Belly, Eugene

The much lauded Belly has drawn inspiration from, quite literally, all over the world. Perusing the menu, diners find European farmhouse influences in the housemade sausages and charcuterie right alongside classic southern dishes such as shrimp-and-chicken gumbo. They note the Mediterranean twist on the quintessentially American burger—Belly's is made with spiced lamb—and a wine list composed of approachable entries from Italy and the West Coast. Of course, even with all the international influences, the Pacific Northwest landscape sitting right outside the window is the menu's driving force, influencing not only the seasonality of the menu but also Oregon-sourced ingredients and the viscosity of the ice water. The result is a balance between comfort-food familiarity and gastronomic adventure that's been named the city's Best Restaurant by Eugene Weekly six years in a row.