Osteria DOP — Restaurant in Eugene

Based on the glowing reviews I had read, I was eager to experience the restaurant, but unfortunately, my visit left much to be desired. We arrived before opening, anticipating a smooth start, but the atmosphere quickly felt disorganized. Despite there being a server on hand, the seating process lacked coordination, with groups freely choosing their own tables as they arrived, creating a sense of chaos.

When I approached the server to inquire about where we should sit, we were directed to wall-side seats, which were less than ideal. The setup consisted of stools with no backrests, positioned so close to the wall that there was barely enough space for a comfortable dining experience. The lack of back support made the seating uncomfortable, and there was nowhere to hang my coat. Additionally, these seats were impractical for larger groups, as evidenced by the second party that arrived after us, who found it difficult to interact with each other in such cramped conditions.

What was particularly frustrating was the seating preference given to smaller parties who arrived after us. Two groups of two or three people were accommodated at traditional tables, while we, as the first guests, were relegated to less desirable seats. A more thoughtful approach to seating arrangements would have been appreciated, prioritizing those who arrived first.

As for the food, it did not live up to the hype. We tried the ricotta gnocchi and paccheri, but neither dish left a lasting impression. While the flavors were decent, neither stood out as particularly remarkable. Additionally, the portion sizes were small given the price, which felt like poor value.

For dessert, we opted for the donuts, which were fine, though the fried oil flavor was overpowering. The dining experience was further affected by the self-service model, where we were required to place our own orders online and refill our own water. This impersonal approach detracted from the overall experience, especially given the lack of ambiance at our wall-facing seats.

In summary, while the food was adequate, the service, seating arrangements, and overall atmosphere left much to be desired. Given the level of excitement surrounding this restaurant, my experience was ultimately disappointing. I highly recommend people check out Placido's Pasta...

My fiancé and I moved to Eugene in March and had heard rave reviews about Osteria DOP, with locals claiming it has the best pizza and Italian fusion food in the city.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the host, who informed us that while the main tables were full and there was a wait, seats were available at the side bar. We quickly moved to the side bar, located across from the chef’s table, and were introduced to the ordering process. We were advised to order one dish at a time and keep the tab open on our phones to avoid dishes arriving out of order. Soon after, we noticed some seats opening up at the chef’s table and were promptly accommodated, possibly thanks to the owner's attention.

It was refreshing to see the owner actively engaging with customers in a personal manner.

We started with cocktails: a Cello Spritz and an Americano, both crafted to perfection and served promptly. For our appetizer, we had the Suppli. As fans of Sicilian arancini, we found the Romanian version to be a delightful twist. The Suppli featured a perfect outer crunch with a beautifully blended tomato risotto and smoky mozzarella, enhanced by chunky salt flakes—truly mouthwatering.

Next, we tried the Melon and Tomato Salad. This unique pairing of flavors, complemented by chunky Parmesan and fresh herbs, was a revelation.

For our main courses, we ordered the Rigatoni and the Pomodoro Ciliegino. The Rigatoni featured high-quality noodles with a distinctive white shade, highlighting their superior quality. The Pomodoro Ciliegino was divine, with gold tomatoes, olive oil, basil, mozzarella, and Pecorino creating a perfect harmony of flavors.

Though we didn’t indulge in dessert, witnessing the crafting of fresh cannolis made us regret not saving room. I’ll definitely be asking for some to-go next time.

Overall, the experience was exceptional. I understand why locals hold Osteria DOP in such high regard. The ambiance, service, and food are all top-tier, surpassing expectations for a pizza and Italian spot. I look forward to returning with friends to explore more...

This was our first time. Staff was friendly and helpful. Drinks and food came out very quickly.

My mom had the rose wine by the glass at 11 dollars a glass for a very average pour. She said it tasted good.

We shared the osteria salad. I liked the greens but was not impressed by the dressing or the bread crumb. The dressing tasted like it was either made with canola oil a blended olive oil or that the oil had sat out in the sun or was old. Just that flavor of olive oil when it's sat in your cupboard too long. My mom complained of the amount of black pepper and I thought the bread crumb was too hard.

We shared the meatballs which we both thought was the star of our meal. Outstanding and I would recommend them to anyone. Good sized serving. Very well made and cooked. Delicious red sauce. Moist and tasty.

We both ordered the rigatoni with fennel sausage. The pasta was very al dente which I didn't have a problem with but it tasted like the pasta water did not have enough salt in it. The sausage in the pasta dish was plentiful but lacked in fennel flavor. I tasted that same strange old oil flavor again in the pasta (it may not have been old, it could have just been where my mind went with it). There didn't seem to be any chili flake in the pasta and the buratta was a little underwhelming.

We may consider coming back to try different things. It certainly is popular and maybe we need to be more adventurous in...