Bistro Corlise

Without a doubt, the best high-end restaurant in Bend. We have eaten at every big-name restaurant in town (Blacksmith, Cork, Merenda, Bluefish (now closed) et. cetera, but Bistro Corlise is by far more consistent and interesting. And, if something isn't right, they make it right for you: the service is simply outstanding! The menu is extremely seasonal, with most of the ingredients locally grown (they seem to have great relationships with their suppliers, and is very refreshing to know where your food is coming from). They definitely adhere to the Slow Food ethos, which means you get what is in season and tastes good right now, not strawberries in November. Most of the items are French influenced or strictly French dishes. I have had the following at various times: roasted duck, duck pate, foie gras, steak tartar, boar, halibut salad, a cucumber/corn soup, lamb, beef, and most of their dessert menu, and all were OUTSTANDING. The Steak Tartar just melted in my mouth, the lamb and duck were seasoned just right and had the perfect texture. Also, the price is reasonable for what it is. Not cheap (we spent $90 for 2 people on the last trip, but that included appetizers, salads, entrees, 2 glasses of wine, and dessert) and less than you would pay at several (IMO) inferior restaurants within a 3 block radius. Service is always outstanding, as is the level of knowledge. Wine list is extensive and reasonably priced (same bottle at Merenda was nearly 3X the price). Even if you only go for happy hour (selected appetizers are $5 I think, as are certain wines) check it out. It deserves much, much more attention than it gets, but then again, it doesn't have the "trendy" atmosphere of the next door neighbor, only great food. Maybe that is why they don't get tons of publicity. Pros: fairly reasonably priced, easily the best restaurant in town, not pretentious or typically "Bend uppity", menu changes at least monthly Cons: None that I can think of Pros: Best food in town, locally grown, superb staff, wine and dessert list! Cons: none more

This place is in Bend Oregon! One can have the mountains, the golf, the fishing, and the peace of small town USA and yet still find cuisine like this. The lady and I had the duck tasting menu, three courses with wine just for fun. We both are fomer restaurant people, so we decided to test the place (wine parings for this were only done for two or more people). First, the scramble duck egg was so big city, yet so simple. Delicate eggs with shaved foie gras and panisses (chickpea french fry kind of thing), an oasis of textures and with the champagne cutting through the palette, wow. Duck gizzards were so perfecdt with the Chinon, expected, but truly wonderful. The duck breast with confit and parsnips was again spot on and the croze-hermitage rouge was solid as a pairing goes. We split the brioche with perserved fruits since dinner was so good and it was equally impressive. The restaurant deserves alot of attention as this seems like the real deal, but out of place in Bend perhaps as told by the lack of crowd. If this was SF or even Seattle, the place would be packed and the chef would be recongnized for his food and wine (the server said he also is a certified sommelier and it shows). So far, this is the underground place of the west coast. Currently, the beef heart sparked our intrest, but again, the tasting menu was only for 2 people and it was our last night in town. Next time, it is worth the journey to Bend just for this treat. Pros: Food and wine Cons: lack of people more