Desert Current

Olive & May is a beautiful new addition to downtown Bend, taking over the former Drake space and giving it an entirely fresh feel.

From the moment we walked in, it felt like the kind of place you want for a night out. Beautiful atmosphere, welcoming staff, great cocktails, a thoughtful w**e selection and a menu that gave us plenty to be excited about.

We started at the bar with the O&M Old Fashioned and Rosemary Spritz. The Old Fashioned was a familiar classic with an Olive & May twist, while the Spritz was light, refreshing and perfect for easing into dinner.

We also opened a bottle of Béton, an Oregon red that paired beautifully with the meal. The w**e program here deserves some attention. There are interesting bottles to explore beyond the usual suspects, and the staff was happy to talk w**e and help guide the experience.

Then came the Saganaki, which brought a little dinner and a show. Our server poured the spirit tableside and lit it on fire, sending flames across the dish right in front of us. It was a fun moment, but thankfully the dish wasn’t relying on theatrics alone. It was delicious too.

The Little Gem Salad followed, fresh, crisp and delicious, before we moved on to our favorite dish of the night, the Pappardelle. The wild mushrooms made this pasta rich, earthy and incredibly satisfying. It was easily our standout of the evening.

Olive & May feels polished without feeling stuffy. It’s lively, warm and already feels right at home in downtown Bend.

And after seeing the steak coming out of the kitchen, we already know what we’re ordering next time.