Story and Photo by Gabe Carlin
Walking into Mame, a local sushi restaurant across from Pizza Research Institute on 5th and Blair, one may be unsure of what lies on the other side of the unmarked door. With only four tables (with only two seats each) and six seats at the bar overlooking the preparation area, the atmosphere is relaxed. On any given night, there is one server/hostess and three different chefs: one sushi chef, one chef for other entrees, and one sous chef.
Rather that being given a handheld menu, there is a chalkboard at the front of the restaurant with the menu written on it. Mame offers a variety of Japanese tacos, and a wide variety of sushi. “The most popular way to order sushi is the chef’s choice,” the hostess says. “You get the chef’s choice of four different types of sushi for $20 per person.”
Food comes quickly after ordering, and the sushi is made fresh to order. The presentation of each plate is beautiful: simple, clean, and elegant.
Biting into the sushi ones taste buds are immersed with flavor. The fish is fresh and delicate, and the white rice is soft and sticky—the perfect balance of flavors. Take a sip of the Jtea green tea to cleanse the palate and then move on to the next bite.
The kitchen staff and the hostess are friendly and laid back. They constantly joke around with each other while still working well together.
For dinner we enjoyed the spicy tuna sushi topped with tuna and unagi (eel) for $14.50 and the chef’s choice platter: sashimi: tuna, hamachi (yellow tail), unagi and avocado, baby lobster tail and rice inside a Inari-Age (sweetened bean curd skin) for $20. Small plates range from $7-14 and entrée’s range from $17-20. For dessert enjoy homemade cheesecake with ginger snap crust for $4.
Good sushi can be hard to come by, but if quality, rather than price, is the object, this is the restaurant to visit. Mame has great food, a relaxed atmosphere, and great service.
Mame is located at 541 Blair Blvd. in Eugene’s historical Whiteaker neighborhood. There is no sign in front—it is a small green building with a white door and two outside tables. Mame is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Their phone number is 541-654-4378, but reservations are not needed.
