New dining option in the Bend, Oregon neighborhood features fresh, seasonal food and drinks.
NorthWest Crossing, a mixed-use community on Bend’s west side, will welcome Washington to its dining ranks next month. Located along Mt. Washington Drive, the new restaurant combines traditional with swanky and rustic with industrial for a welcoming feel. They will feature neighborhood cuisine in a traditional American style, as well as beer, wine and cocktails served in the bar. Washington is owned and operated by Ted Swigert, who founded the popular Drake restaurant in 2013 in downtown Bend.
Swigert said, “We’re excited to bring all the things people love about Drake to our new restaurant in NorthWest Crossing, with some key differences that will appeal to the neighborhood audience. Our culinary director, John Gurnee, has created a consistent and approachable menu with some fun twists, like daily specials, a raw seafood bar and salads you can build yourself with a variety of toppings. The kids menu will also give families better options for healthy foods and choices for their children.”
The focal point of the new space is its indoor-outdoor feel, with large rollup windows in the bar area that open to a spacious patio. The patio will feature a large fire pit, community tables and flat screen TVs, along with bike parking and a convenient “to go” window for those who’d like to eat great food at home. Inside, the open kitchen with a seating bar allows guests to see what’s going on behind the scenes.
The design of Washington is a collaborative effort between Swigert and contractor Bob O’Connor, who have built 14 restaurants together in the past 25 years. Sara Hobin and Jennifer Thornton of Style 8 Design were key members of the team tackling interior design, finish selections and styling. Local agency, GB2 developed branding and marketing for both Drake and Washington.
“The final product is a comfortable unique space that leans traditional but also features contemporary accents to compliment the beautiful building. Washington debuts with its own individualized look and feel but also purposely has some elements that give a nod to Drake. This was a very fun project and we’re excited to watch it come to life even more as the doors open,” says Hobin who was involved in Drake’s design in 2013.
The bar in the Washington will showcase creations from Melanie Ehrlich, who serves as the official “Liquid Therapist” for both Drake and the new restaurant. Not only will the bar be serving local craft beers, a selection of wines and traditional cocktails, but Ehrlich will add infused drinks with fresh, seasonal ingredients throughout the year.
“The stars aligned for us to open in this great location along Mt. Washington Drive, and we are looking forward to becoming a regular stop for both the residents of NorthWest Crossing and all of Bend,” Swigert continued.
Washington is set to open in late summer and is located at 900 Mt. Washington Drive. They will be open from 11am to close on weekdays for lunch and dinner and 10am to close on Saturday and Sunday to include brunch.
About NorthWest Crossing
NorthWest Crossing is a mixed-use community on Bend’s west side that features mature trees, wide sidewalks, beautiful parks, connectivity and streetscapes filled with variety and character. With a vibrant “neighborhood center” that offers dining, shopping and entertainment, NorthWest Crossing is becoming a major destination within Bend. Built on the principles of new urbanism, NorthWest Crossing has won several awards and been featured in national publications for its green practices. West Bend Property Company LLC, a partnership of Brooks Resources Corporation and Tennant Family Limited Partnership, is developing the community. http://www.northwestcrossing.com
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For more information, contact:
Marie Melsheimer
marie@campbellconsulting.com
541-815-3951
