Bite-size restaurant review: Rimrock Café

Published 12:00 am Thursday, October 17, 2019

Rimrock Café

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Food: This may come as a surprise, but you can enjoy the casual fare at Rimrock Café without paying admission to the High Desert Museum (make sure you check in at the admissions desk). It will be your lucky day because there you will find the “Best Grilled Cheese Ever,” as it says on the menu. Priced at $12, the sandwich comes with two large slices of sourdough bread coated in Parmesan on the outside — a wake-up call to grilled cheese makers who put cheese only on the inside. Rimrock, of course, goes the extra cheese mile with mozzarella, havarti and cheddar inside. My dining companion opted for one of the daily soups, a chicken tortilla soup she described as tasty, adding that her preference is for Rimrock’s chili.

Service: I stopped in on a hurried weekday last week, and my sandwich was ready in a jiff. I enjoyed my banter with the friendly cashier, who saw me eyeballing the freshly baked cookies — positioned smartly next to the cash register — and wisely asked if I’d perhaps like to buy one. You don’t have to be in sales to recognize upselling when you see it, but resistance was futile seeing as how the cookies were still warm.

Atmosphere: Tucked neatly toward the rear-center of the museum, the cafe is a warm, inviting space that features outdoor photography on the walls above its tables. There can be a lot of foot traffic in and out of the space, which is good if you like people watching. Catch it during a quiet moment, though, and there’s just something inherently tranquil about eating in a museum setting.

MORE INFO

Location: High Desert Museum, 59800 U.S. Highway 97, Bend

541-382-4754, ext 296

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, switching Nov. 1 to winter hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cuisine: Casual fare, sandwiches, wraps, salads

Price range: $5 to $13; kids menu $6-$7

— David Jasper, The Bulletin