With the 2016-2017 school year coming to an end, that means two things for Eugene: allergies and graduation. While some people get excited to see their parents for the hugs, I get way overly excited about not eating at Caspian’s for 5 dollars. Take advantage of your parents above $5 a meal budget, and check out some of the nicer restaurants in Eugene.
1. Excelsior Inn & Ristorante Italiano
Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/Excelsior-Inn-and-Ristorante-Italiano
This Italian-style restaurant right on campus, aka no car needed, and they strongly believe and practice sustainable growth and agricultural practices. Serving brunch, lunch and dinner, this farm to table elegant restaurant will make you feel as if you’re eating a seasonal meal at a five-star restaurant in Italia. Currently, some examples of items on their menu are Excelsior French Toast, which is dipped into a sweet cream batter with farm fresh eggs coming from their Excelsior Farm. For lunch, a delicious assortment of “Zuppa, Antipasti, and Insalata” which translates to soup, appetizers and salad including Frittelle di Granchio, a Dungeness crab cake house salad. And for dinner, a huge array of homemade pasta and traditional Italian plates.
Price Range: $31-60
Attire: Dressy
Best For: Dinner
Alcohol: Full Bar
2. Grit Restaurant
Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/Gritkitchen
This farm to table style restaurant offers a seasonal weekly changing four-course dinner for $35 for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Make reservations before showing up for this trendy feeling and new American style place because it doesn’t take long for the tables to fill up! This atmosphere and equally exciting food arrangements make this a great place to take your parents. Plus, who doesn’t like the fanciness and easiness of a pre-selected four-course menu?
Prince Range: $31-60
Attire: Casual
Best For: Dinner
Alcohol: Full Bar
3. Sushi Pure
Photo courtesy of http://www.sushipureeugene.com
Although it may be known by locals as the “sushi restaurant with the purple rice”, the unique Pure menu has everything to satisfy your all of your cravings from salmon sashimi, to the Mt. Fuji roll (soft shell crab, snow crab, avocado, cucumber, mushroom and oven baked.) If you’re into really good raw fish and a full sake bar, this is the place to go.
Price Range: $11-30
Attire: Casual
Best For: Dinner
Alcohol: Full bar and sake bar
4. Marché Restaurants
Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/marcheeugene
This classy French restaurant prides its self on the highest quality of locally grown and gathered food. Although French food sounds intimidating, don’t let it scare you. If you’re looking to impress your parents with a unique brunch (we know you will not be able to wake up by 9 for their breakfast), Marché has a simple yet very well executed spread including everything from strawberry-rhubarb chutney brioche french toast to fried quail and eggs. If you’re looking for a more chill setting with equally as amazing food, try out their Museum Cafe located on campus.
Price Range: $11-30
Attire: Casual
Best For: Breakfast or Dinner
Alcohol: Full bar
5. Cafe 440
Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/cafe440
This New Style American restaurant is a little bit off campus and because having your parents in town usually means a rental car, it is perfect for the occasion. Don’t miss out on going to lunch here and treating yo self to either their salmon fish and chips or a pesto chicken sandwich. Not many restaurants make a better pesto chicken sandwich if you ask me.
Price Range: $11-30
Attire: Casual
Best For: Lunch
Alcohol: Full Bar