"Inside Zydeco’s elegant and bustling space lies one of Bend’s most consistent and popular restaurants. Since 2004, Zydeco has served Northwestern food with a Louisiana flair. Owners Steve and Cheri Helt brought in executive chef Eric Joppie, who has lightened up the menu with new dishes offered alongside classic Southern favorites like jambalaya and blackened redfish. Fried green tomatoes sit atop ramp ranch, and frog legs lie on a bed of black-eyed peas; each forkful creates its own variety of flavors. The upscale bar is a great place to try one of its creative cocktails, best accompanied by barbecue shrimp and grits. Make sure to get extra bread, as that sauce is worth wiping the plate clean. For dessert, the Zydeco carrot cake is among the best in town or try the flourless chocolate cake topped with a scoop of fig leaf ice cream. Zydeco also offers a full gluten-free menu." - Barb Gonzalez, Jeffrey Stull
