Gourmet

By Eugene Magazine Staff

Eugene knows food. We have a wealth of seasoned, innovative chefs with access to organic and sustainably farmed produce, meat, and dairy. Did we already mention our chefs are incredibly innovative? From oysters on a half shell to sushi burritos, you are sure to find a new dish to indulge in. Whether you are new to the area, visiting for the Trials, or a longtime resident of our city, these are the dishes you need to try today!

Petit Four

In a display case dazzling with mouth-watering confections, perhaps you’ve overlooked the petit fours in place of a huge slice of cake or giant cream puff. But while Sweet Life Patisserie’s petit fours may be tiny, they pack a lot of flavor. Petit fours—French for “small oven”—can usually be eaten in one or two bites and come in a variety of flavors. We especially enjoy the critter petit fours, which come in cutesy animal shapes and tasty flavors like bacon maple. 755 Monroe St. • sweetlifedesserts.com

Sushi Burritos

If you love sushi, don’t deny yourself the pleasure of a sushi burrito from SUBO Food Cart. Wrapped in seaweed, these “burritos” are loaded with rice, fish, cream cheese, avocado, tempura flakes, carrots, and seaweed salad. Their sweet wasabi sauce is just WOW. While you can’t go wrong with any of the burrito options, we love the classic Philly and their signature #bacon. 3rd and Van Buren St. • unamisushi.wix.com

Smoked Salt Caramel Ice Cream

Heaven in a scoop is Red Wagon Creamery’s small-batch ice cream made with quality, local ingredients. We love their smoked salt caramel flavor; its combination of smoky, salty, and sweet will knock your socks off. 55 W Broadway • redwagoncreamery.com

Cheese Plate

If you are partial to cheese plates, The CiderHouse on Lincoln Street offers a fantastic lineup with a selection of local and imported cheeses, seasonal jam, a house-made baguette, and occasionally walnuts or seasonal fruit. Sweet, savory, and delicious. 390 Lincoln St. • wildcraftciderworks.com

Chocolate Fondue

Grab a group of friends and indulge in a round of chocolate fondue at The Vintage. Three different chocolates to choose from: white, dark and milk chocolate, with delectable dippers, including cheesecake, house rice crispies, strawberries, and more. It’s so good you may not want to share. 837 Lincoln St. • eugenevintage.com

Best Beer Selection

Need a cold one? With a selection of over 1,000 bottled beers and ciders and over 20 on tap, The Bier Stein offers the largest selection of local, Oregon-based, and imported beers in Eugene. For a taste of the Willamette Valley, sample Agrarian Ales, Ninkasi, Hop Valley, ColdFire, Oakshire, WildCraft Cider Works. . . we could go on and on. A real time tap list is available on the Bier Stein’s website. Local tip: Don’t leave without trying their Bier Cheese Soup. 1591 Willamette St.• thebierstein.com

Oysters on a Half Shell

Located in the cozy Marché Restaurant, Le Bar offers a classy way to dine on some delicious food comprised of local, fresh ingredients. Their oysters on a half shell are a treat worth savoring. You have a choice of 1, 6, or 12 oysters, and we recommend more as they disappear off the plate so quickly. Finished with a punchy and savory black pepper mignonette, you are sure to be back for more. 296 E 5th Ave., Ste. 128 • marcherestaurant.com

Bahn Mi Sandwich

If your sandwiches are void of pickled vegetables, you’re missing out. We love Vietnamese-style Bahn Mi sandwiches because they are crispy (thanks to a perfectly baked French baguette), tangy (pickled carrot and daikon radishes), and oddly fresh tasting (must be the cilantro and cucumber). Bon Mi in downtown Eugene makes killer Bahn Mi sandwiches with your choice of grilled beef, chicken, pork, tofu, or red hot pork/chicken. 153 E Broadway • bonmieugene.com

Beef Belly Grilled Cheese

Step up your grilled cheese game with a Beef Belly Grilled Cheese from Falling Sky Brewing (Deli side): beef belly pastrami, Swiss cheese, cheddar, pesto, pickled red onion, and sourdough bread. Falling Sky makes, brines, bakes, cures, smokes, and ferments everything from scratch, in house, using local ingredients. 790 Blair Blvd. • fallingskybrewing.com

Yumm! Bowl

Founded in Eugene by Mark and Mary Ann Beauchamp, Café Yumm! has been making bellies happy with their specialty bowls featuring rice, beans, salsa, avocado, olives, cheese, sour cream, and signature Café Yumm! sauce. A quick, fresh, and healthy option for lunch or dinner. By the way, their avocados are always perfectly ripe—ALWAYS. Various locations in Eugene and Springfield. cafeyumm.com

BBQ Pork Ribs

With Papa’s Soul Food Kitchen, it’s possible to eat the delectable home-cooked meals of the South right in Eugene. We favor their succulent, fall-off-the-bone BBQ Pork Ribs. With an addictive symphony of sweet and savory flavors in your first bite, you’ll be sad once you finish off the last one. Be sure to pair your meal with one of their Kool-Aid Fizzles or their thirst-quenching sweet tea. 400 Blair Blvd. • papassoulfoodkitchen.com

Texas Wontons

For a unique take on an Asian classic look no further than the Texas Wontons at the Wild Duck Café located next to the University of Oregon campus. These wontons are filled with fiery jalapenos, cream cheese, spices, and are served with the Wild Duck’s special honey chili sauce. 1419 Villard St. • wildduckcafe.net

The Eugenewich

A café devoted entirely to vegan comfort food? Yes, please! Cornbread Café is wildly popular in Eugene because of their ginormous selection of breakfast items, salads, soups, and oh-so-scrumptious desserts. But it’s their Eugenewich that always has us coming back for more. Southern-fried Surata tofu patty topped with melted Daiya cheddar, deep-fried carrot slices, hand-breaded onion rings, lettuce, tomato, and a smoky sauce on a grilled bun. . . perfection in every bite. 1290 W 7^th Ave. • 541/505-9175 • cornbreadcafe.com

Dungeness Crab

For top-notch seafood head to Fisherman’s Market. Located on 7th Avenue and Blair, their beachy, blue shop (featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) provides fresh off-the-boat delicacies to satisfy your hunger. We love their melt-in-your-mouth Dungeness crab. Steamed and slathered with lemon and butter, our taste buds are always whisked away on a scrumptious, nautical adventure. 830 W 7th Ave. • eugenefishmarket.com

Elkaholic Elk Burger

If you’re looking to settle down with a good beer and burger, check out Elk Horn Brewery. A favorite on the brewery’s menu is The Elkaholic: elk burger served medium rare, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and horseradish aioli. Served with a side of fries or pork skins. Pairs perfectly with one of the many beers on tap. Elk Horn Brewery is walking distance to the University of Oregon. 686 E Broadway St. • elkhornbrewery.com

Old E Tacos

When craving a taco look no further than Tacovore. The people, atmosphere, surroundings, and food are worth the trip to Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood. The shining star on Tacovore’s menu is the Old E. This taco is made with Oregon grass-fed beef. Topped with Tillamook cheddar cheese, lettuce, house made crema and molcajete salsa, served in a hard shell. 530 Blair Blvd. • tacovorepnw.com

Kitchen’s Choice

Ask any self-proclaimed foodie about their favorite restaurants in town and all of them will sing the praises of Party Downtown. Their menu changes regularly, but one staple of their menu is the Kitchen’s Choice. Bring a friend and plan a few hours for your gastronomic journey. This relaxed, multi-course menu is decided by Chef Tiffany. Your taste buds will he happy with whatever she brings. 55 W Broadway • 541/345-8228 • partyeugene.com

Red Curry

For fine-dining Thai and Pacific Rim food, look no further than Sabai in the Oakway Center. One dish we can’t get enough of is their Red Curry: eggplant, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and Thai basil. Wonderfully fresh with a little heat. Sabai offers large portions that are great for sharing with friends. 27 Oakway Center • 541/654-5424 • sabaicafe.com

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

If you haven’t tried a Liège waffle, go to Off The Waffle’s downtown or South Eugene location and order any one of their amazing creations. One of our favorites is the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: A crispy, caramelized waffle with an oozing organic sunny-side up egg and bacon, it is a perfect combination, especially drizzled in real Vermont maple syrup. If one waffle isn’t enough, buy a stack of frozen Liège waffles to take home and create your own masterpiece. 840 Willamette St. • 541/632-4225 • 2540 Willamette St. • 541/632-4316 • offthewaffle.com

Pork Chop

Enjoy an all-time favorite dish at Koho Bistro. The bone-in Berkshire pork chop from Sweet Briar Farms is so tender, yet packs a ton of flavor when cooked in a bourbon, bacon, and rosemary sauce. With creamy butter-whipped potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts on the side, this dish is a combination of bold ingredients. By emphasizing the concept of local and fresh, Koho Bistro’s menu changes with the seasons, but the pork chop dish is always a constant favorite. 2101 Bailey Hill Rd. • 541/684-8888 • kohobistro.net

Japanese Pork and Beans

For pork so tender it melts in your mouth and beans soft and earthy in flavor, stop by Izakaya Meiji in Eugene’s popular Whiteaker neighborhood. There are so many unique menu items here, but we love the Japanese Pork & Beans because it is delicate and flavorful, savory with just the perfect amount of crunch. Don’t leave without a trip to the bar for a swig of whiskey from their extensive drink menu. 345 Van Buren St. • izakayameiji.com

Salmon Chowder

The House-Smoked Salmon Chowder at Soup Nation (featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives) is one of around 80 soups this welcoming restaurant has to offer. A cream-based soup with white wine, garlic, and dill is joined by house-smoked Northwest Coho salmon that is so tender it melts in your mouth. Topped with parsley and served with a side salad and homemade whole wheat sourdough bread, this meal will satisfy your craving for fresh, homemade food. 525 High St. • soupnationeugene.com

Taco Salad

If you’re looking for a salad that’s fresh and tasty, Mucho Gusto is your place. Piled with green lettuce on top of crisp tortilla shells, you’re given full creativity to make your perfect mix. Juicy tomatoes, fresh cheese, pico de gallo, and carnitas are just a few of the delicious options you have. Mucho Gusto’s taco salads are sure to make your taste buds throw a fiesta of their own. 67 Oakway Center • westrauntconcepts.com

Chicken Pot Pie

We love Metropol Bakery’s Chicken Pot Pie—it’s comfort on a plate! Served individually, each pot pie features a creamy mix of vegetables and chicken and a sturdy-but-soft crust holding it all together. Finish your meal with a fresh salad with vinaigrette dressing, a baguette and butter. 2538 Willamette St. • metropolbakery.com

Super Rainbow Roll

Have a hankering for sushi? Head to Sushi Pure in the Fifth Street Public Market. They have a menu loaded with sushi options, noodle dishes, hot and cold appetizers, as well as an extensive vegetarian menu. The Super Rainbow roll always catches our eye. This roll is served with garnishes of green onion, smelt roe, sesame seeds, bonito flake, and shrimp tempura. Sushi Pure is known for their black rice, which is intermixed with white rice to create a unique purple shade. 296 E 5th Ave., Ste. 220 • sushipureeugene.com