Restaurant review: The Davis

By GEORGE CUSTER/Editor  —  The Eugene/Springfield area is awash in decent restaurants. Many of the world’s cuisines can be found in and around the greater metro area and many are quite good. The Davis Restaurant and Bar, in downtown Eugene, has come to be one of my go-to places for a couple of reasons.

I’ll admit that when I’m in Eugene in the late afternoon, having done hours of grocery shopping to fill the larder, my thoughts often turn to finding a place where I can reward myself and rest my legs with a nice cocktail. Centrally located in the heart of Eugene’s downtown district, the Davis, located at 94 W Broadway, answers my needs in several ways.

First, The Davis has a nice middle-of-the-road atmosphere. Well-appointed but not over the top.  Because the Davis sits on the corner of the block, it always feels light and airy despite the fact that it’s mostly dark wood inside. No white table clothes so you don’t feel intimidated by a formal setting. The walls are decorated with unusual (i.e. interesting) artwork and the overall decor is handsomely done. It’s a place that you can dress up a little for that special evening out, or just drop in wearing your shorts and a tee shirt. It’s that kind of place. They always make you feel welcome.

The menu runs the full gamut from the Davis Burger to Braised Lamb Pappardelle and everything in between. I often migrate to their Pan Seared Salmon. Always flavorful and cooked just right – not too dry. The sauce is to die for, in my opinion. Upscale dinners with a moderate price tag.

Secondly, but maybe the first reason, is their bar menu. What often starts out as a “let’s stop by the Davis for a drink before dinner”, often turns into, “let’s just eat here”. And so it often goes. My go-to cocktail is the classic Manhattan. I’m often tempted, however, to try one of their house concoctions off of their drink menu. I’ve never been disappointed when I have occasionally strayed off the beaten path.

My wife is never too sure what she wants so she will often ask the bartender to “surprise me”. This last week, we met our bartender, Francis. The bar was not particularly busy when we arrived, so Francis came over to speak with us and inquired about our drink selections. The “surprise” drink was perfect, not a compliment my wife would normally give out unless warranted.

Also, what draws us to the Davis is their appetizers. You can pick and choose from the menu and design yourself a full meal from the wide array of small bites. I’m impressed that the Davis has devilled eggs on the menu (maybe a guy thing) and oysters on the half-shell (another guy thing?) I’ll stop there so that I don’t have to recite the entire menu. Believe me though when I say there’s something for almost every taste.

A disclaimer: the menu will change occasionally, and some items are subject to availability.

That said, I still recommend you try the Davis when you’re in Eugene and want to make a day of it. I’m confident that you won’t be let down. As always, check their times. They accept reservations through a third-party scheduler, which doesn’t always mean your reservation is confirmed. When in doubt, I call the Davis directly to ensure that they are, in fact, open. Staffing issues seem to be the norm these days at many eateries.

Oh, and by the way, they’re open Monday – Saturday.