Phenomenal food, service and atmosphere! They boast an unbelievable selection of spirits, especially whiskey and cocktails.
The dishes are delicately crafted with perfectly paired, high quality ingredients. You cannot go wrong with choosing anything on the menu. The atmosphere is perfect; it’s cozy, inviting and you feel like a welcomed guest.
We had the pleasure of enjoying the sourdough bread with olive butter, bacon wrapped dates, crab arancini, strawberry burrata salad and the scallops. Everything was amazing and I would order them all again.
James Avenoso
This place is very mid century modern with excellent drinks. I had the maiz cocktail and it was one of the best in city. Food was not seasoned :( the crab arancini ? Had great crisp out layer with no flavor.
Justin Crocker
TLDR: WOW!
What a fantastic place if you're into gastronomy and fantastic cocktails!
The braised short ribs were the best I've had. That's not a joke and I know it's subjective, but I've had braised short rib all over the world and until now, the best I've had was in Edinburg Scotland. I have nothing negative to say about it.
Their gem salad is truly a gem. I've had old, wilted salads and many other places, but this one was fresh, crisp, and flavorful.
Then the cocktails, and whiskey selection. First, who knew you could pair caviar with a dirty martini style cocktail? I didn't, until the genius that came up with this pairing put it on the menu at Dear, Irene. It's their cocktail and I highly recommend the caviar pairing. I'm still floored that it went so well together.
Then there's the whiskey list. They have it all. It's worth the experience. The key word is EXPERIENCE. None of this is cheap, but that's not the point.
The bartenders. They are literal expert craftspeople. That isn't an exaggeration. Example, I ordered a standard Manhattan at one point to see how it was done. Most bartenders will simply drop Luxardo cherries, syrup and all, into the cocktail without regard to the excess syrup they're adding to the mix. This lady? She RINSED IT OFF! Incredible. Truly. She was also mindful to ask me about the olives in the Dear Irene cocktail before removing the glass. The gentleman partner tender prepared my first cocktail, Moscow mule, and it was equally excellent.
The atmosphere. Dear, Irene nailed the kind of atmosphere I'm after. Great decor, music, and feeling. Everyone was friendly and wonderful.
I need to find a way to get back to Bend just to visit this gem again.
Thank you to the entire team!
Lance Vogler
Brilliant.
Roger Hajjar
Dear “Irene”- takes after chef Johnny’s wife’s name which sets the stage as a labor of love! It is a most delightful and fulfilling dinner experience- first, you will be amazed by a stunning and central inviting bar, beautifully mounted paintings, uniquely artistic wall paper covering (even in the restroom!), high ceiling light fixtures, and plush comfortable seating. Let me say, one of the most artistic restaurants we have ever been to. The experience just gets better from here… the dishes are prepared with fresh and tasty ingredients, to name a few, the shrimp dumplings comes in a curry coconut sauce to die for, the citrus burrata and fresh cut prosciutto, the asparagus salad with yogurt and harissa sauce and almonds (wow), the scallops with cauliflower puree!, … every dish had a savory sauce as a base that is well matched without taking over the taste of the main fresh ingredients. The cocktails also curated by the chef live up to the reviews, we had the mezcal with tajin and old fashion both on the speciality cocktails (make sure you have one). The attention and speed of service is commendable. You will certainly appreciate the work of art in food, drinks and decor. All around perfect dining experience. Bravo for presenting such a beautiful establishment to the Bend community.
Lindsay Cloud
This place is wonderful! Great food, great staff, great drinks. Excited for many more visits.
Andrew Healy
This has been on our list of “new places to try” and we finally made it in on a Tuesday. And we’ll be back!
We shared some appetizers as we’re not big eaters and they were spot on. The clam dish was the fave for both of us, with the burrata dish served over citrus a true flavor explosion.
Dear Irene has now been elevated to our “must eat at” list for our next visit.
Big thanks to Ryan behind the bar for his warm hospitality and his deliciously crafted cocktails. That man knows his flavors! And his Al Pastor Mezcalita is a flavor triumph.
Ashley Mummey
I was brought here for my birthday dinner. From the moment we walked into Dear Irene, it felt like stepping into a warm hug wrapped in warm lights and cozy charm. The ambiance is vibrant with pops of gemstone colors, but what truly sets this gem apart is the incredible staff. Our server Serena was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited about the menu—it felt like being hosted by old friends who just happen to be culinary experts.
Now, let’s talk about the food. Oh. My. Goodness.
Starters: * The Oregon crab arancini balls were golden, crispy on the outside, with a creamy, dreamy center that oozed with the delicate sweetness of crab. * The prawn dumplings were juicy, tender, and swimming in the most luscious, creamy red curry sauce. Every bite was a perfect blend of delicate seafood sweetness and rich, velvety goodness! * The Calabrian style clams with bread were a standout—plump, tender, swimming in a tomato broth so good I would’ve sipped it with a straw. * An indulgent delight and surprise to me was their seared foie gras. Buttery, rich, and very melt-in-your-mouth. Nestled atop a delicate, golden pancake that added just the right touch of sweetness and texture. * The citrus, burrata & prosciutto salad: creamy luscious burrata surrounded by prosciutto, and vibrant citrus accompaniments that made every bite feel like a little celebration. Entrée: * The seared diver scallops were seared to absolute perfection—crispy golden on the outside and buttery-soft on the inside, each bite melting like a savory dream. * The braised short rib? Utterly divine. Fall-apart tender & richly flavored. * The pork chop milanese was juicy and full of character and flavor - even more so with a squeeze of lemon.
Dessert: Just when we thought things couldn’t possibly get better, along came the cannoli tiramisu—the perfect (luxardo) cherry on top of an already spectacular evening. Light, fluffy, and beautifully layered. It was the dreamy finale I didn’t know I needed.
In short, Dear Irene is a delightful love letter to flavor, hospitality, and good vibes. Run—don’t walk—and prepare to fall in love.
Robert Elsea
A fantastic little eatery hidden away and worth a visit. The gentleman tending bar (Brian) was affable, knowledgeable, and made me a great pisco cocktail. The lamb dumplings were delicious and were a perfect starter for a rainy night. Beef short ribs with bone marrow was the only logical follow for a main - and did not disappoint. I didn’t need dessert but the single burnt caramel truffle was literally only a bite more and worth the extra $5
The space is well appointed and comfortable if small. I went solo on a weeknight and didn’t need a reservation. The menu is not expansive and doesn’t need to be, they know what they’re doing. If you’re in Bend and want to treat yourself to a great meal do check out Dear Irene.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patti Brewster
Dietary restrictions: Able to accommodate a gluten free option.
Ribs and snapper were perfect! Service was fast and efficient, good music, nice location.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melanie Fisher
Our first visit was really good. 4 of us enjoyed some appetizers and a variety of drinks including non-alcoholic cocktails, real cocktails, and wine and we were really impressed with everything. We weren't as impressed with our entrees, especially my husband's which was a perfectly cooked fish but had no sides. He didn't realize that and didn't want to order anything once we'd already received our food. We followed dinner with dessert which again was very impressive like the start of our meal. Half our party is gluten free and one person lactose free and there were many options for everyone. Photo from desert.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Kirsten Abraham
My husband and I love this cute, little restaurant! It feels like a little slice of the big city has been placed in downtown Bend for all of us to enjoy. The atmosphere is amazing with great staff and an excellent seasonal menu. We appreciate that it’s only 21+, so we can have an intimate date night. We can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Milanie Simić
So, so, sooooo good!!! We sat at the bar — our bartender lovely. Drinks + food exceptional! Cast iron prawns for appetiser, unreal! The bone marrow short rib I’ll be thinking about for a long time — licked that marrow clean! And the whole snapper was cooked to perfection. My husband deboned that fish solidly. A must try & dining experience.
Phenomenal food, service and atmosphere! They boast an unbelievable selection of spirits, especially whiskey and cocktails.
The dishes are delicately crafted with perfectly paired, high quality ingredients. You cannot go wrong with choosing anything on the menu. The atmosphere is perfect; it’s cozy, inviting and you feel like a welcomed guest.
We had the pleasure of enjoying the sourdough bread with olive butter, bacon wrapped dates, crab arancini, strawberry burrata salad and the scallops. Everything was amazing and I would order them all again.
This place is very mid century modern with excellent drinks. I had the maiz cocktail and it was one of the best in city. Food was not seasoned :( the crab arancini ? Had great crisp out layer with no flavor.
TLDR: WOW!
What a fantastic place if you're into gastronomy and fantastic cocktails!
The braised short ribs were the best I've had. That's not a joke and I know it's subjective, but I've had braised short rib all over the world and until now, the best I've had was in Edinburg Scotland. I have nothing negative to say about it.
Their gem salad is truly a gem. I've had old, wilted salads and many other places, but this one was fresh, crisp, and flavorful.
Then the cocktails, and whiskey selection. First, who knew you could pair caviar with a dirty martini style cocktail? I didn't, until the genius that came up with this pairing put it on the menu at Dear, Irene. It's their cocktail and I highly recommend the caviar pairing. I'm still floored that it went so well together.
Then there's the whiskey list. They have it all. It's worth the experience. The key word is EXPERIENCE. None of this is cheap, but that's not the point.
The bartenders. They are literal expert craftspeople. That isn't an exaggeration. Example, I ordered a standard Manhattan at one point to see how it was done. Most bartenders will simply drop Luxardo cherries, syrup and all, into the cocktail without regard to the excess syrup they're adding to the mix. This lady? She RINSED IT OFF! Incredible. Truly. She was also mindful to ask me about the olives in the Dear Irene cocktail before removing the glass. The gentleman partner tender prepared my first cocktail, Moscow mule, and it was equally excellent.
The atmosphere. Dear, Irene nailed the kind of atmosphere I'm after. Great decor, music, and feeling. Everyone was friendly and wonderful.
I need to find a way to get back to Bend just to visit this gem again.
Thank you to the entire team!
Brilliant.
Dear “Irene”- takes after chef Johnny’s wife’s name which sets the stage as a labor of love! It is a most delightful and fulfilling dinner experience- first, you will be amazed by a stunning and central inviting bar, beautifully mounted paintings, uniquely artistic wall paper covering (even in the restroom!), high ceiling light fixtures, and plush comfortable seating. Let me say, one of the most artistic restaurants we have ever been to. The experience just gets better from here… the dishes are prepared with fresh and tasty ingredients, to name a few, the shrimp dumplings comes in a curry coconut sauce to die for, the citrus burrata and fresh cut prosciutto, the asparagus salad with yogurt and harissa sauce and almonds (wow), the scallops with cauliflower puree!, … every dish had a savory sauce as a base that is well matched without taking over the taste of the main fresh ingredients. The cocktails also curated by the chef live up to the reviews, we had the mezcal with tajin and old fashion both on the speciality cocktails (make sure you have one). The attention and speed of service is commendable. You will certainly appreciate the work of art in food, drinks and decor. All around perfect dining experience. Bravo for presenting such a beautiful establishment to the Bend community.
This place is wonderful! Great food, great staff, great drinks. Excited for many more visits.
This has been on our list of “new places to try” and we finally made it in on a Tuesday. And we’ll be back!
We shared some appetizers as we’re not big eaters and they were spot on. The clam dish was the fave for both of us, with the burrata dish served over citrus a true flavor explosion.
Dear Irene has now been elevated to our “must eat at” list for our next visit.
Big thanks to Ryan behind the bar for his warm hospitality and his deliciously crafted cocktails. That man knows his flavors! And his Al Pastor Mezcalita is a flavor triumph.
I was brought here for my birthday dinner. From the moment we walked into Dear Irene, it felt like stepping into a warm hug wrapped in warm lights and cozy charm. The ambiance is vibrant with pops of gemstone colors, but what truly sets this gem apart is the incredible staff. Our server Serena was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited about the menu—it felt like being hosted by old friends who just happen to be culinary experts.
Now, let’s talk about the food. Oh. My. Goodness.
Starters:
* The Oregon crab arancini balls were golden, crispy on the outside, with a creamy, dreamy center that oozed with the delicate sweetness of crab.
* The prawn dumplings were juicy, tender, and swimming in the most luscious, creamy red curry sauce. Every bite was a perfect blend of delicate seafood sweetness and rich, velvety goodness!
* The Calabrian style clams with bread were a standout—plump, tender, swimming in a tomato broth so good I would’ve sipped it with a straw.
* An indulgent delight and surprise to me was their seared foie gras. Buttery, rich, and very melt-in-your-mouth. Nestled atop a delicate, golden pancake that added just the right touch of sweetness and texture.
* The citrus, burrata & prosciutto salad: creamy luscious burrata surrounded by prosciutto, and vibrant citrus accompaniments that made every bite feel like a little celebration.
Entrée:
* The seared diver scallops were seared to absolute perfection—crispy golden on the outside and buttery-soft on the inside, each bite melting like a savory dream.
* The braised short rib? Utterly divine. Fall-apart tender & richly flavored.
* The pork chop milanese was juicy and full of character and flavor - even more so with a squeeze of lemon.
Dessert:
Just when we thought things couldn’t possibly get better, along came the cannoli tiramisu—the perfect (luxardo) cherry on top of an already spectacular evening. Light, fluffy, and beautifully layered. It was the dreamy finale I didn’t know I needed.
In short, Dear Irene is a delightful love letter to flavor, hospitality, and good vibes. Run—don’t walk—and prepare to fall in love.
A fantastic little eatery hidden away and worth a visit. The gentleman tending bar (Brian) was affable, knowledgeable, and made me a great pisco cocktail. The lamb dumplings were delicious and were a perfect starter for a rainy night. Beef short ribs with bone marrow was the only logical follow for a main - and did not disappoint. I didn’t need dessert but the single burnt caramel truffle was literally only a bite more and worth the extra $5
The space is well appointed and comfortable if small. I went solo on a weeknight and didn’t need a reservation. The menu is not expansive and doesn’t need to be, they know what they’re doing. If you’re in Bend and want to treat yourself to a great meal do check out Dear Irene.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dietary restrictions: Able to accommodate a gluten free option.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallops, Dungeness Crab Arancini
Restaurantji Recommends
Ribs and snapper were perfect! Service was fast and efficient, good music, nice location.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our first visit was really good. 4 of us enjoyed some appetizers and a variety of drinks including non-alcoholic cocktails, real cocktails, and wine and we were really impressed with everything. We weren't as impressed with our entrees, especially my husband's which was a perfectly cooked fish but had no sides. He didn't realize that and didn't want to order anything once we'd already received our food. We followed dinner with dessert which again was very impressive like the start of our meal.
Half our party is gluten free and one person lactose free and there were many options for everyone.
Photo from desert.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
My husband and I love this cute, little restaurant! It feels like a little slice of the big city has been placed in downtown Bend for all of us to enjoy. The atmosphere is amazing with great staff and an excellent seasonal menu. We appreciate that it’s only 21+, so we can have an intimate date night. We can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So, so, sooooo good!!!
We sat at the bar — our bartender lovely.
Drinks + food exceptional!
Cast iron prawns for appetiser, unreal!
The bone marrow short rib I’ll be thinking about for a long time — licked that marrow clean! And the whole snapper was cooked to perfection. My husband deboned that fish solidly. A must try & dining experience.
Dietary restrictions: Gluten free bread + options available.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phenomenal! I had the duck egg and truffle oil grilled cheese with a glass of Pinot Noir! Great place at the former Wall Street!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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