The best damn coffee house in Eugene… and then some.
Vitals:
- Location: 767 Willamette St (next to the White Lotus Gallery)
- Phone: (541) 687-9102
Thirsty? Coffee, tea, specialty espresso drinks, Italian sodas. Erica makes a mean Americano. The Mocha Bruno and the Cafe Indulgente are two wonderful indulgences.
Thirsty with a kick? Microbrew and Imported beers available. Great wine selection; Dr. Loosen’s Riesling is a tasty, sweet but not too sweet way to pass an evening. Beers range from Deschutes Mirror Pond to Guinness-in-a-bottle to Belgian Duvel.
Hungry? Paninis, salads and pastries available. The vanilla cheesecake rocks. But stay away from the chocolate chip cookies — they’re mine.
Laptop? Perugino also offers free WiFi Internet access (as of Apr 25, 2005 — I might as well move in)
Self-billed as a "coffee house, wine bar and gallery," Perugino is also available for parties and special events. Also, if you come in and see a spiky-haired boy in the back corner near the wine shelves, probably with a laptop, a book, an Americano and an iPod, it’s most likely me.
More:
I know it isn’t important to you, but the rest of the world cares about parking. so, where do you park to get to this great place?
Sooo demanding
Perugino’s right in downtown Eugene, so there’s on-street parking and parking garages. Best place for you, because the street parking will be metered until 6, is a parking garage right across the street from Perugino – free parking on weekends. If I remember right, you can get to the garage from both 8th and 7th.
I completely agree that Perugino is the best coffee house in Eugene. Italian style, smooth bean, even latte art if you don’t get it all the way dry. Only one place better outside of Italy: Espresso Vivace in Seattle (and that is high praise, believe me).
For those from out of town who use cars, parking in the 8th Street garage is free for the first hour…
And while I am at it: Just a hop away is the Oregon Wine Warehouse, 943 Olive St — always two flights of wine to taste, choice selection of Oregon wines and lots of Austrian Riesling (if you have never tried, they are amazing).
Ah, Vivace! Indeed! I remember going up there with our friends Sam, Taylor and Buckley – Sam talked the place up highly, and damn was he spot on.
Jodie and I have been meaning to get down to the Oregon Wine Warehouse, I’ve heard from good things about that place too.
Australian Riesling? Hmmm… I am definitely curious. Riesling’s one of my favorite whites – we’ll be trying some of that…
Has anyone done an espresso tour of the NW lately? There is a lot of competition these days. Before you say Perugino’s is this good, have you tried:
The Albina Press
Stumptown
Stika and Spruce
Zoka
I agree Vivace is great.
I don’t think Perugino’s is really a peer to these places for espresso drinks. I agree the location is great and the service is good. But come on, they don’t even know what a ristretto pour is!
Also, there is a cafe opening in Eugene soon that will be excellent.
Sounds like we’re going on different criteria. Frankly, I didn’t know what a ristretto pour is either (till a bit of googling saw the definition of “an even shorter espresso shot”) – and from the sound of this piece, it’s very much a “purist’s drink”:
CoffeeGeek – Coffeegeek Etiquette & The Ristretto Shot
http://www.coffeegeek.com/opinions/aarondelazzer/02-24-2002
Hmmm – I wouldn’t mind trying one. And I dig the occasional espresso, but short drinks just aren’t my preference.
I’ll still call Perugino the best coffee shop in Eugene, because of how all its elements combine. I haven’t been to the places you’ve listed, but I have been to most of the coffee shops in Eugene, and I’ll take Perugino over all of them combined.
Thanks for giving me some places to hit on my next jaunts to Portland and Seattle. I’ll try Stumptown despite the flash website…
And I dig the teaser at the end – a new coffee shop? Do tell more.
Sorry to revive an old thread, but no one has mentioned the Wandering Goat! Probably because it wasn’t open when this thread started, but easily the best coffee shop in Eugene… check it out at 268 Madison in the Whiteaker neighborhood.
Chris, funny you should mention Zoka. That is where Perugino’s gets their beans. As for not knowing what a ristretto is, I know this is dated, but currently (at my last taste a month ago) the do know and have for some time. As for Wandering Goat – they mean well but I find they over roast. IMO, not worth the mention in relation to good espresso. No where the same class as Stumptown or Zoka.
I’ll have to disagree with you, John. Wandering Goat is a strong competitor to Perugino, but they have a different style — longer, tighter pulls, which make the shots more intense (the beans are not roasted darker as far as I have seen).
A few more things to note:
* The baristas at Perugino vary A LOT. I have had terrible shots and heavenly shots; over the past year, the frequency of the latter has decreased.
* The baristas at Wandering Goat are much more consistent. They also really care about getting it right. Last time their mainstay guy (very serious but not unfriendly) drew three shots before he felt the grinder was dialed in right. Okay, you have to wait, but that’s a sense of standards!
* It’s incredibly hard to find a good Decaf bean, and Wandering Goat’s Panachi Peruvian Decaf is the best Decaf bean I know besides Vivace’s.
My room mate actually heard abut Perugino. I’ve worked at Peets Coffee & Tea, and I have an addiction to a good roast. The barista’s at Perugino are all really nice (except I heard about a really mean guy that works). I never EVER liked cappuccinos until Perugino. And I loveee love the cute little latte art that they did for me. Also, we were there around closing time and we were eyeing the Tiramisu, and they gave us each spoonfuls.
The only thing I DONT like about this place is that they close so early!! I wish they were 24 hours <3
My room mate actually heard abut Perugino. I’ve worked at Peets Coffee & Tea, and I have an addiction to a good roast. The barista’s at Perugino are all really nice (except I heard about a really mean guy that works). I never EVER liked cappuccinos until Perugino. And I loveee love the cute little latte art that they did for me. Also, we were there around closing time and we were eyeing the Tiramisu, and they gave us each spoonfuls.
The only thing I DONT like about this place is that they close so early!! I wish they were 24 hours <3