Merenda Restaurant, Bend Oregon

Merenda Restaurant

Trying to come up with anything to say as far an actual review for Merenda is difficult for me. I don't have the culinary background to comment on the quality of the Oregon Petrale Sole Saltimbocca or how fresh the sauteed pea leaves were. I don't even know what I just wrote rather than trying to pretend that I could critique it. Maybe one day I'll have the experience but until then, I'll just keep watching Iron Chef. Sadly Food Network is running the American version instead of the original. I still think it's messed up that the guy doesn't bite that bell pepper like his uncle used to.

I can comment on things that I do know and I know Happy Hour. I love a good Happy Hour. You get to try all sorts of stuff at a price that doesn't destroy your wallet. As far as Happy Hour in Bend goes, it doesn't get any better than Merenda.

While we figure out what we wanted to nibble on, we get some drinks and munch on the complimentary flat bread and roasted garlic. I hope these photos are acceptable as they were taken with my cell - a habit I am trying to break.

We wanted something filling so we got the fries. I don't care what you want to call them, they're fries, and they're awesome!

And the main reason to hit up Merenda's Happy Hour is the shellfish. $0.50 each for peel and eat prawns and $0.75 for oysters.

No complaints at all. If you've never been to Merenda, I recommend going to Happy Hour for some appetizers so you can get a feel for the menu before you return for dinner. Or just stay for dinner, it doesn't make a difference to me.

Merenda Restaurant
900 NW Wall St
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 330-2304
www.merendarestaurant.com

I found this article at BendLiving with great quotes and compliments on Merenda from local chefs of other great restaurants:
Chefs Choice Top Ten (although there are only 9 listed, odd)

Toomies Thai Restaurant, Bend Oregon

Toomies, Bend Oregon

I've posted about Toomies and about Thai Restaurants in Bend before but I wanted to give Toomies another post for their customer service. EVERYONE I talk to knows that you don't get the best service at Toomies. They aren't as rude as some in recent news but they definitely aren't the fastest. Sometimes it would take forever to even place your order let alone get a refill on your water.

On Monday I went to Toomies and was waited on by Chris. I'll never forget his name since he introduced himself to us as he took our order and did the same for the tables around us. I'll also never forget Jeremy, the jacknut who sat next to us and thought he was so cool he had to use the line "Chris, well I'm Jeremy, are we going to be friends".

Way to make it weird for all of us JDog.

Chris was awesome. Came by the table to check in on us, let us know the status of our appetizer, asked if there was anything else, refilled the drinks, and all in all in a good mood and had a friendly smile. No, I'm not smitten or anything. The guy was a great waiter which until that day, was something I had not experienced at Toomies ever.

Here's a couple photos of the Spring rolls which are just amazing and always have been at Toomies, and the Chicken Red Curry which is always good as well...Photos are just for you Monkey (FYI, I got my other camera working so soon there will not be anymore of these cell phone photos).



Toomies Thai Restaurant
119 NW Minnesota
Bend, OR 97701
541-388-5590

Bend Bulletin's Baltazar's Article

***UPDATE***
Apparently this issue is still a hot button. As the comments are getting more irritating for me to read through, I've decided that unless you're bringing something new to the conversation or talking about the food, please post your comments in one of the other forums. Many of the recent comments are being deleted by me.

Highchairs lead to high drama

We all know about the comments here and on the Mom2Mom blog as well as the filth on Craigslist about this issue. The article by Anna Sowa of The Bulletin did a decent and very PC job of summarizing the story. I'm glad that someone was able to gather up some additional information. What I was most shocked about was Chavez admitting to saying what he said.

I'm not saying that Yvette was lying, but I honestly thought that she was exaggerating a bit. I also thought, and still think that there is a part of the story that is not being told.

He now apologizes for losing his temper with Nishikawa.
"I'm not going to deny I said that," Chavez said Wednesday. "But she made me crazy."

How did she make you crazy? Where is that? You don't go from explaining that you're not going to offer high chairs instantly to cursing do you?

"Of course I'm worried," he said. "I have (children) to feed."

Must feed them at the house because (in my best "kids on the bus from Forest Gump" voice) "You cain't sit here", "Seat's taken", "Can't sit here".

Ahh but then the sweet southern voice chimes in from the back "You can sit here if you want". Sweet Jenny.

Kona Mix Plate, Bend Oregon

Does anyone know where you can find Kal-bi ribs in Bend? I do. Kona Mix Plate located in the Reed Lane Plaza offers authentic cuisine from the Big Island. The entire crew is from Hawaii which is good if you are offering authentic Hawaiian food.

The menu is pretty confusing when you first walk in (and their website doesn't help much either, yet) so I grabbed one of their printed menus which made it easier for me. They were more than helpful and very patient with me while I tried to make up my mind.

I decided on the Kal-Bi (Cal-bee) ribs and the Chicken Katsu. That's right I MIXED IT UP which is encouraged. Getchyur, getchyur, getchyur MIX ON! Like that mixed tape you made for that 9th grade hotty that's all chuck full of hits from Boys to Men and Fine Young Cannibals, you can add two or three of Kona's hits to one mixed plate for $8.50 and $11.50 respectfully. For some weird reason that even I can't explain, the results you get from your mix at Kona is more satisfying than when you get that "Oh, a mixed tape, uh, thanks?" response as she tosses it into her locker before heading off to Algebra 1-2. B#*ch.

HAHA ok ok, that last part was uncalled for...just jokes people. Moving on.

I started off with a Fire Rock Pale Ale from the Kona Brewing Company which apparently is huge on the Big Island. I've never been to Hawaii so I have no idea what I'm talking about when I'm ordering it.

"Duh...Is um, Kona Brewing Company associated with this restaurant" I ask thinking that Kona Mixed Plate and Kona Brewing are the same company...idiot...gosh!


I wouldn't go as far to say that it was a "Pint of Paradise" but it was a great beer that went well with my meal. It went down smooth and I wish I had time for another pint but the service was too fast...maybe next time I'll just drink faster...yeah that's smart.

With your meal you get the choice of rice or fries as well as a choice of Grandma's famous PotatoMac or a tossed green salad. Why is there a choice between PotatoMac or a freakin green salad? I'll personally smack you across the back of your neck if you choose the latter.

The wife was running late to meet me so I order for her and got the Kal-Bi ribs and Shrimp Tempura. She normally gets the Bulgogi, my bad. She didn't complain though, this junk is the bizzomb!

We devoured our perfectly prepared ribs in no time. The Chicken Katsu was light for being a deep fried piece of chicken. The PotatoMac was awesome and I don't even like potato salad or macaroni salad. I chose it cause I thought it would be cheesy like macncheese. Obviously my brain was not firing on all cylinders.

With a menu this big, I can guarantee that I will be posting a few more times on Kona Mix Plate. I can't wait to try the Chicken Teriyaki sandwich...can't say I've seen that on a menu before.

Kona Mix Plate
A taste of Hawaii in Bend! Call for Pick up - 633-7378
61470 S. Highway 97, Bend, Oregon.
Open Monday - Saturday 11am - 9pm, Closed Sundays.
http://www.konamixplate.com/

Super Burrito, Bend Oregon

My last experience with the Al Pastor Burrito was not nearly as good as my last trip to Super Burrito in Downtown Bend. I decided to keep things simple and get the Beef, Bean, and Cheese. It was absolutely delicious and hit the spot. Their hot sauce is a great addition and I highly recommend asking for an extra one if you're taking it to-go.

The photo doesn't really matter since the burrito is going to look the same no matter which one you get I guess. I am hoping to get some feedback and recommendations on which burrito or dish to try on my next visit to Super Burrito. I have no idea what's good here as I'm not a frequent visitor. I do know that the Al Pastor was not that good at all and the Beef, Bean, and cheese was awesome for being so simple.

Super Burrito
118 NW Minnesota Ave
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 317-1384

As I normally search for the restaurant I just wrote about, I came across these older posts from 2004 but it's not good:
http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2004/09/12/bend_burrito_joint_serves_cockroaches_with_food.php
http://www.onthebrightside.net/archives/2004/20040912.html

GROSS! The burrito was still good and I didn't see any roaches on this visit. Going back there anytime soon? That's still up in the air.

Red Robin, Bend Oregon

I try not to go to Red Robin as much as possible but every now and then, I get roped into it. There are a couple of dishes that are doable and I do enjoy them when I finally give in to go there. I can only take the birthday singers so many times. Is there not a better place to celebrate your birthday in this town? Is it worth the $68 bill to get your free sunday?

Since I have been reviewing the Buffalo Wings available in Bend lately I thought it only fitting to get a half order of the Buzzard Wings at Red Robin.


The wings are actually pretty good for being all drummettes. I think we know my position on the drummettes so I'll refrain from going into any detail. The wing sauce was your standard hot wing sauce and it wasn't too hot or too mild. Just right.

I decided to mix it up from my normal chicken breast salad or BLTA Croissant and go with the Chili Chili Cheeseburger:

If you don't already know, the Red Robin Chili is not good. I don't know what I was thinking. The chili was really bland. I don't know what would have made it better even. Oh wait, I know, if it was made by someone else who knows how to make chili. I guess that would work. Baldy's has good chili. Where else?

Our waitress was awesome! Of course I don't remember her name but she said she's been there long enough so she hopes she's good. We let her know that we thought she rocked. Anyway, she asked if I wanted a little pink or no pink on the burger. I decided no pink when I normally would have said pink. I made another poor decision. No pink is well done which was dry. Even smothered with chili and the large amount of Tabasco I used, it was still dry.

The wife had this new item that was on that insanely large table display. You know the display that you put on the neighboring table as soon as you sit down. Their crap on the table is getting out of hand. It's just too much. Put that crap in the menu and call it good. I get your point, you want me to order a speciality drink and get dessert all within 5 minutes so you can shuffle in the next birthday party. Annoying.

Oh so the wife's dish was this Buzzard wing Zesty Wrap thingy. It was hot wing chicken breast slices in a jalapeno wrap with a zesty sauce, blue cheese dressing, and blue cheese crumbles:

It was great. She only ate half so I got the second half which was perfect since I didn't eat all of my "burger". Her's was good and I'd recommend it. The wrap was rather spicy and the flavors blended perfectly together. I'd get that again.

One thing I do like about the birthday songs (if you can actually like something about them) is the speed in which they are wrapped up. Quick and to the point. I can't stand the traditional happy birthday song. It's painful. It reminds me of Office Space when they had to sing to Bill Lumbergh.

Red Robin
www.redrobin.com
625 SW Powerhouse Dr
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 382-9234

Baltazar's, Bend Oregon - Not Kid Friendly

***UPDATE***
Apparently this issue is still a hot button. As the comments are getting more irritating for me to read through, I've decided that unless you're bringing something new to the conversation or talking about the food, please post your comments in one of the other forums. Many of the recent comments are being deleted by me.

Baltazar's Bend, Oregon

I received a few comments on an earlier post about Baltazar's in Bend Oregon which didn't sit well with me. I decided not to publish the posts on my blog mainly due to the length of the posts (aside from yours eMusings which I accidentally deleted while deleting the multiple copies of the comments posted by Yvette and Tom...apologies) as well as the topic. I don't mind publishing posts with people's opinions and short stories of their experience, but this one was a bit more than the normal "I didn't like it" type comments.

You can read the entire post at Mom2Mom Bend, Oregon.

There are a few places in Bend that I would NOT recommend taking your kids to and obviously Baltazar's is one of them. I side with restaurants that do not welcome kids. I think it's a good thing to set your business model to go after the clientele that you wish to attract. It's your right and if that's what makes you happy, you will enjoy your work.

Places like Baltazar's, BlackSmith, Merenda, Mars, Zydeco, Staccato, Scanlon's, Han's, Cork, Giuseppe's, Blue Fish Bistro, Robby J's, and many more are not (in my opinion) kid friendly. I'm not saying that all of these places don't provide high chairs or will be rude to you if you bring your kid(s), I'm just saying that I wouldn't take my kid(s) there if I had a choice in the matter.

These places are not fun for children. They don't have menu items for kids. It's obvious that they are not catering to kids. It's their business, it's their choice and they have every right to refuse service to anyone or to do whatever they want with their business.

Having said that, being rude to someone with a child after you have seated them in your establishment, cursing at a customer with a complaint on the service they received, child or not, is absolutely not acceptable. I enjoyed my experience at Baltazar's and have been back with the same results. I have never been there with children though so I can not comment on an experience there with kids.

I intend to notify Baltazar's of the comments made in order to allow them the opportunity to respond. I'm curious to hear their side of the story or to see how they react in general. If I had a restaurant that was not really kid friendly, I'd stand by that point but I wouldn't go to these lengths to get my point across. I'd do something like have a kids menu that was three times the price of the adult menu. An extra plate so you could share your rice with your kid would be $10. I'd gladly provide any of these services with a smile, that way you can complain about my policy but you couldn't complain about my service.

Original Pancake House - Omelet

Original Pancake House

Yesterday I posted a very short message about the Bacon Waffle at the Original Pancake House. The truth is, that was the wife's breakfast. Being that I have not been to TOPH in a long time and that I was starving, I wanted something that would guarantee I was going to be full.

I went with something safe and got the Ham and Cheese Omelet. The photo below is not the best but what I like about it is the oozing cheese. Oh ... (breath in) ... yeah (breath out):

As eMusings mentioned in his post, The Original Pancake House can have some seriously long lines. When we went late around 1pm on a Saturday, we were able to get seated rather quickly. The service is great and the quality of food is the tops.

One thing I wish I snapped a photo of was how they bring out their juice. Order juice and you'll see. A small glass in a bowl. This took me a while to try and figure out the purpose but I ended up having to ask why. Our waitress (I still call them waitresses Dave) explained that they are instructed to fill the juice glasses to the very top. This is good since the glasses are not that big but it increases the chances of spilling causing sticky floors and table tops which means more cleaning. Who wants to see someone come out with a mop and bucket all the time while they are already super busy?

Anyway, TOPH in Bend is worth the wait that many have mentioned to me. Other than being packed (which is a good problem for businesses I would think) I have not heard any other complaints about the place. It's awesome!

Original Pancake House
1025 Donovan S.W.
Bend, Oregon 97702
541-317-0380
http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

Original Pancake House - Bacon Waffle

Original Pancake House

Bacon Waffle with a side of sausage:


"Our golden brown waffle baked with real bits of bacon. Served with whipped butter and hot syrup."


DONE!


Original Pancake House
1025 Donovan S.W.
Bend, Oregon 97702
541-317-0380
http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

links to other mentions of the Original Pancake House:
eMusings

Mongolian BBQ

A long time ago I went to the Mongolian BBQ over by Fred Meyers and was disappointed that it wasn't "all you can eat" like other Mongolian BBQs I have been to. So it has been a long time since I have been back and now I sort of regret it. I like this place.

For those that don't know, Mongolian BBQ features "create your own stir-fry" using a variety of meats, vegetables, and sauces. You start off with the size of bowl you want, pack it with the ingredients you want, finish it off with ladles of sauces and hand it to the grill guy.

He'll throw it on the massive flat stove as seen here:

I guess this style started with Mongolian warriors cooking food on this inside of their shields. Not sure if that's accurate or not and I'm too lazy to look it up.

When it's done they'll slide it back into a bowl and you're ready to eat:

What I found amazing about their set up is the order in which they lay out the bar. Starting with the bowls your first options are the vegetables. The broccoli and cabbage are huge and will take up quite a bit of room in your bowl. Before you know it, you've got a bowl full of crappy vegetables and you haven't added your meat. That's how they "get" you.

I decided that I wasn't going to conform to the order and sort of jumped around from section to section. After a couple vegetables I hit the meat section. I went a little overboard with beef, pork, and shrimp. I should have stuck with only one main meat for better flavor. But I've always been a fan of eating as many animals as possible. I know that sounds barbaric but it's the truth.

At El Caporal I LOOOVE the Tres Cobaios (not sure if that's spelled right, I think it means Three Horses...mmmm horse (kidding)). It's skirt steak, chicken breast, and prawns wrapped with bacon, rice, beans. Oh man, sooooo good! Beef, Pork, Shrimp, Chicken...am I missing something?

I was having too much fun adding all the different stuff and not following the "proper" order of things that I forgot to add noodles. DUH! So I ended up with this massive stack of noodles on top. It worked out ok since most of the ingredients cook down, plus they drop some like you see in the photo, and it all fit back in the bowl just fine.

It's not necessary to have all you can eat since the big bowl is plenty big. You don't need more than that.

If you do visit Mongolian BBQ, I recommend going HEAVY on the ladles of sauces. I had the big bowl and put in what I thought was a lot of sauce but mine still came out a tad dry. It was good, I just would have preferred a little more sauce is all.

Also, I'm not sure I'd recommend the Mongolian BBQ if you are allergic to anything on that bar. I didn't add any peanuts to mine but the other dish that was on the grill at the same time must have cause I had no less than three peanuts in my bowl while I was eating.

All in all, for the money, it's a pretty good deal. Dinner prices are around $7-$10. You get exactly what you want (and maybe an extra peanut or two) and your eating pretty soon after you come in. I'll be back there.

Mongolian BBQ
61535 S Highway 97, Bend, OR
(541) 318-8500

Outback Steakhouse, Bend OR

Outback Steakhouse

I don't know what it is but ever 6 months I get this crazy voice inside my head that keeps singing "Let's go Outback tonight, life will still be there tomorrow". I sing it in the shower in the mornings and then I know it will only be a matter of days before the voice gets angry and must have it's cravings satisfied or else I will turn into Paul Hogan...not cool Original Crocodile Dundee Hogan but more like Crocodile Dundee in LA Hogan when you're like "really, we're still making these".

"That's not a knife...THIS is a knife!" HAHAHA oh that's brilliant. Good times...GOOOD times.

What's weird about Outback is that I never really enjoy myself that much. I mean the food is what it is. IT IS WHAT IT IS!!! I LOVE that saying. It's like I give up. I got nothing of value to add to the conversation or the company meeting or chatting with my friends or I am really hung over so I'll just say "it is what it is" cause I do love the sound of my voice.

I'm just saying that the food is the consistently mediocre. I never leave there thinking that I just ate the best steak of my life. So why do I have the craving to go back there twice a year? I really don't know. They got something on me.

I think the best part of going to Outback here in Bend is dessert. No not their desserts...Coldstone right next door. It's the best. I'll give them their own post sometime soon but I have to say, I love tipping them. It cracks me up to hear the forced enthusiasm as they regurgitate a short rhyme in sing song form. SO worth whatever coins they gave me back.

Anyway, Outback is alright if you have some money to burn or just want to go somewhere familiar. I like that they give you warm bread and your salad comes our pretty quick for you to snack on while you slosh down your 26gallon Fosters (it's only a $1 more). Like I said, food is pretty consistent and portions are large.

What I can't stand about Outback, or any other place that does this really, is when the waiter or waitress sits at your table, in the booth with you, or even kneels down next to your tabel. Look pal, you're not my friend, I don't know you, back it up. If we were cool like that, your name tag would not be necessary. If you're wearing a name badge, please remain standing. You're breaking my comfort zone here. We all know our roles here, you bring food that I pay for. We aren't going to exchange emails after. Please just stand politely next to the table and ask the right questions and we'll all go about our day.

Maybe that's just me.

Outback Steakhouse
269 Se Reed Market Rd, Bend, OR
(541) 383-8104

While searching for the address of Outback, I found a great post and comment thread over at HackBend

I love the comments and the fact that Jon used the same phrase "mediocre" to describe his experience.

Bend Brewing Company or BBC - HotWing Chicken Ceasar Salad

Bend Brewing Company

I've been on this hotwing craze lately and wanted to go back to BBC to have theirs again. I got there, got a pint, and then found the Hot Wing Chicken Caesar Salad on the specials menu. Hmmm, chicken wings, or a chicken breast covered in wing sauce over a Caesar salad with bleu cheese crumbles (you can visualize me with my hands out to my sides, palms in the air doing the whole scale thing). This tough decision had me in a bit of a pickle.

Wait ... "bit of a pickle?" Where did that saying come from...does it even make sense...am I even using it correctly? Is being in a pickle is like being in a jam? MMM jam and pickles. Of course jam probably is more like door jam, like a tight spot, a tough situation instead of the delicious spread for my morning toast or lunch time PB&J. None of this matters. I don't like pickles with jam. Gross.

I did watch on Food Network a while back an episode of Ham on the Street where George Duran took random jams and put them with random cheeses to make grilled cheese. His theory was that you can't go wrong with any combination.

The wife and I actually tested this theory with whatever jams and cheeses we had in the fridge and he was quite right. It was difficult to find a bad combination. And it was a good way to use those jams that you always have sitting around that you were given during the holidays or that came with the Hickory Farms gift set that you meant to mail to your grandma last Christmas but forgot because you are the worst grandchild of all time. When I was a kid I used to eat Jam sandwiches, you got two slices of bread, jam them together, done. Great childhood memories.

So if you're lucky enough to have the HotWing Chicken Caesar appear on the daily specials on your next visit to the BBC, I'd recommend it. The HotWing Sauce at the BBC is delicious. It's spicy but not too spicy and the flavor is spot on! Perfection. Of course if you don't get the special, I'd still recommend the wings. They are great!!

Bend Brewing Company
1019 NW Brooks St.
Bend, OR, 97701
(541)383-1599

http://www.bendbrewingco.com/