Restaurant Review: Iraila Mediterranean Rustica in Eugene, Oregon

Iraila Mediterranean Rustica's menu features dishes from all around the Mediterranean such as North African stews, Persian rice dishes, Turkish kofta, plus traditional favorites from Italy and France. With an emphasis on family-style dining, Iraila is the perfect restaurant for large groups as well as a romantic retreat for two.

Owners Kenneth Glenn and Mark Zolun started Iraila in 2003. Named after Mark's Italian mother, the restaurants feature Italian recipes passed down in his family, as well as dishes collected during a year long around-the-world trip. The restaurant itself features décor of paintings and folk art from the countries represented on the menu; and Italian or Middle Eastern music plays softly in the background.

Your meal starts with a plate of warm pita bread, served with a tangy tzatziki sauce made from yogurt, garlic and olive oil, and kalamata olives. A small glass of sweet mint tea is also served as an aperitif. All the main dishes come with a salad of local organic mesclun greens, served with either a tangy balsamic dressing, or house gorgonzola dressing.

The appetizer menu also features one of my favorites: Haloumi Salad, featuring grilled Haloumi cheese - a wonderful Greek cheese that "squeaks" when you chew it! Also available are Marinated Olives; Capriata, made from puréed white beans, and red Egyptian lentils; and Borek, a Turkish specialty, made from a mixture of cheese and spinach which is wrapped in filo and deep fried.

For the main dishes, both vegetarian and meat options are available. For vegetarians, a dish from Turkey, Iman Bayaldi, features a ragout of eggplant, paprika, onion, tomato, mild Anaheim chilies and toasted pinon nuts. The traditional story of this dish says that when a woman served it to their local Iman, or holy man, he swooned with delight! Vegetarian Falafel are also on the menu, Iraila's version of this classic Middle Eastern dish is created with homemade chickpea fritters, served in pita bread with sides of tzatziki, hummus, cucumber, and roma tomatoes.

For the omnivore, a wide variety of meats and fish dishes are available. The Chicken Lyon, a traditional stew from Southern France, and the Honey-Rosemary Lamb Skewer, are available as individual dishes, or as a combo dish for two. My personal favorite, the Domates Soslu Kebap, combines grilled fresh ground lamb with garlic, and is served atop grilled eggplant and a tangy lemon-garlic chard. The dish is finished with a grilled red bell pepper sauce.

For dessert, traditional Baklava is on the menu, as well as Torte de Chocolat, an amazingly rich and dense flourless chocolate treat, and Tarte de Limon, and Italian dessert finished with mascarpone whipped cream.

Iraila also offers a variety of local and imported wines, beers on tap, and mixed drinks and cocktails. As much as possible, they use organic and locally grown ingredients for their dishes. Seasonal specials are offered as well as their regular dishes

Iraila Mediterranean Rustica is located at 2435 Hilyard in Eugene, Oregon. They are open Wednesday to Sunday, 5PM to 9 PM. Reservations are accepted for parties of four or more. Their phone number is 541-684-8400.