February 2026 Sunriver Scene - Flipbook - Page 14
Pizzeria
Apply now: Artist applications for
Sunriver Art Fair close March 8
The deadline is approaching for artists wanting to secure one
of the 90 booths at the Sunriver Art Fair in August. Applications
close on March 8.
If you are an artist or know someone who would like to exhibit,
now is the time to apply. Applications are accepted online only
at zapplication.org. Please visit www.sunriverartfair.org or email
artistliaison@sunriverartfair.org for information.
The Sunriver Art Fair is a nationally recognized, juried fine arts
and crafts event drawing local Sunriver and Central Oregon visitors as well as visitors from all over the western states. This year’s
event will happen Aug. 7 to Aug. 9.
The fair offers commission-free art sales and artist-focused
management.
The Sunriver Women’s Club looks forward to bringing your
unique, high-quality art to enthusiastic buyers and collectors at
its vibrant open-air event in The Village at Sunriver, one of its
proud sponsors.
Presented by the Sunriver Women’s Club, all net proceeds from
this event support its community grant program. The program
gives to nonprofits and public schools that provide services in five
priority areas and exclusively to people living in south Deschutes
County.
For information, visit www.sunriverartfair.org or www.
sunriverwomensclub.org.
Then, “deciding to complicate my life further,” Zendell opened his first brickand-mortar restaurant near
La Jolla called “isa.bella” that
was praised as a “hidden gem
for its adventurous, yet hearty
food.” Popular items included
the eponymously named pasta,
Uncle Frank’s Bolognese, a dish
that is featured on the Campfire Cucina menu.
After moving to Bend in late
2024, Zendell was ready to put
his stamp on the local culinary
landscape.
“I had a lease in front of me
to build out a big space from
scratch at the Box Factory, and
was about to sign,” he said,
“when my broker called to say
that a location in Sunriver was
available. It turned out to be
exactly what I wanted. My own
little place in the forest where I
could get to know people and
share a piece of myself with
them.”
As the restaurant’s website
describes: “Campfire Cucina
& Pizzeria specializes in ‘NeoNeapolitan’ style pizza, which
combines authentic imported
Neapolitan ingredients with
traditional New York craftsmanship” – a style Zendell
developed himself.
He also features gourmet pas-
Gary Zendell
tas, fresh salads and a rotating
specials board featuring “exciting, off-beat dishes like Cocco
Puerco and Tuscan Crusted
Filet Mignon.”
“I wanted to offer casually
elegant dining for everyone,
specializing in the comfort
and style of traditional Italian
food with my personal twist,”
Zendell said.
Non-pizza examples include
Icky Sticky Wings (doused in
a signature Asian ginger-garlic
sauce); and Amazing Leftover
Lasagna, described simply on
the menu as “what you’ll have
for lunch tomorrow.”
“We make our dough inhouse daily,” he said. “And
everything on the menu which
will be expanded in the future is
made from the finest, freshest,
and most authentic ingredients
on the market. The food we
serve is really flavorful and
comes in really big portions.
We charge you, but we feed
you.”
Campfire Cucina & Pizzeria
features Oregon wines and a
revolving tap list of local craft
beers, as well as a signature
drink and a limited selection
of liquors.
And given that the success of
his fledgling business depends
upon patronage from area residents – over and above seasonal
tourism – Zendell quickly put
in place a Locals Program, a
“really cool, daily happy hour
from 3 to 5 p.m.,” and a craft
beer growler program – “all of
which give back generously
to loyal customers, and are
designed to make Campfire
Cucina & Pizzeria an affordable
go-to option for locals.”
Despite Zendell’s genetic advantage and previous restaurant
experience, inevitably “the first
week or so was absolute chaos,
a trial by fire, and we felt a bit
overwhelmed by the rush of
customers,” he said. “But now
we have our feet under us and
are gratified at how people have
welcomed Campfire Cucina &
Pizzeria with pure excitement.”
As one patron commented,
“What a welcome addition to
Sunriver's food scene!”
Campfire Cucina & Pizzeria
is in The Village at Sunriver
nestled next to Artists’ Gallery
Sunriver and Hot Lava Bakery.
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FEBRUARY 2026 SUNRIVER SCENE
