James T.
Yelp
Summary: Overall, an excellent place to bring the parents or family, any time of day: excellent food, beautiful decor, superb dining experience - all at a reasonable, fair price!
Food: Agate Alley has an excellent menu of delicious foods, no matter the time of day. Their brunch, which is only served on the weekends, is phenomenal. I've never been disappointed by what I ordered, and cannot recommend their biscuits and gravy enough. On the other hand, their pretzel twist appetizers are delicious and the jazzy lemonades as refreshing as can be. Their grilled cheese special was a delightful combination of flavors, one of the best I sampled during the Grilled Cheese Experience in February. Prices are reasonable - most entreés are $17-20 - but sizeable and filling, easily shared with another person.
Service: Even on a busy night, service staff are prompt and kind, toeing the line perfectly between polite and serviceable. The wait may be a little lengthy at times, but not overbearing and in my many times eating here, I've only had one dish come late. When I needed something, staff were quick to seat me, help me, and answer questions.
Atmosphere: Inside, the ambience is excellent, especially on late nights. The dim, cultured lighting does not betray Agate Alley's convenient location right next to the UO campus. The outdoor seating is pleasant, and manages to have lovely greenery and a cozy feel in the middle of a college neighborhood.