A shared love of food.
A place to call home.

For Jake and Meredith, owning Lemon Tree brings together the things they care about most: cooking, family, and the community they call home.

The husband-and-wife chefs met while working at Bend’s Oxford Hotel. Both graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, they built their careers in kitchens across the country before finding each other in Central Oregon. The opportunity to spend more time cooking together helped inspire their decision to take the helm at Lemon Tree.

They’re grateful to Mac, Betsy, and Jackie for the restaurant they built, and proud to carry its legacy forward with care for the food, the team, and the guests who make it special.

Outside the kitchen, Jake and Meredith love spending time with their kids, trying other restaurants, and listening to EDM.

About Jake

Originally from Berkeley, California, Jake has called Bend home for more than a decade. His interest in cooking began through Alice Waters’ Edible Schoolyard program at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. His grandmother, who lived in Rome for 30 years, further inspired him through her knowledge of Roman pasta and sauces.

His culinary career includes Chez Panisse in Berkeley and Bos Taurus in Bend, along with roles as sous chef at Anthony’s and executive chef at Roam and Monkless.

In his downtime, Jake enjoys watching sports and getting lost in fantasy and sci-fi books and movies, especially Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.

His Lemon Tree favorites? Shakshuka and a Jealous Mary.

About Meredith

Meredith grew up in McKinleyville, California, and learned to cook alongside her Italian grandmother, making handmade pasta and sauces. Those early memories sparked a love of cooking that eventually became her career.

Her experience includes Mercer Kitchen in New York City, Cow Pig Bun on Maui, Restaurant 301 in Eureka, Mistral’s at Toll Gate in Vermont, and Chow in Bend.

Family brought Meredith to Bend, where she has lived for nearly six years. In her downtime, she enjoys true crime documentaries and shopping.

At Lemon Tree, her go-to order is the Avocado Hash Smash with a mimosa.

  • "Legitimately one of the best brunches we've had. Also has great coffee, which is sometimes not the case at brunch places. Everything was good, and we will definitively be going back!"

  • "This is one of our favorite places to go while in bend. Great service and food. The Benedict's are the best!"

  • "Shakshuka is my favoriteeeee! Avo Hash Smash is my second favorite. This is the best breakfast place in bend downtown!"

  • "Staff was friendly, efficient, checked in with us often and made great suggestions. Food was AMAZING and every detail was attended to in the experience. The breakfasts were unique and undeniably tasty. Plus, the cafe is right by a great park and has an adjacent parking lot, making it easy to get there by walking, biking, or car. Loved it!"

  • "The Lemon Tree has it all; not only an excellent selection of eggs benedict the dishes were amazing delicious. Plus beautiful decor and ambiance, and attentive waiters. We will make it a point to indulge ourselves again at The Lemon Tree whenever we're in Bend."

  • "Yes! Do it! Go here! Best brunch spot I've been to in a long time!"

  • "Ate at this place with my family last time I was in Bend and LOVED it! Can not say enough good things about the food, it was such a lovely meal cozy atmosphere and the people so friendly and accommodating."

  • "Absolutely incredible, every single thing was amazing, atmosphere was very cool, and staff was very welcoming and friendly!"

  • "Arguably the best Brunch Place I have ever been to. The Lemon Tree in Bend, OR had some of the best pastries and breakfast dishes I have ever had for Brunch. The incredible food there was only superseded by the amazing service."

  • "10/10 restaurant. Went here for brunch and got the amaretto french toast and crab cakes Benedict, best brunch we've ever experienced."