Lion and Owl — Restaurant in Eugene

This is that bougie brunch place that everyone tells you to go to. Turns out it's with good reason.

Went on Father's Day, because I woke up missing my dad on the other side of the country...and really good eggs. Made my reservation on Resy and decided to ask to be waitlisted because I realized I could arrive a little early.

A table was cleared for me but then reset for another party that might have more in it. I was given the option to be rerouted to the back room bar. Curious more than anything else, I decided to follow because I had my book with me and was planning to politely ignore everyone anyway.

If it's impossible to ignore the life-size Airstream that take center stage in the main dining area…it's even more impossible to ignore the life-size taxidermy giraffe head/neck hanging on the back wall of the bar area.

The bar area is undeniably elegant. It was populated with a large graduation party celebrating happily. A nice vibe.

I started with a strawberry mimosa ($9) and appreciated that it came in an elegant Reidel-like glass and had the usual bright, fragrant cava welcome. Eddie the barkeep was serving me.

I had seen caviar walking by so ordered a half ounce of the Osetra ($40). It came out fairly quickly with a side of crème fraîche and freshly chopped chives, and house made waffle chips. The combination created one of the most delightful mouthfuls I've had in a long time. If I'm honest it reminded me of my favorite Canadian sour cream and onion chips from childhood.

The buckwheat rhubarb pancakes that I ordered with the side of soft scrambled eggs took a bit, which gave me time to look around when I noticed not one but two bottles of L'Hermitage in the wine cellar above the bar. Having had the privilege of enjoying a bottle of 2017 a few years ago with a friend, I was curious about the vintage of the bottles, and asked Eddie for the wine list. They were missing from it. On purpose. (Later learned from the owner who came by solicitously to ask how the meal was going that they were reserved for her personal collection. So wise.)

The rhubarb buckwheat pancakes were fluffy and the stacked with the help of a little fruit jam. The rhubarb is prepared in three different ways and the compote version is lovely. The dollops of goat cheese whipped are richly satisfying and sprinkled with crunchy, roasted buckwheat before being generously serenaded by fenugreek syrup.

The soft scrambled eggs which arrived still-warm and sprinkled with sea salt and paprika. I inhaled them.

Perhaps what I enjoyed the most, if I'm honest, were the tasting notes that I had time to read on the different champagnes and wines. In particular the champagnes. I first noticed the "no words needed," ascribed to the 2015 Louis Roderer Cristal. Having picked up a gorgeous Roderer 2015 Rosé at The Davis last month, I knew this reviewer understood. As I continue to read the notes there was humor, and sass, and deeply personal revelations in comments like, "100% meunier is my love language." Tasting notes after my own heart.

I'm looking forward to returning when it's dinner time or perhaps for an after dinner glass of something, something. Turns out the bar has all the verve, nerve, and elegance of a lounge that is wise enough to know what it offers and fierce enough to show a little leg, and the service to back...

My family had come over for a visit and we were wanting brunch, a Chef from the King Estate recommended we check it out and I'm so glad we did!

For a little bit of background: They actually used to run a food cart out of the Airstream you'll see in there, before they were able to obtain the resturant itself.

It is a fine dining spot, the tables are set with a beautiful atmosphere, the servers are very friendly and informant of the dishes they serve. At the time we went it was very mellow with only one other party in there. I'm not 21 yet but their wine list is HUGE!

When you look on the menu there are dishes that are bigger, they are meant to be shared and they are great if you are in groups, but there are also dishes you can have that are just for one person. For drinks we had a pot of espresso split between me and another person. Plus orange juice. As service goes on they set up the table for you, so she brought us espresso cups, sugar cubes, and set up coasters for the hot pot of espresso and creme.

The food was prepared in their open kitchen, it's so cool to be able to look over and see. Their Chefs work hard and your food is served hot as their finished! You'll want to dive in right away! 😍

It's a great relaxing atmosphere with lots of great choices.

Additional Tips: This place is in Downtown Eugene, parking can be a bit more complicated to find so try to arrive early to compensate for this. This place is more expensive. For four people altogether we payed about $65 with three dishes, a drink, and pot of espresso. (It's well worth it though!)

I would love to go again! This place is lovely with an awesome hard working crew. I would recommend trying out this place if you...

A Culinary Roar with a Minor Chirp at The Lion and Owl

The Lion and Owl delivered a truly memorable dining experience, showcasing innovative flavors and impeccable service that justified its perfect price point.

Our meal began with an invigorating Ethiopian drip coffee, a delightful start to the evening. For appetizers, I savored a superlatively flavorful croquette, generously stuffed with fragrant fennel and savory Parmesan cheese. Each bite was a testament to thoughtful preparation.

My fiancé's salmon was cooked to absolute perfection, complemented by a curry sauce that struck an ideal balance of heat and rich flavor. My entrée, the pork shoulder Crepinette, was nothing short of amazing. The pork was cooked to perfection, elevated by a unique and delicious combination of a delicate BBQ Strawberry, almond-chamomile cream. This was paired with a wonderfully crisp kale Caesar salad, adding a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pork.

For dessert, we shared a warm butter cake, a comforting treat served with luscious caramel, strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream. Unfortunately, the last couple of bites were marred by the unwelcome crunch of a rather large eggshell.

Despite this minor misstep at the very end, the service throughout the entire night was nothing short of perfect. The attentiveness and professionalism of the staff truly enhanced our dining experience. The price point for such a high-quality meal was also, commendably, perfect.

The Lion and Owl offers a bold and creative menu that largely hits all the right notes. With a slight refinement in dessert preparation, it would be an unreservedly flawless experience. We highly recommend it for a delightful and...