Eugene, OR - shopping and dining tips
 

A friend and I leave tomorrow for a weekend in Eugene as our girls are in a basketball tournament. We will have some free time and were hoping to do some shopping. Aside from the mall is there any cute/trendy shopping (like NW 23rd in Portland)?

Also, have been to Zenons, Ambrosia and Marche, but was wondering about any other options for dinner.

Thanks for the recommendations!

There is not much in trendy shopping in Eugene alas - especially if you are looking for clothes. Oakway Mall has been updated - and is kind of nice but there isnt anything unique there - they do have a Chico's which made many of us happy. Valley River Mall really seems to get worse every day - sorry. Might be some great sales though as Maier Frank going out of business

There is a great new restaurant at Fifth St Market - I am not sure how to spell the name - but its El Vacqaro - or something similar - its seems like its one of the hottest spots in Eugene these days - I like ordering off the tapa menue because servings are small and very good - ask the bartender for a
Richmond Gimlet if you go - its yummy.
I would suggest reservations . The same people own another restaurant called the Red Agave which I have enjoyed and its across the street from the Oregon Electric Station.

Oakway Mall has a pretty good Mexican restaurant - Chapalas .

Willie's on 7th Street is a reliable place for lunch or dinner and Ring of Fire is a good Thai place.

Thank you both. Bummer about the shopping, although I did find a boutique online called Melange on E. 5th that we will probably go to.

Thanks for the tips on restaurants, I have written them all down.

Melange is at Fifth St Market - very limited selection in my opinion
There is a cute store on 13th called Prose I believe- right next door to Soriahs restaurant which is another good place to eat - Prose I think has a better selection than Melange but its not in a "shopping area" - just one store

Thanks sunbum. I'm leaving in about an hour so I got Prose down.