As the families start pouring into Eugene for Commencement ceremonies, there’s a perilous decision to be made: Who is going to feed all of these people? Certainly not you, in your tiny off-campus apartment. Graduation weekend is more than just a weekend with your parents. There’s a layer of celebration that makes dining in Eugene especially difficult. Be sure to call several days in advance to reserve a table during this busy season. As long as your parents are paying, you might as well go the extra-classy route. The options are few and far between in Eugene, but they exist.
Ambrosia (174 E. Broadway) is an Italian restaurant that has been in Eugene for decades. Ambrosia’s bar has an extensive wine list with wines from Pacific Northwest, California, Italy, France and Spain. Specialty cocktails incorporate Northwest flavors to boast to your out-of-state parents, such as house-infused blackberry vodka. Not to mention, the food — everything from seafood pasta, pizza to simple salads are all excellent choices.
Beppe and Gianni’s Trattoria (1646 E. 19th St.) is another Italian favorite of Eugene, especially with its proximity to campus and its homey atmosphere. Beppe and Gianni’s specials, such as fresh, handmade ravioli made daily (the filling is seasonal and changes frequently). Beppe and Gianni’s does not take reservations for groups under eight.
“Graduation weekend we serve handmade lobster and crab ravioli, something that we only serve a couple of times a year for special occasions. But all year round our best is handmade pastas and grilled seafood,” said Brett Adamo, chef at Beppe and Gianni’s.
Sweet Cheeks Winery (27007 Briggs Hill Rd.) doesn’t serve much food besides small plates such as hummus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate with a few rounds of wine tasting. On Friday nights and Father’s Day, several food carts come to serve hot food to all the wine drinkers in front of the spectacular view of Lane County countryside, something that customers are always impressed, according to Casey Minnis, manager of Sweet Cheeks.
Belly Restaurant (30 E. Broadway) and Belly Taqueria (454 Willamette St.) are quickly becoming popular choices for modern dining in Eugene. Belly Restaurant provides unique, seasonal “farmhouse soul food,” a full bar and equally interesting cocktailslike the a moonshine sour. Both restaurants have an atmosphere that should be familiar to any Eugene veteran like yourself: intimate, hipster, mix-matched decor. Reservations available at Belly Restaurant for groups of six or more, between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Though Ox & Fin (105 Oakway Center) is one of the lesser-known restaurants within the student community, the “steakhouse with Italian sensibilities” is a longtime favorite for special occasions. Everything from small plates such as fried hazelnuts, to oysters on the half shell, to its several choices of hearty steak dinners, the entire menu of Ox & Fin defines a celebratory meal.
“We have a lot of excellent dishes, of course,” said manager Josh Mitchell. “But really what makes us so great is our excellent customer service and hospitality.”
Grit (1080 W. 3rd St.) is a unique addition to the Eugene food scene. Grit is located in a restored historical restaurant built in the 1930s and most customers adore its ambiance and charm. Its menu features seasonal and local products in addition to a rotating fixed-price $35 four-course meal as well as seasonal cocktails and desserts.