THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Eugene

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Eugene Restaurant Review:

Oh, to be one of the beautiful people who glitter into the wee hours nibbling on sophisticated hors d’œuvres, sipping cocktails and laughing at one witty remark after another. Eugene, named for owner-club impresario Gene Dinino, nods to a previous age of frivolity with its posh---to the point of being campy---décor, complete with drapy fabric, a freestanding gothic fish tank and low upholstered furniture where guests can lounge gracefully. While most come to drink and be seen in the sprawling lounge, there is also a dining room where serious food is served to a more sedate crowd. Though the departure of the opening chef, Erica Miller, after only a few months does not bode well for the kitchen, the menu aims high with seasonal creations that may include sweet-corn soup, filet mignon or rack of lamb. From dining critics’ perspectives, a restaurant within a nightclub is as suspect as one on the top floor of a building---usually the food is an afterthought to the scene or the view. Eugene seems to be trying to break that stereotype, and we’ll give it the benefit of the doubt, at least for now.