Letter from the Editor
As the term comes to an end, take a break from studying and swap the books for some great eats. Eugene is home to a plethora of diverse food options to check out. Whether you’re looking for an elegant Friday night out at The Old Spaghetti Factory or a casual evening with pool and drinks at one of the three McMenamins locations in Eugene, we’ve got you covered. For those who crave a cozy night in, check out our recommendations for book and cocktail pairings. I love spending rainy nights inside with a warm drink and a fun book.
The fall season is all about enjoying time with loved ones, and what better way to do that than over delicious food and tasty drinks. I hope you enjoy our recommendations and find some new favorites along the way.
Bailey Meyers
Special Sections Editor
Publisher & President
Eric Henry
ehenry@dailyemerald.com
Special Sections Editor
Bailey Meyers
Cover Photo
Alyssa Garcia
Special Sections Writers
Annie Bostwick
Autumn Straus
Ellie Johnson
Georgia Tucker
Will Decker
Sylvia Davidow
Special Sections Photographers
Rachel Kesich
Sophia Greene
Arianna Rinaldi
Lead Designer
Eva Andrews
Student Designers
Abigail Raike
Bella Lyon
Dew Mirihana
Gabriela Martinez Contreras
Peyton McQuain
Rennick Coates
Student Sales Manager
Lola Tagwerker
Student Account Managers
Cooper Gast
Ysai Hong
Nate Ghilarducci
Elliot Byrne
Emerald Media Group, Inc. 395 University St., #302 Eugene, OR, 97403 541.346.5511 x327 dailyemerald.com
Chews and Brews is published by Emerald Media Group, Inc., the independent nonprofit media company at the University of Oregon. Formerly the Oregon Daily Emerald; the new organization was founded in 1900.
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FALL BOOKS & FESTIVE BREWS
Written by Annie Bostwick
Designed & Illustrated by Bella Lyon
THE GRAVEYARD BOOK BY NEIL GAIMAN & THE GHOSTBUSTER
This young adult novel follows a young boy named Nobody who is adopted and raised by the supernatural inhabitants of a graveyard following the murder of the boy’s family. Gaiman pays homage to Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” by focusing on the importance of community in young people’s development.
THE GHOSTBUSTER
IngredIents
1 ½ OZ. Peach schnapps
1 ½ oz. melon liqueur
1 cup pineapple juice
Ice shaker
InstructIons
1. Add ice, peach schnapps and melon liqueur to the shaker.
2. Shake until chilled and strain mixture over glass of ice.
3. Fill the rest of the glass with pineapple juice and enjoy.
THE SECRET HISTORY BY DONNA TARTT & THE CUP OF BACCHUS
“The snow in the mountains was melting and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of our situation.” The first line of Donna Tartt’s inverted detective novel became infamous for spoiling a key point in its own plotline. Tartt’s “The Secret History” follows a group of college students and their eccentric professor trying to recreate the Bacchanalia – a Greco-Roman ritual. The mystery unfolds as the students deal with the tragic repercussions of their Bacchanalia.
CUP OF BACCHUS
IngredIents
2 oz. dry red wine
½ oz. lemon juice
¼ maraschino liqueur
A dash of orange bitters
Ice shaker
InstructIons
1. Add all ingredients to the shaker over ice and shake.
2. Pour into glass and garnish with a red grape.
IF WE WERE VILLAINS BY M.L. RIO & IRISH COFFEE
M.L. Rio’s “If We Were Villains” is an academic mystery about a group of college students studying Shakespeare. As Rio’s characters navigate the complexities of the stories they are portraying, their own lives fall into the same patterns of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. Rio’s perfection of moral ambiguity furthers the story’s depth and strengthens the plot’s connections to the plays performed by the characters throughout the novel.
IRISH COFFEE
IngredIents
1 cup of brewed coffee
1 ½ oz. irish whiskey
1 tbsp. brown sugar
Heavy whipping cream
InstructIons
1. Add brown sugar to hot coffee and stir until fully dissolved.
2. Stir in irish whiskey.
3. Top with heavy whipping cream by pouring over the back of a spoon.
THE PUMPKIN SPICE CAFE BY LAURIE GILMORE & PUMPKIN SPICE MOSCOW MULE
“The Pumpkin Spice Cafe” is the perfect cozy romance for this autumn. The story follows Jeanie who is gifted a cafe in a small town and jumps on the opportunity to escape her monotonous corporate life. The quaint town of Dream Harbor is based on the setting of the television show “Gilmore Girls,” Stars Hollow. The hallmark-style romance is perfect for readers looking to curl up this fall with a good book and a good drink.
PUMPKIN SPICE MOSCOW MULE
IngredIents
2 oz. pumpkin spice vodka
2 oz. vanilla vodka
¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
½ oz fresh squeezed lime juice
Ginger beer
Ice shaker
InstructIons
1. Pour ginger beer over ice into a copper cup.
2. Combine pumpkin spice vodka, vanilla vodka and lime juice in a shaker.
3. Pour over ginger beer and garnish with pumpkin pie spice.
LITTLE WOMEN BY LOUISA MAY ALCOTT & HOT BUTTERED RUM
Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel “Little Women” is the perfect embodiment of cozy fall vibes. A familiar story for many, Alcott explores themes of ambition, grief, love and sisterhood. The four March sisters have served as beacons of inspiration for generations of young girls. The changes from childhood to adulthood mirror the changes of the seasons as readers follow the sisters’ journeys into their adult lives. Hot buttered rum is a timeless holiday drink to pair with such an equally timeless story.
HOT BUTTERED RUM
IngredIents (Full Batch)
1 lb powdered sugar
1 lb sweet cream butter
1 lb brown sugar
½ gallon vanilla bean ice cream (leave on counter for an hour to soften)
2 tbsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
Dark rum
InstructIons
1. Combine powdered sugar, butter, brown sugar, vanilla ice cream, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt into a large mixing bowl.
2. Pour 2-4 oz. of dark rum into a mug over ½ cup of the mixture.
3. Add hot water, stir and enjoy!
Sweet Cheeks Winery
Bringing People Together, One Bottle at a Time
Written By Ellie Johnson • Photos By Rachel Kesich • Designed By Rennick Coates
Sweet Cheeks Winery, located in southwest Eugene, offers 360-degree views of the rolling Willamette Valley. Grape vines cover the hillsides, their leaves now vivid yellow and orange in the fall. Two golden retrievers roam the grounds, greeting each guest with a friendly wag. Founded by the Smith family, Sweet Cheeks has grown into a beloved spot in the community. With a welcoming atmosphere and a deep passion for winemaking, this winery brings people together, one glass at a time.
Sweet Cheeks Winery was founded 20 years ago by current general manager, Jessica Thomas’s grandfather, Dan Smith. He imagined it as a small operation, a local vineyard producing about 2,000 cases of wine for the surrounding community. But Sweet Cheeks quickly grew into something much bigger. Today, their wines reach restaurants and grocery stores across the country, while the tasting room, open seven days a week, has become a favorite gathering spot for visitors and locals alike. Smith’s vision of a close-knit, family-centered winery remains
at the heart of Sweet Cheeks, now shared with a much larger community.
Sweet Cheeks Winery is known for its exceptional Pinot Noir, a varietal that thrives in the cool climate of the Willamette Valley. Thomas explained that the unique temperature shift from warm days to cool nights brings out vibrant cherry notes in the Pinot. “During our hot vintages, the cherry flavor comes through very ripe, like you just picked it off the vine. But during our cooler vintages, the flavor is more tart due to lower sugar levels from a cooler climate,” she said. Aside from the Pinot Noir, Sweet Cheeks offers wines for any palette, each capturing the character of Oregon’s terroir in every glass.
Tasting experiences at the winery are relaxed and welcoming. The staff recommends trying about five different wines, as this number offers a diverse experience without the flavors blending together. For wine connoisseurs with specific preferences, staff members are happy to accommodate requests.
Charcuterie boards are also available for anyone who finds themselves hungry or in need of a snack to help make it through the tasting. Visitors will experience firsthand the amount of care and hard work that goes into each bottle.
“
At the end of the day, it’s still so rewarding— the things we get to do, the community we get to welcome and the stories we get to be part of.
Jessica Thomas, General Manager.
McMenamins EUGENE
Written by Autumn Straus
Photos by Alyssa Garcia
Designed by Abigail Raike
The McMenamins locations are some of the best options for dinner and drinks. McMenamins has more than 50 locations across Oregon and Washington, three of which are in Eugene. Each one has a unique atmosphere. The locations create a different experience depending on which one you choose to go to. All three share a variety of food and drink choices. The locally sourced menu options and house-brewed beers and ciders showcase what this Portlandfounded restaurant has to offer.
As you leave campus and walk down Agate Street you can smell the woodfire pizza oven at McMenamins East 19th Street and it does not disappoint. Along with the delicious assortment of food, this location has ample activity. It’s the perfect place to watch the game and play a game. This location has pool tables, darts, pinball and shuffleboard. Enjoy your happy hour drinks from 3-6
p.m. or after 9 p.m., while you play a couple rounds of pool. The warm lighting, house plants and colorful art will make you want to stay for hours.
McMenamins High Street is a renovated, early 20th-century house, nestled between campus and downtown. This location is special because, in addition to having a bar and full restaurant, it is also a brewery. The brewing takes place in the basement. The Brewer, Hanns Anderson, creates special ales for the location along with McMenamins seasonal brews.
The front patio is the perfect place to people-watch from. The indoor seating is cozy, with unique art pieces from local artists in every room, including Oregon Country Fair by Eona Skelton, which details the lively nature of the High Street location. In one of the main rooms, there’s a portrait of Jenny Gomez by Myrna Yoder, which portrays
a smiling Jenny smoking outside of the High Street location. Jenny was a previous manager of the location. If you venture to the back of the house you’ll find a beer garden with a fire pit you can stay warm next to in the winter and flowers to enjoy in the summer. The history and art at this location will pull you in and the great food and drink options are also a plus.
McMenamins
North Bank is perched on the Willamette River. This location was built in 1980 and it was one of the first buildings to be built along this stretch of the Willamette. You can enjoy a view of the river and the sunset while you eat dinner on the waterfront patio. There is a firepit, heaters, and string lights to create a nice ambiance and keep things warm. The green trees in the spring turn to colorful foliage in the fall and the subtle sound of the river adds to the scenic view.
The interior is cozy with warm wooden furniture and comfy booths. An additional feature is the bamboo hut bar and tiki hut theme. This includes tiki carvings and wooden masks that decorate the walls. The long list of cocktails they offer makes for the perfect excuse to buy a cocktail to go with your dinner.
Something special about McMenamins is their novelty passports. You can buy a passport and get a stamp for each location you visit. You can get three stamps checked off here in Eugene. If you’re looking for a fun night out with friends, a date night or a lunchtime happy hour meal any one of these restaurants could be what you’re looking for. Try a drink from the seasonal cocktail menu, or one of McMenamins wine, cider or beer flytes. Pair them with a tray of tater tots for the table and order yourself a hardy entrée.
How To Plan The Perfect
Written by Georgia Tucker
Designed & Illustrated by Peyton McQuain
Friendsgiving!
During the holiday season, we come together to celebrate and make memories with the people we love. We eat delicious food, share our stories and have fun together. Celebrating Friendsgiving during your college years is a rite of passage. These are the years you will look back on later in your life. If you’re interested in hosting a Friendsgiving this year, here are some tips and tricks to get you started on planning the perfect feast! From the food and games, to the decorations, I’ve got you covered!
Food and drinks:
The first step to creating the perfect Friendsgiving is the food and drinks. The fall season brings all types of delicious food and drinks out of hibernation. It’s the time when we start to crave warm hearty dishes and hot beverages. Some of my absolute favorite Thanksgiving foods that I highly recommend are baked mac and cheese, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes with gravy and of course, we can’t forget about the turkey. I recommend getting together with your friends and talking about the menu, this will help you come to a conclusion on what everyone will eat. This also helps you know any dietary restrictions that your friends may have. You can either pitch in with your friends and make everything together or you can make it potluck style.
As for the beverages, Martinelli’s Apple Cider is always a classic. It goes with everything and you can drink it from a fancy glass. If you aren’t a fan of apple
cider you could always have a variety of soda. For those who are 21+, you might want some champagne or hard cider.
Games/Activities:
One of my favorite family traditions I have implemented into celebrating with my friends is watching the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special. It’s a funny cartoon that gets us in the holiday spirit as we watch Snoopy cook popcorn and jelly beans for Thanksgiving dinner. Another
great activity during the Friendsgiving festivities is to play board games! This is something that most everyone enjoys doing and it’s a great way to spend time together. Some of my favorite games to play in a bigger group are Cards Against Humanity and Uno. If you are hosting a smaller group you could also play games like Sorry or Monopoly. My friends get very competitive when it comes to board games so usually we end up playing for a while.
Decorating:
Whenever someone comes over to my apartment, I’m the type of person that wants to clean everything! I want my guests to feel welcome and comfortable. For Friendsgiving, a clean space and cute decorations are key. Decorating is part of the fun! I recommend you get a cute fall tablecloth and some pumpkins. It doesn’t have to be expensive, you could even thrift a tablecloth. Candles and flowers also make for great decorations. Another thing you might want to consider is having a Bluetooth speaker or radio that can play music while you are hanging out with your friends.
I hope this gave you some inspiration on how to plan your Friendsgiving this year. If you need more inspiration on recipes or decorations I recommend you check out some on Pinterest.
FARMER’S MARKET
Designed & Illustrated by Dew Mirihana
caprese. “We have caprese four times a week,” he said. He will also usually take his wife a bunch of flowers each week.
Other shoppers, Stephanie and Anne, love the tomatoes as well, but they will come in with a recipe in mind. “Today was squash and all the makings for squash stir-fry soup,” they said. They used to try to make a recipe with a new ingredient each week, but “that doesn’t go so well,” they said.
You can find people from all walks of life at the farmers market, as with Oregon’s “Double Up Food Bucks” program, fresh, local produce is more accessible at the farmers market than anywhere else.
Why do you go to the farmer’s market? Do you go to the farmer’s market? Did you even know Eugene has a farmer’s market? Many of us living the student life already live in fear of grocery shopping, afraid of what healthy eating habits might do to our bank accounts. Local, organic food is not even on the table when we shop, and farmers markets seem like a far-off dream for when we are older and have more money. This does not have to be the case, however, and this is not the case at the Eugene Farmers Market.
First thing first, food from the farmers market is better for you, and it tastes better than organic and even local food from a grocery store. Melinda Cater, a dietician at Johns Hopkins said, “Produce from local farmers has spent more time on the vine, on the tree or in the ground, so you get better taste and more nutrients… the shorter the time and distance from farm to sale, the higher the levels of vitamins and minerals.”
People like fresh produce, and who can blame them?
Zig, who has been coming to the farmers market for nine years now, said he just likes to get the basics for stew; celery, onions, garlic and potatoes, though he also has a soft spot for the local honey.
Grandfather of four “wonderful” grandchildren and Lane County Commissioner, Pat Farr, likes getting fresh basil late in the season for pesto. He also picks up the heirloom tomatoes for
“I come to the farmers market because they double your EBT, and right now we’re traveling and it’s a good way to eat fresh food if you’re living in your car,” Ivy said, a member of Quiet Band, who was traveling up from San Fransisco to play shows in Washington, when they stopped in Eugene to pick up some food and play an acoustic set at the market. Ivy’s bandmate, Nicky, shared a similar sentiment, “I come to the farmers market to spend Ivy’s EBT and eat healthy and enjoy the company.”
Rhea Gates, a vendor with Wild Child Farms said, “It’s one of those things that
has been going on for almost a decade now, but it’s still very underrepresented,” she said. “I grew up thinking that it was a privilege to eat organic food, and it still is; even in Lane County there are a lot of food deserts … it’s trying to make organic fresh food accessible to everyone, and that is so incredible.”
The farmers market is also a large part of Eugene’s culture and community. “I just like the people,” Zig said. He prefers the Saturday market over Tuesday’s, with live music and “the whole cool scene.” For many like Zig, this “scene” is what they come for.
Roman Angeles, who sells tacos and homemade tortillas at the market, loves the community as well. He talked about how getting to speak with so many people has improved his English, and how he has made many friends through the market, “Some customers have started to be good friends… there is a good community
“
I think my favorite thing about the farmers market is just interacting with real people and kind of being a part of the world
Skye Farmers Market attendee
between the vendors; they are very friendly.”
Skye, who is new to Eugene and has only been coming to the market for about a month now, goes to the farmers market as a way to get out of the house and meet new people. “I think my favorite thing about the farmers market is just interacting with real people and kind of being a part of the world,” she said.
“Humans have been doing this for a long time—markets in the street like this,” Skye said. We are becoming increasingly disconnected from our food and isolated from our neighbors, but the farmer’s market combats this. Here we can see the faces behind the food we eat, hear what’s best and what’s not, meet our neighbors and feel the community. Go to the farmers market, talk to your neighbors and find out why you go to the farmers market.
The Old Spaghetti Factory
Writtened by Sylvia Davidow • Photos By Sophia Greene • Designed by Gabriela Martinez
Who doesn’t love Italian food? It’s a go-to crowd pleaser when it comes to finding a good restaurant that friends and the whole family will enjoy.
Eugene has many amazing Italian restaurants close to campus whether that be Beppe and Giannis on 19th Ave or Pastini in Oakway Center. But a new Italian restaurant has opened in place of the Oregon Electric Station on 5th Ave. That’s right folks, Old Spaghetti Factory has finally come to Eugene, celebrating its 11th month of being open for business in November.
It’s safe to say, the restaurant is the new hot food spot in town. Although Old Spaghetti Factory may be a chain restaurant, it’s not just popular because of its familiar food, but also its immersive interior design.
Once you step inside, you are transported to a historical yet modern-esque restaurant with velvet seats, shiny floors, wooden ceilings and stained glass windows accompanied by warm overhead lighting.
Go further into the restaurant and suddenly you are inside the train station. Customers get to experience old relics whether that be the historical photograph of the train or the classic brick structure of the original building. But they also have the option to sit inside the train itself— surrounded by rectangular train windows, a domed ceiling which creates a cozy environment, even luggage in the overhead storage compartments. There is also a wine cellar for large parties which is completely separated from the restaurant itself.
Of course the food is also what gets crowds coming to Old Spaghetti Factory again and again. There is truly some dish on the menu everyone can get behind.
Every meal starts off with hot bread and butter paired with an Italian green salad or soup-of-the-day. Then it’s onto the entrees.
For those who grew up eating buttered noodles like me, I suggest their Spaghetti with Mizithra cheese and brown
butter. It’s light yet perfectly filling especially for those with sensitive stomachs and gives a sense of nostalgia.
Meat lovers may very well enjoy the restaurant’s lasagna which is layered with delicious ground beef and pork, creamy cheeses and their homemade marinara sauce. Old Spaghetti Factory’s Spicy Spaghetti Vesuvius is perfect for those who like their food to have an extra kick to it. Unlike traditional spaghetti, this dish has chicken, sausage and diced meatballs while seasoned with Tabasco and Sambal Chili.
To cleanse the palate at the end of every meal, customers get a complimentary scoop of chilled ice cream. You’ll be coming back to the Old Spaghetti Factory after trying their Spumoni ice cream— a beautiful layer of cherry, chocolate and pistachio flavors forming the perfect endof-meal dessert.
Whether the family is visiting from out of town, friends are getting ready for a night out, or the group is celebrating recent victory, Old Spaghetti Factory is the perfect place to create lasting meal memories in Eugene.
