Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we all know what that means — it’s almost time to go eat some really good food and get wasted (oh yeah, and also to hang out with your significant other).
But seriously, unless you want to be celebrating Singles Awareness Day on Feb. 14, it’s time to start making some plans and reservations for that special night with that special someone.
The Emerald lists three of the best choices in Eugene for students who are looking to score some savory delights on the night of love.
Pizza Research Institute — “Tomorrow’s Pizza Today”
PRI has some of the best pizza out there. I don’t mean just in Eugene, nor just in Oregon, I mean anywhere — period. Who am I to say this? I don’t like playing this card, but in this case, it’s necessary to establish my credibility on the subject.
I’ve lived in both Chicago and New York (Chicago-style pie is nice,@@what is that?@@ but I prefer NYC). One of my favorite big-city pastimes is called “pizza walk.” It’s where you get together with your friends and start walking from pizza place to pizza place, trying a slice anywhere that looks good. Call me a fatso if you like (I consider it a compliment), but as far as my gastronomic needs are concerned, it’s pretty hard to beat pizza walking in a place like Evanston or Brooklyn.@@Alando, breaking news: You’re a hipster.@@
All right, so hopefully I’ve established my pizza snobbery. Here’s the deal with PRI: It’s some damn good shit. I’ve been here many times, and while everything on the menu is good, the Number Three pizza (Chevre cheese, marinated eggplant and caramelized onions) is basically the greatest invention since the water closet.
Without purchasing any booze, expect to spend about $20-$30 on a meal for two, depending on how hungry you are. Plus, many nights they have jazz or acoustic music. Plus plus, the place is decked out in cool decorations and design stuff. PRI is the best restaurant in Eugene, and one of the best pizza places ever.
Vintage — “Restaurant and Dessert Bar”
This one gets big points right out of the gate. Any place that calls itself a dessert bar obviously has their priorities in the right place.
Also, the daily specials here are unreal, their cocktails are awesome (not something that’s as easy to come by as you might think in Eugene) and if you head over on a Tuesday (Valentine’s Day), you’ll be getting some of the best drinks around for some of the best prices (try the Beet Red, Honey Bee or Spicy Cuban).
The fondue (cheese or chocolate, with all kinds of delicious variations) is quite good as well.
My favorite thing about this place? The crepes.
But I’m a sucker for some crepes, and they certainly have their bases covered here as far as crepe variations go. There’s the European, which has chevre (can’t get enough of it), sauteed chicken, mushrooms and spinach, and veggie crepes (artichoke hearts, pesto and mozzarella cheese plus mushrooms, spinach and some tomatoes). There are a few other kinds of dinner crepes, and you can also design your own.
When it’s time for dessert, there’s no lack of options either: banana crepes, cream crepes, apple pie crepes and pumpkin crepes. Remember when you unlocked mirror mode on Mario Kart 64? That completely pure sense of joy and triumph is the closest thing that I can relate to the Crepe Kingdom, also known as the Vintage.
Agate Alley — “Bistro”
I love this place. It kicks ass on so many fronts.
If you’re broke (or cheap),@@i’m sure he’ll be all the rage with the ladies after they read this.@@ the happy hour food specials here are wicked good. And bonus — the food is actually wicked yummy.
The beer selection is great, and the service is always good, too. You’ll also enjoy the intimate mood and cool lights. And for you clean freaks, the bathrooms here are easily the best decorated and cleanest of any Eugene bar/restaurant combo I’ve been to.
But the best thing is, Agate Alley is the ultimate date place for when you might need to call a mid-evening audible. Ever been on a date that goes so bad or is so awkward that you’re looking at your cell phone after only 45 minutes? (FYI, ladies — this isn’t me, don’t worry.)
Fear not, you slobbering failure, Agate Alley has you covered. Not only is the food tasty, but it’s also one of the coolest bars around. If you’re ever burned out from trying to impress your date and just want to get drunk for the hell of it — this is your joint. Throw in the towel on romance and start ordering rounds from the bar like there’s no tomorrow.@@Brilliant last two graphs.@@