Cafe Soriah, Eugene

For nearly 20 years, chef Ib Hamide has put his distinct spin on Mediterranean cuisine at Cafe Soriah. He fuses Old World and New World flavors by using local ingredients, such as wild-caught salmon and Pacific Northwest clams, in classic recipes culled everywhere from Cairo to Athens.

With those fixings, he crafts starters such as bruschetta crowned with grilled lamb and feta relish, plus mains such as chicken breast wrapped in pastry and served with goat cheese-flavored brown sauce. He caters to vegetarians with options such as local tofu and stir-fried veggies doused in coconut-milk curry sauce.

Locally made wine and beer complement feasts, which unfold amid local artwork inside the cafe’s spacious 110-seat dining room. When the weather’s nice and the sun isn't shooting laser beams from its eyes, guests can dine out on a cozy outdoor patio.