Route 5

Excellent selection of Oregon wines. I don’t know of any other place that has wines from all Oregon Pinot AVAs to get by the glass. Food is great although just small appetizers (go downstairs to Marché afterwards if you want a full dinner). They do awesome wine dinners and the manager (Kirsten) is a gem.

Being new to Eugene, it was nice to find an establishment that had a very nice selection of Oregon wines, of which someone on the staff could make recommendations. Wait staff was attentive on a week night. Food menu was diverse and interesting with small snacks, appis and meals. Yummy cheeses made the menu. When the Pinot noir poured tasted bitter the server immediately changed the bottle out without question or concern. I could taste the hint of smokiness on the second glass that validated my palate. They do have live music which is a bonus! I will be returning!

This place is really quaint and they know their wines. I appreciate how each Oregon region of wine is grouped together (Ribbon Ridge, Chehalem, etc…). No, the wines aren’t cheap because the offerings are fine wines. We came across Omeron, a small boutique Pinot we had not seen anywhere else and it is my new favorite. We ordered the salami plate that was excellent (Portland butcher) and the leek dip was fantastic. Will be back.

The service was horrible. The server continually interrupted our meal by asking if she could take our food away. «Are you done with this» while we were obviously STILL eating and had wine in our glasses. She also put her eye right on the wine bottle’s opening and peered down into it and proclaimed «It’s empty» when the bottle still had 1 ½ more pours in it. She took the bottle off the table and went to the back. I said loudly to our group, «That bottle still had wine in it» (Keep in mind, this was a 60 $ bottle of wine plus $ 10 uncorking fee!!!) I think she must have heard us, because minutes later she returned with our bottle and said, «oh I didn’t know there was some left, it was dark in here». I thought «who wants to drink it now that you’ve put your eye makeup over the top.» I will NEVER come back to this bar.

Regional wine tasting with food selection that speaks wonders to my palate… how can this not be a good thing? I had no idea cheese and honey work so beautifully together. And then to accompany it with white wines I’ve never heard of was totally an enriching experience.

Excellent selection of Oregon wines, and the Wine Queen has expert knowledge of all the wines… we took home a few bottles of allocated wines from small producers. very cool — wines by the glass were 1^st class, and the munchies were great — get the cheese plate !!!

Had a pretty okay lunch last week at yet another new restaurant in town owned by the Marché. For the uninitiated, Route 5 begins where Lavelle’s former wine shop ends (
) – in the 5^th street public market, second floor. The space has been renovated, and has a rustic feel. The focus is definitely on wine with food brought up from Marché Provisions (downstairs;
).
I’ll cut to the chase and let you know that my favorite part about this place is the wine servings. A person can get a splash, a glass, a carafe, and so on up from there. The splash is perfect for lunch. I can’t believe more restauranteurs haven’t thought of this one – it’s a great way to push wine.
The food is sort of underwhelming. I mean, there’s no kitchen here so all the food it made downstairs and brought up the same stairs you just climbed. Obviously, it’s gonna be hotter and fresher if you order it downstairs at Provisions. I had soup and flatbread and both were not as hot as I’d have liked. My compatriot ordered soup and the trout spread (better idea, as it’s served cold) and was pretty happy.
I can’t say as I totally «get» the whole set up yet, but the splash of wine and paltry lunch options in the Yewj have me giving this new establishment the a-​ok sign for now.