Garden Terrace Bistro Offers Wholesome "Signature" Food

by TOM HAMILTON Cascade AE Feature Writer

Whether he’s frying a hamburger at the Crook County Fair or mixing one of his specialty salads at his new restaurant, Mark Smith always prepares everything as if his name was on it. The signature chef learned the culinary trade from the ground up, starting as a busboy and then learning to cook in the Job Corps. Now, he’s added his namesake to one of the best restaurants in Prineville, a special spot called the Garden Terrace Bistro. Smith’s restaurant resume is lengthy.

He waited tables locally at Club Pioneer and Barney Prine and became the concessionaire at the Crook County Fairgrounds where he also opened a lunch delivery service called the Grand Terrace Lunch Box. All along, he had a vision for a small eatery that served light fare and kept his eyes open for just the right location in downtown Prineville.

Last September, he opened the Garden Terrace Bistro on North Main Street and, coupled with neighboring quaint businesses—Sweet Scentiments next door and Wild Angel Antiques and Gifts across the street—have formed an attractive shopping and dining spot. Smith said he never hesitated nor worried about the local economy when he opened seven months ago, saying, “I am a strong-willed person. I see what I want and go for it. I have faith in what I’m doing.”

Smith, who admits he’s never cooked with recipes and always preferred the interaction and personal contact with customers rather than laboring in a kitchen, found the perfect mix by opening the 18-seat bistro that serves lunch from Tuesday through Saturday, specializing in paninis, salads, wraps and great-tasting salads. He has slowly built a loyal following, primarily of women and newcomers to Prineville, who prefer the lighter fare menu while earning a strong reputation for healthy, wholesome and, above all, great-tasting food.

I arrived just before closing on a weekday and found Smith and his assistant, Susie Brown, to be gracious and accommodating hosts whose only aim is to please. I sampled the Terrace Chicken Salad Sandwich served on a croissant complete with craisins and walnuts and the Roast Beef Pepper Jack Panini with mango salsa. Both met the criteria for any successful restaurant—consistency, presentation and quality. The menu also features a fine selection of salads ranging from the Artichoke Heaven to the Terrace Chef and daily soups that are refreshing in a community generally known as cattle country.

Garden Terrace Bistro also features homemade desserts prepared by local Audrey Johnston, including cakes made from scratch and brownies ala mode that are unequalled. Plus, Smith has added an espresso bar. The good news is that the bistro will soon be open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings until 7:30pm with more dinner selections as Smith continues to offer what customers are clamoring for. If you’d like further testimony that Garden Terrace Bistro is the best thing to happen in Prineville since Les Schwab opened a tire store, here’s what Central Oregon Community College business counselor Jim Ornat had to say about a recent visit to the restaurant.

“After seven years in Central Oregon and making a point to always eat out on our special occasions, my wife (Lynn) and I have finally found a great lunch spot . . . in Prineville! “My wife is a gourmet cook and says it’s the best food she has had in Oregon, period. In short, super food, menu, portions and prices.” So, simply don’t take my word for it. Garden Terrace Bistro in the heart of downtown Prineville is one of the best lunch spots in Central Oregon.