A few things you don’t know about Ambrosia

Kathy’s Speech to Greeters Group, Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce

9/9/16

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  I’d wager that most of you are familiar with Ambrosia Restaurant – after all, when you’ve been around for 29 years your customers and community members are bound to know a lot about you such as that Ambrosia has been an anchor business in Downtown Eugene since 1987.

• Today, I’d like to share a few things you may NOT know about Ambrosia.

• Ambrosia has weathered the economic ups and downs of the past three decades by being creative, innovative and committed to giving our customers the best possible dining experience. And that commitment extends to our employee, too.

• We currently employ 27 people in full and part time positions
  • Several of them have been with us for decades
  • We’re proud to note – for first 26 years; same chef
  • Current chef with us for 25 years
  • Our dishwasher of 22 years just quit because he got old.
  • Several wait staff with us for 10, 15 or more years

• As you may know, Ambrosia is located next to the historic Quackenbush Building. Many people think Ambrosia is an historic building also.
  • But it’s not
  • In fact, the Ambrosia building was built in 1976 by an antique dealer who operated Old Town Pizza at that location until 1986 – the only other business that has operated in that building.
  • It was designed to look old to complement the Quackenbush building, using distressed bricks and mortar that looked like it came from an earlier era.

• Unfortunately, Old Town Pizza was a casually of Oregon’s economic downturn in the 1980s. The owner simply walked away leaving the building full of beautiful antiques, including the back bar, which is said to have come out West over the Oregon Trail.

• The antique dealer’s misfortune was a blessing for my husband, Armen Kevrekian, his friend from the old country, Zareh Marashlian, and Frank Ernandes, who owns Mazzi’s.
  • The three of them dreamed of opening an upscale Italian Restaurant that would offer something that no one else in Oregon had: a wood burning pizza oven.
    • Back then, no one made those ovens in the United States, so we had to get it from Italy
    • But we didn’t realize until it got here from Milan that it wouldn’t fit through the door
    • So, we made a hole in the wall and got it in that way.
    • It was a big hit, of course, and still is.
    • Since then the wood fired pizzas ovens have proliferated. Many other restaurants followed our lead and got ovens of their own.

• One thing we are especially proud of – is Ambrosia first jobs we have provided to dozens of young people
  • Hostess, busser, dishwasher are entry level jobs, and we take care to provide the training and information they need understand what a job requires of them
  • We provide them with the training and information they need be a good employee and successful member of the workforce.
  • That training serves them well and helps them move on to other jobs and careers
  • And occasionally there’s pay back, too
    • Late one night when Armen was coming home from a long day of working at Ambrosia, he was stopped by a cop for ‘rolling through a stop sign’ He thought for sure he’d get an expensive ticket.
    • But it turned out the officer recognized Armen as his former employer! The officer got his first job at Ambrosia and apparently appreciated that. He let Armen off the hook, warning him that he shouldn’t risk having an accident because, as he said, “there are lots of people who want you to stick around.”

• Over the years, Ambrosia has been the location of many first dates and second, third and more dates that led to marriage proposals and a family
  • Those couples brought their children to Ambrosia. And now we’ve been in business so long that those children are now adults and bringing their own children to Ambrosia!

• Perhaps the strangest life milestone involving Ambrosia had to do with a guy named Ken. The first day we opened, Ken was our very first customer.
  • He soon became a regular at Ambrosia
  • And when he got married, he and his wife frequented the restaurant
  • Unfortunately, their marriage soured and they decided to divorce.
    • It was not an amicable divorce and things got so bad, Ken dreaded the thought of ever running in to his ex – especially at his favor restaurant: Ambrosia.
    • He thought his visits would be ruined by her presence, so as part of the divorce settlement Ken’s wife agreed never to come to Ambrosia again.

• You may also know about Ambrosia’ reputation for having great wines from the world over.
  • We love introducing our customers to these wines and have held wine tastings for more than 20 years;
    • But unlike most other wine tastings, Ambrosia’s tastings are really a wine class – Armen, who is a Certified Sommelier, delights in helping customers learn about and appreciate a variety of wines.
    • Ambrosia’s wine tastings are actually wine classes. They are sit down events with knowledgeable presenters who provide information and answer questions. (In fact, we have another one next Tuesday.)
    • you may not know that Wine Spectator magazine pres000ented has named Ambrosia’s wine list as one of the best in the world – an honor given to only 2400 restaurants worldwide!
    • And Ambrosia has received this recognition not for just 1 year, or 2 or even 10; but for 26 years
    • This year we were also presented with Trip Advisor’s award of excellence based on customers’ reviews

• For 29 years, Ambrosia has been a constant among Eugene’s restaurants
  • We credit our success to consistently serving excellent food, providing excellent service and evolving in response to our customers’ wishes.
• You may not know that our latest evolution is to offer Sunday brunch as only Ambrosia can.
  • You’ll find our brunch menu on the tables, along with a coupon for a free mimosa when you buy a brunch entrée.

• It’s been a long and rewarding 3 decades for Ambrosia Restaurant; we are looking forward to enjoying many more.