Should you find yourself roaming around Downtown Bend, make plans to visit the newly-renovated eatery, ROAM. While this casually upscale restaurant has been open since last year, it only recently acquired a new head Chef, Bryant Kyrck, who has completely revamped ROAM’s breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, dinner, and happy hour menus.
It’s also worth noting that ROAM is open for all-day dining seven days a week, including breakfast every day, weekend brunch, and late-night happy hours.
Brunch all weekend
We believe that there are three pillars of a good brunch. These include well-executed breakfast cocktails, a really good benedict, and share-worthy pancakes.
First, let’s discuss their breakfast cocktails.
Recently, ROAM took third place for their ‘Soy What’ Bloody Mary at Crater Lake Spirits’ Best Bloody Mary Ever contest. And, we all know that Bloody Marys are a staple of a great brunch. Of course, your cocktail choice often depends on your main course and the weather. So, we have a few suggestions.
When you can’t choose between coffee and a cocktail, go for the Coffee Nudge. Freshly-brewed coffee is spiked with brandy, Kahlua, and crème de cacao, topped with whipped cream. Or, stick with a classic Mimosa for cheers-ing and sipping.
Now, let’s get to the food.
Most brunch patrons are likely used to starting with a pastry or something sweet when enjoying a leisurely brunch. However, ROAM takes your brunch experience to the next level with their brunchtime charcuterie platter.
As you sip your beverage of choice, graze on Olympia Provisions cured meats, local cheeses, artisan crackers, Marcona almonds, seasonal fruit, quince paste, pickled onions, roasted peppers, and pickled mustard seeds served alongside crackers.
For the main event, our favorite dish yet has to be their smoked salmon eggs benedict. Not only is their hollandaise the perfect ratio of lemon juice to butter, but the benedict comes served on a Big Ed’s sourdough English muffin.
Finally, the sweet finale. While many eateries are known for their long-standing specials and plates, ROAM’s golden goose just might be their lemon poppyseed pancakes. We strongly suggest ordering a plate of these oversized fluffy pancakes to share among the table.
Three large lemon poppyseed pancakes are slathered in a housemade lemon cream cheese frosting and topped with fresh fruit. While they come with a side of maple syrup, we encourage you to ask for an extra side of cream cheese frosting.
Dinner every night
Yes, you heard that correctly — dinner is served seven nights a week at ROAM. During our recent visit, we sipped on local brews and Oregon wines before ordering appetizers. We love R. Stuart & Co.’s Love, Oregon for a nice Pinot Noir by the glass.
For a splurge on a bottle of Pinot Noir, don’t skip Domaine Serene’s Evenstad Reserve. Or, for a more economical choice, try a bottle of Rex Hil Pinot Noir.
Starters and share plates
What’s excellent about starters is the shared experience. Sure, you could go with a classic like ROAM fries with gorgonzola aioli. Or, you could up-level and opt for the charred shishito peppers.
Blistered and charred, these shishito peppers are served over a red pepper coulis, toasted hazelnuts, crispy pork belly, and topped with spicy Mama Lil’s pickled Fresno peppers and goat cheese.
Balance out this dish by pairing it alongside their roasted carrots. Beautifully presented, these maple-roasted heirloom carrots are served over yogurt dill sauce and chive oil, and topped with chimichurri and pepitas. ROAM’s starters are chock full of flavor, but light enough to leave room for the main course.
Main events
Alright, the moment you’ve been waiting for — the main course! ROAM’s main plates have many gluten-free and vegetarian options. Craving a ROAM burger? Have it made with an Impossible patty over a gluten-free bun. Interested in a hearty vegetarian main course? Try the grilled cauliflower steak. Does a creamy, cheesy pasta hit the spot? Try the mushroom Bolognese.
However, these main courses are also available with meat and wheat. Burger aficionados will love the ROAM burger served on a Big Ed’s brioche bun. This eight-ounce patty is topped with tomato relish, Tillamook white cheddar, pickled red onions, arugula, and a Bourbon-bacon jam. Sure, you could choose a side salad, but that wouldn’t be as fun as opting for a side of fries.
For a classically-prepared Bolognese, you must try the Wagyu Bolognese. This housemade sauce is prepared with ground Wagyu beef and served over pappardelle pasta, and topped with parmesan freshly shaved over your bowl until you say “stop.” Should you have room for dessert, allow the ROAM staff to recommend one of the specials. Or, go for the crème brûlée topped with Marionberry compote and dusted in powdered sugar.
Happy hour in Downtown Bend
The only thing better than happy hour? Late night happy hour! ROAM offers happy hour specials every day from 2 until 5 p.m., and then again from 9 to 10 p.m. Get discounts on some of their most popular share plates, like charcuterie and ROAM fries. Similarly, get one-dollar off of beer and wine pours, and 20% off of your favorite cocktails.
Share plates
Why come hungry to happy hour at ROAM in Downtown Bend? Exhibit A: smoked salmon and caviar dip. *Insert heart-eyes emoji.* Housemade smoked salmon dip comes topped with trout roe and chives and served with salty, crispy potato chips for scooping.
Of course, you can balance out this umami plate by pairing it with their heirloom tomatoes. Tri-colored heirloom tomatoes are thickly sliced and topped with a drizzle of olive oil and basil microgreens before being finished with a sprinkle of Oregon Pinot Noir salt.
And, while it should go without saying, we’re saying it anyways — happy hour is never complete without a good plate of crispy Brussels sprouts. ROAM dresses their Brussels in a honey vinaigrette and tops them with crispy shallots, hazelnuts, pepitas, and crispy prosciutto.
Happy hour cocktails
Ah, the main event of any happy hour — the cocktails! Sure, you could go with a glass of Oregon wine or Bend craft beer. Or, you could try one of ROAM’s many signature cocktails.
For those of you who appreciate a foamy egg white cocktail, do not miss out on the Spirit Animal. This frothy cocktail comes with Plantation 3 Stars Rum, passion fruit and vanilla liqueurs, acid-adjusted orange, and orange flower water all shaken with pasteurized egg white and served ‘up’. Finally, this beauty is dusted in cinnamon and garnished with a dried orange slice.
Indulge in a darker and more floral cocktail with ROAM’s Blood Moon. Made with fruity crème de cassis and Lillet Blanc, floral earl grey tea, and infused with vodka, lemon, and blackberry, the Blood Moon is a fantastic choice for an elevated happy hour experience. Of course, you can always opt for one of each.
Visit ROAM in Downtown Bend, Oregon
While happy hour and lunch are likely more flexible, it’s recommended to make reservations for weekend brunch or dinner. Of course, you can always visit ROAM for breakfast from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. Monday through Friday or lunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Here, you can preview the full menu or make reservations at ROAM. Open every day from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
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