Dining at Cellar 65 feels like being in on a secret.

Entering the speakeasy requires descending stairs lit by a squiggly neon sign into a dimly lit room. Flickering candles illuminate the walls splashed with murals showcasing women wearing prohibition-era headdresses and holding martini glasses.

Miki and Kamal Bekkari opened Cellar 65 beneath Blissful Spoon in August. The menu features tapas and mains inspired by Morocco, Spain and France.

It’s a concept the Bekkaris intended to open in 2020 — until the pandemic hit.

“We had originally envisioned more of a nighttime venue for Blissful Spoon, but because we opened during the pandemic we had to re-envision everything,” Miki said.

The Bekkaris started their blended family in Australia before moving to Bend in 2018.

“When we came, we knew that we were going to something food-related because we wanted to do something that we loved,” Miki said.

Flavors of the Mediterranean

Miki recommends everything on the small, curated menu but considers the Spanish and Moroccan dishes a strength. This includes the Bastilla, phyllo pastry stuffed with spinach and cheese ($21), the San Sebastien, piquillo peppers stuffed with tuna ($19) and the saffron chicken tajine ($26).

The tajine is a traditionally Moroccan dish, served in a tagine pot imported from Fes, Morocco. It’s one of Miki’s favorite dishes that Kamal, who is from Morocco, prepares.

“This is one dish Kamal has made for me ever since I’ve known him. When we opened the restaurant, I said, ‘You have to do that one,’’ she said.

The presentation in the cone-shaped ceramic pot makes the dish feel special. The chicken is tender, seasoned with garlic and ginger, and served with Spanish olives and a side of housemade bread.

The Bastilla involves spinach and cheese wrapped in phyllo casing. It’s served with a creamy, pine nut and caper sauce and accompanied by a simple, well-dressed side salad and cherry tomatoes.

The food at Cellar 65 gives the impression of being homemade.

The atmosphere is unpretentious, and the service is attentive and well-paced.

“We want it to feel like we’re welcoming people into our home because this is all food we would serve if somebody came and had dinner at our house,” Miki said.

The Bekkaris have taken food sensitivities and dietary preferences into consideration in the menu’s design, including options for gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian diners, Miki said.

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Special events at Cellar 65

Cellar 65 is a family affair, with Kamal’s son, Adam, 24, manning the bar, and Miki’s daughters helping to serve and run food at Blissful Spoon and with farmers markets and her parents sometimes chipping in to ensure operations run smoothly. Miki’s daughters were 11 and 14 years old when they helped to paint the mural.

The speakeasy also offers Journeys evenings, a special event hosted on the first Thursday of each month that includes a five-course dinner and wine pairings. Thus far, the series has focused Mediterranean countries including France, Italy, Greece and Morocco.

The Bekkaris have noticed recent requests by community members for Ethiopian food, such as in responses to The Bulletin’s poll on what restaurant Bend needs most. Miki said she is considering hosting an upcoming Journeys Evening with Ethiopian food. But regarding the appeals that came in for Mediterranean fare in response to the poll — that’s an area Cellar 65 (and Blissful Spoon) already have covered.

More coverage: We asked what restaurant Bend needs most. Here’s what you told us.

Details

What: Cellar 65

Location: 65 NW Newport Ave. Suite 10, Bend

Contact: cellar65.com, 541-323-0765, @cellar65_bend on Instagram

Hours: 5-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday

Price Range: $8-$19 tapas, $19-$26 mains