LSA News

No. 87, February 2008

Restaurants in Eugene
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Pizza Research Institute

This little hole-in-the-wall on Lawrence just south of 13th (across from Wagon Works and Berg’s Ski Shop) has the most eccentric pizza and staff in town. Run by a family of transplants from Santa Cruz, the pizza choices and toppings are all vegetarian (optional vegan) and organized like a chart of the periodic tables. The best choice is the Chef’s Choice: toppings vary by whim and include any manner of vegetable and fruit. Tastes way better than it sounds, and every bite is an adventure. Microbrews on tap and some wine. Space inside is limited — only a few tables — and the best time at PRI is during summer months when you can grab on the curb seating and get a little distance between you and the ubiquitous, throbbing reggae music inside. During the winter, get your pizza to go and you’ll get original designs drawn on your pizza box with magic markers.

Keystone Café

I’ve lived in Eugene for 25 years and have been an infrequent but enthusiastic customer at the Keystone all that time. Serve yourself an endless cup of coffee and relax at the funky booths and tables (are there two chairs that match in the whole place? Doubt it!) as you review the extensive breakfast and lunch menu. Outdoor seating for smokers and a big front window where you can keep an eye on the activities on 5th Avenue or the dogs tied up to the bike rack. There’s plenty of Eugene’s alternative community that passes through those doors, but inside, it’s multigenerational and culturally integrated. Although the Keystone is no longer vegetarian in focus, there are lots of vegetarian and vegan options, and the oatmeal sesame pancakes are iconic.

Lotus Garden

Chinese vegetarian and always busy for a reason. The humble vinyl booths and Guanyin décor might not have sufficient curb appeal to attract the casual passerby, but try yourself a dish of Lotus Delight (AKA Hunan Veggie Beef), the Bean Curd with Ginger, the Spicy Dried Tofu or the Spicy Eggplant and you’ll know this could become a regular habit.

Sam Bond's Garage

Sam Bond's was a furniture refinishing shop when I lived at 4th and Adams in the early 1980s and what a welcome transformation! I never go to the entertainment, I can’t stay up that late anymore. But the ambiance during Happy Hour is mellow, the microbrews on tap are always interesting choices (feel free to ask for a sample) and there are $1 bottles of Pabst Blue Ribbon for the uncultured tightwads who just want to camp at a table all evening. They offer pizza slices and nice salads, a hummus platter with stuffed grape leaves and feta, a tofu curry and one night a week, make-your-own tacos. The regulars are eccentric and alternative, but scattered around the boomers are plenty of young hipsters with cute kids. My recommendation for keeping up with the tattooed culture in Eugene.

—Jennifer Rowan

Soriah

The atmosphere is convivial but not loud and the service is friendly and professional. Owner "Ib" Hamide prepares wonderful Mediterranean fare, artfully presented without being pretentious, and he is well known for his flambés. Salads are perfect – very fresh, with subtle yet distinctive dressings. I can always rely on their chicken dishes (I don't eat a lot of beef), but what I've enjoyed most are some of the specials they've offered; particularly memorable was a pistachio-encrusted halibut that I had some years ago. In the summer we always ask for patio dining. My days of trying exotic cocktails are largely over, but Soriah's bar has a reputation for being one of the finest (I can speak favorably of their gin gimlets). I haven't been disappointed by any wines I've been served.

Koho Bistro

Owners Kevin and Kim Hyland have emphasized local products for their menu, and if the exterior of the bistro is unassuming (it is in a strip mall), the inside is warm and cozy. Their menu is relatively short, and I look forward to their specials; my all-time favorite was pan-seared tambo tuna served over udon noodles. I wouldn't consider this a place for boisterous folks, and the intensity level may be a little too low for those of you under 30, but they have recently added an adjoining bar and I'm told that it has been doing well.

Zenon Café

This café at Pearl and Broadway is a favorite spot for Hult Center event attendees to dine before a performance or enjoy one of their delicious, indulgent and often Brobdingnagian desserts after the show. It's a busy, informal place, and architecturally unremarkable, but the food is quite good. Salads are fresh, soups savory and entrees interesting and tasty. Service is variable from day to day, but wait staff are certainly agreeable and, if overextended, accommodating. A pretty good wine list, microbrews and full bar.

—Terry McQuilkin

Mekala's

Eugene sure has a lot of good Thai food! One of the best is Mekala's. They have a very large menu and everything on it that I have tried has been delicious. My personal favorite is the Red Curry Salmon. I feel that this dish adds a little Northwest flair to my Thai. They also have yummy and fun appetizers to share. The desserts are outstanding. They have theee best coconut ice cream I've found in town — very rich and creamy and homemade.

Chao Pra Ya

While I'm on the subject of Thai food in Eugene, I can't fail to mention Chao Pra Ya. Equally as good for Thai as some of the more expensive Thai restaurants in town, Chao Pra Ya is located right across from Red Apple Market on the north side of 6th Street. It's a somewhat hidden gem, although it has been voted one of the best Thai restaurants in Eugene consistently since its opening. It has a much more casual atmosphere than the others mentioned, and last time I checked, lower prices. I am told that the small building in which it is located used to be a greasy spoon type diner. It still has that configuration of seating — booths and counter seating. Since the seating is limited and during peak hours it is always crowded it's also a great choice for takeout and they even deliver!

McMenamins

The McMenamins restaurants are also among my favorites. In Eugene we have the High Street Brewery and Café, the East 19th Street Café, and the North Bank Restaurant. The first two have more of a casual pub atmosphere and food — sandwiches, burgers and salads. I especially like the High Street Brewery, which is in a big old house. It has great backyard patio seating under giant trees. It's a nice place to meet your friends for warm weather Friday happy hours. The North Bank is on the Willamette River and has scenic patio seating overlooking the river. It's a wonderful place to take out of town visitors. It is a bit more formal than the pubs, with a more extensive menu. McMenamins brews its own beer, which I find to be outstanding. My favorite is their "Ruby" beer. McMenamins also has many locations in Portland and some in Washington. Each place is unique and full of historical character and includes such features as hotel services, live music venues and movie theaters. It is a Northwest owned and run "chain," but hardly feels like the typical chain, and has much unique Northwest flavor.

—Laura Damiani

Turtles

A really great barbecue place with excellent drinks. They have best dinner salads in town, in my humble opinion — almost a meal in themselves! Not your average barbecue. I personally enjoy the Green Plate Special, with the barbecued turkey. The Sweet Chili Chicken is also terrific.

Studio One Café

I go for the Eggs Benedict (with spinach and tomato), but the Challah French Toast is also divine. Super busy on the weekends, be prepared to wait...but the wait is totally worth it. Open for breakfast and lunch, and nothing costs more than $10. Delicious and cheap...my kind of place.

Napoli

Delicious Italian food and decadent desserts. Olive Garden, they are not. I recommend the seasonal ravioli specials and the tiramisu, and you can't miss the focaccia bread! I also long for the days when they would bring out the Gorgonzola salad dressing in a jug (as opposed to a single serving) — it is so good, you could just eat it on a spoon. Good lunch specials, too!

—Jen Lindsey

The Vintage

The Vintage. Not only is it right across the street from my apartment, the food is good, inexpensively priced, and the ambiance ranges from calm and lovely to busy and lovely. I would steer clear of the "fondue," though, and go with the burgers, salads, and salmon. For drinks, try the Cuban Sex Panther or the Fat Black Pussycat. Closed on Monday, open very late Thursday through Saturday.

Beppe & Gianni's Trattoria

Beppe & Gianni's Trattoria. Our new fave place. Nice ambiance with good Italian food, reasonably priced, and great staff. Old-timers will remember that Book & Tea used to be in this lovely old house at 19th and Agate.

Espresso Roma

Espresso Roma. I don't drink coffee, but my scale confirms that I have an addiction to their cherry turnovers. Great hot chocolate, pastries, tea, and sandwiches, inexpensive, basic decor, friendly counter staff, and right on campus. If you are about to spill your secrets, check for co-workers first: the place is busy and everyone comes here. Just down 13th St. from the U of O Bookstore. (Rumor has it the coffee is strong.)

—Harriett Smith

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