Merenda Restaurant and Wine Bar

We moved to Bend a year ago....have given Merenda 4 or 5 opportunities to live up to the hype...NEVER HAS. The wait staff has been rude and not knowledgeable regarding wine or foods on menu. Have tried steaks, daily special dinner selections and none have been more than fair. Twice sent food back. Steaks ordered rare come well done, fish dry and overcooked. There are a few excellent restaurants in Bend so no need to go here. Same experience in their other restaurant Deep. Understand they are for sale...hope a better chef takes over. more

This is one of the dirtiest and worst restaurants I have ever been too. I thought this Denton guy was from San Fran? The drinks were the only good thing this place had to offer. The place was dirty, the food was awful and not cooked correctly, the wait-staff was less than impressive. If someone wants a good meal and good service; don't go to Merenda, it's awful just like Mr. Denton's looks. Pros: Cocktails Cons: Eveything but the cocktails more

We recently revisited Merenda after having a couple of so-so visits in a row. I must say that they have found their position as one of Bend's best restaurants again. First off the food was above my expectations. My wife and I split the Gnoochi and the NY Steak, wow!! And our friends loved their chicken and pizza. Service was polite and knowledgable. Great Scotch selection (too good?) Still noisy, but we had a booth and really felt comfortable. Keep it up!! Pros: Food and Drink Cons: Still noisy more

On the outset it appears to be a high end restaurant. Don't be fooled. I have had better at McDonalds. Food was cold and under cooked (not that busy when we dined). Servers were not knowledgeable on foods or wines. Very young and slow (mentally) and felt as if we were bothering them. We had to ask for drinks, bread, menus and the such. We told the manager and got ""oh that's too bad"" END OF STORY. Pros: EXPENSIVE Cons: DIRTY/NOISY/POOR FOOD QUALITY more

Upon reading the two reviews listed I would have thought that Merena was a mediocre place. Upon eating there I found that the food and the atmosphere are both excellent. The pasta is just as good or better than that of Quince in San Francisco. Not only the food was great but also the wine list was amazing. The ability to taste many different wines in 2oz. pours is great. All in all the food and the atmosphere of the exibition kitchen were the perfect coupling for a wonderful evening. Pros: Ambiance, food, service. Small plates more

What a mess of a restaurant! We had a night we won't forget...first it started with RotoRooter in the alley...we should have known that would be a problem. Once we were seated, we ordered drinks that took a very long time to arrive. Our very pompous waiter (Peter) told us they were out of most of the main courses because it was Sunday night and what were we to expect, since they were busy during the weekend...no aplogies. The bathrooms were closed, the place was a smoky mess because the hood fan was broken, the coffee machine was broken and our appetizer came burnt. When we pointed this out to Peter, he pulled a total attitude about it. Oh and I forgot, after we ordered, Peter told us they were closing the restaurant because the dishwasher wasn't woking...we would have never stayed if we knew this before we ordered. It would have been nice given the problems they were having if they would have brought us a glass of wine or desert, but no way because they think they're great (at least that's the attitude they relayed)...we spent a lot of money at a terrible restaurant-stay away... Pros: Nothing Cons: See Review...very pompous restaurant-not worth the money more

Visited Merenda three times now. First time was in 2006- it was incredible - the food was great, service was good and we had a super time. The second visit around christmas time last year wasn't bad, but the service was lacking a bit. Finally the third (and last) time about a week ago it was unbearable. It took three and a half hours to eat dinner which was crazy. We sat with empty drinks for over fifteen minutes more than once. The food has become only average. This was my favorite restraunt in Bend, but now I'll be very hesitant to return. Pros: Wiine selection Cons: Service and Noise more

I live in Bend and moved here from San Francisco 6 yrs ago. We love Merenda! As far as restaurants in Bend go, sure you can find quieter and more intimate dining experiences, but for the whole package, I feel Merenda is hands down the best in town! The happy hour is fantastic, and with over 100 wines by the glass, there are more options than anywhere in town. Jody Denton is a legitimate chef with a pretty hefty resume and reviews to back him up ( he spent several years in Sanfrancisco, Restaurant Lulu and Azie) . Don't go to Merenda for a quiet dinner, but if you are looking for good food, great atmosphere and an extensive wine list, it is the place to be! Pros: Wine list, happy hour, great prices Cons: parking, noisy more

I agree with the other reviews. This place is overpriced and pretentious. I have been here seven times and not once was I impressed. I have had the worst service here of anyplace in town. The dining room is loud and hard to get around in. Last time I was there, I wore heals and almost fell on my face numerous times trying to make it to the bathroom because the floor was slick. Last time I was there I got sick from an oyster. I won't be back. The happy hour is overpriced. The Astro Lounge across the street has a better happy hour without the hype. Pros: Pretty restaurant Cons: Pretentious, expensive, aweful service, inconsistant food more

I thought that coming to BEND, Oregon, that I could get some real Washington wine. Instead I found, Ste. Michelle. You can get that anywhere!!! Where are Fidelitas, or Basel Cellars? Real Washington wines. And the jacka$$ host, Chris, needs to learn manners. I know that I am not from Bend, but does that mean I should be treated like cr@p? AVOID MERENDA, GO TO MCDONALDS FOR BETTER SERVICE!!! more

I grew up in Bend then moved to LA. Had I never moved I might have thought this was the greatest restaurant. Now that I know better, Jody Denton has an ego that does not match his food quality. One word: Inconsistent! If you have to go to check out the Bend ""scene"" then go during happy hour, sit at the bar, order wine, and try not to make fun of the people who think they are in a gourmet restaurant. Pros: Happy Hour Cons: noisy, food's undercooked and underseasoned more

My girlfriend and I visited the Meranda on a Sunday evening in October - there was hardly anybody there at that time, so it was very quiet. I really liked the excellent wine list and the bread we got. However, the dinner was a real disappointment. I had the lemon chicken and I'm still pondering the question whether there was something wrong with the vegetables or whether it was really supposed to taste that bitter. My girlfriend had a vegetarian meal that was at best average. Thus, I feel that I cannot really recommend the Merenda (except for wine and bread). If you look for an alternative, I would recommend the Cork (note though that we've spent only two nights in Bend and thus have only been to two restaurants - there might be other really good places around). Pros: Wine Cons: Food more

My fiance and I went for lunch (we sat outside) and tried the different wine samples, along with several appetizers and lunch. Everything was wonderful. The variety of wines, the service, the food was awesome! We love great food and wines and this was a wonderful experience and lots of fun. Totally recommend. We'll be Bach!!!! Pros: Great service, excellent food, great variety of wines Cons: Scratching head...can't think of one. more

Merenda is a great place to visit in Bend Oregon. Not known for it's service, the cusine of Chef Jody Denton is experimental and explosive with big bold flavors. The menu changes daily depending upon the availability of fresh ingredients, so always ask for the servers recommendations. Merenda has one of the most extensive wine lists I have seen in Oregon. Truely a great experience. Pros: the Wine list, fresh ingredients, decor Cons: The servers in Bend Oregon, not necessarily the restaurant's fault. more

I guess it is fine for the locals that do not have the big city. But that is not what we came to Bend to experience. So if you do not get to the city much and you need loud, overpriced, and smoky this is your place. Pros: busy Cons: loud, expensive, service more

Not high on my list. I've read about this place but is is a way over rated. Loud, poor service what else would you like. THe wine steward, not so great. If you go bring your own bottle and ear plugs. Great people watching if you like to watch old rich quys picking up young Golddiggers. Pros: people watching, young loud, big city feel Cons: service, young loud, big city feel more

I can only think the reason for the aroganse is that they don't want you back. more

I read the other reviews, and agree with most -- I found it to be overpriced, unpleasantly loud, pretentious, and with food of only average quality. We moved from SF a year ago, and have been very pleasantly surprised by the restaurant scene in Bend. There are at least ten places in town I will go to again before returning to Marendas. I just don't understand the buzz about this place. Pros: Deep wine list, Attractive decor Cons: Pretentious, So-so food, Overpriced more

I found Merenda has raised the bar for dining in Bend. It truly delivers on all accounts; food, service, ambience and an amazing wine list. Long gone are the days of just opening any old restaurant in Bend. With the energy of the space, I recommend sitting upstairs if possible. The upstairs has carpet, lower ceilings and a semi-private room making a fairly quite dining experience considering the amazing energy of the downstairs dining room. A wonderful addition to Bend. Pros: Wine List, PVT Dining Room, Happy Hour Cons: Noise Downstairs more

My boyfriend and I moved here 2 months ago from San Francisco and we have already had dinner here 4 times! Everything about this place is fabulous. The presentation is amazing. The dishes are creative. There are many choices of wine by the glass. The service is excellent and the place is very cozy. I'm a vegetarian with high expectations and I HIGHY recommend this place to anyone!!!! Merenda has many gourmet choices for everyone! Pros: Presentation, Wine List, Ambience more