It seems our time here is coming to an end. I’m in Birmingham, and I signed one of those dreadful documents saying I wouldn’t write for anyone anymore. Before we end our relationship and bury ourselves in buckets of Ben and Jerry’s and cheap tequila, I have a few final thoughts and reviews I’d like … Continue reading »
Category Archives: Articles
Late Night Eugene
Late-night is the best time to eat. There are no rules and almost anything can happen. Whatever the case — whether it involves innocent studying or a bit too much rum — you know you’re in for adventure. Whatever the result, cookies covered in frosting shoved inside Oreos, goldfish on your pizza, or a food … Continue reading »
Thanksgiving 2012
Thanksgiving (aka National Everyone Get Fat Day) is almost here. Do you suck at cooking or have no friends? Don’t worry, with this all-inclusive package you get pilgrims, a live turkey and even a full-size replica of the Mayflower (ocean not included)! All for just 82 payments of $99.99, what a deal! Ok, you caught … Continue reading »
Fab Breakfast Finds Under $5
Breakfast should be easy, flavorful and fun. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite finds in Eugene that are under $5. All are local, maybe made with love, for sure-packed with flavor and maybe healthy. Some you can sit down to eat, others you can grab on your way to class. Whatever the case I … Continue reading »
A day in Corvallis
A play-by-play guide to eating in Beaver territory It’s bound to happen, you have a friend or two in Corvallis and they want you to come visit and though you won’t admit it, you kind of want to get away from Eugene for a bit. Here’s my no-fail guide to having a great time in … Continue reading »
A smoothie guide for every occasion except your wedding because we all know you’re just going to pretend your vodka is a smoothie
How awesome is this? *If you’re in college you have an obligation to add vodka, rum, whiskey, tequila or hot sauce to any of the above recipes. Happy Smoothie-ing, but remember, smoothies aren’t as good for you as eating raw fruits (your body better digests the vitamins and gets full quicker when you eat whole … Continue reading »
We found Cinderella’s carriage
It’s pumpkin season! I lassoed a few friends for a pumpkin-picking adventure. One friend suggested we go to “The coolest pumpkin patch ever,” which later led to a Google search for “Springfield junkyard pumpkin patch.” As you can see, we had a blast at the junkyard farm. Picking your pumpkin doesn’t have to mean going … Continue reading »
Well that’s just cheesy
First off, I get 20 points for using a bad pun in my title. Now, to the loaf of it. Ok, that one didn’t work at all. We’re going to talk about cheese today. That wonderful food group that takes up a whole drawer in my fridge. More specifically, we’re going to chat about Tillamook … Continue reading »
A challenge
I have a challenge for you. Next time you go to the grocery store pack an extra $2. Go the the produce aisle and take a very close look at everything. Don’t just grab your bag of salad and dash off; take a few moments to browse. Your assignment is to find several things you … Continue reading »
Goodbye sunshine, hello new school year
Welcome back! I trust that you had a sun-filled summer and spent your much anticipated financial aid check responsibly at the grocery store. In case you somehow managed to black out all of last year, or you’re new to this blog, I’m your host, Melissa, and I write about food. Generally my articles relate to … Continue reading »
Pick it.
Summer is the most wonderful time of the year to head out to local farms and pick your very own fruits and veggies. Earthy scents, dirt on your jeans, berry-stained hands, sun on your face–it’s glorious. Oregon offers an array of options; you can make it a day, pack a picnic and travel a hundred … Continue reading »
Fun-filled field trip takes a stop in Port-Thai-Land
Tom Yum is a Thai restaurant located in the Woodstock area. It’s a little hidden in the sense that those of us who know Jack-shit about Portland can’t easily navigate our way to this land of happy-Thainess. But this little joint is worth a fun trip that may get you amusingly lost. When you arrive … Continue reading »
Field Trip Part III: Kay’s
Our field trip to Portland continues with Kay’s. To check out the first part of our trip–which uncovers the wonderful establishment called Mother’s Bistro and Bar–or to find out why the heck we’re in Portland for summer, click here. To check out our stop at Bluehour click here. Kay’s is in the super-cool Sellwood area. … Continue reading »
Two Pots of Coffee and A Slice of Pie at Midnight takes a field trip, fun ensues, part II
Our field trip to Portland continues with Bluehour. To check out the first part of our journey–which uncovers the wonderful establishment called Mother’s Bistro and Bar–or to find out why the heck we’re in Portland for summer, click here. Bluehour Also located in downtown Portland, this little joint is a bit fancy. The service is … Continue reading »
Two Pots of Coffee and A Slice of Pie at Midnight takes a field trip, fun ensues
Hello, hello from Portland the land of happy-internshipness. I shall be stationed here for a few more weeks, making intermittent trips to the promised land (i.e. Eugene, i.e. Hipplyland). And thus, while I will try and get a few more reviews up and other such Eugene-articles, we shall take a vacation to the Portland food … Continue reading »
Blue Dog Mead
Want to know more about Eugene’s up and coming Blue Dog Mead? Check out my article in the Oregon Quarterly, about half way down the page here. Enjoy! <3 Melissa Continue reading »
Handy Dandy Veggie Cooking Cheat Sheet
Cheers! Continue reading »
Who knew drinking could be so charitable? This Memorial Day take a moment to Drop by Rogue and have a pint (or even dinner) for charity
If you have a moment or you’re still looking for something to do Monday drop by Rogue and grab a drink at the bar. My good friend Ben Price, a veteran, will be working ALL day and donating all his wages and half his tips to the Wounded Warrior Project (Provides services to severely injured … Continue reading »
We’re in a pickle now
I’m working on a post about UO’s chapter of Slow Food. I haven’t had a chance to put everything together and I was hoping to tell you a little about the event they are putting on today. So how about I just tell you and you can come back to read more about them later? … Continue reading »
An ode to food writing
To say that food writing is as versatile as Gene Simmons’ taste in women is a slight exaggeration but an accurate one nonetheless. Food writing comes in many forms–from reviews to recipes, exposition to personal narratives. Sometimes it appears in the most unlikely of places–like sports–as Food Republic searches for the best new food in … Continue reading »
Canned Botulism $.50 Off: Why you should resist the urge to buy dented cans
A few years ago I took a toxicology class. Suddenly granite counter-tops and painted walls were dangerous. It was the dented cans that worried me most though. I vaguely remember a disturbing lecture that has since left me vehemently opposed to eating anything out of a dented can. Every chance I get I share this … Continue reading »
Everything but the kitchen sink: that mysterious stew Southerners call “Gumbo”
Think Southern cooking and a spicy aroma might linger in your nose while thoughts of grits, fried food and sweet tea dance in your mind. You’d best not forget the gumbo. Plump shrimp mingling with several types of sausage in a complex peppery-hot tomato roux base, poured over rice. Mama’s gonna put a jumble of … Continue reading »
A little coffee shop you may not know about
Cafe du Hall Your quintessential charming coffee shop downtown with all the heart of a locally owned business. Serving (Melissa-approved) Cafeto Coffee. Menu here. Bonus points: Cafeto is fair-trade certified meaning it’s not coming from slave labor, YAY! Continue reading »
La Perla
Dropped by La Perla for the first time. La Perla can be pretty spendy, my advice is to save money and order from the special menu during lunch. It’s the kind of Italian/artisan pizza you enjoy over a glass of wine, not the kind you’d order while playing Halo with 8 of your buddies. Overall … Continue reading »
Food Resource for Eugene College Students
Reblogged from Slow Food: University of Oregon: The Episcopal Campus Ministry provides a food resource for all college students in the Eugene area. The pantry is at the ministry, which provides free supplemental food for students and families who are searching for this type of support. Students will have the choice of selecting a variety … Continue reading »
Duh duh duh duhhh duh duh, Tequila!
Happy Cinco de Mayo! We all know that Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for “Chug, Chug, Chug!” So here are a couple places to make your night memorable. What am I saying? We all know you’re going to do more $2 tequila shots than it would take to kill a baby triceratops. Chapala Mexican Restaurant … Continue reading »
A Philly worth eating
This is not the story of an orthodox Philly cheesesteak nor is it the story of a modern one. There was no Cheez-Whiz-like goo or quail eggs (ahem, Bourbon Steak). This is the story of a simple cheesesteak perhaps more Northwest than Philly. It is an anecdote not a review. Cornucopia, 5th Street, downtown Eugene. … Continue reading »
Have you been there?
When I say I am a food writer the conversation usually turns to “Have you tried this? What would you recommend for this? You have to go here!” It’s only natural and it’s a conversation I enjoy having over and over. My favorite bakery is Metropol. My favorite date spot is Meiji. Yes, Sam Bond’s … Continue reading »
Hooray! A new ice-cream maker on the way for Red Wagon Creamery
My first mouthful of Red Wagon ice cream came on a summer afternoon in Springfield. I stuffed two melting mini ice cream cones in my mouth, alternating between salted caramel and chocolate. At $1 a piece, it would have been a shame to get just one. They were rich, creamy and most importantly in cute-sized … Continue reading »
Eugene Beer Week 2012
Eugene will be putting on its second annual beer week May 7-13 . The event’s purpose is to”celebrate craft beer culture in the Willamette Valley.” So basically it’s to get sloshed and have fun. We sure as hell can do that. Some events are free, some are beery expensive ( <—see what I did there, … Continue reading »
Profile of a chef: Martina Russial bakes cakes, wields knives like a serial killer and eats corn dogs
It was a cloudy warm day when we skyped Martina Russial from the second floor of Agate Hall. In the background a car alarm persistently let us know that its owner was NOT getting stolen, and a vacuum sounded in the hall below the ceiling tile that had just caved in. Martina Russial was the … Continue reading »
Tiny Tavern
There are few places in this town I wouldn’t dare try alone. Tiny Tavern is one of those places. And so, when the ever-wonderful and artsy Jordan Eddy proposed a food/art adventure, I threw out the idea of Tiny. I knew if anyone would be daring enough to try the tavern it would be Jordan, … Continue reading »
Easter Brunch: The Eugene Chapter
Easter is coming! Where are you going for brunch? If you haven’t picked out a place, here are a couple of lovely local restaurants that will be serving a little something special* Brioche French toast, glazed ham and corned beef hash are a few of the items that will be available at the buffet-style … Continue reading »
Defining the Eugene Food Scene
Today I got an email from a graduate student at UO. I had recently followed her blog, the eugene coloring book blog, a black-and-white blog with pages that look like they came out of a coloring book. Each page features something in Eugene. I figured it was a cute idea for Eugene kids. In actuality … Continue reading »
Burger and a Brew
College student or not, Burger-and-a-Brew is the perfect chance to chill and have a conversation on the cheap. Below is a list of where to get your decidedly glorious yet slightly gluttonous fix: Monday Cafe 440 Knee Deep burger, fries and a craft beer. $9 440 Coburg Rd. • 541-505-8493 Cornucopia 1/2 lb. Knee Deep … Continue reading »