A unique and exclusive resort deserves remarkable dining, and Juniper Preserve is no exception. Situated amongst 640 acres of 1,000-year-old juniper forests, Juniper Preserve offers a phenomenal and unique resort experience in Bend, Oregon. Known for its wellness retreats and award-winning golf courses, the resort offers a one-stop getaway for those near and far.
Most recently, the resort performed a complete renovation on its main dining lodge and member clubhouse. The new Juniper Preserve restaurant includes a speakeasy bar and fine-ish dining room for an intimate yet relaxed dining experience.
Dining at Juniper Preserve
Whether you’re a guest at Juniper Preserve or a Central Oregonian looking for an experience off the beaten path, there are many ways to dine and drink at the resort. Iris and Blue Bar each offer the most authentic dining experiences within the wellness and golfing resort.
Upon arrival, you’ll find a roaring double-sided fireplace around which you can cozy up while you await seating. Having dinner at Iris? Grab a glass of wine from Blue Bar and curl up on the couch while you wait. Or, request the fireplace adjacent tables for an extra romantic dining feel.
Iris – Juniper Preserve Restaurant
Chef Ryan Eisert returns as the Executive Chef to the new dining experiences at Juniper Preserve. Here, he curates a menu that showcases elevated comfort food and flawless execution of minimalistic plates. That’s not to say you won’t find top-notch cuisine. No, instead, it highlights a food’s inherent qualities, like the perfect char on an avocado drizzled in chili oil and flakey salt.
Starters
If there’s one way to kick off a meal, it’s with some crunch. Textured starters awaken your taste buds and prepare them for what’s to come, and Iris offers more than one way to do so. Some prefer salads as their own course, but starting with a wedge salad is always a win.
Iris’ classic Wedge Salad of baby iceberg, Rogue smokey bleu cheese, peppered bacon, and pickled red onion hits all of the high notes. And, did you expect the Portabello Fries to be anything other than exquisite? Fried in a champagne tempura and served with chimichurri aioli, you’ll be foraging for every last bite.
Here’s a starter that won’t offer any crunch, but it sits atop the list of best appetizers at the Juniper Preserve restaurant—the Grilled Avocado. Sure, it sounds simple, but that’s the beauty of it. An avocado, grilled at its peak of ripeness, and finished with a little salt. I’ll take two!
Entrées
During the winter, it’s all about carbs, carbs, carbs. Naturally, the Margherita Pizza stands out as a top tier share plate or for anyone needing to recharge after some outdoor Bend activities. Pizza dough is cold fermented overnight and topped with heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and dollops of mozzarella. Proof that you can enjoy a fancy night out pizza.
On the contrary, a more elaborate dish ranks high on the list of comfort entrees at Iris—Fresh Egg Pappardelle Bolognese. Featuring a meat trio of ground pork, lamb, and beef, the freshly made pasta soaks up just enough of the ragú while still allowing the Bolognese to shine.
Blue Bar
What do you call a Speakeasy-like environment overlooking a wooded meadow, serving highly curated, seasonal cocktails? Blue Bar. It’s quite a unique spot, with its moody aesthetic and comfy vibes. Still, every table in the bar offers exquisite views of the resort’s tree-lined backdrop.
Cocktails
It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway), the cocktails are the star of the show at Blue Bar. The flavors one might dream of during fall and winter are woven into its seasonal cocktail menu. Think anything from Maple Tequila libation to a Peppermint Hot Toddy.
However, a few cocktails top our list of favorites; primarily due to their impeccable presentation and creativity. Gin lovers, the Red Juniper is for you. With Hendrick’s, Aperol, Italicus, Antica Formula, lemon juice, and egg white, this sour comes with a fresh juniper sprig from the namesake resort.
I understand that many have a love-hate relationship with Mezcal. But, regardless of your stance on the smoky tequila, the Ginger Mezcal is far too spirited to pass up. Ilegal Repozado is shaken with ginger syrup, green chartreuse, lemon and pineapple juices, and finished with a dusting of cayenne. You’ll be warm in no time while sipping on this one!
Food Menu
There are two ways to enjoy food at Blue Bar; you can choose from its exclusive bar-only menu, or choose any of your favorites from the Iris menu. This means going for a plate of Hokkaido Sea Scallops while you sip your drink of choice, or grabbing a pair of Fresh Maine Lobster Sliders on butter potato rolls.
Nevertheless, I almost never pass up an opportunity to order a bar burger. Why? Because a fancy burger is the quintessential bar meal. Whether you’re sitting at the bar with a Coffee Old Fashioned or curled up on a couch seat with a Violet 75, the American Wagyu Burger with zucchini pickles and secret sauce is always a good idea.
Dessert
When dessert rolls around, you have three options. No, I don’t mean three menu options; you can choose to drink your dessert, eat it, or both. Naturally, we always choose option number three and suggest you do the same.
After dinner, the first order of business is ordering an Espresso Martini. Here, you’ll find a properly crafted espresso martini with freshly-pulled espresso. But, if you find that you need a warm and creamy cocktail to cap off the evening, sip on the Juniper Steamer with vodka, Chambord, and Godiva chocolate liqueur.
Nibble through the end of the evening with a Chocolate Espresso Mousse if you’re feeling particularly chocolatey (or espresso-y), or go lighter with the Seasonal Fruit Crumble. Imagine a warm, winter fruit baked with a crumble topping served a la mode with Tillamook vanilla ice cream.
Staying at Juniper Preserve
If you’re a local, take this as a chance to enjoy a Bend staycation! Juniper Preserve is pet-friendly and offers a range of seasonal specials. Locals can enjoy a locals-only rate at the resort, and Juniper Preserve has a few wellness packages and specialty rates for the winter! Enjoy dining at Juniper Preserve’s restaurant and bar, just steps away from your room.
Written by: Nancy Patterson
Originally published November 26, 2024: https://eatdrinkbend.com/juniper-preserve-opens-new-speakeasy-bar-resort-restaurant/