Although our unsteady spring weather may have kept most of us inside, it hasn't put a damper on the happenings in the ever-changing food industry.
Volo is officially open downtown, serving a plethora of upscale comfort food in the sleek new 919 Bond Street Building. View the menu at www.volobend.com. Cork now has a full bar with mixed drinks as well as their innovative wine list. Blacksmith will offer beer tastings every Wednesday in June to be overseen by their in-house intoxicologist, John Hansen. Try a different beer genre each week. The $25 price includes appetizers. Get the details at www.bendblacksmith.com. On Tuesday, June 24 there is a rare opportunity to taste two 1988 vintage Bordeaux's at Bistro Corlise's Wine dinner lead by sommelier/chef Jason Logan. Find out more about the dinner at www.bistrocorlise.com.
This year's Bite of Bend goes off June 21st and 22nd in downtown Bend. This huge event showcases roughly 40 vendors offering samples of local fare, live music, activities for kids and the famous Iron Chef Contest, pitting local chefs against one another in a timed cook off. Newgrass extraordinaire Tony Furtado highlights the event entertainment. Log on to www.thebiteofbend.com for the full schedule. Also downtown, Giuseppe's has added a new "urban patio" outside Goomba's with a firepit, 18 seats and live music every Friday night.
On the eastside, Puerto Allegro has closed its doors and Celina's Latin Bistro has taken its place. Owned by the same family that owns the two El Caporals, Celina's serves Mexican cuisine and is open for lunch and dinner. - Laurie J. Rice
Turning our gaze to south county, Trout House owner Paul Mercer ran afoul of Oregon's Liquor Control Commission and found his restaurant saddled with a $4,600 fine and a 28-day liquor license suspension after the OLCC caught him providing liquor to an underage employee and consuming a drink himself while "on duty." Oops. (EJF)
