When many Americans hear “Japanese food,” they immediately think sushi. For Izakaya Meiji Company, a relatively new Japanese restaurant and whiskey bar, the tightly-wound rolls are nowhere to be found. In their place is a locally inspired atmosphere that works simply as an enjoyable place to hang out and enjoy quality food.
Opened in early August 2010 by Quinn Brown and his wife Ayumi Kamata, Izakaya Meiji is a Japanese restaurant that revolves around the Japanese tradition of Izakayas, internationally recognized drinking establishments that also serve food. Izakayas are popular spots in Japan, and patrons come to relax while eating smaller dishes and grabbing a few drinks.
Walking through the doors of Izakaya Meiji, the curving bar backed by climbing shelves of whiskey bottles and other liquors shows that the owners preferred the Izakaya atmosphere over anything a sushi bar could offer. It also helps that Izakaya Meiji’s hours, 5 p.m. — 1 a.m. every night, suits the izakaya style much better.
“It was a natural thing for us; we both liked whiskey and Japanese food,” Brown said.
The original design of the restaurant was intended to be a comfortable place where people could come late at night to grab a drink or bite to eat, an atmosphere that fits the Whiteaker neighborhood it’s located in perfectly.
“I feel that in most restaurants people come in for the food, but we’re also a bar, so late nights are a different feel,” Brown said. “People do come in and are really excited about our whiskey selection.”
Wrapping around a corner to the left of the bar is a large, softly lit open dining area that exemplifies a relaxed environment. The white walls with a few framed pictures and floor topped by wooden tables communicates the message that is stated on the back of each food menu: “Please kick back and enjoy our television, free bar room and let your imagination take you to some rustic tavern in 1889.”
Aside from liquor, the food menu itself is a combination of smaller dishes, which are traditionally more prominent in izakayas, as well as larger dishes.
Potato croquettes, rice gratin and goma ae, a bleached, organic spinach served with a black sesame sauce, can be found on the small dish side, while the large dish side has everything from a spicy Japanese-style curry to soba noodle soup with duck, to the Japanese simmered beef, Sukiyaki.
“Working in the kitchen is interesting because we make everything in the kitchen from scratch and are always experimenting with new dishes and methods,” Kamata said. “At first I thought it would be difficult to make authentic Japanese food here in Eugene, but with the help of Sunrise Grocery and our enthusiastic cooks, we have been able to get the flavors we were looking for.”
Like most Eugene, and especially Whiteaker, restaurants, Izakaya Meiji has a great vegetarian selection.
Sampling from a number of recipes and food choices, Brown and Kamata created the menu from knowledge they had gained working in restaurants in New York City and New Orleans throughout their lives. Brown said much of the cooking knowledge and experience came from Kamata, originally born in Japan, who is currently spending a lot of her time at home with their newly born child.
“She’s always there when I’m like, ‘What do I do, this isn’t working,’” Brown said. “She usually has a solution.”
The collaboration between Brown and Kamata, along with their previous experience, is what has helped place this restaurant in the same category as other Whiteaker restaurants like Papa’s Soul Food Kitchen and Sam Bonds Garage.
“I was fortunate to have enough experience to know what it was going to entail, and Ayumi does too,” Brown said.
Brown admits that even with the knowledge, the first few months, like any restaurant, were a lot of hard work.
“I don’t even remember anything from those first two months. It was pretty nuts,” Brown said. “It was hard too, because we were learning how to do all this stuff. There was so much stuff I never dealt with.”
The hard work appears to have paid off, as every evening Brown, Kamata and the rest of the Izakaya Meiji staff get an influx of neighborhood regulars along with first-time visitors.
“It’s a great business to be in; it’s a lot of fun,” Brown said.
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