The email arrived last week:
We have been invited to a Visit Bend dinner at 900 Wall on Wednesday, March 2nd at 6 p.m. Please let me know if you will be able to attend.
I was jumping up and down squealing before I even finished reading the message. Dinner at 900 Wall? Are you kidding me? It’s only one of my favorite restaurants in the whole entire galaxy.
Suffice it to say, I accepted.
If you’re familiar with the dining scene in Bend, you might remember 900 Wall as the restaurant that used to be Merenda. Though the food and ambiance was terrific then, it’s even better now.
Our group kicked things off with drinks and appetizers, and many of us chose to order from the restaurant’s great selection of wine flights. I opted for the Pinot Envy flight, which gave me four glasses of incredible Oregon Pinot Noir. Each one was fabulous, though none of us seemed to agree on which we liked best. I expected fistfights to break out at several points.
A few others at our table ordered from the cocktail menu, and I saw at least a couple Greyhounds. No surprise there, since 900 Wall makes the best in town.
One of my favorite appetizers at 900 Wall are the fried green beans with parmesan and aioli. Don’t even think of leaving the restaurant without trying these. Even the folks at our table who turned up their noses at the idea were seen upending the basket to make sure they got every last morsel.
The seared albacore sashimi was spectacularly tender, and my roasted beet salad was simply divine.
Choosing an entrée was difficult only because there are so many great options. Columbia river sturgeon? Flatiron steak? Risotto? Imperial stock ranch lamb shoulder?
Ultimately, I opted for a roasted quail special with pureed potatoes and eggplant. I would have patted myself on the back for my fine choice, but there was no way I’d consider setting down my fork. Everything was marvelously prepared and beautifully presented.
The fabulous roasted quail special.
One of the things I love best about 900 Wall even when I’m not dining for free is the service. The wait staff here is friendly, attentive, and always happy to answer questions or make recommendations.
Treating yourself to dinner at 900 Wall should be near the top of your to-do list for any Bend vacation, but if you don’t have time for a full meal, consider checking out their happy hour. I’ve blogged about it before, and still consider it one of the best in town.
Have you been to 900 Wall? If so, what’s your favorite dish? If you haven’t been, why are you still reading? Contact them now and make a reservation. Now.