Excellent. This is a charming restaurant, bar and outside dining in downtown Bend. Food was top notch. Service was attentive. Wonderful array of appetizers, small plates, and salads. Savory salad, perfect dessert, interesting signature cocktail and the entry was fresh, local, vegetables with an amazing sauce and delicious bread. We are Portland transplants and are spoiled by the good dining there. Bend is no slouch when it come to good food. The Jackalope Grill is a find. In the last year we have been regulars in the Bend dining scene. There are good restaurants here. The Jackalope Grill which is tops on our list.
(5)
Kelly S.
We have been here several times for dinner, most recently for the day after Valentines Day. Their signature drink is the Moscow Mule served in a ice cold copper mug. We love that drink and consider ourselves connoisseurs. These are the best! We always start out with one. At this visit I had the special pasta with Ragu sauce. It was melt in your mouth. The service was stellar and I love the warm cozy ambience. One of our favorites in Bend!
(4)
Barbara J.
We had a perfectly lovely dinner last night at the Jackalope grill. This food was delicious, prepared and presented , beautifully and their selections of wine by the glass. Was superb. Service however was cold and unfriendly.
(3)
Laura P.
We were very excited to try this restaurant, we'd heard so much about it. We made our reservation. We needed to change that reservation and they were so good about accommodating us. When we finally arrived, we were cheerfully greeted and seated. Our waitress was pleasant and gave us some suggestions. She chose a nice white wine to go with our Crab Stuffed Mushroom caps and the GrilledShrimp with Chick Pea fries and Romesco sauce. Both were excellent. Then we ordered dinner, Columbia River Salmon over zucchini ribbon salad with grilled radishes. It looked beautiful, but was so flat in flavor. About the time we're wondering why there wasn't so much more flavor to this dish, our waitress begins to ignore us. 5 times she approached our table but failed to make eye contact and attended to the couple at the table next to us. By the time we'd gotten her attention, we didn't care to sit another minute. We politely declined the invitation for dessert and settled our tab. We walked to another local hot spot, Zydeco and enjoyed dessert and coffee there. We wanted to love this place, but just couldn't after being served bland food and being ignored.
(2)
Isela P.
The one star is not for food but service from the hostess. Well we had reservations for tonight but there is a really bad snow storm that we had driven in earlier and was scary dangerous so we decided to cancel our reservations for later tonight so I called to cancel and the lady who answered said, "oh the party of 7" and hung up on me before I had a chance to apologize and reschedule for another night. This was very rude and unprofessional on her part to cut me off while I was talking. We are visiting family from out of town and eat here whenever we are here and that won't change. Hope she treats the next cancellation better??
(1)
Greg W.
Our recent dinner with friends couldn't have been better. The service was spot-on, and the food was exceptional. Definitely one of my favorites in Bend!
(5)
Margaret L.
Hosted was rude to me when I asked for a romantic table for my husbands birthday. once we were at our table I told her thank you, and she ignored me. Honestly I've never been treated so rudely in a restaurant. food four star, service four star, hostes needs to retire because she isn't enjoying herself. We are new in town and excited to find a favorite restaurant to frequent.
Very convenient as we were staying at the DoubleTree in Bend and it was less than 3 blocks away. We went their on a Saturday night our 6th wedding anniversary, and my husband mentioned it was our anniversary. The food was good but the service was slow. We had to initiate ordering everything. We were not asked if we'd like another cocktail or glass of wine, we had to ask for this. We ordered the summer kale salad, Caesar and gnocchi to start. The kale salad was really good and I liked the dressing a lot. Caesar was good-- a lot of cheese which we like :) Gnocchi was ok-- way too much marinara sauce. I had the filet mignon and ordered it rare. I told the waitress I like a nice sear on the outside then very rare. When I cut into it, it was cooked almost all the way through and my husband said something to a nearby server. She then questioned me on now I ordered it and if I cut it all the way through. I thought that was rude. If a customer says it's not cooked right, take them at their word. The new steak was ok and cooked right but swimming in too much beurre blanc. My husband got the tombo risotto which I wish I had ordered. I ate most of his dinner while waiting for my steak to be re-made and it was really good! I will say however that the cocktails were phenomenal. I got a Hibiscus Fizz and Pisco Sour and both were very tasty! I was surprised that our server said nothing to us about our wedding anniversary, even to say congratulations, but a table nearby celebrating a birthday got a happy birthday with a candle! I would come here for drinks only but not to eat and definitely not for an important dinner. Also, there was a typo on the menu. It was talking about how their fish is really eco-friendly because they are caught in "inefficient" fishing vessels. Clearly they mean efficient. So they get a star knocked off for service, for cooking my steak wrong, and for poor grammar.
(2)
Justin F.
Our all-time favorite restaurant in Bend, Trattoria Spandati, was closed this night so we needed to find a new place for our anniversary dinner. We've eaten in just about every restaurant in Bend except the Jackalope Grill. We decided to give it a try. I had a bison hanger steak and my wife had the schnitzel. The food was good and prepared well. It just didn't have that 'wow' factor or 'pop' I was looking for. What made this evening memorable in the worst way was the bizarre, weird customer service. We've never been treated more rudely in a restaurant. I'd rather not detail the incident and embarrass the server but the experience was just unprofessional. There are plenty of great fine dining options in Bend. We won't be back to the Jackalope Grill. First impressions mean a lot.
(1)
Leeann R.
The restaurant was recommended by a local bike shop Cog Wild. What a great place. I've read the reviews and think some of the people must have been at a different restaurant. We had a simply perfect server! We started with drinks--huckleberry lemon drop martini, a Boneyard RPM IPA and a Deschutes Black Butte Porter. We had a yummy bread made locally by The Sparrow Bakery. For dinnner we had: Troll-Caught Oregon King Salmon w/lemon beurre. Ribeye Steak with umami-bomb butter, and Pork Osso Bucco. We followed the dinner with the "Death by Chocolate" dessert. AMAZING!
(5)
Dan O.
I really hate the name Jackalope for a serious restaurant. So much so that I have resisted going to this restaurant for many years. But my wife prevailed upon me to attend one of their prix fiixe dinners for our anniversary. It didn't start out well when the Jackalope canceled the prix fixe dinner at the last moment. When we showed up for our reservation, they apologized for the last minute cancellation and seated us in an outdoor courtyard. It was surrounded by plants and flowers that provided a fantastic atmosphere. Our server promptly provided us with glasses of prosecco for our anniversary along with some really good freshly baked bread, a really nice touch. Another plus is that they have several of Bend's better microbrews available on tap, which is something that better restaurants are beginning to do. My wife described her roasted beets with burrata on a bed of arugula the best salad/appetizer she has ever had. My Caesar salad salad was presented in a unique way - a square structure built of dressed leaves and topped with a Parmesan crisp, all delicious. My wife's Osso Bucco was served atop polenta, all good to very good but not to die for. Meanwhile, I thought that the Jaeger Schnitzel was very good, but I was disappointed in the potato pancake, which was mushy and not obviously a pancake. It was served with a small amount (darn) of outstanding red cabbage and broccolini, also really good. To sum up, really nice atmosphere, good service, and mostly really good food. I am stingy with "Excellent" or "5 Star" ratings, but this one is close to that. But I still hate the name Jackalope for a restaurant as good as this.
(4)
Marc C.
Where do I start with this one. Ok, we're from out of town and visit Bend multiple times a year, each time we go to The Jackelope for a great dinner. So we booked reservations for 10, but only 8 could make it, the women who greeted us was very annoyed and rude by this because they had to remove one of the tables, I finally had to ask her sternly "is this a problem" cause we'll go somewhere else. Then I saw her walk into the kitchen area shaking her head and begin to talk shit, no doubt about us! Then the food came, my bolognese was dry and not as good as Pastini's by the river. My mothers pork osso was also dry and boring. The fish dish with risotto was flavorless and also dry. My wife ordered the hanger steak salad, it came rare when she ordered medium, they took it back and it returned still rare, it had NO flavor to the meat, we retuned it. We were all surprised at the lack of quality, another one bites the dust, and it used to be so so good.
(1)
Shauna M.
I loved my meal at Jackalope Grill. Disclaimer. My friend and I shared three small plates and had a couple glasses of wine, but it was wonderful. The food was fresh, unique but not overly pretentious. The staff was very professional, friendly and accommodating. It felt like a San Francisco restaurant in Bend. I look forward to going back and having a complete meal.
(5)
Atomicron C.
Pros: attentive waiter, escargot, awesome good menu, aesthetics and intimacy. False: Given the priciness and high-end reviews...$38 lamb served undercooked (admittedly incorrect and raw by staff)-cooking longer to get to med rare left partner's meal chilling on table: waiting 5 minutes at host stand before being seated for Rez, needing to retrieve our own jackets from coat closet upon departure, being able to hear staff in kitchen talking about being hung over, etc. while eating. Maybe an off night, but was a poor value this eve.
(2)
Timothy P.
Late on this review, but my girlfriend and I were able to get in on Valentine's Day without a reservation. (Our choice as we had a packed day of activities going on). We ate at one of the bar tables, which was no problem....still very nice. The seafood cioppino pasta was amazing! Perfect combination of flavors and quantity. My g/f had the jaeger schnitzel and she was equally as pleased. We definitely plan to go back and dine in the formal white tablecloth area. This is a classy place. A great choice for a special occasion!
Just visited their downtown location for the first time. The service was very good. The server was attentive without being overbearing. We went with friends and he did a good job of allowing us to have a leisurely meal and great conversation. In fact, when we got home that night, it occurred to me that I didn't really remember him much - which to me says he did a great job not interfering, but also met all of our needs without being asked. The food, however, was underwhelming. The schnitzel, which I had remembered as being fabulous at their old location, was just mediocre. The sides were blah and the presentation was frankly awful. Just the meat, potato pancake and cabbage slapped on the plate.
(2)
DeWayne F.
Well our daughter and her husband were visiting from NY and we decided to have dinner@Jackalope on Valintines Day. I must say we were pleasantly surprised with how well the evening went. They were certainly on their game tonight, everything was way over the top. Great company, waiter was extremely attentive (a little slow on the quantity and bread delivery), but overall service was very good, not rushed (nice pace). Having lived in Europe for a few years we get tired of the way too fast delivery of food and quick turning of tables in the USA. Nice to see a restaurant that slows it down a bit. And above all the food was way way excellent. Each of us had a different appetizer and main course. No complaints. We brought an Italian Barbaresco 2008, and purchased an Oregon Pinto from the wine list which was priced appropriately (under$50). Of course there were lots of wine way over $100 a bottle for those that need to spend a lot. I always wonder how many of these actually get sold. Would have liked to see more Oregon wines on the list, there are so many good ones. Thanks for a nice evening. :)
(5)
Mike S.
Great food and a nice broad menu. Service was good but never had a water refill. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a nice quiet dinner off the beaten path. (Bond and Wall streets) it might be hidden but give them a try.
(5)
Tony L.
Fantastic food. Loved the beet salad and the chicken impressed me (not a seafood eater and try to eat on the lighter side when traveling mid-week). Would return in a heartbeat. Great outdoor seating in their courtyard for those of you in Bend during the fantastic summer months when evenings are warm (although they do have heaters evenly placed throughout for shoulder season/cooler evenigns). Patio also highlights all the planters with flowers and herbs that they use to finish the dishes- unique touch that I've never seen presented in this manner. I didn't eat off the happy-hour menu, but it gives plenty of wonderful-sounding options.
(5)
Chuck G.
I brought my elderly parents here when they visited Bend. We ate in the courtyard on a perfect Central Oregon evening. I've eaten here many times before but this was the first time I had every eaten outside in the courtyard. It was wonderful. The food and service were, as always, spectacular. My rack of lamb was PERFECTLY cooked. My parents shared a Caprese salad, and some escargot. They ooh'ed and awe'd over their meals. Great wine list. I should come here more often!
(5)
Silvia K.
Superb food and great cocktails. The service is top notch. I love to eat here and send my clients regularly. A must try if you haven't yet had the pleasure!
(5)
Megan M.
Really really very nice. Back patio is best for a quiet dinner - lovely part about it is they grow their own herbs that are used in the dishes out on the patio. Under the stars as the evening paled, it's a very romantic place to dine. Food was perfect. Menu was interesting and had some exciting choices that will bring me back.
(5)
Jen O.
I had been to Jackalope Grill with girlfriends for happy hour a few times and always enjoyed the experience, which prompted me to think of the restaurant when searching for a place to hold our company's holiday party. We were so glad we did. Our group was about 57 people and we had the whole place to ourselves. I just want to say how wonderful the food was and how accommodating the staff was throughout the evening. Tim Garling worked closely with us to create the perfect menu, and Kathy Garling presented a beautifully decorated restaurant that was festive and glowing. She was great to work with throughout the process. The staff was wonderful and made our evening a very special one. Thank you for providing us with a delicious menu, fabulous venue and all around great time!
(5)
Debbi M.
I wanted to take my husband to a nice restaurant in Bend for his birthday. We had reservations and arrived early so we waited in the bar. I had their Fig Sidecar and it was divine. We had a lovely meal and service. Their bread from Sparrows Bakery was delicious.
(4)
James T.
Food = 3 (the specialty crab mushrooms tasted pre-made and very fishy... award winning? I think not) Price = 3 Experience = 3 (came here twice, started at the bar... very slow service. Live music was nice... but, once again Bend service was very disappointing)
(3)
Megan M.
Never has a bad bite been had from a meal at Jackalope. Everything is always spot on. In fact over the years we have had Tim cater an annual holiday party and have hosted private events at Jackalope. Hands down the best restaurant in Bend and we have tried everything on the menu over the years. My favorites will always be the risotto specials and the schnitzel.
(5)
Michele R.
First dinner at the new Lava Street location with outcome similar to our experiences at the old Division Street location. Worth updating prior review given new location. Charming ambiance. Warm hospitality. Some misses on food. And this time, for the first time, on service too. BOTTOM LINE We'll go back but won't rush back. Jackalope is listed as fine dining so it's fair to consider that in the review. Were it a pub, expectations would be different. Four of us left feeling fine dining expectations were not met. Not less than AOK but not more either. Local owners are good folks and we're rooting for them but more is needed to get to four stars. NICE AMBIANCE New space as of about July 2012. (see photos) Has a small lounge with windows looking onto Lava Street. Dark walls in dining room are a great backdrop for many pieces of local artists' work. White tablecloths now as before. A BIG round of applause to them for arranging tables in a way that avoids the "sardine can" seating of many other Bend restaurants. As in the other location, music mix is lovely. Although, unlike the other location where the vibe was intimate and more quiet for acoustics, the big space and high ceilings here can make it noisy. Nice add for this location is outdoor seating at several tables in large enclosed back patio. As accessibility note, level in and all on one level including patio. DOWNTOWN LOCATION On Lava Street on the back side of the downtown parking garage; convenient since street parking in downtown Bend is at a premium. On the flip side, this makes Jackalope less visible than some other downtown Bend restaurants in the fine dining class. That may explain why Jackalope was nearly empty when we arrived at 6:30 and was no more than half full over the 2 1/2 hours we were there. SERVICE STRUGGLED On every experience at the old location, we enjoyed some of the most skilled wait staff in Bend delivering gracious, pitch perfect service. This time our friendly server seemed to be in learning mode with tasks complicated by having to run between outdoor patio tables and tables inside. As one example of several "oops" for the night of being spread too thin, one of our tablemates got up to fetch the host to ask him about a very late wine delivery given he could not get the server's attention as she zipped to and fro. And whether the server's issue or the kitchen's, the food took a long, long time to reach the table. This is a criticism, slow to table food arrival, I've heard from folks who are fans of Jackalope but say they've been reluctant to discuss it with the chef / owner to avoid wounded feelings. But it does need to be discussed. He can't fix what he doesn't know is broken. If our experience was a common one, this needs attention. FOOD NOT UP TO PAR Two of four entrees arrived lukewarm instead of hot. Another entree, the daily special, was so over salted and surprisingly swimming in butter (not expected per our server's description) that it was nearly returned to the kitchen to ask them to try again. Instead, it remained half eaten. A woman at the table next to us who ordered the same thing did return hers to the kitchen uneaten and declined her server's gracious offer to replace it. LIMITED MENU I characterize the menu as "timeless continental". My husband describes it as "past its time" I'll explain by saying he puts a high premium on creativity over the classics. Different strokes for different diners, not a fault of the restaurant. Worth pointing out there was not a single vegetarian entree and among the starters perhaps but two items that would work for those diners. Menu has about eight starters in things like crab stuffed mushrooms, soup du jour and Caesar salad (from $7 to $12.) On the night of our visit, the menu had but five fixed entree options ($23 - $33) including salmon filet, beef filet, stuffed chicken breast, seafood pasta and jaegar schnitzel plua one nightly special. One of our tablemates was disappointed to find that with but five standard entree choices, at 7pm one of them was already sold out. WINE LIST Extensive list with a good number of bottle choices under $50 and many choices above. Nice selection of European wines as well as domestic. Strength in the wine list is a definite plus. We narrowed it down to three bottles and ordered one to find that wine not available. Choice two to the rescue. VALUE Four entrees, one soup and wine was about $175 before tip.. Compared to other fine dining in Bend, like three of our favorites Ariana, 10 Below @ Oxford and Zydeco, prices seem similar. Ambiance here is better than the latter two. Service was far below the highest standard, set by Ariana, and not up to par with the others either. Food quality and menu creativity didn't meet the mark for our expectations.. Total value = just OK. We'll try again.
(3)
Amy B.
I just deleted my original review, but I am keeping the two star rating. The food was very mediocre. Evidently, my review hit a nerve, as I have now been contacted and insulted twice for it. I received a yelp private message that used profanity towards me on Sunday morning right after I posted it. I then received a long voicemail this afternoon from an employee of the restaurant that told me I was a "sad" person. Nope, I'm not sad - just a foodie who was not happy with her food and won't complain in a restaurant for quality issues that should be caught by the manager, chef, etc. Of the 6 items we ordered, one was good. This has turned into a very strange experience!
(2)
Pete P.
Always a great dining experience at The Jackalope. The service is great, it has a small and intimate atmosphere and the food is outstanding. This time I had the rack of lamb and it was tops. It was so tender and flavorful. I do recommend reservations, because it is popular and a small place.
(5)
Linda H.
Delightful! Impeccable service and great food. Appreciate the quiet ambience and space between tables. The lions beard mushrooms were amazing.
(5)
Jerry B.
The ambiance reminds one of a 1940s supper club. A warm, cozy and inviting environment in which to relax, have a drink and a great meal with your loved ones. I would recommend the Escargot with freshly baked bread as a starter with a glass of bold red wine
(4)
Christine H.
My husband and I had not been to Jackalope Grill for about a year but last night decided to celebrate our anniversary there. What a wonderful meal we had! Rain unfortunately prevented us from being seated in the beautiful courtyard garden area, but we were given a prime table indoors next to the garden window. We had a warm, attentive and competent server--much better service than I remember from prior visits. And the food was magnificent. We started with the calamari, done in a light batter that tasted exquisite; I was tempted just to keep ordering calamari as my entire dinner. Next I had the buratta/beet salad, which is a "best of breed" in the world of salads, I think. The combination of the meltingly soft cheese with texture contrast from the beets, and the melding of their flavors on the palate, is really great. For our entree my husband and I both had the veal saltimbocca. It was a first time for us eating a dish we have heard about for years and we were really happy with it. The veal was tender and the sage was so fresh that we believe that must have been what we watched being harvested by a kitchen staff person about 10 minutes before the dish appeared before us! The accompanying polenta was tasty and the kitchen did a really nice job on the roast veggies, especially the carrots, that came with. We were pleasantly surprised by a complimentary and delicious chocolate pot de creme in celebration of our anniversary as a finale. Yes, this was overall an expensive meal but it could not have been a better meal. We will not wait so long before returning next time. We heartily recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion.
(5)
Melinda C.
We went here for my father in law's birthday and retirement celebration. The service was great and our food was excellent. We had the mussels, prawns, kale salad, gnocchi, lentil soup, sturgeon over risotto, and filet mignon. The risotto dish was by far the favorite. I would get that dish next time. I could have made a meal off of the delicious bread and the sauces from the mussels, gnocchi, and filet mignon. For dessert, we got crème brulee, chocolate pot de crème, and a flourless chocolate cake. The desserts were great, but the pot de crème had a texture that I wasn't accustomed to. Overall, it was a great experience and we'll definitely return.
My visit to Tim Garling's Jackalope Grill was inspired by the reviews on Yelp as well as an ad that I'd seen in one of the "places to go" booklets we got upon checking into our hotel. What a treat it was. We (my partner and I) walked in without reservations on a Saturday, July 4th weekend and easily got a table. We were going to try the elk because of the ad but we kinda chickened out. I had never had it before and because they had my favorite dish "Ribeye" steak, I had to have it. The ribeye gets 5 stars...it was delicious. For an appetizer, the dungeness crab stuffed mushroom caps as recommended by a server was terrific. What completely sold this place for me was the fact that after our dinner Tim Garling paid a visit to our table. Asked us how our meal was and really seemed interested in our answers as my partner thought his filet mignon was on the dry side. Thank you, Tim. If I'm ever in Bend again, I will definitely pay another visit and perhaps brave tasting elk for the first time.
(5)
Ron And Anita T.
This is our second visit to the Jackalope Grill in Bend, Oregon; this time at their new location downtown. The location is much improved from their former spot in a small strip mall; but it does bring parking challenges. We sat in their outside dining area, which is surrounded by the back of a parking garage and other large buildings. A little like being in a large elevator shaft, but they did mitigate that with lots of greenery, but that could not reach up the several stories high buildings. The real disappointment this time however, and the reason for removing one star, was the food. The chippino and jaeger schnitzel were just okay, and not at all what we recalled from our earlier visit. And, the salads were so ridiculously small that we asked if they had served us the half portions that were available! Not so! Probably will think a bit before going back.
(3)
Camille H.
I want to like this place, it gets great reviews. My second visit, the first at the new location. Came in after dinner for a drink and dessert. Had the mango fire which I thought would be like other spicy mango drinks that are popular now. My mistake which was not their fault is that I thought the pepper vodka would be like the habanero vodkas that are popular now. Not the case. Again, not their fault, although I had two sips and left the remaining and bartender never asked how my drink was. When we ordered the drinks he asked if we would be dining tonight? I said I would like the dessert menu. He said it was verbal and would check. Still checking......he never followed up. New location is good, much better than their odd former strip mall location. I wish them well and have not given up hope.
(3)
David K.
Our party of 3 entered a half-full restaurant on a Friday night. The service was deplorable. Our greeting- " Do you have a reservation?" No "hello, how are you?",etc. The host waiter/surly guy literally pointed to our table and said "that's yours". Nice service Fella!!! We were ignored for 10 minutes until a female waitress emerged to ask if we wanted cocktails. All 3 of us declined as we'd brought a bottle of wine. The surly male waiter returned 7 minutes later and simply said... "You want me to open that?". 8 minutes after that he again returned and asked "do you know what you want?" Ah this lad was a charmer!!! My steak was undercooked but short of getting-up and walking into the kitchen with my plate the only other option was to just eat the damn thing. NO one asked how our food was, etc. $34 for an undercooked filet is pretty sad. Surly waiter guy then appeared with "do you want dessert?"- that was literally what he said. We asked for dessert menus- of course they don't have any. We ended-up splitting some mousse-esque thing, paid the bill and got the hell out. To the good residents and travelers to Bend... skip this place. There are a LOT of steak joints in Bend. For the price and total shitty level of service I will never return.
(1)
Carla F.
My husband and I went to Jackalope based on the Yelp star rating and a couple of good reviews. After spending several days in bend we found it very welcoming as a bi-racial couple until this experience. Upon arrival we were given a chilly welcome by an employee who chose to leave us standing at the hostess station while she presumably went to find a hostess to seat us in the primarily empty indoor dining area (only 2 other people seated in this space). We were then promptly seated but left without a menu or anyone attending to our table for roughly 10 minutes. Another waiter asked if we had been taken care of, we told him no, he left to get help and in a few seconds the individual who gave is the chilly welcome stated to us that we had not been sitting that long. I responded by telling her we would like to see a menu. She corrected me stating that the waiter would bring it when he got to our table and again retreated to the back. My husband and I looked at each other, he said "let's go", I agreed and we got up and walked out. I can't speak on the quality of menu items or even the quality of the water because we were never provided any, nor can I be certain if it was just a horrible employee who has no idea how to provide even the basic minimum in good service or if it was racism. I'll leave that alone, however I will choose to stay away from this establishment at all costs.
(1)
Hey C.
Had dinner here with my mom while she was visiting Bend. We liked it so much we went twice! Food is great and the service is even better. Dining in the courtyard is lovely. You won't regret your meal here.
(5)
Alexa H.
Went to Jackalope for dinner a few nights ago. It was recommended to me by the Oxford Hotel nearby. The restaurant has an outstanding chef, and they offer quality food and a nice atmosphere. Outdoor dining is available during the summer. Service was good, but mainly the food was far above average, starting with the warm bread - crusty on the outside and soft in the middle. Food as superbly prepared and presentation was attractive. I had a filet mignon with mashed potatoes. Wine list was a little disappointing. Desserts were fabulous. Nice to know Bend has restaurants like this!
(4)
Mike L.
We were visiting Sunriver for the first time and planned on a nice dinner out for our 33rd anniversary. I searched Yelp! to see what might be a good local spot & settled on Jacklope, partly because of the owners connection to Alaska and that we were married in Nome. All that to say the meal was pretty good and missed five stars on a couple misses that should have been avoided in the kitchen. First off my wife ordered the salmon. It was very good except that the grey part of the meat (the fat?) wasn't trimmed off which gave it a very strong unpleasant fishy taste. Once she trimmed it the fish was fine but we would expect that to have been done in the prep stages. I ordered one of the daily specials, a venison sausage with mushroom gravy and pasta. The sausage was good but dry and really benefitted from the gravy but the gravy was way over salted, which just grew in intensity as I ate and became pretty overpowering. We were also surprised to be seated 30 minutes after opening and when ordering one of the specials of the day being told that they had just sold the last one, too bad as that was my wife's first choice. If we were to be back in Bend we may give them another try...not sure. It's a good thing our marriage has been a good one, it allows a few meal misses to go by.
Beautiful restaurant, attentive service, and one of the best filet's I've ever had. Great wine list, too! If you are searching for the best fine dining restaurant in Bend... This is it! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Harry D.
we have eaten here many times. We started when we saw Tim win the Bites of Bend contest in 2011, and have been coming back regularly. At first we did not get it, and thought the service was slow and disinterested. Instead, we learned that they are intent on you really enjoying your table and they do not try to rush you out. I think that is good, and we go there when we have a special event, because we can indeed take the table for a while and enjoy. the wine selection is one of the best in town, and it is diverse and has many layers. you can get a great wine here and not have to pay an arm and a leg. I will say that I think they tend to overcook their red meats by one click. Knowing that, order one shade light. their crab stuffed mushroom appetizer is a delight. every time they have rack of lamb it comes to our table. Tim has a veal recipe that is his signature dish. we like it there.
(4)
Gregory D.
This was our first time to Jackalope Grill, and it was recommended by friends. We had always walked by but never tried it. The atmosphere is fantastic, the service is impeccable and the food is phenomenal! I highly recommend the Sturgeon and any of the seasonal specials. We all had different entrees, each delicious in their own way! The prices are a bit higher than most restaurants in town, BUT the experience and quality are well worth it!
(5)
Alisia V.
The new location is soooo much cozier. We come here often and the food is always good. The service is excellent, ask to sit in Sonia's section, cute personality. I had halibut cheeks the other night (my fav) perfectly cooked. The eggplant appetizer is so yummy with that little drizzle of honey over the top just to make you question the taste of the sweet nector. My husband loves the schnitzle and every once in a while he lets me have a taste.
(5)
William L.
This is a five star restaurant! The food and fast courteous service is unbelievable. Try the Jager Schnitzel. It is authentic German fare. It is one of the finest restaurants in central Oregon, bar none.
(5)
Virgil B.
If you really enjoy a medley of flavors when you dine, you will love what this husband and wife team serve. My wife is a gourmet chef in her own right and that makes it difficult to eat out where most restaurants tend to fall short. Jackalope Grill went way beyond our expectations. Both meals were prepared perfectly, each item properly cooked and the presentation makes your mouth water! Don't worry about the fact that it is located in a strip mall, just make sure you have reservations or you will not get in.
(5)
Carmen T.
My husband and I LOVE the Jackalope Grill! The service is always amazing, and our favorite waiter Chris is our number one choice whenever we dine at the Jackalope. The owners, Tim and Kathy are wonderful and always very friendly and courteous. We have been going to the Jackalope for years and because their food is so amazingly delicious, we generally always allow Kathy or Chris to pick our wine for us, as they would know what goes best with each dish. We are never disappointed and have nothing negative to say about the Jackalope. I am really looking forward to their new location in downtown Bend, hopefully opening soon in April. I really recommend this restaurant for any occasion, but especially a special occasion. My husband takes me there for date nights and it is always such an enjoyable experience with the cozy atmosphere and the delicious gourmet foods. Enjoy!
(5)
Thomas L.
This place is 70s upscale dinning at its best. Lots of butter and cream. It advertises as American (new). It is not new. It is 70s. So if you liked the 70s this is your kind of place. It looked like there were many happy diners there. Not our kind of place. They do make an effort though. It's just a matter of taste. As a place that appeared to be upscale the scotch list and wine list was a little on the low end, which is ok, but I would have expected a few upper end selections to round out the list for those so inclined.
(2)
Trevor K.
Here's the thing. I wanted to like this place. 4.5 stars with several stellar (and recent) reviews. I checked out the menu and liked what I saw. My wife and I walked in, found a cozy nook in the back of the bar and settled in. The bartender was friendly enough once we got him warmed up, and the drinks he made were good, as was our gnocchi appetizer. However, from here the evening began to go downhill, quickly. I ordered the jaeger schnitzel special, my wife ordered the filet. I could have never expected how poorly prepared these dishes were. The only properly seasoned food on my plate was an anchovy, and thank goodness I asked for it on the side, or else my meal would have been inedibly bland. It was as if the chef forgot how to use salt, and never actually tasted his product before sending it. The worst offense here, though, was not the under seasoned food, but my wife's filet. She asked for it medium rare. It came out cooked properly, but when she went to cut it down the middle, we discovered that it had been sliced 2/3 through so as to check doneness, and then flipped as to hide the cut. Now, I am sorry, but no self-respecting chef would do this. It's just bad form. Between that and the lack of any seasonings on our meals, we didn't dare try dessert. And we won't be coming back.
(2)
Sheri D.
I have heard mixed reviews - but decided to take a chance. The smoked Asian salmon and cioppino had tender calamari and perfect seasoned broth - the pasta was not homemade and because it was packaged it lacked any flavor. Skipp the pasta and add several pieces of grilled herb bread. Our client had the Schnitzel and it was amazing - earthy and lovely flavor. The dinning room is beautiful. What was lacking - we had 6 o'clock reservations and they seemed confused by where to sit us. And it took almost 15 to get drinks and then after sitting we waited another 15 minutes to get a bread basket. The service got better as things moved a long - but it hurt the experience overall.
(3)
Winnie P.
Wanted to love this place. Really wanted to love this place! After hearing so many wonderful things about the Jackalope, we finally made a reservation for a special occasion and went in with pretty high expectations, which were sadly shattered. First, after were seated by the owner who was very nice, we sat at least 10 minutes without a greeting from our server, water, OR menus. Finally she stopped by, with water-but still no menus-those came about 5 minutes later. We were able to catch her and mention that we would like to start with drinks-she ran away instead to grab us bread? When she came back with the bread, we placed our drink and appetizer order- then she promptly whisked away our menus before we had a chance to realize what she was doing! Amused ourselves by trying to remember what we had seen during our quick glance-over-what went with the pork? Apple cider reduction? Or was it Balsamic? Our server returned to take our entree order-by the way, do you have any specials?( this is usually something mentioned when menus are dropped) She mentioned a couple appetizers we may have been interested before we placed our app order! soup of the day, and highly recommended the filet and the lamb on the menu(which we did not have in front of us). I ordered the seafood pasta, and my boyfriend ordered the lamb she recommended. " Oh yeah. We are out of lamb." Okay... we finally got a menu back and were able to make a suitable second choice. Then, wine arrived. Not sure where the confusion came from here, and perhaps this was my own fault-but I thought I had ordered a bottle of Pinot Noir, instead, we were served 2 glasses of white? We told her we had meant the red, our server says they don't have that currently but recommended another kind, and we go with it- again, she brought us glasses, though red this time. My thinking is that the same makers of the Noir must make a Gris which they serve by the glass there and she wasn't aware of the bottle- the wine list is pretty extensive and probably tough to memorize and maybe I wasn't specific enough, so we decided to not say anything else, it was beginning to feel pretty futile at this point. After we finished dinner, our wine glasses empty, plates pushed to the side, we waited a good 15-20 minutes for our server to check on us, even though she was standing 5 feet away making conversation with another table. We finally were able to pay, and left feeling like we had one of the strangest service experiences we have ever had here in Bend! I will disclose that I also work in the industry, and therefore I am pretty forgiving when it comes to s**t happening, but this was pretty bad! Maybe this was just a fluke since other people seem to love this place so much, but I can say with confidence we will likely not return. On a positive note- I will say that the food was very good. Dungeness crab stuffed mushrooms, grilled asparagus with pancetta and egg, Schnitzel with traditional German sides, and Seafood pasta, no complaints in this department!
(2)
Angie K.
Hello to Jackalope Grill's new location downtown!! I was a fan of "stripmall Jackalope" before, but the new "downtown Jackalope" is AWESOME. Though the indoor table space is about the same, per the restaurant, they have a new great patio that is open for happy hour and a bar. Great decor, open space and cool art! Some favs are still on the menu like the Jaeger Schnitzel. Is it possible that it has gotten crispier and more delicious because of its new setting? My husband is a fan (I mean a FAN) of the Filet Mignon. Chef Tim blew our minds last night with a special Gazpacho Watermelon Soup with pickled onions and feta, WHAT?!? So good. Also had the Grilled Prawns & Chickpea Panisse, another new dish to us. The prawns had a delicious, smoky taste and the panisse had great flavors to compliment it. We always have an outstanding dining experience with Jackalope's service and our meal last night was no exception thanks to Chris. Make Jackalope a stop on your happy hour or dining tour and see what great, local cooking is all about!
(5)
Brad S.
If you're looking for an escape from the loud commotion of most downtown restaurants, look no further. We just discovered this restaurant last night, and we'll be back. It's no wonder Jackalope has been voted best fine dining by Gusto readers, every item we tried was absolutely excellent. Even the two wines we sampled were real winners. The service was friendly without being overbearing, and the chef came out to check on how well the meal was enjoyed. A perfect location for a romantic dinner.
(5)
Paulette J.
Last night we had wine and dessert at the location in Bend. Our server was Warren. Not only was the service top notch but the desserts were really yummy. We had a type of Chocolate Mouse and Sticky Pudding. The wine was excellent and reasonably [priced. We stuck to reds. I highly recommend the food. I want to thank Warren for making our outing fun. He is professional and courteous as well as humorous. We will be back.
(5)
Gern B.
Great food. Service was a bit unattentive at times, but it didnt take away from a nice evening. Very reasonably priced for the quality of experience. The new setting is wonderful. One of the best places in Bend to go for more upscale dining
(4)
Peggy R.
We have been eating at the Jackalope Grill for years. Food and service have always been amazing, but with the new location I can only say fabulous! A must if you haven't eaten there yet!
(5)
Allen T.
Don't let the location fool you! This restaurant is in a strip mall that's somewhat ugly, but the menu, the food and the service are exceptional. My wife and I eat out a lot and have high expectations; this place exceeded them all. Although the entire menu is infused with a French-meets-Pacific NW flair, their salmon was superb, and may be the best I've ever had. We came back again just to ensure it wasn't a fluke and it was fantastic both times. The chef personally came out to greet us and shared one of his favorite dessert wines with us. We thought this was a friendly and personal touch. I don't want to go on and on about every detail, but I promise you an excellent meal and friendly service here.
(5)
Tamara G.
Love love love Jackalope Grill. Our favorite server, Chris, is drolly entertaining and super competent. (And how great is a restaurant when you actually have a favorite server?) The wine list is deep and has many yummy surprises at great prices. The yaeger schnitzel is the stuff of dreams. Husband had a salmon dish there a year ago that he still talks about. Dining room is comfortable with just enough elegance to make you feel very special and also very much at home. Oh, and just ask about the lengths they go to in order to serve what is by far the best bread in Central Oregon. Don't let the strip mall location throw you off... Jackalope Grill's food and service could more than hold its own in the toniest of hip neighborhoods. In this foodie's opinion, it's definitely the best restaurant in Bend.
(5)
Sarah B.
One of my favorites. Tim and Kathy Garling provide a tremendous unique menu and always superb meals. One of the few places in town that takes reservations, treats you as an adult (i.e., no stupid bar tables with tall stools), and provides a quiet social atmosphere centered around the food experience (not a TV). Always a favorite place. I can't wait to see their new location when they move downtown.
(5)
Carlos P.
Although somewhat off the beaten path for us, visiting the Jackalope Grill has always been a delight. They just added some awesome Calamari to their menu, tasty!
(5)
Eric W.
We traveled all over Oregon and Washington for 2 months and this was the best dinner ever, ever anywhere. We stayed at the RV park down the street and picked up a menu flyer. It looked good, so we decided to go for dinner. It turned out they were closed on Mondays, so we extended our stay for another night just to try it. We sure were glad we did. The food was done to perfection. I had the Rack of Lamb. It was to die for. My wife had the Pork Tenderloin. And it was tender. We shared an appetizer of Oregon Elk Medallions. Superb. For desert, we split the Peach Bread Pudding. It came with what seemed like homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. We don't normally eat desert, but this was great, each bite a treat. If you are ever passing through Bend, be sure to try this hidden gem.
(5)
Marc H.
A definite must for anyone living/visiting Bend or Sunriver. Our party of ten adults and children ordered separate appetizers, main meals and desserts to share. Everyone agreed that the food and customer service we enjoyed was the best we have experienced in quite a while. Uniformly our only complaint was that we only get to Bend once a year!
(5)
Thomas M.
My wife and I just finished dinner at the Jackalope Grill on February 15, 2012 and it was excellent. From the moment we arrived the service was attentive, but not rushed. We started with a glass of Terminal Gravity served in a chilled Pilsner glass and a ceasar salad. The ceasar salad was excellent, one of the best we have had. The warm bread accompanying the salad was was out of this world. I aSteak I had was the best one I have had in a restuarant in the 2 1/2 years I have lived in Oregon and as good as any I can remember ever having in a restuarant anywhere. The meat was tender juicy and flavorful. I ordered it medium rare. My wife had the Seafood Pasta and she absolutely loved it. We both followed dinner with decaf coffee and it was full flavored and rich as full strength coffee. I had the creme brulee which I had heard was excellent and I was not disappointed. We both give the jackalope five stars on service and quality. We will definitely be returning to this restuarant.
(5)
Thom G.
You probably already noticed the crummy address. Yep. Another FABULOUS restaurant, perhaps the best fine dining in all of Bend, sits far away from the rest of the action, on Hwy 97. Bummer location, but just like Zydeco, sometimes you have to get away from the trendy areas to find the real gems. And no one would ever call Hwy 97, Bend's Third street, a trendy address. But this restaurant is amazing- please ignore the strip mall exterior, make a reservation, and prepare for a singular experience on the High Desert, not to be duplicated hereabouts. It has often been voted Bend's best restaurant. The only bummer, and hence the only low score, is that it is VERY expensive. But it should be- I'd rather dump half a paycheck here than anywhere downtown any day, because it actually feels like it's worth it! Ownership has changed hands over the past few years, and alas, my longtimes friend Timmy Wutzke is no longer the sous chef, but the quality remains. If you really want to impress a date or business contacts in Bend, bring them here. They will forget the strip mall thing as soon as they step inside- tastefully decorated, just the right amount of darkness, tables that have real intimacy, outrageously good service, and perhaps the finest cooking staff in all of Bend (minus Tim, of course). Reservations are usually required. Food is top notch, and they have a great selection of wines, and of course, cocktails for my liquorian brethren out there. My vote for the best overall food in town. You will thank me.
(5)
Mary M.
Love this restaurant when we visit Bend. Food is delicious and reasonably priced for an upscale menu. When you drive up, the outside is not inspiring, but once you go inside, everything is done right. Often the chef comes out and chats with you which is a nice touch.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Lucy Y.
Excellent. This is a charming restaurant, bar and outside dining in downtown Bend. Food was top notch. Service was attentive. Wonderful array of appetizers, small plates, and salads. Savory salad, perfect dessert, interesting signature cocktail and the entry was fresh, local, vegetables with an amazing sauce and delicious bread. We are Portland transplants and are spoiled by the good dining there. Bend is no slouch when it come to good food. The Jackalope Grill is a find. In the last year we have been regulars in the Bend dining scene. There are good restaurants here. The Jackalope Grill which is tops on our list.
(5)Kelly S.
We have been here several times for dinner, most recently for the day after Valentines Day. Their signature drink is the Moscow Mule served in a ice cold copper mug. We love that drink and consider ourselves connoisseurs. These are the best! We always start out with one. At this visit I had the special pasta with Ragu sauce. It was melt in your mouth. The service was stellar and I love the warm cozy ambience. One of our favorites in Bend!
(4)Barbara J.
We had a perfectly lovely dinner last night at the Jackalope grill. This food was delicious, prepared and presented , beautifully and their selections of wine by the glass. Was superb. Service however was cold and unfriendly.
(3)Laura P.
We were very excited to try this restaurant, we'd heard so much about it. We made our reservation. We needed to change that reservation and they were so good about accommodating us. When we finally arrived, we were cheerfully greeted and seated. Our waitress was pleasant and gave us some suggestions. She chose a nice white wine to go with our Crab Stuffed Mushroom caps and the GrilledShrimp with Chick Pea fries and Romesco sauce. Both were excellent. Then we ordered dinner, Columbia River Salmon over zucchini ribbon salad with grilled radishes. It looked beautiful, but was so flat in flavor. About the time we're wondering why there wasn't so much more flavor to this dish, our waitress begins to ignore us. 5 times she approached our table but failed to make eye contact and attended to the couple at the table next to us. By the time we'd gotten her attention, we didn't care to sit another minute. We politely declined the invitation for dessert and settled our tab. We walked to another local hot spot, Zydeco and enjoyed dessert and coffee there. We wanted to love this place, but just couldn't after being served bland food and being ignored.
(2)Isela P.
The one star is not for food but service from the hostess. Well we had reservations for tonight but there is a really bad snow storm that we had driven in earlier and was scary dangerous so we decided to cancel our reservations for later tonight so I called to cancel and the lady who answered said, "oh the party of 7" and hung up on me before I had a chance to apologize and reschedule for another night. This was very rude and unprofessional on her part to cut me off while I was talking. We are visiting family from out of town and eat here whenever we are here and that won't change. Hope she treats the next cancellation better??
(1)Greg W.
Our recent dinner with friends couldn't have been better. The service was spot-on, and the food was exceptional. Definitely one of my favorites in Bend!
(5)Margaret L.
Hosted was rude to me when I asked for a romantic table for my husbands birthday. once we were at our table I told her thank you, and she ignored me. Honestly I've never been treated so rudely in a restaurant. food four star, service four star, hostes needs to retire because she isn't enjoying herself. We are new in town and excited to find a favorite restaurant to frequent.
(3)Litsa D.
We were a bit hesitant about dining here after reading some of the negative reviews. Overall our experience was quite pleasant. The meal- my husband and I split the Ribeye steak which turned out to be the smart move. The meal was very delicious and because we shared, I had room for dessert. I had the Creme Brûlée and my husband had the apple tart both were very tasty! I'm very picky about my Creme brûlée so I was a very full and happy woman. I will be back in the future trips to Bend.
(4)Ashley M.
Very convenient as we were staying at the DoubleTree in Bend and it was less than 3 blocks away. We went their on a Saturday night our 6th wedding anniversary, and my husband mentioned it was our anniversary. The food was good but the service was slow. We had to initiate ordering everything. We were not asked if we'd like another cocktail or glass of wine, we had to ask for this. We ordered the summer kale salad, Caesar and gnocchi to start. The kale salad was really good and I liked the dressing a lot. Caesar was good-- a lot of cheese which we like :) Gnocchi was ok-- way too much marinara sauce. I had the filet mignon and ordered it rare. I told the waitress I like a nice sear on the outside then very rare. When I cut into it, it was cooked almost all the way through and my husband said something to a nearby server. She then questioned me on now I ordered it and if I cut it all the way through. I thought that was rude. If a customer says it's not cooked right, take them at their word. The new steak was ok and cooked right but swimming in too much beurre blanc. My husband got the tombo risotto which I wish I had ordered. I ate most of his dinner while waiting for my steak to be re-made and it was really good! I will say however that the cocktails were phenomenal. I got a Hibiscus Fizz and Pisco Sour and both were very tasty! I was surprised that our server said nothing to us about our wedding anniversary, even to say congratulations, but a table nearby celebrating a birthday got a happy birthday with a candle! I would come here for drinks only but not to eat and definitely not for an important dinner. Also, there was a typo on the menu. It was talking about how their fish is really eco-friendly because they are caught in "inefficient" fishing vessels. Clearly they mean efficient. So they get a star knocked off for service, for cooking my steak wrong, and for poor grammar.
(2)Justin F.
Our all-time favorite restaurant in Bend, Trattoria Spandati, was closed this night so we needed to find a new place for our anniversary dinner. We've eaten in just about every restaurant in Bend except the Jackalope Grill. We decided to give it a try. I had a bison hanger steak and my wife had the schnitzel. The food was good and prepared well. It just didn't have that 'wow' factor or 'pop' I was looking for. What made this evening memorable in the worst way was the bizarre, weird customer service. We've never been treated more rudely in a restaurant. I'd rather not detail the incident and embarrass the server but the experience was just unprofessional. There are plenty of great fine dining options in Bend. We won't be back to the Jackalope Grill. First impressions mean a lot.
(1)Leeann R.
The restaurant was recommended by a local bike shop Cog Wild. What a great place. I've read the reviews and think some of the people must have been at a different restaurant. We had a simply perfect server! We started with drinks--huckleberry lemon drop martini, a Boneyard RPM IPA and a Deschutes Black Butte Porter. We had a yummy bread made locally by The Sparrow Bakery. For dinnner we had: Troll-Caught Oregon King Salmon w/lemon beurre. Ribeye Steak with umami-bomb butter, and Pork Osso Bucco. We followed the dinner with the "Death by Chocolate" dessert. AMAZING!
(5)Dan O.
I really hate the name Jackalope for a serious restaurant. So much so that I have resisted going to this restaurant for many years. But my wife prevailed upon me to attend one of their prix fiixe dinners for our anniversary. It didn't start out well when the Jackalope canceled the prix fixe dinner at the last moment. When we showed up for our reservation, they apologized for the last minute cancellation and seated us in an outdoor courtyard. It was surrounded by plants and flowers that provided a fantastic atmosphere. Our server promptly provided us with glasses of prosecco for our anniversary along with some really good freshly baked bread, a really nice touch. Another plus is that they have several of Bend's better microbrews available on tap, which is something that better restaurants are beginning to do. My wife described her roasted beets with burrata on a bed of arugula the best salad/appetizer she has ever had. My Caesar salad salad was presented in a unique way - a square structure built of dressed leaves and topped with a Parmesan crisp, all delicious. My wife's Osso Bucco was served atop polenta, all good to very good but not to die for. Meanwhile, I thought that the Jaeger Schnitzel was very good, but I was disappointed in the potato pancake, which was mushy and not obviously a pancake. It was served with a small amount (darn) of outstanding red cabbage and broccolini, also really good. To sum up, really nice atmosphere, good service, and mostly really good food. I am stingy with "Excellent" or "5 Star" ratings, but this one is close to that. But I still hate the name Jackalope for a restaurant as good as this.
(4)Marc C.
Where do I start with this one. Ok, we're from out of town and visit Bend multiple times a year, each time we go to The Jackelope for a great dinner. So we booked reservations for 10, but only 8 could make it, the women who greeted us was very annoyed and rude by this because they had to remove one of the tables, I finally had to ask her sternly "is this a problem" cause we'll go somewhere else. Then I saw her walk into the kitchen area shaking her head and begin to talk shit, no doubt about us! Then the food came, my bolognese was dry and not as good as Pastini's by the river. My mothers pork osso was also dry and boring. The fish dish with risotto was flavorless and also dry. My wife ordered the hanger steak salad, it came rare when she ordered medium, they took it back and it returned still rare, it had NO flavor to the meat, we retuned it. We were all surprised at the lack of quality, another one bites the dust, and it used to be so so good.
(1)Shauna M.
I loved my meal at Jackalope Grill. Disclaimer. My friend and I shared three small plates and had a couple glasses of wine, but it was wonderful. The food was fresh, unique but not overly pretentious. The staff was very professional, friendly and accommodating. It felt like a San Francisco restaurant in Bend. I look forward to going back and having a complete meal.
(5)Atomicron C.
Pros: attentive waiter, escargot, awesome good menu, aesthetics and intimacy. False: Given the priciness and high-end reviews...$38 lamb served undercooked (admittedly incorrect and raw by staff)-cooking longer to get to med rare left partner's meal chilling on table: waiting 5 minutes at host stand before being seated for Rez, needing to retrieve our own jackets from coat closet upon departure, being able to hear staff in kitchen talking about being hung over, etc. while eating. Maybe an off night, but was a poor value this eve.
(2)Timothy P.
Late on this review, but my girlfriend and I were able to get in on Valentine's Day without a reservation. (Our choice as we had a packed day of activities going on). We ate at one of the bar tables, which was no problem....still very nice. The seafood cioppino pasta was amazing! Perfect combination of flavors and quantity. My g/f had the jaeger schnitzel and she was equally as pleased. We definitely plan to go back and dine in the formal white tablecloth area. This is a classy place. A great choice for a special occasion!
(5)Roxanne P.
Great service. Not a great atmosphere. Food was very disappointing. I was really sad cuz we went for my fiancées birthday. We won't be back. :-(
(2)Stephanie S.
Just visited their downtown location for the first time. The service was very good. The server was attentive without being overbearing. We went with friends and he did a good job of allowing us to have a leisurely meal and great conversation. In fact, when we got home that night, it occurred to me that I didn't really remember him much - which to me says he did a great job not interfering, but also met all of our needs without being asked. The food, however, was underwhelming. The schnitzel, which I had remembered as being fabulous at their old location, was just mediocre. The sides were blah and the presentation was frankly awful. Just the meat, potato pancake and cabbage slapped on the plate.
(2)DeWayne F.
Well our daughter and her husband were visiting from NY and we decided to have dinner@Jackalope on Valintines Day. I must say we were pleasantly surprised with how well the evening went. They were certainly on their game tonight, everything was way over the top. Great company, waiter was extremely attentive (a little slow on the quantity and bread delivery), but overall service was very good, not rushed (nice pace). Having lived in Europe for a few years we get tired of the way too fast delivery of food and quick turning of tables in the USA. Nice to see a restaurant that slows it down a bit. And above all the food was way way excellent. Each of us had a different appetizer and main course. No complaints. We brought an Italian Barbaresco 2008, and purchased an Oregon Pinto from the wine list which was priced appropriately (under$50). Of course there were lots of wine way over $100 a bottle for those that need to spend a lot. I always wonder how many of these actually get sold. Would have liked to see more Oregon wines on the list, there are so many good ones. Thanks for a nice evening. :)
(5)Mike S.
Great food and a nice broad menu. Service was good but never had a water refill. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a nice quiet dinner off the beaten path. (Bond and Wall streets) it might be hidden but give them a try.
(5)Tony L.
Fantastic food. Loved the beet salad and the chicken impressed me (not a seafood eater and try to eat on the lighter side when traveling mid-week). Would return in a heartbeat. Great outdoor seating in their courtyard for those of you in Bend during the fantastic summer months when evenings are warm (although they do have heaters evenly placed throughout for shoulder season/cooler evenigns). Patio also highlights all the planters with flowers and herbs that they use to finish the dishes- unique touch that I've never seen presented in this manner. I didn't eat off the happy-hour menu, but it gives plenty of wonderful-sounding options.
(5)Chuck G.
I brought my elderly parents here when they visited Bend. We ate in the courtyard on a perfect Central Oregon evening. I've eaten here many times before but this was the first time I had every eaten outside in the courtyard. It was wonderful. The food and service were, as always, spectacular. My rack of lamb was PERFECTLY cooked. My parents shared a Caprese salad, and some escargot. They ooh'ed and awe'd over their meals. Great wine list. I should come here more often!
(5)Silvia K.
Superb food and great cocktails. The service is top notch. I love to eat here and send my clients regularly. A must try if you haven't yet had the pleasure!
(5)Megan M.
Really really very nice. Back patio is best for a quiet dinner - lovely part about it is they grow their own herbs that are used in the dishes out on the patio. Under the stars as the evening paled, it's a very romantic place to dine. Food was perfect. Menu was interesting and had some exciting choices that will bring me back.
(5)Jen O.
I had been to Jackalope Grill with girlfriends for happy hour a few times and always enjoyed the experience, which prompted me to think of the restaurant when searching for a place to hold our company's holiday party. We were so glad we did. Our group was about 57 people and we had the whole place to ourselves. I just want to say how wonderful the food was and how accommodating the staff was throughout the evening. Tim Garling worked closely with us to create the perfect menu, and Kathy Garling presented a beautifully decorated restaurant that was festive and glowing. She was great to work with throughout the process. The staff was wonderful and made our evening a very special one. Thank you for providing us with a delicious menu, fabulous venue and all around great time!
(5)Debbi M.
I wanted to take my husband to a nice restaurant in Bend for his birthday. We had reservations and arrived early so we waited in the bar. I had their Fig Sidecar and it was divine. We had a lovely meal and service. Their bread from Sparrows Bakery was delicious.
(4)James T.
Food = 3 (the specialty crab mushrooms tasted pre-made and very fishy... award winning? I think not) Price = 3 Experience = 3 (came here twice, started at the bar... very slow service. Live music was nice... but, once again Bend service was very disappointing)
(3)Megan M.
Never has a bad bite been had from a meal at Jackalope. Everything is always spot on. In fact over the years we have had Tim cater an annual holiday party and have hosted private events at Jackalope. Hands down the best restaurant in Bend and we have tried everything on the menu over the years. My favorites will always be the risotto specials and the schnitzel.
(5)Michele R.
First dinner at the new Lava Street location with outcome similar to our experiences at the old Division Street location. Worth updating prior review given new location. Charming ambiance. Warm hospitality. Some misses on food. And this time, for the first time, on service too. BOTTOM LINE We'll go back but won't rush back. Jackalope is listed as fine dining so it's fair to consider that in the review. Were it a pub, expectations would be different. Four of us left feeling fine dining expectations were not met. Not less than AOK but not more either. Local owners are good folks and we're rooting for them but more is needed to get to four stars. NICE AMBIANCE New space as of about July 2012. (see photos) Has a small lounge with windows looking onto Lava Street. Dark walls in dining room are a great backdrop for many pieces of local artists' work. White tablecloths now as before. A BIG round of applause to them for arranging tables in a way that avoids the "sardine can" seating of many other Bend restaurants. As in the other location, music mix is lovely. Although, unlike the other location where the vibe was intimate and more quiet for acoustics, the big space and high ceilings here can make it noisy. Nice add for this location is outdoor seating at several tables in large enclosed back patio. As accessibility note, level in and all on one level including patio. DOWNTOWN LOCATION On Lava Street on the back side of the downtown parking garage; convenient since street parking in downtown Bend is at a premium. On the flip side, this makes Jackalope less visible than some other downtown Bend restaurants in the fine dining class. That may explain why Jackalope was nearly empty when we arrived at 6:30 and was no more than half full over the 2 1/2 hours we were there. SERVICE STRUGGLED On every experience at the old location, we enjoyed some of the most skilled wait staff in Bend delivering gracious, pitch perfect service. This time our friendly server seemed to be in learning mode with tasks complicated by having to run between outdoor patio tables and tables inside. As one example of several "oops" for the night of being spread too thin, one of our tablemates got up to fetch the host to ask him about a very late wine delivery given he could not get the server's attention as she zipped to and fro. And whether the server's issue or the kitchen's, the food took a long, long time to reach the table. This is a criticism, slow to table food arrival, I've heard from folks who are fans of Jackalope but say they've been reluctant to discuss it with the chef / owner to avoid wounded feelings. But it does need to be discussed. He can't fix what he doesn't know is broken. If our experience was a common one, this needs attention. FOOD NOT UP TO PAR Two of four entrees arrived lukewarm instead of hot. Another entree, the daily special, was so over salted and surprisingly swimming in butter (not expected per our server's description) that it was nearly returned to the kitchen to ask them to try again. Instead, it remained half eaten. A woman at the table next to us who ordered the same thing did return hers to the kitchen uneaten and declined her server's gracious offer to replace it. LIMITED MENU I characterize the menu as "timeless continental". My husband describes it as "past its time" I'll explain by saying he puts a high premium on creativity over the classics. Different strokes for different diners, not a fault of the restaurant. Worth pointing out there was not a single vegetarian entree and among the starters perhaps but two items that would work for those diners. Menu has about eight starters in things like crab stuffed mushrooms, soup du jour and Caesar salad (from $7 to $12.) On the night of our visit, the menu had but five fixed entree options ($23 - $33) including salmon filet, beef filet, stuffed chicken breast, seafood pasta and jaegar schnitzel plua one nightly special. One of our tablemates was disappointed to find that with but five standard entree choices, at 7pm one of them was already sold out. WINE LIST Extensive list with a good number of bottle choices under $50 and many choices above. Nice selection of European wines as well as domestic. Strength in the wine list is a definite plus. We narrowed it down to three bottles and ordered one to find that wine not available. Choice two to the rescue. VALUE Four entrees, one soup and wine was about $175 before tip.. Compared to other fine dining in Bend, like three of our favorites Ariana, 10 Below @ Oxford and Zydeco, prices seem similar. Ambiance here is better than the latter two. Service was far below the highest standard, set by Ariana, and not up to par with the others either. Food quality and menu creativity didn't meet the mark for our expectations.. Total value = just OK. We'll try again.
(3)Amy B.
I just deleted my original review, but I am keeping the two star rating. The food was very mediocre. Evidently, my review hit a nerve, as I have now been contacted and insulted twice for it. I received a yelp private message that used profanity towards me on Sunday morning right after I posted it. I then received a long voicemail this afternoon from an employee of the restaurant that told me I was a "sad" person. Nope, I'm not sad - just a foodie who was not happy with her food and won't complain in a restaurant for quality issues that should be caught by the manager, chef, etc. Of the 6 items we ordered, one was good. This has turned into a very strange experience!
(2)Pete P.
Always a great dining experience at The Jackalope. The service is great, it has a small and intimate atmosphere and the food is outstanding. This time I had the rack of lamb and it was tops. It was so tender and flavorful. I do recommend reservations, because it is popular and a small place.
(5)Linda H.
Delightful! Impeccable service and great food. Appreciate the quiet ambience and space between tables. The lions beard mushrooms were amazing.
(5)Jerry B.
The ambiance reminds one of a 1940s supper club. A warm, cozy and inviting environment in which to relax, have a drink and a great meal with your loved ones. I would recommend the Escargot with freshly baked bread as a starter with a glass of bold red wine
(4)Christine H.
My husband and I had not been to Jackalope Grill for about a year but last night decided to celebrate our anniversary there. What a wonderful meal we had! Rain unfortunately prevented us from being seated in the beautiful courtyard garden area, but we were given a prime table indoors next to the garden window. We had a warm, attentive and competent server--much better service than I remember from prior visits. And the food was magnificent. We started with the calamari, done in a light batter that tasted exquisite; I was tempted just to keep ordering calamari as my entire dinner. Next I had the buratta/beet salad, which is a "best of breed" in the world of salads, I think. The combination of the meltingly soft cheese with texture contrast from the beets, and the melding of their flavors on the palate, is really great. For our entree my husband and I both had the veal saltimbocca. It was a first time for us eating a dish we have heard about for years and we were really happy with it. The veal was tender and the sage was so fresh that we believe that must have been what we watched being harvested by a kitchen staff person about 10 minutes before the dish appeared before us! The accompanying polenta was tasty and the kitchen did a really nice job on the roast veggies, especially the carrots, that came with. We were pleasantly surprised by a complimentary and delicious chocolate pot de creme in celebration of our anniversary as a finale. Yes, this was overall an expensive meal but it could not have been a better meal. We will not wait so long before returning next time. We heartily recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion.
(5)Melinda C.
We went here for my father in law's birthday and retirement celebration. The service was great and our food was excellent. We had the mussels, prawns, kale salad, gnocchi, lentil soup, sturgeon over risotto, and filet mignon. The risotto dish was by far the favorite. I would get that dish next time. I could have made a meal off of the delicious bread and the sauces from the mussels, gnocchi, and filet mignon. For dessert, we got crème brulee, chocolate pot de crème, and a flourless chocolate cake. The desserts were great, but the pot de crème had a texture that I wasn't accustomed to. Overall, it was a great experience and we'll definitely return.
(5)Larry S.
Although I did have dessert at the new location a couple months ago, I hadn't had a regular meal at Jackalope for a couple years. While not outrageously expensive, it's sort of a special occasion restaurant for us, and with tonight being our 23rd anniversary, it seemed like a perfect place for dinner. I began with a perfectly made Tanqueray martini, then a great Caesar salad. My entrée was a splurge - their Rib Eye, served with perfectly cooked carrots and string beans, over garlic mashed potatoes, and a gorgonzola cheese sauce on and around the steak. Excellent in every regard. My wife had the sea bass over a creamy risotto, which was also excellent. "Her" dessert (meaning I had small bite - I'm not a sweets person) was their signature crème brulee, and as a chef of sorts myself, I can attest that it was perfect. Our server, Emily was absolutely perfect as well. Attentive, but never overbearing, friendly and efficient, we enjoyed her thoroughly. I have no doubt that all the servers are first rate, and you're not likely to get a bad meal here, but for us, this combination of food, drink, and service, was about as good as it gets. Highly recommended.
(5)Brian C.
My visit to Tim Garling's Jackalope Grill was inspired by the reviews on Yelp as well as an ad that I'd seen in one of the "places to go" booklets we got upon checking into our hotel. What a treat it was. We (my partner and I) walked in without reservations on a Saturday, July 4th weekend and easily got a table. We were going to try the elk because of the ad but we kinda chickened out. I had never had it before and because they had my favorite dish "Ribeye" steak, I had to have it. The ribeye gets 5 stars...it was delicious. For an appetizer, the dungeness crab stuffed mushroom caps as recommended by a server was terrific. What completely sold this place for me was the fact that after our dinner Tim Garling paid a visit to our table. Asked us how our meal was and really seemed interested in our answers as my partner thought his filet mignon was on the dry side. Thank you, Tim. If I'm ever in Bend again, I will definitely pay another visit and perhaps brave tasting elk for the first time.
(5)Ron And Anita T.
This is our second visit to the Jackalope Grill in Bend, Oregon; this time at their new location downtown. The location is much improved from their former spot in a small strip mall; but it does bring parking challenges. We sat in their outside dining area, which is surrounded by the back of a parking garage and other large buildings. A little like being in a large elevator shaft, but they did mitigate that with lots of greenery, but that could not reach up the several stories high buildings. The real disappointment this time however, and the reason for removing one star, was the food. The chippino and jaeger schnitzel were just okay, and not at all what we recalled from our earlier visit. And, the salads were so ridiculously small that we asked if they had served us the half portions that were available! Not so! Probably will think a bit before going back.
(3)Camille H.
I want to like this place, it gets great reviews. My second visit, the first at the new location. Came in after dinner for a drink and dessert. Had the mango fire which I thought would be like other spicy mango drinks that are popular now. My mistake which was not their fault is that I thought the pepper vodka would be like the habanero vodkas that are popular now. Not the case. Again, not their fault, although I had two sips and left the remaining and bartender never asked how my drink was. When we ordered the drinks he asked if we would be dining tonight? I said I would like the dessert menu. He said it was verbal and would check. Still checking......he never followed up. New location is good, much better than their odd former strip mall location. I wish them well and have not given up hope.
(3)David K.
Our party of 3 entered a half-full restaurant on a Friday night. The service was deplorable. Our greeting- " Do you have a reservation?" No "hello, how are you?",etc. The host waiter/surly guy literally pointed to our table and said "that's yours". Nice service Fella!!! We were ignored for 10 minutes until a female waitress emerged to ask if we wanted cocktails. All 3 of us declined as we'd brought a bottle of wine. The surly male waiter returned 7 minutes later and simply said... "You want me to open that?". 8 minutes after that he again returned and asked "do you know what you want?" Ah this lad was a charmer!!! My steak was undercooked but short of getting-up and walking into the kitchen with my plate the only other option was to just eat the damn thing. NO one asked how our food was, etc. $34 for an undercooked filet is pretty sad. Surly waiter guy then appeared with "do you want dessert?"- that was literally what he said. We asked for dessert menus- of course they don't have any. We ended-up splitting some mousse-esque thing, paid the bill and got the hell out. To the good residents and travelers to Bend... skip this place. There are a LOT of steak joints in Bend. For the price and total shitty level of service I will never return.
(1)Carla F.
My husband and I went to Jackalope based on the Yelp star rating and a couple of good reviews. After spending several days in bend we found it very welcoming as a bi-racial couple until this experience. Upon arrival we were given a chilly welcome by an employee who chose to leave us standing at the hostess station while she presumably went to find a hostess to seat us in the primarily empty indoor dining area (only 2 other people seated in this space). We were then promptly seated but left without a menu or anyone attending to our table for roughly 10 minutes. Another waiter asked if we had been taken care of, we told him no, he left to get help and in a few seconds the individual who gave is the chilly welcome stated to us that we had not been sitting that long. I responded by telling her we would like to see a menu. She corrected me stating that the waiter would bring it when he got to our table and again retreated to the back. My husband and I looked at each other, he said "let's go", I agreed and we got up and walked out. I can't speak on the quality of menu items or even the quality of the water because we were never provided any, nor can I be certain if it was just a horrible employee who has no idea how to provide even the basic minimum in good service or if it was racism. I'll leave that alone, however I will choose to stay away from this establishment at all costs.
(1)Hey C.
Had dinner here with my mom while she was visiting Bend. We liked it so much we went twice! Food is great and the service is even better. Dining in the courtyard is lovely. You won't regret your meal here.
(5)Alexa H.
Went to Jackalope for dinner a few nights ago. It was recommended to me by the Oxford Hotel nearby. The restaurant has an outstanding chef, and they offer quality food and a nice atmosphere. Outdoor dining is available during the summer. Service was good, but mainly the food was far above average, starting with the warm bread - crusty on the outside and soft in the middle. Food as superbly prepared and presentation was attractive. I had a filet mignon with mashed potatoes. Wine list was a little disappointing. Desserts were fabulous. Nice to know Bend has restaurants like this!
(4)Mike L.
We were visiting Sunriver for the first time and planned on a nice dinner out for our 33rd anniversary. I searched Yelp! to see what might be a good local spot & settled on Jacklope, partly because of the owners connection to Alaska and that we were married in Nome. All that to say the meal was pretty good and missed five stars on a couple misses that should have been avoided in the kitchen. First off my wife ordered the salmon. It was very good except that the grey part of the meat (the fat?) wasn't trimmed off which gave it a very strong unpleasant fishy taste. Once she trimmed it the fish was fine but we would expect that to have been done in the prep stages. I ordered one of the daily specials, a venison sausage with mushroom gravy and pasta. The sausage was good but dry and really benefitted from the gravy but the gravy was way over salted, which just grew in intensity as I ate and became pretty overpowering. We were also surprised to be seated 30 minutes after opening and when ordering one of the specials of the day being told that they had just sold the last one, too bad as that was my wife's first choice. If we were to be back in Bend we may give them another try...not sure. It's a good thing our marriage has been a good one, it allows a few meal misses to go by.
(4)Joann H.
We have been looking forward in trying this restaurant. It was a disappointing dinner. Starting with their Caesar Salad, the romaine lettuce was pale to white in color. Not the green crispy leaves they should have selected. Dressing was noted to be homemade, it was thick and squeezed on leaves. Toasted parmesan cracker was cold not warm as noted in menu. The vegetables had so much salt that they were not eatable. I love salt so this was a shocker. Their roasted herb chicken was great. Chicken was moist and herb flavors roasted through. For dessert, Creme Brûlée. It The consistency was thick institutional egg pudding. No vanilla flavor either. Our other entree was small piece of Salmon with soba noodles and mushroom was also too salty. Soba noodles did not compliment the salmon. Wine selection was not impressive. I was disappointed in both our meals. I will not be going back. Many other great quality restaurants to select from in the area.
(2)Kaelyn C.
Beautiful restaurant, attentive service, and one of the best filet's I've ever had. Great wine list, too! If you are searching for the best fine dining restaurant in Bend... This is it! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Harry D.
we have eaten here many times. We started when we saw Tim win the Bites of Bend contest in 2011, and have been coming back regularly. At first we did not get it, and thought the service was slow and disinterested. Instead, we learned that they are intent on you really enjoying your table and they do not try to rush you out. I think that is good, and we go there when we have a special event, because we can indeed take the table for a while and enjoy. the wine selection is one of the best in town, and it is diverse and has many layers. you can get a great wine here and not have to pay an arm and a leg. I will say that I think they tend to overcook their red meats by one click. Knowing that, order one shade light. their crab stuffed mushroom appetizer is a delight. every time they have rack of lamb it comes to our table. Tim has a veal recipe that is his signature dish. we like it there.
(4)Gregory D.
This was our first time to Jackalope Grill, and it was recommended by friends. We had always walked by but never tried it. The atmosphere is fantastic, the service is impeccable and the food is phenomenal! I highly recommend the Sturgeon and any of the seasonal specials. We all had different entrees, each delicious in their own way! The prices are a bit higher than most restaurants in town, BUT the experience and quality are well worth it!
(5)Alisia V.
The new location is soooo much cozier. We come here often and the food is always good. The service is excellent, ask to sit in Sonia's section, cute personality. I had halibut cheeks the other night (my fav) perfectly cooked. The eggplant appetizer is so yummy with that little drizzle of honey over the top just to make you question the taste of the sweet nector. My husband loves the schnitzle and every once in a while he lets me have a taste.
(5)William L.
This is a five star restaurant! The food and fast courteous service is unbelievable. Try the Jager Schnitzel. It is authentic German fare. It is one of the finest restaurants in central Oregon, bar none.
(5)Virgil B.
If you really enjoy a medley of flavors when you dine, you will love what this husband and wife team serve. My wife is a gourmet chef in her own right and that makes it difficult to eat out where most restaurants tend to fall short. Jackalope Grill went way beyond our expectations. Both meals were prepared perfectly, each item properly cooked and the presentation makes your mouth water! Don't worry about the fact that it is located in a strip mall, just make sure you have reservations or you will not get in.
(5)Carmen T.
My husband and I LOVE the Jackalope Grill! The service is always amazing, and our favorite waiter Chris is our number one choice whenever we dine at the Jackalope. The owners, Tim and Kathy are wonderful and always very friendly and courteous. We have been going to the Jackalope for years and because their food is so amazingly delicious, we generally always allow Kathy or Chris to pick our wine for us, as they would know what goes best with each dish. We are never disappointed and have nothing negative to say about the Jackalope. I am really looking forward to their new location in downtown Bend, hopefully opening soon in April. I really recommend this restaurant for any occasion, but especially a special occasion. My husband takes me there for date nights and it is always such an enjoyable experience with the cozy atmosphere and the delicious gourmet foods. Enjoy!
(5)Thomas L.
This place is 70s upscale dinning at its best. Lots of butter and cream. It advertises as American (new). It is not new. It is 70s. So if you liked the 70s this is your kind of place. It looked like there were many happy diners there. Not our kind of place. They do make an effort though. It's just a matter of taste. As a place that appeared to be upscale the scotch list and wine list was a little on the low end, which is ok, but I would have expected a few upper end selections to round out the list for those so inclined.
(2)Trevor K.
Here's the thing. I wanted to like this place. 4.5 stars with several stellar (and recent) reviews. I checked out the menu and liked what I saw. My wife and I walked in, found a cozy nook in the back of the bar and settled in. The bartender was friendly enough once we got him warmed up, and the drinks he made were good, as was our gnocchi appetizer. However, from here the evening began to go downhill, quickly. I ordered the jaeger schnitzel special, my wife ordered the filet. I could have never expected how poorly prepared these dishes were. The only properly seasoned food on my plate was an anchovy, and thank goodness I asked for it on the side, or else my meal would have been inedibly bland. It was as if the chef forgot how to use salt, and never actually tasted his product before sending it. The worst offense here, though, was not the under seasoned food, but my wife's filet. She asked for it medium rare. It came out cooked properly, but when she went to cut it down the middle, we discovered that it had been sliced 2/3 through so as to check doneness, and then flipped as to hide the cut. Now, I am sorry, but no self-respecting chef would do this. It's just bad form. Between that and the lack of any seasonings on our meals, we didn't dare try dessert. And we won't be coming back.
(2)Sheri D.
I have heard mixed reviews - but decided to take a chance. The smoked Asian salmon and cioppino had tender calamari and perfect seasoned broth - the pasta was not homemade and because it was packaged it lacked any flavor. Skipp the pasta and add several pieces of grilled herb bread. Our client had the Schnitzel and it was amazing - earthy and lovely flavor. The dinning room is beautiful. What was lacking - we had 6 o'clock reservations and they seemed confused by where to sit us. And it took almost 15 to get drinks and then after sitting we waited another 15 minutes to get a bread basket. The service got better as things moved a long - but it hurt the experience overall.
(3)Winnie P.
Wanted to love this place. Really wanted to love this place! After hearing so many wonderful things about the Jackalope, we finally made a reservation for a special occasion and went in with pretty high expectations, which were sadly shattered. First, after were seated by the owner who was very nice, we sat at least 10 minutes without a greeting from our server, water, OR menus. Finally she stopped by, with water-but still no menus-those came about 5 minutes later. We were able to catch her and mention that we would like to start with drinks-she ran away instead to grab us bread? When she came back with the bread, we placed our drink and appetizer order- then she promptly whisked away our menus before we had a chance to realize what she was doing! Amused ourselves by trying to remember what we had seen during our quick glance-over-what went with the pork? Apple cider reduction? Or was it Balsamic? Our server returned to take our entree order-by the way, do you have any specials?( this is usually something mentioned when menus are dropped) She mentioned a couple appetizers we may have been interested before we placed our app order! soup of the day, and highly recommended the filet and the lamb on the menu(which we did not have in front of us). I ordered the seafood pasta, and my boyfriend ordered the lamb she recommended. " Oh yeah. We are out of lamb." Okay... we finally got a menu back and were able to make a suitable second choice. Then, wine arrived. Not sure where the confusion came from here, and perhaps this was my own fault-but I thought I had ordered a bottle of Pinot Noir, instead, we were served 2 glasses of white? We told her we had meant the red, our server says they don't have that currently but recommended another kind, and we go with it- again, she brought us glasses, though red this time. My thinking is that the same makers of the Noir must make a Gris which they serve by the glass there and she wasn't aware of the bottle- the wine list is pretty extensive and probably tough to memorize and maybe I wasn't specific enough, so we decided to not say anything else, it was beginning to feel pretty futile at this point. After we finished dinner, our wine glasses empty, plates pushed to the side, we waited a good 15-20 minutes for our server to check on us, even though she was standing 5 feet away making conversation with another table. We finally were able to pay, and left feeling like we had one of the strangest service experiences we have ever had here in Bend! I will disclose that I also work in the industry, and therefore I am pretty forgiving when it comes to s**t happening, but this was pretty bad! Maybe this was just a fluke since other people seem to love this place so much, but I can say with confidence we will likely not return. On a positive note- I will say that the food was very good. Dungeness crab stuffed mushrooms, grilled asparagus with pancetta and egg, Schnitzel with traditional German sides, and Seafood pasta, no complaints in this department!
(2)Angie K.
Hello to Jackalope Grill's new location downtown!! I was a fan of "stripmall Jackalope" before, but the new "downtown Jackalope" is AWESOME. Though the indoor table space is about the same, per the restaurant, they have a new great patio that is open for happy hour and a bar. Great decor, open space and cool art! Some favs are still on the menu like the Jaeger Schnitzel. Is it possible that it has gotten crispier and more delicious because of its new setting? My husband is a fan (I mean a FAN) of the Filet Mignon. Chef Tim blew our minds last night with a special Gazpacho Watermelon Soup with pickled onions and feta, WHAT?!? So good. Also had the Grilled Prawns & Chickpea Panisse, another new dish to us. The prawns had a delicious, smoky taste and the panisse had great flavors to compliment it. We always have an outstanding dining experience with Jackalope's service and our meal last night was no exception thanks to Chris. Make Jackalope a stop on your happy hour or dining tour and see what great, local cooking is all about!
(5)Brad S.
If you're looking for an escape from the loud commotion of most downtown restaurants, look no further. We just discovered this restaurant last night, and we'll be back. It's no wonder Jackalope has been voted best fine dining by Gusto readers, every item we tried was absolutely excellent. Even the two wines we sampled were real winners. The service was friendly without being overbearing, and the chef came out to check on how well the meal was enjoyed. A perfect location for a romantic dinner.
(5)Paulette J.
Last night we had wine and dessert at the location in Bend. Our server was Warren. Not only was the service top notch but the desserts were really yummy. We had a type of Chocolate Mouse and Sticky Pudding. The wine was excellent and reasonably [priced. We stuck to reds. I highly recommend the food. I want to thank Warren for making our outing fun. He is professional and courteous as well as humorous. We will be back.
(5)Gern B.
Great food. Service was a bit unattentive at times, but it didnt take away from a nice evening. Very reasonably priced for the quality of experience. The new setting is wonderful. One of the best places in Bend to go for more upscale dining
(4)Peggy R.
We have been eating at the Jackalope Grill for years. Food and service have always been amazing, but with the new location I can only say fabulous! A must if you haven't eaten there yet!
(5)Allen T.
Don't let the location fool you! This restaurant is in a strip mall that's somewhat ugly, but the menu, the food and the service are exceptional. My wife and I eat out a lot and have high expectations; this place exceeded them all. Although the entire menu is infused with a French-meets-Pacific NW flair, their salmon was superb, and may be the best I've ever had. We came back again just to ensure it wasn't a fluke and it was fantastic both times. The chef personally came out to greet us and shared one of his favorite dessert wines with us. We thought this was a friendly and personal touch. I don't want to go on and on about every detail, but I promise you an excellent meal and friendly service here.
(5)Tamara G.
Love love love Jackalope Grill. Our favorite server, Chris, is drolly entertaining and super competent. (And how great is a restaurant when you actually have a favorite server?) The wine list is deep and has many yummy surprises at great prices. The yaeger schnitzel is the stuff of dreams. Husband had a salmon dish there a year ago that he still talks about. Dining room is comfortable with just enough elegance to make you feel very special and also very much at home. Oh, and just ask about the lengths they go to in order to serve what is by far the best bread in Central Oregon. Don't let the strip mall location throw you off... Jackalope Grill's food and service could more than hold its own in the toniest of hip neighborhoods. In this foodie's opinion, it's definitely the best restaurant in Bend.
(5)Sarah B.
One of my favorites. Tim and Kathy Garling provide a tremendous unique menu and always superb meals. One of the few places in town that takes reservations, treats you as an adult (i.e., no stupid bar tables with tall stools), and provides a quiet social atmosphere centered around the food experience (not a TV). Always a favorite place. I can't wait to see their new location when they move downtown.
(5)Carlos P.
Although somewhat off the beaten path for us, visiting the Jackalope Grill has always been a delight. They just added some awesome Calamari to their menu, tasty!
(5)Eric W.
We traveled all over Oregon and Washington for 2 months and this was the best dinner ever, ever anywhere. We stayed at the RV park down the street and picked up a menu flyer. It looked good, so we decided to go for dinner. It turned out they were closed on Mondays, so we extended our stay for another night just to try it. We sure were glad we did. The food was done to perfection. I had the Rack of Lamb. It was to die for. My wife had the Pork Tenderloin. And it was tender. We shared an appetizer of Oregon Elk Medallions. Superb. For desert, we split the Peach Bread Pudding. It came with what seemed like homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. We don't normally eat desert, but this was great, each bite a treat. If you are ever passing through Bend, be sure to try this hidden gem.
(5)Marc H.
A definite must for anyone living/visiting Bend or Sunriver. Our party of ten adults and children ordered separate appetizers, main meals and desserts to share. Everyone agreed that the food and customer service we enjoyed was the best we have experienced in quite a while. Uniformly our only complaint was that we only get to Bend once a year!
(5)Thomas M.
My wife and I just finished dinner at the Jackalope Grill on February 15, 2012 and it was excellent. From the moment we arrived the service was attentive, but not rushed. We started with a glass of Terminal Gravity served in a chilled Pilsner glass and a ceasar salad. The ceasar salad was excellent, one of the best we have had. The warm bread accompanying the salad was was out of this world. I aSteak I had was the best one I have had in a restuarant in the 2 1/2 years I have lived in Oregon and as good as any I can remember ever having in a restuarant anywhere. The meat was tender juicy and flavorful. I ordered it medium rare. My wife had the Seafood Pasta and she absolutely loved it. We both followed dinner with decaf coffee and it was full flavored and rich as full strength coffee. I had the creme brulee which I had heard was excellent and I was not disappointed. We both give the jackalope five stars on service and quality. We will definitely be returning to this restuarant.
(5)Thom G.
You probably already noticed the crummy address. Yep. Another FABULOUS restaurant, perhaps the best fine dining in all of Bend, sits far away from the rest of the action, on Hwy 97. Bummer location, but just like Zydeco, sometimes you have to get away from the trendy areas to find the real gems. And no one would ever call Hwy 97, Bend's Third street, a trendy address. But this restaurant is amazing- please ignore the strip mall exterior, make a reservation, and prepare for a singular experience on the High Desert, not to be duplicated hereabouts. It has often been voted Bend's best restaurant. The only bummer, and hence the only low score, is that it is VERY expensive. But it should be- I'd rather dump half a paycheck here than anywhere downtown any day, because it actually feels like it's worth it! Ownership has changed hands over the past few years, and alas, my longtimes friend Timmy Wutzke is no longer the sous chef, but the quality remains. If you really want to impress a date or business contacts in Bend, bring them here. They will forget the strip mall thing as soon as they step inside- tastefully decorated, just the right amount of darkness, tables that have real intimacy, outrageously good service, and perhaps the finest cooking staff in all of Bend (minus Tim, of course). Reservations are usually required. Food is top notch, and they have a great selection of wines, and of course, cocktails for my liquorian brethren out there. My vote for the best overall food in town. You will thank me.
(5)Mary M.
Love this restaurant when we visit Bend. Food is delicious and reasonably priced for an upscale menu. When you drive up, the outside is not inspiring, but once you go inside, everything is done right. Often the chef comes out and chats with you which is a nice touch.
(5)