A Celebration of Culinary Artistry in Central Oregon
Yellowfin Tuna au Poivre
A palate of hues, yellowfin tuna and its crushed fennel seed and peppercorn crust find elegance alongside potato pavé, local huckleberries and brandy-peppercorn sauce.
Chef John Gurnee | Lady Bird Cultural Society
Lady Bird Cultural Society is a stylish Prohibition-era dining room serving wood-fired fare and stunning libations.
Oli
Cooked to perfection, seared duck breast finds its complement in colorful mung bean puree, beet puree, quince and sunchoke.
Chef Joe Kim | Yoli
Yoli is a family-owned Korean restaurant featuring creative takes on traditional Korean cuisine and a focus on authentic flavors. Read our full write up from November 2022, here.
Rainbow Trout
Smoked trout roe-vermouth cream creates a bed for regional rainbow trout topped with gold potato salad and fresh herbs.
Chefs Andres and Ariana Fernandez | Ariana Restaurant
Ariana is an intimate fine dining restaurant serving seasonal chef’s tasting menus, featuring locally sourced ingredients in a sophisticated atmosphere.
Citrus, Burrata & Prosciutto Salad
Blood and Cara Cara oranges inspire with layers of burrata, prosciutto, fennel, mint, pomegranate vinaigrette and toasted pistachios.
For all its polish, Dear Irene is anything but pretentious. There are no white tablecloths, dress code, or stiff formalities. You could just as easily stroll in after a day on the river, and no one would blink an eye. The Becklunds aren’t interested in the rigidity of fine dining. Instead, they’ve coined their approach as “New American modern dining”—a philosophy that lets Jonny and his team play with global flavors, fueling a fiery, unpredictable menu.
When the couple moved to Bend four years ago, they took their time. Instead of rushing to open, they spent two years getting to know the town and its hospitality scene, figuring out what was missing. “We wanted to share with the Bend community an elevated hospitality experience that’s memorable for all aspects,” shared Jonny. For the Becklunds, that experience begins the moment you walk through the door. The scene is designed to make you feel intrigued right from the start.
The space—formerly the Wall Street Bar—was completely redesigned by the Becklunds who worked with Inspired Spaces and Celeste McGowen with Iron Roots Design. “We intentionally built out the space to feel intimate, vibrant and timelessly elegant,” Jonny said. The result is a rich, indulgent dining room with bold, eye-catching art, leather chairs you can sink into and chandeliers casting a moody light that makes everyone look just a little more interesting. The 14-seat bar is the place to be, whether you’re grabbing an after-work cocktail or settling in for an evening to soak up the scene.
The space comes alive when the restaurant is full, buzzing with what the Becklunds call “the magic moment.” “There’s a mix of guest laughter and lively conversation, upbeat music, the sound of cocktails being shaken at the bar and the clatter of beautiful plates being delivered,” Jonny described. At that moment, Dear Irene feels less like a restaurant and more like a living, breathing entity—pulsing with the joyful energy of people savoring their evening.
And what they’re savoring is anything but ordinary. While Bend’s dining scene is evolving, it still leans on comfort food framed in familiar ways. Dear Irene offers something novel. Jonny’s culinary roots are grounded in his Sicilian grandmother’s kitchen, but his global travels are what have informed his approach. “As I got older, I was lucky enough to travel a lot and meet different chefs who grew up cooking with different flavor profiles than mine,” Jonny said. His style is a fusion of these international techniques and flavors adapted to the seasonal, local ingredients available to him.
Take the whole Greek tai snapper: Vietnamese glaze, crispy shallots, Thai basil, Fresno chili, lemongrass and ginger combine for a dish that feels fresh, bold and international. The Oregon Dungeness crab arancini, is on the other hand. It strikes the perfect balance of familiar comfort with an unexpected twist—delicate crab blended with Arborio rice, Calabrian chili lemon aioli and Parmesan. It’s comfort food at its finest. These creative, boundary-pushing menu items offer something unexpected without going too far. Guests craving simple, local ingredients will also leave satisfied.
And then there’s the bar. In some restaurants, the bar is where you wait until your table is ready. Not here. At Dear Irene, the bar is the centerpiece. “We want to be known not only for our delicious food but also for our carefully curated drinks list.” Jonny shared. And it shows. The house martini, with botanicals and brine, is reason enough to visit, while the smoky, sweet Al Pastor Mezcalita makes you want the night to linger just a little longer.
Along with the beautiful bar comes the bold 21-and-over policy. In a town full of family-friendly eateries, Dear Irene made a deliberate choice to create a refined, adult-centric atmosphere. This is a place designed for conversation, slow meals and cocktails that invite you to stay.
That same intentionality extends to the entire team the Becklunds have assembled. Warm, professional and attentive without being overbearing, the staff embodies the restaurant’s balance of refined yet welcoming service. “We’re not formal or stuffy, but upscale and personable,” Jonny explained. This isn’t a place where you feel rushed or overlooked—regulars return because they know the service will always be just right, the atmosphere always lively and there’s always a new, mouthwatering menu item to try.
As Bend grows and evolves, Dear Irene feels like a reflection of the town’s future. It expands on Bend’s laid-back, casual vibe by offering something more polished. You can dress up, try something new, and still feel at home if you walk in covered in trail dust. So while Dear Irene might carry a hint of cosmopolitan flair, its adventurous spirit is perfectly in step with Bend.
Chef Jonny Becklund | Dear Irene
