The ‘Best of Campus’ winners were determined by a student vote. The winners do not reflect the opinion of the Emerald.
Agate Alley Bistro, which is located on East 19th Avenue, is an extremely popular spot for students and adults alike. This small but wonderful bistro has great food, drinks and a unique but inviting atmosphere fit for almost any crowd. Agate Alley offers Northwest dining with a touch of Latin and Asian flare, which fits right in with the “wonderfully quirky” community we live in.@@http://www.agatealley.com/@@
Located only a block from the University, Agate Alley is a restaurant committed to buying local and organic vegetables, fruit, meat and seafood, and it proudly serves only the best of the Northwest’s wine and brews. From mouthwatering salads, shoelace onion rings and BLTs to pumpkin enchiladas and fish tacos, the cozy bistro’s variety of dishes range from traditional to original.
The seating is also an upside: there is a wide array of choices. There are two outdoor porches as well as a heated (or nonheated depending on the weather) covered outdoor porch. There are indoor options as well, with seating near the bar or in another larger room near the back entrance. Regardless of the weather, there are plenty of options to fit your needs.
Agate Alley is a great place for a date, a drink with friends, a place to unwind or a late night out. No matter what the intention, Agate Alley will leave you satisfied and happy — which might be the reason it captured three different “Best of” categories, including Best Date Spot, Best Cocktail and Best Campus Bar.
If you’re looking for romance, the cozy bistro has a lot to offer. The booth seating by the bar is low-lit, though a little noisier. In the back, the lighting is a bit brighter and depending on the neighboring tables, a little quieter. Most tables have candles, which adds to the mood. And the eclectic menu adds some spice to the usual bar-food fare. Since the setting is romantic yet fun, it’s great for first dates, casual dates or even your 30th date.
And Agate Alley’s unique cocktails are another reason it’s such a great spot. The bistro is known for its unique and tasty drinks all around Eugene, like the Quadrapple (apple vodka, apple brandy, sparkling apple cider and apple juice)@@http://www.agatealley.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=18@@, The Root of All Evil (a delicious spin on a root beer float) and the Hemingway’s Lament (rum and a fun mix of different juices)@@http://www.agatealley.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=18@@. Parents, students, professors and others all seem to enjoy the bistro’s eclectic taste in drinks.
Jacob Sembler@@http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Jacob+Sembler@@, a University senior, said his absolute favorite cocktail is Agate Alley’s Pimm’s Cup, which shakes Bombay Sapphire gin, Pimm’s Liquor No. 1, lime juice and coconut water into a glass with muddled cucumber and ginger.@@http://www.agatealley.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=18@@
“The Agate Alley Pimm’s Cup is like sunshine in a glass,” Sembler said. “One sip and the perpetual gray of our endless winter rain melts away.”
Serious words.
Some might be surprised by the fact that Agate Alley was voted Best Campus Bar, since the bistro is not as close to campus as some other bars, but it isn’t a stretch to see why it was chosen. The bistro’s popularity might have something to do with its daily events and specials, including Fondue Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Econopint Wednesdays and Drink Wheel Thursdays@@http://www.agatealley.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52@@. With plenty of variety on its drink menu, Agate Alley provides a wide selection of beer, wine and unique cocktails to choose from (not to mention the sweet drink deals during the week!) On top of drinks, Agate Alley has great food, people and service. All of these things combined have given the people of Eugene a reason to love Agate Alley, and return to it often.
Not only does Agate Alley have something for everyone, it is a town favorite on several different levels. If you haven’t been there already, be sure to check it out!