Timing Perfect for Redmond’s First Authentic British Styled Pub The Pig And Pound Public HousePaul Mercer has sized up the Central Oregon Brew Pub market perfectly, choosing Redmond to start up a, true to colors, quaint and friendly styled British Brew Pub with tasty traditional foods and Central Oregon’s favorite micro brews.
Paul Mercer is no stranger to the Central Oregon Restaurant scene starting out with the Victorian Cafe in Bend and moving on to the Kokanee Grill in Camp Sherman and the Trout House in Sunriver.
Each restaurant he started has achieved noteworthy accolades and reviews of the highest caliber for creating eateries with local foods and produce prepared with freshness, originality and culinary flair.
Mercer developed a taste for good food as a young ad agency executive entertaining clients in the best London restaurants, bars and pubs. He says, “After five years of this I wanted more out of life than to weigh 250 pounds eating rich food, so I lost the extra weight, moved to America and started my own restaurant in Bend.”
Although Mercer took a brief hiatus from the restaurant world to become the sales and marketing director of Phat Matt’s micro brewery, he didn’t realize how much he missed the restaurant business until there was an opportunity to start the Pig and Pound Public House in Redmond in last year. “I missed the restaurant business and once I got back into it I realized that this is what I really enjoy doing best and it is certainly making life fun and exciting again,” says Mercer.
Although the menu is simple the challenges are many for this small restaurant from preparing food in the tiny kitchen to the amount of food and produce he is able to stock for the restaurant at any one time. The building is quaint and cozy with only room for 28 dinners with seating for eight at the bar and the rest at tables. But it also has a huge deck for outdoor dining for the nicest months in Central Oregon.
You can usually hear an eclectic mix of British Rock and American Acoustic music however Mercer has added live music on the deck for Wednesday and Sunday evenings in the summer months. “Weather permitting we may be able to offer music until November each year,” explains Mercer. “The outdoor deck is fabulous with seating for 60 and we hope to continue to attract a good crowd for those events.”
Mercer’s friendly and gracious pub-owner manner is mirrored by his employees all who work with upbeat friendly faces and provide knowledgeable and excellent service.
One thing you will enjoy for sure are the names of dishes traditional in the UK. No doubt you’re heard of Bangers and Mash or Cornish Pasties, but you may have missed the Scottish Egg, the Chocolate Pig or the Oink & Boink, a Pork and Beef burger that melts in your mouth. One thing every restaurant visitor will appreciate is that all the menu choices are under $12.
He keeps the most popular UK food choices, Fish & Chips and Bangers and Mash on the menu regularly but adds in seasonal dishes that are popular with diners four times a year. Mercer says, “Since we are a small space it has been challenging to keep the patrons interested in our small menu, so we make creative seasonal changes and mix up the desert menu to keep them satisfied and coming back for more.”
Along with keeping the food interesting Mercer has increased the beer offerings to ten taps, eight with popular Central Oregon micro brews and two from outside the high desert area.
Mercer adds, “We’ve just taken comfort food from across the pond and made it Americanized and good. So if you’re looking for a new eating experience with an international flair check out the Pig and Pound Public House in Redmond. With the cozy atmosphere, scrumptious food, excellent micro brews and friendly service you won‘t be disappointe.”
Pig and Pound Eighth and Evergreen (427 SW Eighth) Restaurant Hours: Monday – Friday, 4pm to closing and 12-10 pm on Saturday and Sunday. 541-526-1697
