Central Oregon’s food scene yielded rich flavors, stories in 2024

Published 10:30 am Monday, December 23, 2024

The close of 2024 marks my third year of writing about food.

Admittedly, I ate at fewer restaurants than in years past. Instead, I dived into the stories behind the plate and penned announcements of forthcoming restaurant openings. I’m still eagerly awaiting a few of these concepts, which are still on the cusp of opening: M’s Bakery in the Old Mill District, Ken’s Artisan Pizza in downtown Bend and The Den, a teahouse and dessert bar, by Foxtail Bakeshop.

In addition to writing about restaurant openings, I was intrigued by a poll posed by Eater Portland in 2023. It inspired our April poll, ”What restaurant does Bend need most?” and our poll in October, ”What Bend restaurant would you bring back if you could?” Both were met with a deluge of passionate emails offering invaluable insights into our community’s culinary scene.

So yes, there will be more polls.

Reader suggestions

I’m always grateful for reader tips on Central Oregon’s restaurants or food trucks. In July, Vince Salomone pointed me toward a new food cart in Brookswood Meadow Plaza with lobster rolls and wild blueberry pie that was only open Wednesday evenings. I don’t think he knew the name, as he didn’t share it. Upon visiting, I met owner Shane Roy of Nana C’s, who shared the venture’s heartwarming raison d’etre: celebrating family and supporting lobster fisherman in his home state of Maine.

That same month, Linda Batten led me to Prineville to meet Kelly Green, owner of a saloon inspired by the Western series, “Lonesome Dove.” The restaurant’s specials are unusually creative and designed by Green’s daughter, Cassie Floyd, who claims social media trends and the ingredients on hand as her inspirations.

More memorable moments

It was a pleasant surprise when a review of Sisters’ Italian joint R Spot and its signature pasta, salads and sandwiches resonated especially well with readers.

And it was an honor to receive an email from Julie Higgins to share the rebranding of her food cart from Little Slice of Heaven Cheesecakes to Little Slice of Hell, an acknowledgement of her battle with cancer and belief that the joy of life’s pleasures are just as important as a healthy, balanced diet.

It was inspiring to learn how Lily Sufi Nikzad has woven her Persian ancestry into Noosh, a project with a presence at farmers’ markets that hosts multiple-course pop-up dinners at Spork. Members of the community have caught on to Nikzad’s brilliance, as her December solstice dinner sold out in a record four minutes, according to a social media announcement.

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In September, it was a treat to experience the riches cooked up by members of Jill’s Cookbook Club at Flights Wine Bar. Drum orchestrates monthly potluck dinners that illustrate a cookbook author’s work while building friendships, community and connection. November marked the Bend club’s three-year anniversary and it has expanded to Bend and Beaverton.

In October, I ate the best sushi of my life at Ryoshi Sushi & Izakaya. If my review didn’t convince you to visit, maybe this reminder will.

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Cheers to the Central Oregon eats that not only keep us fed, but delight our senses and allow us to make memories and forge new connections over the experience of breaking bread.

If there’s a restaurant you’d like reviewed or an interesting food-related story on your mind, send me a note at jwright@bendbulletin.com. I’m always hungry to try new places.