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| Northwest Wine Fan Visits 38 Degrees |
| Ambience: As you enter the restaurant you immediately notice the Mediterranean-style walls, tile floors and linen covered dark wood tables. With the kitchen located in the center of the restaurant most patrons have a view of the cooking and food preparation as they anxiously await their meal. There is a large patio in the front and a deck off the back of the restaurant making 38 Degrees a great meeting place for eats and drinks while enjoying the spring and summer weather. Service: Host Jeff Borne greets you with a smile. The waitstaff at 38 Degrees is knowledgeable and knows the menu inside and out. We have had one experience where we felt a bit ignored by our server, but on the whole we have had very satisfying experiences. The Food: A compact menu with great choices, 38 Degrees has a continental feel to it. From a Mediterranean Caesar salad to Polpette Di Tonno (Fresh Ahi meatballs), you will find appetizers, salads and entrees to delight. The lunch menu specializes in Panini, Pitas and Falafel along with soups and salads. Carolyn and I enjoyed a Spanish Tuna Pita and an Asparagus and Roasted Red Pepper Quiche along with a house pour of "Wine By Joe" Pinot Noir. The dinner menu is full of original salads, small plates and creative entrees including a Lamb Souvlakia and Black Truffle and Ricotta Ravioli. Our daughter Kelley and I enjoyed dinner there recently. We started with the always satisfying Tapas Plate consisting of Marcona almonds, olives, chorizo, manchego cheese, white anchovy and marinated olives. We relaxed on the patio at sunset enjoying it with a glass of Prosecco. Jeff brought a special appetizer for us to try. It consisted of seared bread with a fresh sliced asparagus spear topped with Short Stack, a wonderful cheese from Washington. Delicious! For our entrees our waiter asked if we would like to move inside since the sun had set and a light evening chill was coming on. Kelley dined on Pan Seared Duck Breast with black mission figs, roasted shallot and a Syrah demi-glace and I had the evenings special, a Skirt Steak Salad with red peppers, chickpeas and a vinaigrette dressing. Both were excellent. As we publish this review 38 Degrees has just launched their Spring and Summer menu. Some of the new items to look for on the lunch menu are the Baby Prawn Salad and the Lamb Burger. For dinner we are looking forward to trying the Championones (brown mushrooms roasted with sherry, parsley and garlic) and the North African Peanut Chicken (which we sampled at a wine dinner recently). Wine Menu: 38 Degrees has recently been honored by Wine Spectator Magazine with their "Award of Excellence". To receive this award their wine menu had to have a wide range of selections and create a great match with the food menu. There are 20 choices on the wine menu alone that are value priced in the $20-$30 range. Surprisingly only about 25% of the menu is dedicated to Oregon and Washington wine. In talking with Jeff he feels that the wine menu compliments their Mediterranean style food creations. Thus you will find wines on the menu that you might not see elsewhere. They have a good showing of Italian, Spanish, French and California selections that pair well with the food menu. Jeff commented "The greatest compliment in discussing wine suggestions with our guests is when they comment they have not heard of that wine before". We have had and recommend the Pinot Noir by the glass selection. It changes constantly and Jeff is always looking for affordable Oregon Pinots that you might not have tried. Don't forget to try 38 Degrees' Sangrias. They are refreshing, delicious and I dare say a novelty for Central Oregon. A warm summer's eve enjoyed on the patio with a flight of Sangria and some Tapas sounds really nice. Wine Service: We have been treated to excellent wine service every time we have visited. The staff knows their wine and can make suggestions with confidence. They have wonderful Riedel Extreme glasses when the wine calls for it. Outstanding! Overall Impression: A wonderful restaurant away from the hustle and bustle just a few minutes away at Northwest Crossing. Check it out! |
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| 38 Degrees - Mediterranean Bistro 745 NW Mt. Washington at Northwest Crossing Bend, OR 97701 541-318-8161 Monday thru Friday Lunch: 11:00 - 3:00 Tapas Hour: 3:00 - 5:30 Dinner: 5:30 - Close Saturday and Sunday Dinner: 4:30 - Close Host: Jeff Borne Executive Chef: Bryson Fairlamb Food Prices: Moderate Wine Prices: Value to Moderate Corkage: $15 Reviewed by Tim and Carolyn Sinniger May, 2007 |
| Talk To The Cellarmaster: |
| Tim Sinniger |
| Name: |
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