Michele R.
Yelp
We enjoyed welcoming interior, friendly service, interesting menu and good food at moderate price point in this downtown restaurant. It was not the best overall dining of a five day trip to Corvallis (that nod would go to Castor) but when we compared notes for "best dish" of the trip, both my husband and I chose the Twice Baked Souffle ($17) we shared as one of three brunch menu choices at Caves the Sunday we arrived in town. The goat cheese and fresh herb souffle was delicious and beautifully presented in a pool of pistaschio cream with pickled chard stems, pickled cherry tomatoes topped with microgreens. We wondered where all the other diners were because in the pushing 90 minutes we were there (we enjoyed the space to want to linger) there was an average of no more than six others in the dining room and by the time we left only another couple remained.
VIBE: We understand there is some buzz about a remodel done sometime after 2020 that changed the vibe from a darker, moodier, more rustic one to the light and bright but sophisti-cozy place it is now with a fireplace on one wall and great lighting. We can't compare the new to the old, but we liked the new a lot and pride of ownership shone in the details. Still Corvallis is a college down and while my college years are way in my rearview I can appreciate that this is not a place where students want to hang. (The brew pub right next door was hopping though.) Music mix on sound system was loud enough to know it was there but not so loud as to compete with conversation.
EATS: We had heard yawns, metaphorically speaking, for the brunch food when asking locals about Caves and some Yelp reviews seemed a similar perspective. But based on our experience, we enthusiastically recommend it to others. Although one of the 3 dishes we ordered, a fig and honey tartine ($9) that was described on menu as using toasted country brown bread and arrived on warm but not toasted bread that seemed more supermarket sourced sandwich slice than the rustic bakery quality we expected so, for us, good intent but was 'off' in execution. The other, merguez sausage on a roll with caramelized onions and arugula ($17), had too little of the former (and they needed a bit of salt), maybe too much of the latter and was lukewarm at service but the flavor and texture of the merguez sausage, made in house using Oregon lamb said our server when we asked, was great. May be opportunity for finesse improvement from the kitchen. But we enjoyed this introduction and had we had one additional day we would have gone back for "gather hour" leading into dinner to try other things and a cocktail from their bar.
LIBATIONS: Dark roast coffee from a local roaster was perfect for us. In addition to cocktail menu from full bar they had an interesting wine list.
SERVICE: The server was friendly, he knew the menu and he could answer questions. We felt tended but not hovered over.
HOURS & HAPPY HOUR: Called "gather hour" from 4:00 - 5:30 offers half a dozen'ish small plates at $5 each and a small discount on some libations. Repeats at late night I think. Closed Tue/Wed. Open 4p Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun for dinner service. Brunch 9 - 2 Sat, Sun.
MENU / PRICES: Dinner menu $6 - $45 with most items in the $9 - $20 range. Brunch $4 - $19.
SEATING: Standard height tables and chairs around the perimeter, including by the front windows, provide equal access for all ages and walks of life. High two tops in the middle of the space. A couple of outdoor tables in front.
ACCESSIBILITY: The door is a little tricky but help opening is provided. Standard height tables available. Loo is ADA compliant. Due to a fall before the trip I used a wheelchair here so can provide first hand experience that it worked. They ought to add 'wheelchair accessible' to the list of "amenities" Yelp has for owners to choose from. And they ought to consider putting the info on their web site as Corvallis eatery Castor does so perfectly.
PARKING: On street downtown Corvallis and looks like paid lots too.