Lydia Hocker
My husband and I sat at a high top table for an early Saturday night dinner and we were thoroughly impressed. I thought the atmosphere was warm and inviting, lively but still allowed for easy conversation. Kudos to the kitchen staff- the meal was some of the best fine dining we’ve had that wasn’t in a tasting menu format. For drinks, the cocktail and mocktail we ordered were balanced and reasonably priced. For food, we got the sourdough bread appetizer along with the escargot and the crudo. Next, the endive salad course was perfectly executed- I could eat it everyday. For entrees, we got the short rib and the scallops- both delicious. I was too full but I watched my husband eat a cannoli inspired dessert, he loved that too. Anytime we are visiting bend, we will be coming back. Thanks for a great meal.
… moreOlena P
Sat at the bar and ordered a bunch of small plates.
The dumplings were terrific, delicious sauce.
The crab rice balls were good, could have used a bit more sauce on the bottom of the balls.
The bone marrow and pan e
tomate was really great. The acid of the tomato helped balance the richness of the marrow.
The grapefruit and burrata salad was also fantastic.
… moreMonsieur
Amazing food, atmosphere, and overall deliciousness!! Definitely one of my favorite spots in bend, and I definitely plan to eat here again. I’ve been to some very fine restaurants in bigger cities and even in the ever-growing city of Bend, this place is up there in terms of flavor profile, presentation, and ambiance. Deliciouso!
We arrived with no reservations and although packed, we got seated at the lobby and once a table opened up, they gave it to us, which was very nice.
… moreAbigail Colombo
Great experience from start to finish. Sat at the bar but the ambience of the whole place is beautiful. Recommend a reservation as it’s small. We loved everything we ordered: French onion soup dumplings, roasted carrots (don’t miss these!), citrus burrata salad, short ribs, and chicken milanaise was the standout. If a restaurant has a small menu and chicken is one of the few proteins offered I will always get it because I know it will have to be perfect. Can’t wait to go back and try more! Oh and the cocktails and wine were fab too.
… moreLora Lee
This place was overall fantastic. Things that stood out most. N/A drink options for the nondrinker. I had the chill pill, well made drink with a layers of flavors. Prawn Dumplings, I could and should have ordered 2 dishes. Im particular on Asian food, especially fusion. This hit all the senses immaculately. Monkeys drinking vodka and smoking Bathroom decor, loved it and gave me a small chuckle.
Shortrib was good and the polenta was great.
Ambience perfect. Had indoor seating, bar seating and outdoor seating.
Our server was attentive and prompt. Food came out quick, but fresh. I love a well calculated server. Good service can help make or break an experience, he elevated ours.
… moreNick
Intimate restaurant with a fabulous cuisine, impeccably quiet and understated service, and background music lifted straight from Pink Martini. The salmon tartare was delightfully fresh, bright with accents, and virtually a meal in itself. The scallops were beyond tender, albeit with a nicely crusted surface, and were served alongside a wonderfully creamy sauce. The flourless chocolate cake was superb, swimming in a tart raspberry sauce. And the Monkey Business cocktail, Austrian white wine, and espresso were all great accents to a terrific meal. Well done.
… morekathy tran
We had a fantastic experience at Dear Irene! We sat at the bar and were greeted right away by the bartender, who was incredibly attentive and made us feel welcome.
We started with cocktails, which were absolutely delicious. While we didn’t order any entrées, we indulged in several starter dishes—and they were exceptional! The salmon tartare was a standout, and I highly recommend ordering it with the sourdough bread. Our absolute favorite was the Dungeness crab arancini—so flavorful and perfectly crispy!
The restaurant itself is small and cozy, adding to the intimate and inviting atmosphere. Most of the dishes were well-seasoned and packed with flavor. Overall, a great spot for delicious small plates and excellent drinks. Can’t wait to come back!
… moreMatthew Krunglevich
A posh inviting atmosphere for good drinks, appetizers, and entrees. Adults only with a vibrant atmosphere that is also intimate. Service started at the door with a proper host to seat you. Followed with attentive staff and bartender. Appetizers/drinks only this but there were a small selection of entrees too. The appetizers were excellent and the menu featured items such as foie gras. They were large and shareable. Drinks were properly prepared and mixed to perfection, no bruising here. Prices were upscale. Reservations required. Parking is downtown. This is a more fancy date night option for adults or perhaps for celebrations.
… moreDana Coleman
We were blown away by the food at Dear Irene. This was easily one of the most memorable meals we’ve had in a long time and we especially loved the Mediterranean influence in many of the dishes we tried. We started with the sourdough and kalamata olive butter, followed by the roasted asparagus, strawberry & burrata salad, and the braised short ribs for our main course, which were incredibly tender and flavorful. We finished with the cannoli tiramisu for dessert which was also phenomenal. We were just in Bend for the weekend, but Dear Irene made such an impression that it’s officially a must-visit for every trip back. Cannot recommend it enough.
… moreAngie Nagel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A true gem — worth planning your trip around!
We love Dear Irene. So much so, in fact, that we literally extended our trip in Bend just so we could be here on a Tuesday night because they’re closed on Sundays and Mondays, and missing a dinner here simply wasn’t an option.
From the moment you walk through the door, you know you’re somewhere special. It’s not a huge space, but it’s packed with charm. The ambiance is eclectic and inviting with plush velvet chairs in rich turquoise and citron tones, exposed brick, thoughtful artwork, and a vibe that somehow feels both elevated and cozy. We always sit at the bar top, and let me just say: Brian is a rockstar. Bartender, server, host, local guide…you name it. He makes us feel like royalty every single time, and his recommendations are always on point.
The food? Out of this world. Every bite feels like it was made with care and intention. The dumplings are insanely good. The ribs? Fall-off-the-bone perfection. And the heirloom tomato salad we had on our most recent visit, Brian mentioned they picked up the tomatoes fresh from the farmer’s market, and you could taste the difference. It was hands down the best tomato salad we’ve ever had. Oh, and the bread! Just trust me on this one: get it. You’ll thank me later.
We’ve never had a single bite we didn’t love here. It’s the kind of place you want to tell everyone about, but also keep to yourself because it feels so special. Dear Irene has become our favorite restaurant anywhere. We’ll keep coming back again and again.
Call for reservations so you don’t miss out!
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