDe 2011 23
NATHAN BOBEY
NATHAN BOBEY
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