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 »
Dear readers, This blog is packing up and moving with me to Birmingham, Alabama, where I will be a fellow for Cooking Light magazine. In the coming weeks, I will try to post the reviews that have been simmering/burning on my desk for the last few months. I don’t think I’ll be continuing this blog … Continue reading »
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 (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 »
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 »
If you ever go to Crater Lake you must promise me you’ll stop by Beckie’s and have a slice of pie. Beckie’s is tucked away among the weathered pines of the Rogue River National Forest. You’ll find it just before Highway 230 departs from Highway 62 if you’re traveling eastbound to Crater Lake. For me … Continue reading »
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 »
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 »
I made myself a silly goal this week and posted it on a pink sticky note to my computer screen: to make it to 12,000 blog views. You see, the thing about that is that I started the week at 11,000. If my math skills haven’t withered away into the dark hole of journalism that … Continue reading »
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 »
A few of my favorite things Once a year, Eugene Weekly hosts a survey in search of Eugene’s bests, from eateries to sexy shops (Freudian Slip of course!). I, of course, encourage you to vote me for best journalist/blogger/singles scene but I’m a bit biased, since I have slept with me. Anyways, the survey is … Continue reading »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Brrrrrrr–wait for it–illiant. Brilliant. I picked up a Willamette Week and was more than happy to find a whole map devoted to one of my favorite foods: ice cream. Ice cream in the summer, ice cream in the winter, ice cream with spaghetti or hamburgers, or on pie or covered is child-like gobs of sickening … Continue reading »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
It is amazing to me how accessible food writers are. If you can find their number they’ll answer your call. If you email them they respond. In the case of my favorite food writers, Todd Kliman (Washingtonian magazine) and Jonathan Gold (is he at the LA Times these days? I missed the hooplah), they tweet. … Continue reading »
Ivar Vong, one of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication superstars developed a cool service so those of you without iPhones can pretend that you have one, and/or that you’re cool. Here’s how it works. Figure out what you want to eat, “Burrito, beer, sushi, Asians . . .” (in Eugene) Text … Continue reading »
Have you ever stopped at a diner in rural Oregon. The kind with endearingly mismatched chairs, a small staff and good home-style cooking? It’s the kind of thing you occasionally crave, maybe it reminds you of dinner at grandmas house. That’s exactly what Mom’s Pies on Willamette Street in Eugene is. A small menu offers … Continue reading »
Perfect lunch size portion. Chicken breast, olive oil, basil, Parmesan and garlic in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce. A mainstay, it has been on the menu for over 20 years. I must admit, I’m still quite taken with the classic spaghetti alla bolognese (Plum tomato sauce, ground beef, pork, basil and oregano. $12), although the … Continue reading »
Cheers! Continue reading »
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 »
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 »
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 »
It’s a sad day in the neighborhood. I just found out that Nib, one of my very favorite restaurants EVER will be closing. You ALL better make sure and stop by before they close their doors in six weeks : ( Here is an article I recently wrote about Nib. Nib| 769 Monroe Street.|(541) 485-1269 … Continue reading »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
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 »
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 »
Eugene goes through restaurants like Emily Gilmore goes through maids. One day an eatry is just barely bustling at lunch and the next its doors are locked, a simple sign declaring “Closed.” Here are some updates on the Eugene Food Scene: Rye just opened in the old Bridge Bar and Grill building (444 E. 3rd … Continue reading »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Located in the bottom of the new Skybox apartment complex, Little Big Burger offers a simple, affordable menu. Eugene’s location is one of four for the Portland-based company. Inside, the atmosphere is modern meets gymnasium. The loud ’90s music encourages conversation that would otherwise echo off the walls for all to hear. Burgers, veggie burgers, … Continue reading »
Just south of Sweet Life, you’ll pass a small building with a red door. Don’t miss it. Inside you’ll find Nib, Modern Eatery, a small eatery owned by Shane & Tiffany Tracey. According to a Register Guard article, the restaurant can seat about 30, though when summer rolls around an additional 25 seats open on … Continue reading »
With the advent of the Internet, food reviewers have faced a new problemÂ: people want reviews of new restaurants now. Chicago Magazine food critic Jeff Ruby said in the 2010 issue, “Anthony Bourdain told a crowd at a Manhattan Barnes & Noble that I was dead. My cause of death was Yelp.” Readers can turn … Continue reading »
A Valentine’s Day co-post by Melissa Haskin and Anneka Miller. Pop! Either on the deck under the stars or at The Nines Hotel with a rose petal turn down service, why is it always a bottle of sparkling wine? It’s a tradition that goes back to the Roman conquest. But back then it wasn’t the … Continue reading »
A couple places I know have special menus (not that food is the only way to a woman’s heart* or that the only thing to do on Valentine’s day. Certainly a hike to the top of Spencer’s along with a bottle of Cook’s is an excellent idea): Agate Alley Laboratory Izakaya Meiji King Estate Nib … Continue reading »
Reviewing chains is not exactly my thing. Everyone knows what chain food tastes like. But here’s the deal, I went to Five Guys Burgers yesterday thinking “hey, I’ll get a cheap burger and I think I’ve heard good things about this place.” So what do I end up doing? Spending almost $5 on a burger. … Continue reading »
