"We love it!"   My Rating
3 tpn423	Posted on: Thursday, November 19, 2009
	Review: Boy, am I glad that I didn't read some of these reviews before trying Ratatouille, because I might have been discouraged from going there. I can only say that our experience, on four different occasions, has been outstanding. We are new to Eugene, and we are delighted to find such a gem! I have tried four different entrees, and each has been delicious. We have also sampled several appetizers and desserts. Yum! I agree that the prices are high, but certainly in keeping with the quality of ingredients and atmosphere. I feel as if I am dining in an intimate Paris restaurant. The wine list is excellent and very reasonable. Service has always been super, either from Chef Eric or the very capable Max. This is my"go-to" place for special celebrations and for those evenings when I just really need a fabulous meal out.   Pros: incredible food * welcoming service * great wine Cons: * *
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"Complex and adventurous dishes"   My Rating
3 Eric Devin	Posted on: Friday, October 16, 2009
	Review: I've been to Ratatouille about ten times to this point, and I've always been pleased with both the food and the service. Chef Eric's style of cooking emphasizes each individual ingredient, creating a rich and multivalent food experience by using locally sourced and organic ingredient presented in a seasonal menu. The desserts are the best vegan desserts in town, and yes that includes Sweet Life. Amazing vegan cheesecake and superb cake, as well as homemade sorbet that is jaw-droppingly good, strong vanilla flavors and a great texture. I won't mention too many specific dishes, because they may no longer be available due to the seasonal menu, but I have definitely enjoyed the heirloom tomato stack, a curry vegetable dish and a shiitake alfredo. The service, whether by Eric himself or Annalea (sp?) has always been really excellent, arguably the best in Eugene, and I've been there when it's been busy and when it's been slow. As a server myself, I can definitely say that the service here has always been a great balance of attentive while not "hovering," a sometimes difficult balance to strike. There is also a great and reasonable wine selection as well. Espresso and beer are always a plus. This and PRI are my favorite restaurants in town, and while PRI might be more unique, Ratatouille's diverse menu and pleasant ambience are simply a different way of having really good vegan/vegetarian food. Apples and oranges, really.   Pros: Seasonal menu * Organic ingredients * Service Cons: Price (but I'm poor, so take that w/salt * *
1 of 1 visitors found the above review beneficial  Responses(1) | Contact Member | Was this review useful?  • I don't want places in Eugene to fail, I won't give undue praises regardless of where I am in the country. This place charges more than NYC prices (for yes local OG stuff in NYC or Phl too) acts like its a top echelon cafe yet it serves on its menu: eggplant parm, a very basic stir-fry, a very basic nori roll (which I have sold for $5 and thought it was too much let alone $20!) a very poor rendition of a very bad cheese lasagna, a very bad raw nut cheese (I mean, just bc they do one doesn't mean its a good one. If you get out more into Portland or other cities that have places that do it well you and your palette might know the difference rather than attack me!) And to say the service is good in an empty cafe, wow, good job. I have gone there since, looked at the menu outside and walked away; then saw others do it as I sat in my.... response by kindlizard - report abuse -

"Fine European-style dining in Eugene"   My Rating
1 SDV	Posted on: Wednesday, August 26, 2009
	Review: This is my favorite restaurant! The food is so full of flavor, and presented beautifully. Sitting outside in the evening I felt I was whisked away to somewhere in Europe, sipping wine and eating fresh, elegant and delicious food. I appreciate the owner's dedication to seasonal, local, organic and fresh food. Each dish is just perfect as it is...and it happens to be vegetarian (Don't worry if you are not vegetarian, since you won't miss the meat in the well crafted menu). My favorite is the lasagna, and the sesame encrusted mushrooms as an appetizer. The unique "Caesar salad" was a culinary treat. I hear Tapas plates are coming in September.... If you believe, as I do, that you get what you pay for, this restaurant has superb value. I always leave feeling satisfied, happy and well nourished. I plan to visit as often as a can.   Pros: Wonderful food * Perfect portions * Soul nourishing Cons: * *
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"Final update; we are never going back"   My Rating
99 kindlizard	Posted on: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
	Review: Sometimes you want something to work so you give it more tries than otherwise deserve. Ratatouille has used up all their tries on us. If you look at all the meals we have eaten (or tried to eat) there, it would be vastly disappointing. My wife loved her first dish there, so it made a strong first impression. The luck of the draw, I suppose, since then we have never been pleased there. First a note about service. The place is always either empty or close to it. There is not a ton of work for the front of house. Yet somehow, my water glass is always empty, which also says a lot about how they over salt everything, even the bread and oil had salt. This place is supposed to be fine dining, at least you are spending $20/plate, you should hope they would treat it w that respect. Cell phones are discouraged even at lesser cafes, yet the waitress, instead of being useful, was bs'ing loudly on the house phone about how nothing was going on and yadda this and yadda that. So completely inappropriate... they treat their place as if it is a diner. The waitress then asked how long we are vegan, only to then go in gross detail as to why she is no longer vegan due to pooping too much and how she needs animal proteins and way way TOO MUCH INFORMATION. This is a veggie cafe, patrons don't want to hear about it, I didn't ask, I don't care! Back to the food, where the focus deserves to be on, but the service needed addressing. The food was terrible. The lasagna has a puddle of water at the bottom of it bc they put Zukes in for the noodles (whatever)and tofu as ricotta, as well as a cashew sauce that tried to be cheez but was just awful. The problem w tofu and zukes in the dish like that are they are both watery and if baked like that together all the flavor of the dish will be watered down in Zuke and tofu water, kind of nasty. The other prominent flavor were just olives. What a waste. The other dish was an eggplant torte w a smoky ratatouille and some awful sage whitebean sauce puddled at the bottom. Failed big time. Eggplant is my wife's fave, but the smoky rat was interfering w everything, did not blend, as they sandwiched the e-plant wiht rat. Ugh. And the sesame crusted mushys were SO salty. Vanilla does not pair well w mushys either. Past failures include: lemon risotto (boring) esp comp w my mush risotto; some SW bean dish; bland empanada Menu for $20: penne; nori roll; tofu & veg; get over it, it is not worth it. This aint NYC. NO Mas   Pros: Organic, local * * Cons: always empty * service, price, flavor * conceptual failures
0 of 3 visitors found the above review beneficial  Responses(3) | Contact Member | Was this review useful?  • I already answered your unimaginative criticism before you left, 2 months earlier in response before yours. I want Eugene cafes to be better and not just jump for joy they overcharge for bad food. While it is better than your cafe, that says very little.. response by kindlizard • Oh great, it's kindlizard, wanting all of Eugene's vegetarian restaurants to fail. Seriously, if you dislike the food in these places so much, do it better yourself. I dare you. See my review above for a better statement on this place. I wish I could afford to go here more.... response by Eric Devin • Most common rebuke of such honesty is usually do I want a place like this to fail? That is not my problem. As it is now, the place is failing, not only in biz but in imagination and flair. They have no one in the cafe ever, and I have turned away after looking at the menu outside at the same time as other patrons. This place cannot stay in biz making this poor fare and charging high prices for it. It is outrageous by now and it is no way to run a biz!. response by kindlizard - report abuse -

"Excellent but please read ..."   My Rating
1 Steve Pate	Posted on: Monday, June 15, 2009
	Review: This is not your typical veggie joint with large portions of average veggie food for small amounts of money. There are many of these places in Eugene - all great - but let's compare apples and apples. Those who might be familiar with Millennium in San Francisco (see Eric Ticker's cookbooks in your local bookstore store) will feel at home here. The food is superb - is comprised largely of organic and local ingredients and is extremely well presented. The flavor of the food is fantastic and you can still leave feeling full (depending on how much you eat of course!) despite what I said above. Most dishes can be made vegan (Eric - the owner is vegan). You really need to think quality versus quantity here - a smallish size menu with each dish offering an array of ingredients each complementing each other for dishes with great flavors. We really need restaurants like this to succeed as they appeal to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. If you're on a budget, you might be disappointed - look at the menu on-line first. I love to go once or twice each time I visit Eugene.   Pros: * * Cons: * *
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"Simply the Best"   My Rating
1 sstaffel	Posted on: Saturday, February 28, 2009
	Review: Plainly put, I love this restaurant. The food is local, organic and very thoughtfully prepared and presented. They offer a very nice wine list with many organic and locally produced wines. It makes me happy to eat there. I leave totally satisfied; and, gratefully, without that overstuffed, over greased feeling that I often get at many of our local restaurants. I am a food snob and am so glad to have found this little jewel. Try it, you'll love it.   Pros: great food * lovely atmosphere * nice owner/chef Cons: a little dark * *
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"Amazing!"   My Rating
3 kir	Posted on: Saturday, July 26, 2008
	Review: This is a romantic spot.. like you're in France. The food is amazing! My husband and I have been there a few times and love everything! We usually share an appetizer and each have an entree. We always have leftovers and no room for dessert (even though I would love to try the desserts there!). The staff is very knowledgeable, attentive, and relaxed. The wine menu is good with plenty of Oregon choices. Good beers on tap too. I wouldn't change a thing!   Pros: excellent food * great value * healthy cuisine Cons: * *
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"Best veg restaurant around"   My Rating
1 Chicovegan	Posted on: Tuesday, June 24, 2008
	Review: This is by far the best vegetarian restaurant I have been to (and I have been to many around the country the past few years). Although a bit pricey, it is definately worth it. Almost everything on the menu is vegan, and the tempeh skewers appetizer is an absolute must-try. The service we received was great and the restaurant atmosphere was very comfortable.   Pros: Amazing food * Mostly vegan * Fantastic service Cons: A bit expensive (but well worth it) * *
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"Mushrooms galore, walked out without eating"   My Rating
10 suecag	Posted on: Friday, June 06, 2008
	Review: This is a "fine dining" establishment with entree prices of $16-$18. It is small restaurant and when I sat down the person behind me bumped my chair with her chair every few seconds. After reading up and down the pricey menu several times, my girlfriend and I looked up at each other knowingly and walked out of the restaurant. Nothing on the menu sounded appealing to either of us. Every entree with maybe one exception, had mushrooms as a significant ingredient and neither of us is a big fan. Sure it was expensive but I can handle that if the food is really good. The server was nice but we didn't stay. I have never walked out of a restaurant before.   Pros: * * Cons: Too much mushrooms * *
2 of 14 visitors found the above review beneficial  Responses(2) | Contact Member | Was this review useful?  • There are a LOT of items without mushrooms. It is considered impolite to leave the restaurant because you don't like the menu and/or prices. Ask to check out the menu before asking for a table. The dishes are not at all expensive especially considering the quality, the organic-ness, the quantity (enough for lunch the next day!), not to mention the artistry!. response by kir • Sounds like more of a preference thing - and it's hard to give a fair review if you haven't actually eaten the food. Of the 15 items on the dinner menu (including starters), there are 5 dishes that contain mushrooms. Doesn't sound like there was anything *really* wrong with the place, other than a slight annoyance from the lady in the chair behind you (which, by the way, could have been avoided by simply moving to another table). I've eaten at Ratatouille several times and it definitely deserves a much better review than what you have given, but then again, you didn't actually eat there, so I don't think your review is very credible. Ratatouille is a restaurant that deserves patronage, not only because it's a nice, comfortable, and clean atmosphere with creative and delicious food, but because it's all organic and uses.... response by goldenrae2001 - report abuse -

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