Deschutes Brewery – Bend Oregon

In January 2012 Deschutes Brewery in Bend Oregon closed for a few weeks in order to finish their expansion. I was fortunate enough to get in early to see the new digs and try some new menu items. Deschutes was very generous and covered the cost of food for all their invited guests for 4 consecutive days. It was a great way for their crew to get used to the new flow and the kitchen to try out the new menu and work out the kinks.

Was I running around like a tourist taking photos of the new facilities? No. I’ll leave that up the you guys and your facebook postings. I just did what I do and take the photos of the food. (But the entire place looks awesome and I’m sure all of Bend will be knocking each other over to get in there when they do open their doors to the general public)

Here are some pics of some of the new menu items. Even though the food was free, we didn’t gorge and order everything like jacknuts. We did over do it for sure and were absolutely stuffed. The following photos are from two separate visits. Pricing was not on the menu’s so I have no idea how much any of this stuff costs.

One of my favorite dishes was probably the simplest to make – the White Bean dip with garlic, olive oil, and an olive tapenade. The olives provided that saltiness that I love. This could be a meal in itself. 

Deschutes Brewery White Bean Dip

Deschutes Brewery White Bean Dip

We tried the Boar Sausage on the small plates portion of the menu. Not the prettiest dish but it was quite good. I don’t eat sauerkraut so I asked the Wife how it was and she said it could be better. No lose to me as I was happy with the sausage and mustard. Even though this is a small plate, it is plenty for most people. But, I’m a fatty so we kept on.

Deschutes Brewery Boar Sausage

Deschutes Brewery Boar Sausage

They are offering 3 types of flatbread pizzas and the one that jumped out at me was the Pub Pizza – sausage and pepperoni. I thought it was very good but the Wife thought it could use a little more sauce. The pepperoni was very good!

Deschutes Brewery Pub Pizza

Deschutes Brewery Pub Pizza

At dinner I went for the Pork Shoulder. It was tender and fell apart under my fork. The potatoes were light and fluffy. The gravy was perfect. Nothing to complain about here.

Deschutes Brewery Pork Shoulder

Deschutes Brewery Pork Shoulder

We were very pleased with everything and loved the new side and all the changes to the old side as well.

Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House
1044 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 382-9242
http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/locations/bend

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Zydeco – Bend Oregon

Zydeco is one of the most popular restaurants in Bend. At least it seems to be for me since every single time I try to go, it is completely packed. The Wife and I were able to find a spot in the bar at the long community table. We enjoy sitting in the bar at a lot of different restaurants. Joolz, Ariana, Blacksmith, Brother Jon’s, are among our favorites.

Sitting at the bar gives us a chance to talk to the staff and rub elbows with locals. I mean who wants to just sit across from each other in silence again?! She’s heard all my jokes, she knows all my stories, I got nothing else. Or even worse, what about those weirdos that sit on the same side of the booth when it’s just the two of them? Leaving one side of the booth empty is just weird man.

I’m kidding about not having anything to talk about though. The Wife is awesome and we crack each other up constantly. Mostly talking trash about the weirdos around us like that couple that just sits there not saying anything to each other through the entire meal. Whats up with them? SAY SOMETHING!! Why are you still together? Why are you out in public?

Anyway, back to Zydeco. We really do enjoy ourselves when we visit Zydeco. Our favorite bar combo is to get the roasted clams and the BBQ prawns with the southern grit cake. The clams come on top of a slice of bread that soaks up some of the broth, the bread is soooo good, the broth is great and we destroy it every time. The BBQ prawns are absolutely amazing and the sauce they are covered with is plate lickin good. You will sop up all the sauce with any bread available.

Zydeco BBQ Prawns – $11

Zydeco BBQ Shrimp

Zydeco BBQ Shrimp

This is one of those “must try” dishes that I’d recommend to anyone, even if you’re allergic to shellfish. Suck it up and try it. 

Zydeco Kitchen and Cocktails
919 NW Bond St  Bend, Oregon 97701
(541) 312-2899
http://www.zydecokitchen.com

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