For hubby's birthday yesterday, I took him to the one restaurant in Bend I had previously resisted going to - Deep.

The brain child of another one of Bend's most successful food enterprises, Merenda, owner and chef Jodie Denton created Deep with a heavy Japanese flavor. I'd heard legends about how expensive the place was and maybe got scared off a bit by that in the past, but decided yesterday that I wasn't going to care. After all, it was a special occasion.

Yet, I was pleasantly surprised in all aspects. At first seated at a cramped little table, soon a cheerful waiter came by to whisk us off to different, much more comfortable seating. He seemed very pleased with himself when he saw that he had improved our dining experience before we had even lifted a fork.

Given that it was Thursday night at 8pm (and it wasn't snowing, for once) the locals were out in force on the town and the restaurant was packed. I kinda expected slow service and a long wait for my food. Again, my expectations were exceeded. Our waiter was quick, attentive, and not 5 minutes after we had placed our lengthy order, did the first dish show up - followed by a steady and seemingly precisely-timed flow of nicely arranged plates.

Here's what we ordered:

- Awase Miso Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms: I tend to judge a Japanese restaurant by the quality of their miso, and this one was indeed excellent. A tad light on the tofu maybe, but instead it was laced with a variety of pretty and tasty seaweed and tender slices of shiitake, steeped in a deeply flavorful broth.

- Stir Fried Edamame with Togarashi and Garlic: These edamame were definitely a different take on the traditional serving. Instead of being sprinkled with some meek sea salt, these were fried in butter and spices, giving them a delightful, finger-lickin' piquant taste.

- Given that the restaurant was out of their Glazed Eggplant dish, I substituted with Stir Fried Mushrooms with Chilies and Scallions instead: Again - delicious. A collection of buttery tender and perfectly cooked mushrooms - served simply with scallions, it was a very charming palate teaser.

- Tempura Shrimp Roll, with Barbecued Eel with Basil, Avocado & Creamy Spicy Yuzu Sauce: I love it when sushi rice is done right. This one was perfect - still slightly warm and with only a very light touch of sugar and vinegar. The combination of shrimp, eel, avocado and the special house sauce was also very successful.

- Spicy Tuna Roll: still a tad apprehensive about raw fish from my sushi adventure in San Francisco last summer, I opted not to taste this. Hubby said however it was spicy and excellent.

- Sushi Nigiri, consisting of Yellowtail, Broiled Eel, and Sea Urchin: The fish was tender and fresh - a rarity in land-locked Bend. Jeff wasn't a fan of the Sea Urchin, but I can attest that the Eel was indeed very good.

A pear-vodka-cocktail and a pot of green tea later, we got the bill. The damage: $70 (with tip $84). Not bad! They didn't charge us for the green tea either.

Overall - an awesome experience. And compared to the noisy Merenda, it was downright refreshing to be in a quiet restaurant with a soothing atmosphere. Combined with the excellent service (a rarity in Bend, as every regular gourmet can attest to) and leaving there with that satisfying feeling of just having eaten a well-prepared meal, Deep is definitely a place I will go back to.

mmmm... edamame. I've yet to eat Deep, I'm looking forward to it.

Aren't you afraid that by encroaching on BORis's territory he's going to get mad?

I'm surprised you didn't take pictures. ;) Where are our "We're Bend Oregon Restaurant" t-shirts when we need them?

Happy Belated Birthday Jeff!!!!

I had one of the best meals I've ever had at deep. Very, very impressed with this restaurant.

And HAPPY BDAY, Jeff!!!