Albany, CA
Opened: January, 2016
Located in the East Bay, Cafe Eugene hopes to lure locals and inspire city dwellers to cross the bridge with its Pacific Northwest-inspired menu. Jon Guhl and Ryan Murff, with two successful restaurants already up and running in the area, say they’re bringing comfortable, yet technique-driven food to suburban Albany. “We’re aiming to be a neighborhood spot that attracts a regular crowd, but intriguing enough for guests to make a special trip,” says Murff, whose Oregon roots are visible in items such as Baked Steel Oats with honey baked pear and cardamom coconut milk (brunch). Lunch and dinner feature Clam Chowder Pot Pie and a “Build Your Own Toast” in which guests can choose toppings such as house-cured salmon with cream cheese; sardines with marinated chilies and boiled egg; and melted sharp cheddar cheese with sweet pear butter. Bloody Marys are a house specialty and include a crudo version with mescal, tomato, pasilla, cucumber, serrano, orange, lime and pomegranate; and the Scandi version with aquavit, tomato, dill, radish, apple cider and beet juice. Warm cocktails include Northwest favorites like the Spanish Coffee and some of Murff's creations like the Diplimatico with espresso, Melletti Cioccolato, Guatemalan rum, soft cream and cinnamon. The vibe is funky and eclectic and features vintage Tiffany stained-glass fixtures.