French with a vietnamese influence. The is quite good. A nice restaurant with a good atmosphere.
(4)
Marie D.
It has been a while since I was in, but I logged onto yelp and decided to write some reviews that I have been neglecting. This place is fabulous. Always unique and I LOVE the small plates. They are perfect and always good. I love the unusual ingredients they find and creative ways they mix up the menu. I hope you continue to keep up the excellent work!!
(5)
Lindsay W.
Good atmosphere, food was delicious! The server/bartender made a special drink just for me that was delicious and the steak and potatoes were equally tasty!
(4)
Staci E.
We had nothing but horrible service at this restaurant. We ordered small plates and only got half of them and they apparently forgot to make the other half. The waitress refused to serve our table until the food was done. We ran out of water waiting for our food that was never being made. The There waitress was surprised when we walked up to her and asked if we could get the check and leave the restaurant. She then took 20 minutes to get us our check. My husband got all of his food but I was never given the food I ordered.
(1)
KP S.
Magenta has numerous small plates and just a few entrees. While my companion ordered an entree, I ordered several small plates and I specified that the cold one was an appetizer and the hot ones were my meal. I know that the waiter understood, as he advised me as to the size of the dishes and how much to order. And yet, they brought all the small plates out early, long before my date's entree arrived. I objected, and the poor kid (not our waiter) carrying them looked like a deer in the headlights. He could not think of a solution, but he did hold the last one back. Our waiter returned later but never apologized or even mentioned the problem. On top of that, the food was quite mediocre in spite of the intriguing menu. Will not return.
(2)
Dustin N.
Tapas restaurant with an Asian twist on numerous dishes. This is one of the best romantic date spots to take wife occasionally. The tapas mostly range from 4-9 dollars and you will need around 6-9 for a decent size meal which of course will depend on the size of the serving. I don't think u have picked a single option that either my wife or I didn't like. There are also full entrees. There is a full bar and the bartender makes an array of different tasty drinks. The draft beer list is decent and the wine list is solid. Although, wine by the glass is pretty limited. The setting of the restaurant is quite mellow which is nice for a date. I hope you aren't in a big hurry though because most of your sit downs here will take a bit longer than some other nearby establishments. In fact, a couple of times my wife and I have waited quite a while to even be acknowledged by the staff. This also comes down I believe to a lack of waiters on the floor compared to the number of tables being served. If 3.5 stars was available it would be very applicable here.
(3)
Jeff S.
My wife and I decided to dine here on our anniversary. She had not been before but I thought she might enjoy the variety of small plates. We had the crab cake x 2, pork stuffed mushrooms, tenderloin tips, coconut prawns, & bbq salad rolls. All were fresh, delacately seasoned, not over-sauced, and delicious. I always enjoy this place and will certainly be back.
(4)
Jasmeen P.
Service was good. Ambience is wonderful. My friend loved her mango matini. We ordered way too may small plates but it was happy hour, so why not? She ordered the pork potstickers, shrimp and cheese wontons, stuffed mushrooms, and ricotta ravioli. I ordered beef tri tip, sauteed mushrooms, Brussels salad, and escargot. We shared all, and ALL were totally delicious. Go here!
(5)
Chi A.
I have been here twice. If one orders the European entrees then prepare to go home hungry and have a big dent in your wallet. The only good reviews would be the asian dishes such as pad Thai and pho soup. Not sure why this play is considered upscale apart from the price. Lastly last time I went with a group the server informed us the the cook went home sick so he the waiter would be our cook for the night. Turned out tragic.
(2)
Tim B.
The food will not knock your socks off but it never dissapoints. Don't expect authentic ...this is more for creative and fun fusions and twists on standard dishes. Downstairs you'll find the best cocktails I've ever had served by a friendly and enthusiastic bartender
(4)
Aaron H.
I'll state mediocre service. The food is awful and they do not know how to prepare or cook fish. The dishes are very small, so I went to safeway and got more food. The drunks are delicious, but expensive for not having much alcohol. I don't recommend to eat here, but to have a few drinks and socialize is nice.
(2)
Laura S.
It's a class place with sophisticated lighting and an ambient feel. You are well looked after by the sharply dressed and attentive staff members. The fusion of flavors makes for distinctive and interesting dishes. Fortunately it is dim sum style so try to your hearts content. Some must have include their crab cakes, shrimp salad rolls and beef tri-tip.
(5)
Lanie M.
I came here with a co-worker on a week night and was pleasantly surprised with the ambience of the restaurant. It was my first time there and the waiter was very attentive, he also explained how the ordering worked. We were also very pleased by the fact that we made it in time for happy hour. Their chicken coconut curry was exceptional, as well as their other sides such as coconut prawns. Their jack fruit and purple rice dessert is amazing as well. I would definitely come back once a week to this place!
(4)
Joy H.
Ate here this past week with a friend. Enjoyed the atmosphere, service was good, food was excellent. Will definitely be back. Great place to go if you want to try a little bit of everything. Great wine list with lots of options.
(4)
Amber K.
Great ambiance, but for being an upscale place in Corvallis, skimpy on the options for the herbivorous diners.
(2)
Christina N.
Decided to revisit Magenta after seeing the owner, Kimber Hoang, on Alton Brown's Cuttthroat Kitchen on the Food Network, which I thought was pretty cool to see her on. I have always had good service at Magenta's, although my parties have been 4 or less people. I enjoy the concept of the non-traditional dim sum menu. I wish it had traditional dim sum dishes, but that would scare away most of Corvallis. Each 'dim sum' plate cost $4-5. Dim Sum plates varied from Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, and American dishes. Portions are quite small, but I guess that is what 'dim sum' stands for. Usually about 4-5 plates is what I end up ordering. Presentation of the food was superb. I love coming to Magenta for its great atmosphere and drinks. The interior decor is modern and sophisticated. Great place to bring a date or have a classy girls night out.
(3)
Taste B.
The former Magenta about a decade ago on Monroe had some quality dishes. Currently, the food is ...I can't even describe it - saucy but not fresh or crisp, kind of oily and unappealing. With no room to move upstairs we headed to the basement. Dank, crowded, noisy, a little funky in a way I wanted to like it but just couldn't find a way to enjoy it - maybe I'm getting old and yelling to my friends across a table is unappreciable. Time to pay the bill ; I was given someone else's bill. I couldn't really read the bill very well in the darkness down there, but I could clearly read the bartender's face - that was an intentional "mistake" going on there. I've enjoyed heading over to Magenta post Majestic show- fun to see the cast and an opportunity to chat or buy one of the actors a drink. Other than the fun you make of it there's not much in Magenta. Someone wrote an appreciative Pho review which might allow me give it yet another chance.
(2)
Lee F.
I really want to love this place, but they drive me CRAZY. I have been here about six times total, but have only stayed to eat 4 of those times. The good first: Amazing variety of dim-sum at $4 each. I can heartily recommend the veggie crepes, the Yukon fries, the chicken sate, and the beef in wine sauce. Also. the cocktails are fun. The decor is like eye candy and it flows very nicely with the menu selections. The two stars are for almost always presenting really great food in a fun atmosphere. But, the most important part of atmosphere is attitude, and sometimes the attitude here is just crappy. Once I waited 20 minutes for a table when they said they would "be right back." So I left. Another time they wanted to sit four of us at the bar when we asked for a table. There was NOBODY in the restaurant and they wouldn't let us sit at a table. Two people at the bar, sure, but with four we would have been whipping our heads to the front and back repeatedly to converse, but it would have felt more like a mosh pit, or that car scene from Wayne's World. I feel like the place tries to be fancier and snobbier than it is, and that translates into sub-par service. Also, along the same vein, I felt like the servers didn't care at all. Food often didn't arrive, sometimes very late. Also, the main dish entrees are WAY over-priced in my opinion. I will try them again in a couple of months and see if I can see any improvement on the customer service front. Always keep an open mind!
(2)
Robin M.
We will never go back. I ordered the Korean BBQ and it tasted like it had been warned over leftovers. It was not only very dry, but had an old taste. I sent it back to the kitchen and was offered a small plate to get me through the experience. The clincher is that they charged me for the meal, but not the small plate. This is really bad business! I get to pay for food I could not eat. This is a good place to stay away from!
(1)
Rich L.
Ate there with a large party, reservation was messed up despite calling twice, 1 server for our group of 20. She was very good but needed more help. Food arrived over 1 1/2 hours, some people were finished for 45 minutes or longer before others were served. 1 cook in the kitchen on a Friday night will not sustain business. We frequently entertain business guests all over the USA and never experienced entres that were served over almost 2 hours. Food was good, rack of lamb was a lamb chop not a rack, portions were small but tastey, bar service was mostly good, beer was served in a room temp glass and not cold. We won't be going back anytime soon, sorry Magenta used to be better.
(2)
Katherine W.
Decent Bloody Mary, no oysters @ lunch tho and that's why I went in. The one dim sum was delish but the crepe thing had too much sloppy sauce. Overall, it's okay but a little pretentious and over-priced. Dim Sum's cool in theory but has to be executed without too much 'fusion' in my mind. I'd go with a work group but not for the overall experience, again.
(3)
Amanda J.
I don't understand these bad reviews. Just had dinner here tonight with my husband and we loved it! Great service all around. We ordered 5 small plates. 4/5 were delicious! The escargot was amazing and we would go back just for that. Our server was very polite and accommodating when it came to making everything we ordered dairy free. We cleared our plates and were very happy with the quality and overall experience. We will be back and plan to try some of their drinks next time, too.
(4)
Corey B.
Food was average poor services. Waitress acted like she wanted to be someplace else. We had reservations for 6:15 on a Friday and we did not get our bill until 9:10. Three hours for a party of 4 to east dinner is a little ridiculous. We won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)
Sharon R.
I grew up from a young age dining on the very popular, Vietnamese Pho. Neighbors up the street from us had moved in when I was about 8 years old and would frequently invite us over for dinner. But when I ended up with a common cold a war was waged in our kitchen. Granny was always the cure all for what ailed you. But on this occassion, she'd be tested. This time, Kim would give granny's Campbell's chicken noodle soup a run for it's money. She showed up with a pot of pho! I sipped on its broth for a few days and it was waaaaaay better than ANYTHING Campbell's would can up. Some crazy years later, I am a huge fan of pho & have it more often than an American cheeseburger. So, when I arrived in Corvallis, OR and my sister said, "Hey! You wanna have some pho?" I was like...."YEA!" But she assured me that this would be the best pho I'd ever have. So, of course my mind ran rampant thinking of all the possible fantastic things that could possibly make Magenta's pho the best. Walking into Magenta, we're greeted by Buddah and beautiful flowers. You meander through bold sheer curtains into the open restaurant which is flooded with natural light from above. The gorgeous brick walls with very eclectic, but fitting art with beautiful colors to compliment the space. We sat beside a stair case that leads to the SnugBar but THAT is a whole other review ;) Sis ordered pho and out rolls two huge bowls of beautiful broth that smelled of spicy yum and lemon grass zest. And guess what?! She was right. Magenta serves up the BEST pho EVER!!!! I can't wait to visit Corvallis again so I can try out some of the other fare......with my pho ~Viv
(5)
Jessica S.
This is where I bring out-of-towners. Such a great experience every time I go. You can't beat their Dim-Sum.
(4)
Amy P.
Excellent service, delicious & interesting food, comfortable atmosphere & a really good daily happy hour! The regular menu is a bit on the spendy side, but you can always order off the extensive & more affordable tapas/dim sum menu. Great spot for a date, special occasion or just a treat!
(4)
N C.
I was disappointed with the visit. We got a selection of tapas, which were good, but not excellent. The service was poor. I ordered a gin drink which came sans alcohol. The taste of gin is fairly unmistakable. When I gently pointed this out, neither the waitress nor the bartender would remake the drink. I ended up paying $10 for a glorified lemonade.
(2)
Stephanie M.
This place rocks!!! Seriously, the best breakfast in Corvallis! Highly recommend the Salsa and the Benny!! Also, the dim sum menu is huge and has lots of gluten free and even vegetarian options. Coffee and drinks are amazing too! Eating here will only enhance your day guaranteed! Many thanks to the chef and staff, this is why I love Corvallis so much.
(5)
Joseph B.
This is my favorite restaurant in Corvallis. The tapas menu is hard to beat and the prices are very good. The mixed drinks are great. It is a small place and I've been turned away only nice and that was when a play was going on. Great place for lunch or dinner.
(5)
Andrew T.
My friends and I attempted to dine here on a Thursday night. We sat in the downstairs bar, and the bartender told us he would be right back to take our order. 20 minutes later he returned and gave us menus after we had to ask him for them. The food and drinks looked great however we didn't get to try any of it because we ended up walking out after about 40 minutes due to no service. The bartender even served people that showed up after we did all while ignoring us. I may try to go back but they need to get their service figured out first.
(1)
Ron And Anita T.
Magenta is a fun restaurant, but I remember when, perhaps a decade or so ago, that it was much better when located on Monroe across from the campus. Then I'd have given it four stars; now only three, mainly because of the service. Four of us, first of all enjoyed the dim sum menu, which at $4 each, was good and reasonable. The entrees, I don't think were as reasonable, but were good. The water buffalo my wife had was tender and tasty; my steelhead steak on a bed of veggies with a wonderful rice was very good. Other entrees included lamb, which totally disappeared, so that speaks to it's quality. Finally, a steak entree didn't make a doggy bag either! The service was a bit bizarre! The two bottles of wine ordered came with the wrong glasses, as the were partly changed during the meal? The one waiter was challenged, although the restaurant was clearing out by the time we ate! We are from out of town now, but have been here several times never-the-less. Will probably keep going on occasion.
(3)
Natascha C.
I was given a gift certificate to Magenta for my birthday. The food was pretty good, but not much to write home about. My husband and I ordered 8 of the tapas and shared. I think that was a pretty good selection off of the menu. Things were okay, but not great. The tuna was way overcooked. At the end I tried to order some dessert wine off of the menu and it took four tries to pick something they actually had. The service was okay too. I'm not sure I would go back. It was a little too fancy and stuffy for my taste, but I can see why people like it.
(3)
Michael K.
We visited for Sunday lunch. I had the Korean BBQ pork and my wife had the risotto. Both were just wonderful. The service was attentive and the meal just delicious. We give it two thumbs up.
(4)
coralee h.
I live in corvallis and have only been to magenta a few times, I am more of a burger or pizza and a beer kind of girl. My most recent visit was for a friends birthday, and her husband ordered everything on the dim sum menu. Which that night was about 35 -40 items. EVERYTHING was good, i will try anything but some of things looked pretty unusual. Like the emu carpaccio, it looked raw but tasted delicious. Their cocktails are always very tasty, and obviously made with high quality and fresh ingredients. I try other people cocktails but usually go with a jack and coke myself. A good place for conversation, its never too loud.
(4)
Jim O.
I had lunch today at Magenta and had a great experience. The atmosphere is groovy and the Pho is awesome. I asked to have it spicy and they delivered. I cried my way through it, enjoying every bite through to the last. I had a Thai Iced Tea that was pretty good...sweet...but good. The server told me if I didn't like it, she would switch it out for something else, a nice touch to get me to try something different. I think I might just have new favorite soup, I'll be back for the Pho. #corvsmb
(5)
Charlie T.
Order small plates, a drink, sit in front of fireplace and relax. We love Kimber. #CorvSMB
(4)
John H.
Magenta's has started a Sunday brunch each week. Since the lamented closing of Michael's Landing, I have been bereft of a place to have brunch on Sunday, which is the only civilized way to end/start the week. Magenta's does well, food could be a little hotter but good quality as always and now the outside (limited) seating is available. Fresh squeezed OJ is out of this world and coffee excellent. They saved my life this last Sunday after a 3 hour bike ride with a friend way beyond my aging status. I needed sustenance and found it in the embracing arms of Kimber.
(4)
Darv I.
The $4 dim sum is the best value gourmet food in the Willamette Valley. I have eaten there dozens of times and have tried almost everything on the dim sum menu. The only item I was not a fan of was the emu carpaccio. The martinis are good as well though the special martinis are a bit on the sweet side. I recommend the "tropical". I have always had a good experience there and would recommend it to anybody. Not sure why this isn't rated five stars across the board. Great food and atmosphere for a great value. I really miss this restaurants menu since moving away from Corvallis.
(5)
Jess k.
i came on a sunday with a date. the place was pretty dead for 11 am. in the background, weird, urban trip hop about popping, locking, and dropping it low played mellowly. this place is bougie. there were fresh apples and pears stacked in bowls and strewn on the ground. gauzy curtains separated those on the inside from the awkward gaze of the peons on the outside. crazy throw pillows were aplenty, just in case you wanted to take a nap. don't get me wrong! the ambiance is very nice, but i felt a little out of place. i decided that since this was a date, it would be appropriate to start drinking at 11 in the morning. i ordered a mimosa made with fresh squeezed orange juice. i didn't feel that it was worth $7--especially since its not a bottomless mimosa. what brunch place doesn't offer bottomless mimosas? the answer is: the classy ones. the only waiter was also the bartender. he was friendly and gave great service; he didn't push me to make a decision quickly. getting the check and paying it was a little slow, but again, he was the ONLY waiter. after reading wonderful things about the eggs benedict, i decided to order it. i love my eggs bennie!!! i asked if i could have a half order, and i was told that they didn't do half orders, but that it kept well. so my date and i split the order. the waiter brought out an extra plate at no charge. the eggs benedict came on two fresh slices of homemade bread, with a sauce that was definitely not hollandaise, GIANT SLICES OF HAM, poached eggs, and maybe some reduced red peppers. the serving is ridiculously big, and was definitely big enough to split between two people. while it was good, it wasn't the eggs benedict i was looking for. the bread got soggy towards the end, which was disappointing. the price was decent and the quality and quantity of food were good. however, i don't think i'll be back for brunch since i wanted something a little less... bougie.
(3)
Stephanie S.
I don't feel that I can do the food here justice in a review. The tritip in winesauce has tender steak, and a delicious sauce that makes you want to lick the plate clean. The Pho is the best I have ever had, and this is coming from a pho snob. The dim sum menu has so many options for four dollars each making for a great dining experience for a reasonable price. There are also entrees which are in the 25$ range, but don't let this deter you. The entrees have generous portions of perfectly cooked high quality food. I especially like the elk leg. I grew up in a small town where hunting was prevalent, and the presence of this on a menu makes my tastebuds leap with joy. Also, the drinks are made with fresh fruit purees so one can feign healthy choices while enjoying drinks with friends, what could be better than that? The staff is also accommodating, and care greatly about the quality and the needs of your dining experience. Give this place a try, I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Jessica B.
My biggest tip when planning a trip to Magenta is to sit at the bar. Sit at the BAR!! Order off the happy hour menu, eat delicious Emu Carpaccio, or escargot (GREAT traditional escargot), and top it off with a fruity drink! Here's what will happen if you sit at a table: You might wait longer for one, you will most likely have a waitress who has no clue what you ordered, how many of them were ordered, or if you are even there. I have no clue why Kimber has not fixed this glitch yet. GET BETTER STAFF. If you do, people will come more often, bring more people, and be happier to spend money with you! All in all, the atmosphere is amazing, the food is good, and the wait staff needs a lot of work. #corvSMB
(3)
Madison W.
This is one of the nicer spots in Corvallis. Nice atmosphere and clubby-esque. Though the $4 dim sum (in the late evenings) seems appealing, the food is meh... I suppose it's different than fried bar food, but a lot of it's just normal bar food with jar-ed Asian sauces. (e.g., spicy wings)-FAIL. There was some weird concoctions like a bacon-wrapped bao (which was basically a big meatball)-FAIL. The bao was sitting in some type of hot/sweet sauce. So FAIL. The pad thai was decent. But the atmosphere is nice and it is a change of pace. Wait staff is awesome.
(3)
Cynthia S.
Have you been here for breakfast yet? We had the "Bob" omelette and the Mickey Mouse waffle. Bob was hearty, meaty and delish with the hashbrowns cooked into it like a fritatta. Mickey was a tasty waffle with fresh fruit, a compote syrup and homemade whipped cream as thick and wonderful as you'll ever get. Tried to decline it at first but our waiter said I should try it and he was right! Will also confess that we split a "make your own Bloody Mary" while we waited. Yum. #corvsmb
(5)
Alexis R.
I love Magenta! The dim sum menu is to die for and sooooo affordable!!!! Cocktails are great however, on the pricey side. If you want a great bite to eat, and try a little of everything this is the Restaurant for you! During the weekend be sure to check out the Snug bar which is downstairs.
(4)
Sheri D.
Magenta brings sophistication to Corvallis in a way no one else has been able to. The owners' love for gourmet food and exquisite taste is evident in her very long and really good dim sum menu, premiere drink menu, and elegant atmosphere. My advice: get a take-out menu and mark off the dim sum as you try each one on subsequent visits. maybe do that with the drinks too. Oh, and they're serving breakfast now, too. With fresh squeezed orange juice mimosas. #corvSMB
My favorite (magenta) martini in town. Another lovely dinner, all from dim sum menu. A Corvallis fav.
(4)
Gloria N.
We just discovered that Magenta is now open for breakfast. The "Bob" omelet was served frittata style and very tasty. The eggs Benedict had a wonderful sauce, served on sliced home made bread and was definitely a delight. Service was great. We now plan to go back and have the coconut pancakes with whole Marion berry syrup
(4)
Benjamin B.
My wife and I first tried Magenta on a Friday night, and even though they were obviously understaffed, our waitress Jenny did a bang-up job of making us feel right at home. Nalicia (sp?), the bartender, was more than willing to try her hand at making one of our favorite cocktails for the first time. We stuck to the "dim sum" menu (more like tapas, less like a Chinese-style brunch, but who're we to argue?) after the sticker shock of the entrees, and we were largely satisfied with our choices even after half of them arrived swimming in one sauce or another (poor substitute for clever flavor & texture pairings). We even tried their Chocolate Cake with a Red Wine Reduction, but sadly the frosting was granular with refined sugar, the cake itself tasted store bought and the reduction was anything but as it soaked into the cake far before it reached our table. The whole thing ended up being an odd, chocolate-colored, overly sweet sponge with sharply bitter notes of the under-cooked "reduction". Our second night in town found us again at Magenta for a late night bite. Jenny had just gotten off her shift and we ran into her at the bar, trying to riddle out the final ingredient to a new mixed drink using an iris-infused gin named Magellan. We spent the next hour or so helping her out, and had a great time brainstorming with her and the bartender Brandon on the cocktail. Ultimately, I believe that we all settled on Magellan, soda and lemon zest in pomegranate-laced glass, though it took us another trip there the following night to come up with a suitable name for the drink: The Veiled Iris. I hear they're hoping to add it to the menu soon! :) Overall, the food needs just a little bit of tweaking before we'd feel confident ordering outside of the Dim Sum menu (the desserts especially?), but the service was more than cordial and the drinks were quite nice indeed. We'll look forward to returning when we're in town, and all three of our new-found friends there will be welcome to visit Portland so we can show them our hospitality as much as they'd done so for us. Thumbs up for making an above average food experience exemplary, you all! Thank you very much!
(4)
Reba M.
OMG the HH menu is amazing. Fresh squeezed juices. Fire place. Breakfast menu is yummy too.
(5)
Ormond G.
The owner of this restaurant fails to realize that without customers, she would not have a business. I took 6 clients out to dinner only to have the owner admonish me in front of my clients and other customers that we had not ordered expensive enough food to warrant the private space we had. Actually the owner selected our dinner menu, so I guess it was her own fault we did not pay over the $200.00. I still left a 20% tip because I did not want the owner's attitude to impact the earnings of the hard working server. I will never take another client to this restaurant and have influenced one of my other clients to no longer use the restaurant for dinner meetings for their board of directors of which I am one.
(1)
Tabitha C.
Good food
(3)
Ramanda L.
I've been contemplating whether or not to give it a 3 or 4 star. I would give their food selection a 4-5, but there service a 2. I loved the atmosphere. It's relaxing and exciting all at the same time. It's very nice inside, and you can choose to sit at the bar, by the fire place or at a regular table. The dim sum menus is AWESOME! There are at least 20 different items to choose from, and most of them have been great. I have been there with a large and small group- and every time we've all enjoyed mostly everything. When it comes to ordering drinks... There have been a few times we have had to send the drink back because it was pure mixer. The last time we went the bartender made the mojito 3 different times before we were just annoyed and said forget it. I've even ordered a cosmo that tasted like it had nothing in it... Usually when I order a cosmo it's hard for me to drink because all I can taste is alcohol! I've never tried the dinner menu so I can't rate the food, but if you were to go with someone and each order 1 thing your bill would be at least double... Maybe that's okay for some, but with the dim sum you can try 6 different things and have more than enough for half the price- That's my kind of deal!
(4)
Daniel P.
Bravo for trying to bring fine dining to Corvallis. Bar drinks were great. Bar menu was interesting and mostly good. One item we really did not like and they took it back and did not charge us without a fuss. Try the prickly pear martini - YUM!
(3)
Christine E.
When I'm in town, this is where you'll find me. Although it may be reminiscent of a chic city bar, it's a singular landmark for Corvallis. Offering amazing cuisine at fast food pricing with libations to match! The new mixed drinks for $4 are a hit! Try the rum with young coconut- the raw coconut flesh is the maker on this one. If you venture off their expansive Dim Sum menu- try the lamb, it's wonderful. Can't wait for their Snug bar to open!
(5)
Alison C.
Magenta now serves breakfast and it's delicious! Great coffee, too. My daughter and I split a meal: eggs, hash browns, pancakes for $8.00. The eggs are from Norton Creek. The coffee is made to order. Pancakes light and buttery. The restaurant is beautifully designed and the acoustics are good. You can actually hear each other talk. Great food in a beautiful room, good conversation, delicious coffee. What more can you ask for?
(5)
Yasmien H.
Super tasty Dim Sum-ish menu with lots of great choices. Food came out delicious!
(4)
Colleen D.
We have followed owner Kimber Hoang's ups and downs ever since she opened the original location on Monroe Street. The downtown location is better for the type of ambience she's trying to create -- kind of relaxed but urban. Our favorite is the tapas menu. We've sampled the interesting martinis and for the most part they are good. Stay away from the coconut one though! I got that once and didn't like it, and they didn't charge me for it. We are mostly wine drinkers in any case. Magenta's selection of wines is quite good but not cheap. They have recently doubled the number of offerings on the tapas menu. Some of the offerings are totally awesome, such as the spicy tuna, and some are meh. The quality of the food is always decent and at times excellent. Like some other reviewers, we have also had mixed results with the service. #corvSMB
(4)
Chris F.
Very nice atmosphere. $4 Dim Sum and its good! Buy two of them and you will be full. Have not been here yet for dinner. I see they serve kangaroo as a dinner entree. I wonder if they are as tasty as they are cute? I shall have to investigate one of these days and report back with my findings. Get in mah belly roo!!
(4)
Patty B.
What a lovely break in my day! I recently met a client for lunch and was very pleased with the delicious meal (stuffed crepe...MMM.) and quiet atmosphere of Magenta. The restauarant wasn't super busy so we were able to enjoy quiet conversation and attentive service. I will definitely be bringing more clients in for lunch.
(4)
Emi K.
We came here to celebrate my birthday. So ummm.... definitely looks a lot fancier than many of the restaurants in town. But, compared to what you see in Portland or in Tokyo... not as fancy. We just made a reservation 10 min. before arriving and they had our table ready, but the waiter seemed not to notice it... But eventually we were seated in the right place. We all ordered from the Dim Sum menu, but being an Asian fusion restaurant, I was expecting a lot more of "Asian" food. Instead it had some pastas and other non-Asian food on the menu. Anyways, I ordered 2 Dim Sum and everyone else ordered 3. This is more than enough to fill you up. The waiter seemed to be sick and kept on coughing... which disturbed my husband, since he's a little germaphobic. Well, it did disturb me too, but at least he was not coughing into our food. Talking about service... they are very nice, but they seem not to know what they're doing sometimes. They took my mother-in-law's drink before she was done. They couldn't seat us on the right table, and they just seemed a little off in the conversations we'd have. BUT, since it was my birthday, they gave me a free dessert! A chocolate mouse, which turned out to be delicious! The food in general was nothing special. The atmosphere needed a little more polishing, and the service staff needs some better training. If you are in Corvallis and looking for a modern, trendy place to eat and have a few drinks, this might work. But if you're looking for food, there are better places in town.
(3)
M F.
We went here after being rudely treated at Terminus and I am happy to say this is a good restaurant. My husband and I wanted "fun" drinks and a variety to eat and I must say Magenta is the place for both. The dim sum menu has so many things to offer and we tried only about four of them before being full. We shared the appetizers and sipped the evening away. The service is slow - where isn't the service a downside to eating out in Corvallis? - but the food is very tasty. Plan a slow evening full of variety and spice and this is the place!
(4)
Megan D.
Lunch time is the best time to go to Magenta. Great lunch specials. Great atmosphere, very intimate. If going for dinner, be sure to make reseervations.
(5)
Foodie F.
Magenta is one of my favorite restaurants in Oregon. The dim sum is unusual and phenomenal as is Sunday brunch; the setting intimate and fun; the service is consistently good.
(4)
Lee W.
The best part of Magenta is that they really do try hard to offer an interesting mix of foods. Their dim sum menu is fun and tasty, and only $4 per plate. Good way to do the tapas thing and the variety is huge. One of my favorites is the steak in wine sauce. Num! The sauce also goes well as a dip for just about everything else. Full bar, funky hip decor, good service, decent enough food, definitely better than a lot of places in this town. One of the few restaurants I want to eat at more than once.
(3)
Ed K.
My wife and I made reservations at Magenta last night hoping for a great dinner out. While the food was superb and everything we thought it would be the service was horrible. Having arrived early we were offered seats at the fireplace. From there things went downhill fast. We noticed a couple sitting across from us that had were there prior to our arrival and at 6:40pm (our reservation was at 6:30) we noticed they had still not been seated. Right then their food showed up and they asked when they were getting seated. We asked them when their reservation was and they said it was 6pm. We thought what a joke, your food arrives before you get your table?? We then asked when we were going to get seated and they seemed puzzled that we were even asking. Finally another 10 minutes later they seated us next to the kitchen (even though we were promised a good table when we reserved). Now get this, there were nice tables for two near the fireplace that were empty then and stayed empty the whole time we were there. When we were seated I felt like the entertainment with a spotlight pointed right into my face. After much effort a waiter was able to adjust the light out of my eyes. We ordered and the meal arrived quickly. It was fabulous!! However, we had to ask for our bread and were never asked about the meal or drink refills. We talked to others who felt the same about their current and past experiences. The big problem with Magenta seems to be that there is no customer service protocols in place nor is there any dining room leadership in place to manage issues as the arise. Too bad since this restaurant could be top notch if they fix their customer service issues.
(2)
Killer S.
I was pleasantly surprised with their Culinary Week special -- in my case, "Banana leaf-wrapped wild Alaskan rockfish steamed with a freshly sliced corn tamale, served in a ginger lemon cream sauce with zucchini and mushroom chutney." For $10, it was a steal... and effective marketing too. I'm going to give them another run when I'm in town next. They had by far the most expansive culinary week menu (with five or six different options). The lady had "Pan-seared pork tenderloin medallion in a passion fruit butter sauce, whipped Asian black beans and Asian blends stir fry." It was similarly quite a steal and confirmed that these guys/gals sure know their sauces. I did glance at their regular menu and while several of the items were pretty intriguing, I don't know if they'll be able to stand up to their price tags. The dishes described above was delicious, but was more of a $20 type deal than the $25-30ish that most of their entrees seemed to run. As for my rockfish dish itself, it was a generous chunk of fish that was cooked correctly, flaky but not dry, and its sauce was deliciously tangy. The tamale was a bit bland and uninspired; the sides were good filler. Neat space in there. Felt a little out of sorts for Corvallis but reminded me of a place I used to go to in DC.
(4)
Jason H.
One word: small plates. Skip the entrees and stick with the starters and the dim sum menu. The more expensive entrees are not worth the price and don't really measure up to the other delights on the menus. Almost everything i've had off the starters section of the menu was good and about half of the items on the dim sum menu were worth getting again. Whats nice about sticking with the smaller items is that it is less costly and you get more variety. The pad thai, emu carpaccio, scallops, shimp wantons, are all good choices off the dim sum menu. I'd stay away from anything with pork as they use an odd assortment of Asian spices which leaves several of their pork dumplings a bit too "porky" for my taste. Service is friendly which always makes things a bit more enjoyable.
(4)
Ormond G.
The owner of this restaurant fails to realize that without customers, she would not have a business. I took 6 clients out to dinner only to have the owner admonish me in front of my clients and other customers that we had not ordered expensive enough food to warrant the private space we had. Actually the owner selected our dinner menu, so I guess it was her own fault we did not pay over the $200.00. I still left a 20% tip because I did not want the owner's attitude to impact the earnings of the hard working server. I will never take another client to this restaurant and have influenced one of my other clients to no longer use the restaurant for dinner meetings for their board of directors of which I am one.
(1)
Tabitha C.
Good food
(3)
Ramanda L.
I've been contemplating whether or not to give it a 3 or 4 star. I would give their food selection a 4-5, but there service a 2. I loved the atmosphere. It's relaxing and exciting all at the same time. It's very nice inside, and you can choose to sit at the bar, by the fire place or at a regular table. The dim sum menus is AWESOME! There are at least 20 different items to choose from, and most of them have been great. I have been there with a large and small group- and every time we've all enjoyed mostly everything. When it comes to ordering drinks... There have been a few times we have had to send the drink back because it was pure mixer. The last time we went the bartender made the mojito 3 different times before we were just annoyed and said forget it. I've even ordered a cosmo that tasted like it had nothing in it... Usually when I order a cosmo it's hard for me to drink because all I can taste is alcohol! I've never tried the dinner menu so I can't rate the food, but if you were to go with someone and each order 1 thing your bill would be at least double... Maybe that's okay for some, but with the dim sum you can try 6 different things and have more than enough for half the price- That's my kind of deal!
(4)
Daniel P.
Bravo for trying to bring fine dining to Corvallis. Bar drinks were great. Bar menu was interesting and mostly good. One item we really did not like and they took it back and did not charge us without a fuss. Try the prickly pear martini - YUM!
(3)
Christine E.
When I'm in town, this is where you'll find me. Although it may be reminiscent of a chic city bar, it's a singular landmark for Corvallis. Offering amazing cuisine at fast food pricing with libations to match! The new mixed drinks for $4 are a hit! Try the rum with young coconut- the raw coconut flesh is the maker on this one. If you venture off their expansive Dim Sum menu- try the lamb, it's wonderful. Can't wait for their Snug bar to open!
(5)
Alison C.
Magenta now serves breakfast and it's delicious! Great coffee, too. My daughter and I split a meal: eggs, hash browns, pancakes for $8.00. The eggs are from Norton Creek. The coffee is made to order. Pancakes light and buttery. The restaurant is beautifully designed and the acoustics are good. You can actually hear each other talk. Great food in a beautiful room, good conversation, delicious coffee. What more can you ask for?
(5)
Yasmien H.
Super tasty Dim Sum-ish menu with lots of great choices. Food came out delicious!
(4)
Colleen D.
We have followed owner Kimber Hoang's ups and downs ever since she opened the original location on Monroe Street. The downtown location is better for the type of ambience she's trying to create -- kind of relaxed but urban. Our favorite is the tapas menu. We've sampled the interesting martinis and for the most part they are good. Stay away from the coconut one though! I got that once and didn't like it, and they didn't charge me for it. We are mostly wine drinkers in any case. Magenta's selection of wines is quite good but not cheap. They have recently doubled the number of offerings on the tapas menu. Some of the offerings are totally awesome, such as the spicy tuna, and some are meh. The quality of the food is always decent and at times excellent. Like some other reviewers, we have also had mixed results with the service. #corvSMB
(4)
B B.
My favorite (magenta) martini in town. Another lovely dinner, all from dim sum menu. A Corvallis fav.
(4)
Gloria N.
We just discovered that Magenta is now open for breakfast. The "Bob" omelet was served frittata style and very tasty. The eggs Benedict had a wonderful sauce, served on sliced home made bread and was definitely a delight. Service was great. We now plan to go back and have the coconut pancakes with whole Marion berry syrup
(4)
Chris F.
Very nice atmosphere. $4 Dim Sum and its good! Buy two of them and you will be full. Have not been here yet for dinner. I see they serve kangaroo as a dinner entree. I wonder if they are as tasty as they are cute? I shall have to investigate one of these days and report back with my findings. Get in mah belly roo!!
(4)
Killer S.
I was pleasantly surprised with their Culinary Week special -- in my case, "Banana leaf-wrapped wild Alaskan rockfish steamed with a freshly sliced corn tamale, served in a ginger lemon cream sauce with zucchini and mushroom chutney." For $10, it was a steal... and effective marketing too. I'm going to give them another run when I'm in town next. They had by far the most expansive culinary week menu (with five or six different options). The lady had "Pan-seared pork tenderloin medallion in a passion fruit butter sauce, whipped Asian black beans and Asian blends stir fry." It was similarly quite a steal and confirmed that these guys/gals sure know their sauces. I did glance at their regular menu and while several of the items were pretty intriguing, I don't know if they'll be able to stand up to their price tags. The dishes described above was delicious, but was more of a $20 type deal than the $25-30ish that most of their entrees seemed to run. As for my rockfish dish itself, it was a generous chunk of fish that was cooked correctly, flaky but not dry, and its sauce was deliciously tangy. The tamale was a bit bland and uninspired; the sides were good filler. Neat space in there. Felt a little out of sorts for Corvallis but reminded me of a place I used to go to in DC.
(4)
John H.
Magenta's has started a Sunday brunch each week. Since the lamented closing of Michael's Landing, I have been bereft of a place to have brunch on Sunday, which is the only civilized way to end/start the week. Magenta's does well, food could be a little hotter but good quality as always and now the outside (limited) seating is available. Fresh squeezed OJ is out of this world and coffee excellent. They saved my life this last Sunday after a 3 hour bike ride with a friend way beyond my aging status. I needed sustenance and found it in the embracing arms of Kimber.
(4)
Darv I.
The $4 dim sum is the best value gourmet food in the Willamette Valley. I have eaten there dozens of times and have tried almost everything on the dim sum menu. The only item I was not a fan of was the emu carpaccio. The martinis are good as well though the special martinis are a bit on the sweet side. I recommend the "tropical". I have always had a good experience there and would recommend it to anybody. Not sure why this isn't rated five stars across the board. Great food and atmosphere for a great value. I really miss this restaurants menu since moving away from Corvallis.
(5)
Jason H.
One word: small plates. Skip the entrees and stick with the starters and the dim sum menu. The more expensive entrees are not worth the price and don't really measure up to the other delights on the menus. Almost everything i've had off the starters section of the menu was good and about half of the items on the dim sum menu were worth getting again. Whats nice about sticking with the smaller items is that it is less costly and you get more variety. The pad thai, emu carpaccio, scallops, shimp wantons, are all good choices off the dim sum menu. I'd stay away from anything with pork as they use an odd assortment of Asian spices which leaves several of their pork dumplings a bit too "porky" for my taste. Service is friendly which always makes things a bit more enjoyable.
(4)
Charlie T.
Order small plates, a drink, sit in front of fireplace and relax. We love Kimber. #CorvSMB
(4)
Patty B.
What a lovely break in my day! I recently met a client for lunch and was very pleased with the delicious meal (stuffed crepe...MMM.) and quiet atmosphere of Magenta. The restauarant wasn't super busy so we were able to enjoy quiet conversation and attentive service. I will definitely be bringing more clients in for lunch.
(4)
Ed K.
My wife and I made reservations at Magenta last night hoping for a great dinner out. While the food was superb and everything we thought it would be the service was horrible. Having arrived early we were offered seats at the fireplace. From there things went downhill fast. We noticed a couple sitting across from us that had were there prior to our arrival and at 6:40pm (our reservation was at 6:30) we noticed they had still not been seated. Right then their food showed up and they asked when they were getting seated. We asked them when their reservation was and they said it was 6pm. We thought what a joke, your food arrives before you get your table?? We then asked when we were going to get seated and they seemed puzzled that we were even asking. Finally another 10 minutes later they seated us next to the kitchen (even though we were promised a good table when we reserved). Now get this, there were nice tables for two near the fireplace that were empty then and stayed empty the whole time we were there. When we were seated I felt like the entertainment with a spotlight pointed right into my face. After much effort a waiter was able to adjust the light out of my eyes. We ordered and the meal arrived quickly. It was fabulous!! However, we had to ask for our bread and were never asked about the meal or drink refills. We talked to others who felt the same about their current and past experiences. The big problem with Magenta seems to be that there is no customer service protocols in place nor is there any dining room leadership in place to manage issues as the arise. Too bad since this restaurant could be top notch if they fix their customer service issues.
(2)
Jason P.
French with a vietnamese influence. The is quite good. A nice restaurant with a good atmosphere.
(4)
Emi K.
We came here to celebrate my birthday. So ummm.... definitely looks a lot fancier than many of the restaurants in town. But, compared to what you see in Portland or in Tokyo... not as fancy. We just made a reservation 10 min. before arriving and they had our table ready, but the waiter seemed not to notice it... But eventually we were seated in the right place. We all ordered from the Dim Sum menu, but being an Asian fusion restaurant, I was expecting a lot more of "Asian" food. Instead it had some pastas and other non-Asian food on the menu. Anyways, I ordered 2 Dim Sum and everyone else ordered 3. This is more than enough to fill you up. The waiter seemed to be sick and kept on coughing... which disturbed my husband, since he's a little germaphobic. Well, it did disturb me too, but at least he was not coughing into our food. Talking about service... they are very nice, but they seem not to know what they're doing sometimes. They took my mother-in-law's drink before she was done. They couldn't seat us on the right table, and they just seemed a little off in the conversations we'd have. BUT, since it was my birthday, they gave me a free dessert! A chocolate mouse, which turned out to be delicious! The food in general was nothing special. The atmosphere needed a little more polishing, and the service staff needs some better training. If you are in Corvallis and looking for a modern, trendy place to eat and have a few drinks, this might work. But if you're looking for food, there are better places in town.
(3)
M F.
We went here after being rudely treated at Terminus and I am happy to say this is a good restaurant. My husband and I wanted "fun" drinks and a variety to eat and I must say Magenta is the place for both. The dim sum menu has so many things to offer and we tried only about four of them before being full. We shared the appetizers and sipped the evening away. The service is slow - where isn't the service a downside to eating out in Corvallis? - but the food is very tasty. Plan a slow evening full of variety and spice and this is the place!
(4)
Megan D.
Lunch time is the best time to go to Magenta. Great lunch specials. Great atmosphere, very intimate. If going for dinner, be sure to make reseervations.
(5)
Foodie F.
Magenta is one of my favorite restaurants in Oregon. The dim sum is unusual and phenomenal as is Sunday brunch; the setting intimate and fun; the service is consistently good.
(4)
Lee W.
The best part of Magenta is that they really do try hard to offer an interesting mix of foods. Their dim sum menu is fun and tasty, and only $4 per plate. Good way to do the tapas thing and the variety is huge. One of my favorites is the steak in wine sauce. Num! The sauce also goes well as a dip for just about everything else. Full bar, funky hip decor, good service, decent enough food, definitely better than a lot of places in this town. One of the few restaurants I want to eat at more than once.
(3)
Eve L.
Magenta has one of the rudest crews of waiters and waitresses I have encountered in a long time and I spent the past 5 years in NYC, so that's saying something! This place is pretentious without any real reason to back it up. There is less snobbery at NYC's Le Circque and Chicago's Moto than there is at Magenta. The concept of self-awareness is completely lost on this place. I was there last night and my jaw nearly hit the table when I saw a $25 margarita on the menu. This restaurant is located in Corvallis Oregon - a small college town, what exactly is the point of a $25 margarita here? Who's really going to purchase that product when entire town is lined with establishments offering $1 PBRs, $2 whiskey sodas, and $3 blueberry margaritas. The ambience is lame too, they're trying way too hard with their gauzy curtains, poorly maintained orchids, and mass produced Kmart quality Buddha statues. The whole thing just feels inauthentic. The "dim sum" menu borders on insulting for anyone who has ever known the pleasure of real dim sum. Magenta is basically serving a bunch of overblown finger food. Seriously, "Ricotta cheese ravioli with parmesan dill sauce" touted as dim sum, that's just plain silly. I am absolutely done with this place and would suggest others in Corvallis avoid it as well. Magenta would be crushed by far superior and more affordable establishments within a month in a place like NYC, Chicago, or San Francisco. The fact that it is surviving here in Corvallis is puzzling too. I'd like to bid this faux Asian nightmare goodbye so that we can replace it with what this adorable little college town is known for - locally sourced authentic Pacific Northwest cuisine served in warm and welcoming venues by genuinely friendly waitstaff.
(1)
Vanessa M.
Pass through the entrance and you feel as if you've left Corvallis with its sheer magenta decor, Zen monk statues, and bamboo plants, only to reveal extremely snobby, rude service, poorly-executed attempts at French-vietnamese fusion, and a stench of vomit in the waiting area. I have tried Magenta at least five times in hopes that each experience will provide something promising and redeeming, only to be disappointed yet again. During my last visit, it was a busy Friday night, so a friend and I sat at the bar downstairs, and waited almost 30mins for the waitor to take our order. The bartender's response after my friend kindly asked him for 2 waters while we waited: "I'm kind of busy right now, so you're gonna have to go upstairs." I'm from so-Cal and know what bad service is like, but this type of treatment from select staff is seriously the worst that I've ever seen. And on another occasion while I was having dinner at the restaurant, the waiter asked my party to move to a less desirable table location in order to accomodate another party. We complained to the waiter, who responded by looking at us, gave an unsympathetic "sorry," and turned away. Magenta might provide a better experience on slow days, but their inconsistency, lack of courtesy, persistent disregard of its customers, faux Asian fusion, and overpriced cocktails (the downstairs bar), makes it an undesirable outcast in a town known for its friendliness, hospitality, and unpretentiousness.
(1)
Scott L.
Awesome small plates. Love the wings! I've never had anything I didn't like. Highly recommend.
(5)
Kristin B.
Tonight will be the last night I attend Magenta for Food. We went in around 8:30pm (Sunday they close at 9:30) because I love their Tapas type menu. Our server was someone who served us often, and is always very attentive. He even remembered I love ice in my water. There was one other table in the restaurant who looked as though they were almost finished with their meal. Fast forward to our meal: I ordered something I always order and it came out very very different. Basically instead of being pasta dish with some veggies mixed in, it was a dish of 3/4 cabbage with a little bit of pasta underneath. This dish has never had cabbage and I have ordered it at least once a month for the last 3 years. I unfortunately really dislike cabbage. One of the people with me convinced me to ask them to make another one due to the amount of cabbage. Intermission: 3 years ago I started going to Magenta with friends or family around 2 times a month. I always get the same Tapas, and over time have scaled back do to how the Tapas are continuing to go down hill. The size has been scaled back, the taste has gotten worse, etc. There was one server that argued with our complaint that something we had ordered wasn't done in the middle (which is a heath hazard) because Kim likes to cook them that way and so it was okay. They also are never allowed to discount or take off a bad meal unless Kim (the owner) okays it. We started going there for dinner less and less because their quality is so up and down. Back to Tonight: The server, after taking my dish away to remake it, came back and said the owner, Kim, wants to charge me again for the same meal. As I ordered two of the same meal the first time, this would of been $16 for the same small sides of pasta! i said no, that this was not okay with me. He said okay he would see what he could do. We then preceded to wait and wait and wait for my pasta - which never came. Turns out the owner didn't want to remake the plate, and after letting it sit on a shelf for 10 minutes or so offered to pick out the cabbage and reserve it to me. The server knew this would be unacceptable and said no. Kim, the owner, then left the restaurant without talking to our table, or making this issue right. (she went to have dinner at home while I didn't eat) Meanwhile the table next to us asked if this was our first visit because they were very disappointed in their steak. The $30 or so dish came out with a steak that was over 1/2 fat!. Upon asking for a new one it was still unacceptable. So unacceptable that about 20 minutes after the couple left, the gentleman came back and told the server that he couldn't believe they charged him full price for the meal he barely ate. The server said he couldn't discount it and was truly sorry that he didn't have the authority to do this and the owner had left. The gentleman then wrote a note to the owner about how frustrated he was. I was so upset by this whole ordeal; spending about $90 on dinner for the four of us at the restaurant I chose, so i could eat this one meal, that I never even got to eat! I called what ended up being the owners cell phone and her husband answered. I tried to explain how frustrated I was and asked for a credit for our next bill, or some compensation for yet another terrible food experience. Kim told me that it was my problem I didn't like it, she always makes it with cabbage and too bad. I then told her that we had been coming forever, and that her attitude about not making me a simple meal over and the right way was frustrating. She responded with WELL THERE ARE STARVING CHILDREN IN AFRICA, SO I SHOULDN'T COMPLAIN. I was so in shock and said wow, did she understand that she had cooked only two meals that night; ours and the table next to ours, and both meals had complaints. Kim then responded with WELL I SHOULDN'T EXPECT HER TO ROLL OUT THE CARPET FOR $4. My $4/8 craving made her restaurant another $90 on a slow night. On top of this she requires her serves to pay a percentage of her tips to her! (whether she is working or not I believe) I knew this but after tonight can not understand how this is possible. The servers were very apologetic, wished they could do more, and couldn't believe what I had to listen to! I had it on speaker phone. I could not believe how an owner would treat me or any customer. This is the last straw, and I will no longer give my support to a restaurant with such an attitude. Customers are what make a restaurant strong, and if an owner thinks she is better then her customers there are problems. I feel very sorry for the many good servers who make wonderful drinks, who work in such an environment, and I hope the other couple has better luck then we did. So long Magenta.
Terrible service, the owner is rude, the beer comes from party pigs that you can buy at the Co-op or MOC for $29(they contain about 20 beers). Magenta charges $4 a glass for foamy warm beer. We have given them 3 tries, they have gotten progressively worse. NEVER AGAIN! If I could give 0 stars, I would.
(1)
John P.
My wife and I tried this out for dinner last night, having just moved into the region. Went with the Dim Sum menu in order to try a bit of everything. The good: Tri-tip in wine sauce (so tasty), sauteed mushrooms (I drank the sauce... nuff said), pork-filled bao (make sure to use lots of sauce, delish!), yukon fries (though not crunchy at all, the use of spicy cream sauce found on sushi made it tasty), shrimp spring roll (large leafs of basil, yum) The enh and bleh: coconut shrimp (mango sauce was too thin, not enough coconut), sate chicken (surprisingly not on a stick, the peanut sauce was thin, but otherwise not bad, just not great), pork-stuffed mushrooms were alright, lemongrass meatballs had surprisingly almost no lemongrass taste, asian hot wings were okay - basic fried mini-wings with a dab of spicy plum sauce. Nothing bad, just some things were less tasty than anticipated. Service started out kind of enh when we weren't ordering alcohol, but cheered up when he realized we were ordering lots of dim sum. For a Friday night, it was crazy slow... by 9pm, we were the only ones in the place, and no one came in when we were leaving. I can only guess it's because it's summertime? We'll definitely go back, and bring friends. Dim sum for the win!
(4)
Kimberly W.
When we got to Magenta this evening we were greeted poorly when we told them we had no reservations. They asked if we would wait and we said yes, then magically they had a table for us despite no one leaving. We did have to sit my son and I on the booth side of a 2 person table and my husband in a chair on the other. The tables were packed in so tight that if you wanted to get up your butt would be in your neighbors face by default. We sat down and twiddled our thumbs for 5 minutes or so before they brought water. The waiter filled our cups with lukewarm water and rushed off, we were still menuless. It took another few minutes of trying to get the wait staff's attention before someone finally realized we had no menus. I've heard there is a full dinner menu but we were never offered it, they gave us the drink menu and the dim sum menu then shoved the local six menu at us before rushing off again. The entire time we were there i don't think we ever got more than a word or 2 out before the rudely left for other things. I was almost ready to leave at this point, but my husband insisted we stay and at least see if the food made up for the horrible service. All that waiting and rudeness ended up being for naught, the food was bland and not much of it. Potstickers should not cost $1.33 each when it's obvious they came out of a frozen bag you can get at Costco (they were $4 for 3). The wontons and the shu mai were more of the same bland and obviously previously frozen. The Asian hot wings were better than the rest but again they were just previously frozen fried hot wings with hoisin sauce on them. We also had the local 6 pad thai which was decent. Not worth coming back for, but sadly, it was the best thing we ate. They also cleaned off the table next to us during our meal and left a very dirty napkin on the seat and only wiped the table with a dry cloth leaving smears of food, talk about disgusting. Maybe it would have been worth it if the atmosphere or the service had been in line but neither were good. We decided not to try anything else since we couldn't get the servers attention and left starving. The table next to us was talking of leaving and going to Applebees since they were having a similar experience. We ended up at Baja Fresh (yeah not top of the line but my other choices all had a wait and you have to understand how starving we were!). My husband joked that Baja Fresh had better food and much better service than Magenta, the extremely sad thing was that what he said was very true.
(1)
Jonathan W.
We decided to check this place out after hearing they were offering some Local 6 plates. We left quite disappointed with our experience. We were seated, got our menus 10 minutes later, and were not offered refills on our lukewarm water the entire time we were there. Besides the subpar service, the Dim Sum menu was moderately expensive for the portions you get. This would be forgivable if the taste were exceptional, but it was not. The Spicy Asian wings were drenched in hoisin, the dumplings and shu mai were large but uninspired and tasted from the freezer. The shrimp and cheese wontons were marginally tasty, but again not of the quality I'd expect of something costing $4 for 3. The only thing mildly worth our time was the pad thai, which I'm not sure is the same as the Pad Thai they usually serve off their dim sum menu. Overall, bad service, expensive mediocre food, and cramped atmosphere make this a place I will not be revisiting.
(2)
Tammy S.
I have been here 3x - once for date night, twice for events held by a good friend & I will never return. The service here is the WORST in Corvallis (& that's saying a lot!!) - we sat at a table for over 30 minutes & every other person at the table was served & we were never even approached by any waitstaff, had to order the one beer we drank from the bar & he would not give us a menu so that we could attempt to order food. If I could give negative stars I would.
Terrible service, the owner is rude, the beer comes from party pigs that you can buy at the Co-op or MOC for $29(they contain about 20 beers). Magenta charges $4 a glass for foamy warm beer. We have given them 3 tries, they have gotten progressively worse. NEVER AGAIN! If I could give 0 stars, I would.
(1)
John P.
My wife and I tried this out for dinner last night, having just moved into the region. Went with the Dim Sum menu in order to try a bit of everything. The good: Tri-tip in wine sauce (so tasty), sauteed mushrooms (I drank the sauce... nuff said), pork-filled bao (make sure to use lots of sauce, delish!), yukon fries (though not crunchy at all, the use of spicy cream sauce found on sushi made it tasty), shrimp spring roll (large leafs of basil, yum) The enh and bleh: coconut shrimp (mango sauce was too thin, not enough coconut), sate chicken (surprisingly not on a stick, the peanut sauce was thin, but otherwise not bad, just not great), pork-stuffed mushrooms were alright, lemongrass meatballs had surprisingly almost no lemongrass taste, asian hot wings were okay - basic fried mini-wings with a dab of spicy plum sauce. Nothing bad, just some things were less tasty than anticipated. Service started out kind of enh when we weren't ordering alcohol, but cheered up when he realized we were ordering lots of dim sum. For a Friday night, it was crazy slow... by 9pm, we were the only ones in the place, and no one came in when we were leaving. I can only guess it's because it's summertime? We'll definitely go back, and bring friends. Dim sum for the win!
(4)
Tammy S.
I have been here 3x - once for date night, twice for events held by a good friend & I will never return. The service here is the WORST in Corvallis (& that's saying a lot!!) - we sat at a table for over 30 minutes & every other person at the table was served & we were never even approached by any waitstaff, had to order the one beer we drank from the bar & he would not give us a menu so that we could attempt to order food. If I could give negative stars I would.
(1)
Scott L.
Awesome small plates. Love the wings! I've never had anything I didn't like. Highly recommend.
(5)
Kristin B.
Tonight will be the last night I attend Magenta for Food. We went in around 8:30pm (Sunday they close at 9:30) because I love their Tapas type menu. Our server was someone who served us often, and is always very attentive. He even remembered I love ice in my water. There was one other table in the restaurant who looked as though they were almost finished with their meal. Fast forward to our meal: I ordered something I always order and it came out very very different. Basically instead of being pasta dish with some veggies mixed in, it was a dish of 3/4 cabbage with a little bit of pasta underneath. This dish has never had cabbage and I have ordered it at least once a month for the last 3 years. I unfortunately really dislike cabbage. One of the people with me convinced me to ask them to make another one due to the amount of cabbage. Intermission: 3 years ago I started going to Magenta with friends or family around 2 times a month. I always get the same Tapas, and over time have scaled back do to how the Tapas are continuing to go down hill. The size has been scaled back, the taste has gotten worse, etc. There was one server that argued with our complaint that something we had ordered wasn't done in the middle (which is a heath hazard) because Kim likes to cook them that way and so it was okay. They also are never allowed to discount or take off a bad meal unless Kim (the owner) okays it. We started going there for dinner less and less because their quality is so up and down. Back to Tonight: The server, after taking my dish away to remake it, came back and said the owner, Kim, wants to charge me again for the same meal. As I ordered two of the same meal the first time, this would of been $16 for the same small sides of pasta! i said no, that this was not okay with me. He said okay he would see what he could do. We then preceded to wait and wait and wait for my pasta - which never came. Turns out the owner didn't want to remake the plate, and after letting it sit on a shelf for 10 minutes or so offered to pick out the cabbage and reserve it to me. The server knew this would be unacceptable and said no. Kim, the owner, then left the restaurant without talking to our table, or making this issue right. (she went to have dinner at home while I didn't eat) Meanwhile the table next to us asked if this was our first visit because they were very disappointed in their steak. The $30 or so dish came out with a steak that was over 1/2 fat!. Upon asking for a new one it was still unacceptable. So unacceptable that about 20 minutes after the couple left, the gentleman came back and told the server that he couldn't believe they charged him full price for the meal he barely ate. The server said he couldn't discount it and was truly sorry that he didn't have the authority to do this and the owner had left. The gentleman then wrote a note to the owner about how frustrated he was. I was so upset by this whole ordeal; spending about $90 on dinner for the four of us at the restaurant I chose, so i could eat this one meal, that I never even got to eat! I called what ended up being the owners cell phone and her husband answered. I tried to explain how frustrated I was and asked for a credit for our next bill, or some compensation for yet another terrible food experience. Kim told me that it was my problem I didn't like it, she always makes it with cabbage and too bad. I then told her that we had been coming forever, and that her attitude about not making me a simple meal over and the right way was frustrating. She responded with WELL THERE ARE STARVING CHILDREN IN AFRICA, SO I SHOULDN'T COMPLAIN. I was so in shock and said wow, did she understand that she had cooked only two meals that night; ours and the table next to ours, and both meals had complaints. Kim then responded with WELL I SHOULDN'T EXPECT HER TO ROLL OUT THE CARPET FOR $4. My $4/8 craving made her restaurant another $90 on a slow night. On top of this she requires her serves to pay a percentage of her tips to her! (whether she is working or not I believe) I knew this but after tonight can not understand how this is possible. The servers were very apologetic, wished they could do more, and couldn't believe what I had to listen to! I had it on speaker phone. I could not believe how an owner would treat me or any customer. This is the last straw, and I will no longer give my support to a restaurant with such an attitude. Customers are what make a restaurant strong, and if an owner thinks she is better then her customers there are problems. I feel very sorry for the many good servers who make wonderful drinks, who work in such an environment, and I hope the other couple has better luck then we did. So long Magenta.
(1)
Jess k.
i came on a sunday with a date. the place was pretty dead for 11 am. in the background, weird, urban trip hop about popping, locking, and dropping it low played mellowly. this place is bougie. there were fresh apples and pears stacked in bowls and strewn on the ground. gauzy curtains separated those on the inside from the awkward gaze of the peons on the outside. crazy throw pillows were aplenty, just in case you wanted to take a nap. don't get me wrong! the ambiance is very nice, but i felt a little out of place. i decided that since this was a date, it would be appropriate to start drinking at 11 in the morning. i ordered a mimosa made with fresh squeezed orange juice. i didn't feel that it was worth $7--especially since its not a bottomless mimosa. what brunch place doesn't offer bottomless mimosas? the answer is: the classy ones. the only waiter was also the bartender. he was friendly and gave great service; he didn't push me to make a decision quickly. getting the check and paying it was a little slow, but again, he was the ONLY waiter. after reading wonderful things about the eggs benedict, i decided to order it. i love my eggs bennie!!! i asked if i could have a half order, and i was told that they didn't do half orders, but that it kept well. so my date and i split the order. the waiter brought out an extra plate at no charge. the eggs benedict came on two fresh slices of homemade bread, with a sauce that was definitely not hollandaise, GIANT SLICES OF HAM, poached eggs, and maybe some reduced red peppers. the serving is ridiculously big, and was definitely big enough to split between two people. while it was good, it wasn't the eggs benedict i was looking for. the bread got soggy towards the end, which was disappointing. the price was decent and the quality and quantity of food were good. however, i don't think i'll be back for brunch since i wanted something a little less... bougie.
(3)
Stephanie S.
I don't feel that I can do the food here justice in a review. The tritip in winesauce has tender steak, and a delicious sauce that makes you want to lick the plate clean. The Pho is the best I have ever had, and this is coming from a pho snob. The dim sum menu has so many options for four dollars each making for a great dining experience for a reasonable price. There are also entrees which are in the 25$ range, but don't let this deter you. The entrees have generous portions of perfectly cooked high quality food. I especially like the elk leg. I grew up in a small town where hunting was prevalent, and the presence of this on a menu makes my tastebuds leap with joy. Also, the drinks are made with fresh fruit purees so one can feign healthy choices while enjoying drinks with friends, what could be better than that? The staff is also accommodating, and care greatly about the quality and the needs of your dining experience. Give this place a try, I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Jim O.
I had lunch today at Magenta and had a great experience. The atmosphere is groovy and the Pho is awesome. I asked to have it spicy and they delivered. I cried my way through it, enjoying every bite through to the last. I had a Thai Iced Tea that was pretty good...sweet...but good. The server told me if I didn't like it, she would switch it out for something else, a nice touch to get me to try something different. I think I might just have new favorite soup, I'll be back for the Pho. #corvsmb
(5)
N C.
I was disappointed with the visit. We got a selection of tapas, which were good, but not excellent. The service was poor. I ordered a gin drink which came sans alcohol. The taste of gin is fairly unmistakable. When I gently pointed this out, neither the waitress nor the bartender would remake the drink. I ended up paying $10 for a glorified lemonade.
(2)
Stephanie M.
This place rocks!!! Seriously, the best breakfast in Corvallis! Highly recommend the Salsa and the Benny!! Also, the dim sum menu is huge and has lots of gluten free and even vegetarian options. Coffee and drinks are amazing too! Eating here will only enhance your day guaranteed! Many thanks to the chef and staff, this is why I love Corvallis so much.
(5)
Joseph B.
This is my favorite restaurant in Corvallis. The tapas menu is hard to beat and the prices are very good. The mixed drinks are great. It is a small place and I've been turned away only nice and that was when a play was going on. Great place for lunch or dinner.
(5)
Andrew T.
My friends and I attempted to dine here on a Thursday night. We sat in the downstairs bar, and the bartender told us he would be right back to take our order. 20 minutes later he returned and gave us menus after we had to ask him for them. The food and drinks looked great however we didn't get to try any of it because we ended up walking out after about 40 minutes due to no service. The bartender even served people that showed up after we did all while ignoring us. I may try to go back but they need to get their service figured out first.
(1)
Ron And Anita T.
Magenta is a fun restaurant, but I remember when, perhaps a decade or so ago, that it was much better when located on Monroe across from the campus. Then I'd have given it four stars; now only three, mainly because of the service. Four of us, first of all enjoyed the dim sum menu, which at $4 each, was good and reasonable. The entrees, I don't think were as reasonable, but were good. The water buffalo my wife had was tender and tasty; my steelhead steak on a bed of veggies with a wonderful rice was very good. Other entrees included lamb, which totally disappeared, so that speaks to it's quality. Finally, a steak entree didn't make a doggy bag either! The service was a bit bizarre! The two bottles of wine ordered came with the wrong glasses, as the were partly changed during the meal? The one waiter was challenged, although the restaurant was clearing out by the time we ate! We are from out of town now, but have been here several times never-the-less. Will probably keep going on occasion.
(3)
Natascha C.
I was given a gift certificate to Magenta for my birthday. The food was pretty good, but not much to write home about. My husband and I ordered 8 of the tapas and shared. I think that was a pretty good selection off of the menu. Things were okay, but not great. The tuna was way overcooked. At the end I tried to order some dessert wine off of the menu and it took four tries to pick something they actually had. The service was okay too. I'm not sure I would go back. It was a little too fancy and stuffy for my taste, but I can see why people like it.
(3)
Michael K.
We visited for Sunday lunch. I had the Korean BBQ pork and my wife had the risotto. Both were just wonderful. The service was attentive and the meal just delicious. We give it two thumbs up.
(4)
coralee h.
I live in corvallis and have only been to magenta a few times, I am more of a burger or pizza and a beer kind of girl. My most recent visit was for a friends birthday, and her husband ordered everything on the dim sum menu. Which that night was about 35 -40 items. EVERYTHING was good, i will try anything but some of things looked pretty unusual. Like the emu carpaccio, it looked raw but tasted delicious. Their cocktails are always very tasty, and obviously made with high quality and fresh ingredients. I try other people cocktails but usually go with a jack and coke myself. A good place for conversation, its never too loud.
(4)
Kimberly W.
When we got to Magenta this evening we were greeted poorly when we told them we had no reservations. They asked if we would wait and we said yes, then magically they had a table for us despite no one leaving. We did have to sit my son and I on the booth side of a 2 person table and my husband in a chair on the other. The tables were packed in so tight that if you wanted to get up your butt would be in your neighbors face by default. We sat down and twiddled our thumbs for 5 minutes or so before they brought water. The waiter filled our cups with lukewarm water and rushed off, we were still menuless. It took another few minutes of trying to get the wait staff's attention before someone finally realized we had no menus. I've heard there is a full dinner menu but we were never offered it, they gave us the drink menu and the dim sum menu then shoved the local six menu at us before rushing off again. The entire time we were there i don't think we ever got more than a word or 2 out before the rudely left for other things. I was almost ready to leave at this point, but my husband insisted we stay and at least see if the food made up for the horrible service. All that waiting and rudeness ended up being for naught, the food was bland and not much of it. Potstickers should not cost $1.33 each when it's obvious they came out of a frozen bag you can get at Costco (they were $4 for 3). The wontons and the shu mai were more of the same bland and obviously previously frozen. The Asian hot wings were better than the rest but again they were just previously frozen fried hot wings with hoisin sauce on them. We also had the local 6 pad thai which was decent. Not worth coming back for, but sadly, it was the best thing we ate. They also cleaned off the table next to us during our meal and left a very dirty napkin on the seat and only wiped the table with a dry cloth leaving smears of food, talk about disgusting. Maybe it would have been worth it if the atmosphere or the service had been in line but neither were good. We decided not to try anything else since we couldn't get the servers attention and left starving. The table next to us was talking of leaving and going to Applebees since they were having a similar experience. We ended up at Baja Fresh (yeah not top of the line but my other choices all had a wait and you have to understand how starving we were!). My husband joked that Baja Fresh had better food and much better service than Magenta, the extremely sad thing was that what he said was very true.
(1)
Jonathan W.
We decided to check this place out after hearing they were offering some Local 6 plates. We left quite disappointed with our experience. We were seated, got our menus 10 minutes later, and were not offered refills on our lukewarm water the entire time we were there. Besides the subpar service, the Dim Sum menu was moderately expensive for the portions you get. This would be forgivable if the taste were exceptional, but it was not. The Spicy Asian wings were drenched in hoisin, the dumplings and shu mai were large but uninspired and tasted from the freezer. The shrimp and cheese wontons were marginally tasty, but again not of the quality I'd expect of something costing $4 for 3. The only thing mildly worth our time was the pad thai, which I'm not sure is the same as the Pad Thai they usually serve off their dim sum menu. Overall, bad service, expensive mediocre food, and cramped atmosphere make this a place I will not be revisiting.
(2)
Eve L.
Magenta has one of the rudest crews of waiters and waitresses I have encountered in a long time and I spent the past 5 years in NYC, so that's saying something! This place is pretentious without any real reason to back it up. There is less snobbery at NYC's Le Circque and Chicago's Moto than there is at Magenta. The concept of self-awareness is completely lost on this place. I was there last night and my jaw nearly hit the table when I saw a $25 margarita on the menu. This restaurant is located in Corvallis Oregon - a small college town, what exactly is the point of a $25 margarita here? Who's really going to purchase that product when entire town is lined with establishments offering $1 PBRs, $2 whiskey sodas, and $3 blueberry margaritas. The ambience is lame too, they're trying way too hard with their gauzy curtains, poorly maintained orchids, and mass produced Kmart quality Buddha statues. The whole thing just feels inauthentic. The "dim sum" menu borders on insulting for anyone who has ever known the pleasure of real dim sum. Magenta is basically serving a bunch of overblown finger food. Seriously, "Ricotta cheese ravioli with parmesan dill sauce" touted as dim sum, that's just plain silly. I am absolutely done with this place and would suggest others in Corvallis avoid it as well. Magenta would be crushed by far superior and more affordable establishments within a month in a place like NYC, Chicago, or San Francisco. The fact that it is surviving here in Corvallis is puzzling too. I'd like to bid this faux Asian nightmare goodbye so that we can replace it with what this adorable little college town is known for - locally sourced authentic Pacific Northwest cuisine served in warm and welcoming venues by genuinely friendly waitstaff.
(1)
Vanessa M.
Pass through the entrance and you feel as if you've left Corvallis with its sheer magenta decor, Zen monk statues, and bamboo plants, only to reveal extremely snobby, rude service, poorly-executed attempts at French-vietnamese fusion, and a stench of vomit in the waiting area. I have tried Magenta at least five times in hopes that each experience will provide something promising and redeeming, only to be disappointed yet again. During my last visit, it was a busy Friday night, so a friend and I sat at the bar downstairs, and waited almost 30mins for the waitor to take our order. The bartender's response after my friend kindly asked him for 2 waters while we waited: "I'm kind of busy right now, so you're gonna have to go upstairs." I'm from so-Cal and know what bad service is like, but this type of treatment from select staff is seriously the worst that I've ever seen. And on another occasion while I was having dinner at the restaurant, the waiter asked my party to move to a less desirable table location in order to accomodate another party. We complained to the waiter, who responded by looking at us, gave an unsympathetic "sorry," and turned away. Magenta might provide a better experience on slow days, but their inconsistency, lack of courtesy, persistent disregard of its customers, faux Asian fusion, and overpriced cocktails (the downstairs bar), makes it an undesirable outcast in a town known for its friendliness, hospitality, and unpretentiousness.
(1)
Jessica B.
My biggest tip when planning a trip to Magenta is to sit at the bar. Sit at the BAR!! Order off the happy hour menu, eat delicious Emu Carpaccio, or escargot (GREAT traditional escargot), and top it off with a fruity drink! Here's what will happen if you sit at a table: You might wait longer for one, you will most likely have a waitress who has no clue what you ordered, how many of them were ordered, or if you are even there. I have no clue why Kimber has not fixed this glitch yet. GET BETTER STAFF. If you do, people will come more often, bring more people, and be happier to spend money with you! All in all, the atmosphere is amazing, the food is good, and the wait staff needs a lot of work. #corvSMB
(3)
Madison W.
This is one of the nicer spots in Corvallis. Nice atmosphere and clubby-esque. Though the $4 dim sum (in the late evenings) seems appealing, the food is meh... I suppose it's different than fried bar food, but a lot of it's just normal bar food with jar-ed Asian sauces. (e.g., spicy wings)-FAIL. There was some weird concoctions like a bacon-wrapped bao (which was basically a big meatball)-FAIL. The bao was sitting in some type of hot/sweet sauce. So FAIL. The pad thai was decent. But the atmosphere is nice and it is a change of pace. Wait staff is awesome.
(3)
Cynthia S.
Have you been here for breakfast yet? We had the "Bob" omelette and the Mickey Mouse waffle. Bob was hearty, meaty and delish with the hashbrowns cooked into it like a fritatta. Mickey was a tasty waffle with fresh fruit, a compote syrup and homemade whipped cream as thick and wonderful as you'll ever get. Tried to decline it at first but our waiter said I should try it and he was right! Will also confess that we split a "make your own Bloody Mary" while we waited. Yum. #corvsmb
(5)
Alexis R.
I love Magenta! The dim sum menu is to die for and sooooo affordable!!!! Cocktails are great however, on the pricey side. If you want a great bite to eat, and try a little of everything this is the Restaurant for you! During the weekend be sure to check out the Snug bar which is downstairs.
(4)
Sheri D.
Magenta brings sophistication to Corvallis in a way no one else has been able to. The owners' love for gourmet food and exquisite taste is evident in her very long and really good dim sum menu, premiere drink menu, and elegant atmosphere. My advice: get a take-out menu and mark off the dim sum as you try each one on subsequent visits. maybe do that with the drinks too. Oh, and they're serving breakfast now, too. With fresh squeezed orange juice mimosas. #corvSMB
My wife and I first tried Magenta on a Friday night, and even though they were obviously understaffed, our waitress Jenny did a bang-up job of making us feel right at home. Nalicia (sp?), the bartender, was more than willing to try her hand at making one of our favorite cocktails for the first time. We stuck to the "dim sum" menu (more like tapas, less like a Chinese-style brunch, but who're we to argue?) after the sticker shock of the entrees, and we were largely satisfied with our choices even after half of them arrived swimming in one sauce or another (poor substitute for clever flavor & texture pairings). We even tried their Chocolate Cake with a Red Wine Reduction, but sadly the frosting was granular with refined sugar, the cake itself tasted store bought and the reduction was anything but as it soaked into the cake far before it reached our table. The whole thing ended up being an odd, chocolate-colored, overly sweet sponge with sharply bitter notes of the under-cooked "reduction". Our second night in town found us again at Magenta for a late night bite. Jenny had just gotten off her shift and we ran into her at the bar, trying to riddle out the final ingredient to a new mixed drink using an iris-infused gin named Magellan. We spent the next hour or so helping her out, and had a great time brainstorming with her and the bartender Brandon on the cocktail. Ultimately, I believe that we all settled on Magellan, soda and lemon zest in pomegranate-laced glass, though it took us another trip there the following night to come up with a suitable name for the drink: The Veiled Iris. I hear they're hoping to add it to the menu soon! :) Overall, the food needs just a little bit of tweaking before we'd feel confident ordering outside of the Dim Sum menu (the desserts especially?), but the service was more than cordial and the drinks were quite nice indeed. We'll look forward to returning when we're in town, and all three of our new-found friends there will be welcome to visit Portland so we can show them our hospitality as much as they'd done so for us. Thumbs up for making an above average food experience exemplary, you all! Thank you very much!
(4)
Reba M.
OMG the HH menu is amazing. Fresh squeezed juices. Fire place. Breakfast menu is yummy too.
(5)
Lanie M.
I came here with a co-worker on a week night and was pleasantly surprised with the ambience of the restaurant. It was my first time there and the waiter was very attentive, he also explained how the ordering worked. We were also very pleased by the fact that we made it in time for happy hour. Their chicken coconut curry was exceptional, as well as their other sides such as coconut prawns. Their jack fruit and purple rice dessert is amazing as well. I would definitely come back once a week to this place!
(4)
Joy H.
Ate here this past week with a friend. Enjoyed the atmosphere, service was good, food was excellent. Will definitely be back. Great place to go if you want to try a little bit of everything. Great wine list with lots of options.
(4)
Amber K.
Great ambiance, but for being an upscale place in Corvallis, skimpy on the options for the herbivorous diners.
(2)
Aaron H.
I'll state mediocre service. The food is awful and they do not know how to prepare or cook fish. The dishes are very small, so I went to safeway and got more food. The drunks are delicious, but expensive for not having much alcohol. I don't recommend to eat here, but to have a few drinks and socialize is nice.
(2)
Laura S.
It's a class place with sophisticated lighting and an ambient feel. You are well looked after by the sharply dressed and attentive staff members. The fusion of flavors makes for distinctive and interesting dishes. Fortunately it is dim sum style so try to your hearts content. Some must have include their crab cakes, shrimp salad rolls and beef tri-tip.
(5)
Marie D.
It has been a while since I was in, but I logged onto yelp and decided to write some reviews that I have been neglecting. This place is fabulous. Always unique and I LOVE the small plates. They are perfect and always good. I love the unusual ingredients they find and creative ways they mix up the menu. I hope you continue to keep up the excellent work!!
(5)
Lindsay W.
Good atmosphere, food was delicious! The server/bartender made a special drink just for me that was delicious and the steak and potatoes were equally tasty!
(4)
Staci E.
We had nothing but horrible service at this restaurant. We ordered small plates and only got half of them and they apparently forgot to make the other half. The waitress refused to serve our table until the food was done. We ran out of water waiting for our food that was never being made. The There waitress was surprised when we walked up to her and asked if we could get the check and leave the restaurant. She then took 20 minutes to get us our check. My husband got all of his food but I was never given the food I ordered.
(1)
KP S.
Magenta has numerous small plates and just a few entrees. While my companion ordered an entree, I ordered several small plates and I specified that the cold one was an appetizer and the hot ones were my meal. I know that the waiter understood, as he advised me as to the size of the dishes and how much to order. And yet, they brought all the small plates out early, long before my date's entree arrived. I objected, and the poor kid (not our waiter) carrying them looked like a deer in the headlights. He could not think of a solution, but he did hold the last one back. Our waiter returned later but never apologized or even mentioned the problem. On top of that, the food was quite mediocre in spite of the intriguing menu. Will not return.
(2)
Dustin N.
Tapas restaurant with an Asian twist on numerous dishes. This is one of the best romantic date spots to take wife occasionally. The tapas mostly range from 4-9 dollars and you will need around 6-9 for a decent size meal which of course will depend on the size of the serving. I don't think u have picked a single option that either my wife or I didn't like. There are also full entrees. There is a full bar and the bartender makes an array of different tasty drinks. The draft beer list is decent and the wine list is solid. Although, wine by the glass is pretty limited. The setting of the restaurant is quite mellow which is nice for a date. I hope you aren't in a big hurry though because most of your sit downs here will take a bit longer than some other nearby establishments. In fact, a couple of times my wife and I have waited quite a while to even be acknowledged by the staff. This also comes down I believe to a lack of waiters on the floor compared to the number of tables being served. If 3.5 stars was available it would be very applicable here.
(3)
Jeff S.
My wife and I decided to dine here on our anniversary. She had not been before but I thought she might enjoy the variety of small plates. We had the crab cake x 2, pork stuffed mushrooms, tenderloin tips, coconut prawns, & bbq salad rolls. All were fresh, delacately seasoned, not over-sauced, and delicious. I always enjoy this place and will certainly be back.
(4)
Jasmeen P.
Service was good. Ambience is wonderful. My friend loved her mango matini. We ordered way too may small plates but it was happy hour, so why not? She ordered the pork potstickers, shrimp and cheese wontons, stuffed mushrooms, and ricotta ravioli. I ordered beef tri tip, sauteed mushrooms, Brussels salad, and escargot. We shared all, and ALL were totally delicious. Go here!
(5)
Chi A.
I have been here twice. If one orders the European entrees then prepare to go home hungry and have a big dent in your wallet. The only good reviews would be the asian dishes such as pad Thai and pho soup. Not sure why this play is considered upscale apart from the price. Lastly last time I went with a group the server informed us the the cook went home sick so he the waiter would be our cook for the night. Turned out tragic.
(2)
Tim B.
The food will not knock your socks off but it never dissapoints. Don't expect authentic ...this is more for creative and fun fusions and twists on standard dishes. Downstairs you'll find the best cocktails I've ever had served by a friendly and enthusiastic bartender
(4)
Christina N.
Decided to revisit Magenta after seeing the owner, Kimber Hoang, on Alton Brown's Cuttthroat Kitchen on the Food Network, which I thought was pretty cool to see her on. I have always had good service at Magenta's, although my parties have been 4 or less people. I enjoy the concept of the non-traditional dim sum menu. I wish it had traditional dim sum dishes, but that would scare away most of Corvallis. Each 'dim sum' plate cost $4-5. Dim Sum plates varied from Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, and American dishes. Portions are quite small, but I guess that is what 'dim sum' stands for. Usually about 4-5 plates is what I end up ordering. Presentation of the food was superb. I love coming to Magenta for its great atmosphere and drinks. The interior decor is modern and sophisticated. Great place to bring a date or have a classy girls night out.
(3)
Taste B.
The former Magenta about a decade ago on Monroe had some quality dishes. Currently, the food is ...I can't even describe it - saucy but not fresh or crisp, kind of oily and unappealing. With no room to move upstairs we headed to the basement. Dank, crowded, noisy, a little funky in a way I wanted to like it but just couldn't find a way to enjoy it - maybe I'm getting old and yelling to my friends across a table is unappreciable. Time to pay the bill ; I was given someone else's bill. I couldn't really read the bill very well in the darkness down there, but I could clearly read the bartender's face - that was an intentional "mistake" going on there. I've enjoyed heading over to Magenta post Majestic show- fun to see the cast and an opportunity to chat or buy one of the actors a drink. Other than the fun you make of it there's not much in Magenta. Someone wrote an appreciative Pho review which might allow me give it yet another chance.
(2)
Lee F.
I really want to love this place, but they drive me CRAZY. I have been here about six times total, but have only stayed to eat 4 of those times. The good first: Amazing variety of dim-sum at $4 each. I can heartily recommend the veggie crepes, the Yukon fries, the chicken sate, and the beef in wine sauce. Also. the cocktails are fun. The decor is like eye candy and it flows very nicely with the menu selections. The two stars are for almost always presenting really great food in a fun atmosphere. But, the most important part of atmosphere is attitude, and sometimes the attitude here is just crappy. Once I waited 20 minutes for a table when they said they would "be right back." So I left. Another time they wanted to sit four of us at the bar when we asked for a table. There was NOBODY in the restaurant and they wouldn't let us sit at a table. Two people at the bar, sure, but with four we would have been whipping our heads to the front and back repeatedly to converse, but it would have felt more like a mosh pit, or that car scene from Wayne's World. I feel like the place tries to be fancier and snobbier than it is, and that translates into sub-par service. Also, along the same vein, I felt like the servers didn't care at all. Food often didn't arrive, sometimes very late. Also, the main dish entrees are WAY over-priced in my opinion. I will try them again in a couple of months and see if I can see any improvement on the customer service front. Always keep an open mind!
(2)
Robin M.
We will never go back. I ordered the Korean BBQ and it tasted like it had been warned over leftovers. It was not only very dry, but had an old taste. I sent it back to the kitchen and was offered a small plate to get me through the experience. The clincher is that they charged me for the meal, but not the small plate. This is really bad business! I get to pay for food I could not eat. This is a good place to stay away from!
(1)
Rich L.
Ate there with a large party, reservation was messed up despite calling twice, 1 server for our group of 20. She was very good but needed more help. Food arrived over 1 1/2 hours, some people were finished for 45 minutes or longer before others were served. 1 cook in the kitchen on a Friday night will not sustain business. We frequently entertain business guests all over the USA and never experienced entres that were served over almost 2 hours. Food was good, rack of lamb was a lamb chop not a rack, portions were small but tastey, bar service was mostly good, beer was served in a room temp glass and not cold. We won't be going back anytime soon, sorry Magenta used to be better.
(2)
Katherine W.
Decent Bloody Mary, no oysters @ lunch tho and that's why I went in. The one dim sum was delish but the crepe thing had too much sloppy sauce. Overall, it's okay but a little pretentious and over-priced. Dim Sum's cool in theory but has to be executed without too much 'fusion' in my mind. I'd go with a work group but not for the overall experience, again.
(3)
Amanda J.
I don't understand these bad reviews. Just had dinner here tonight with my husband and we loved it! Great service all around. We ordered 5 small plates. 4/5 were delicious! The escargot was amazing and we would go back just for that. Our server was very polite and accommodating when it came to making everything we ordered dairy free. We cleared our plates and were very happy with the quality and overall experience. We will be back and plan to try some of their drinks next time, too.
(4)
Corey B.
Food was average poor services. Waitress acted like she wanted to be someplace else. We had reservations for 6:15 on a Friday and we did not get our bill until 9:10. Three hours for a party of 4 to east dinner is a little ridiculous. We won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)
Sharon R.
I grew up from a young age dining on the very popular, Vietnamese Pho. Neighbors up the street from us had moved in when I was about 8 years old and would frequently invite us over for dinner. But when I ended up with a common cold a war was waged in our kitchen. Granny was always the cure all for what ailed you. But on this occassion, she'd be tested. This time, Kim would give granny's Campbell's chicken noodle soup a run for it's money. She showed up with a pot of pho! I sipped on its broth for a few days and it was waaaaaay better than ANYTHING Campbell's would can up. Some crazy years later, I am a huge fan of pho & have it more often than an American cheeseburger. So, when I arrived in Corvallis, OR and my sister said, "Hey! You wanna have some pho?" I was like...."YEA!" But she assured me that this would be the best pho I'd ever have. So, of course my mind ran rampant thinking of all the possible fantastic things that could possibly make Magenta's pho the best. Walking into Magenta, we're greeted by Buddah and beautiful flowers. You meander through bold sheer curtains into the open restaurant which is flooded with natural light from above. The gorgeous brick walls with very eclectic, but fitting art with beautiful colors to compliment the space. We sat beside a stair case that leads to the SnugBar but THAT is a whole other review ;) Sis ordered pho and out rolls two huge bowls of beautiful broth that smelled of spicy yum and lemon grass zest. And guess what?! She was right. Magenta serves up the BEST pho EVER!!!! I can't wait to visit Corvallis again so I can try out some of the other fare......with my pho ~Viv
(5)
Amy P.
Excellent service, delicious & interesting food, comfortable atmosphere & a really good daily happy hour! The regular menu is a bit on the spendy side, but you can always order off the extensive & more affordable tapas/dim sum menu. Great spot for a date, special occasion or just a treat!
(4)
Jessica S.
This is where I bring out-of-towners. Such a great experience every time I go. You can't beat their Dim-Sum.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jason P.
French with a vietnamese influence. The is quite good. A nice restaurant with a good atmosphere.
(4)Marie D.
It has been a while since I was in, but I logged onto yelp and decided to write some reviews that I have been neglecting. This place is fabulous. Always unique and I LOVE the small plates. They are perfect and always good. I love the unusual ingredients they find and creative ways they mix up the menu. I hope you continue to keep up the excellent work!!
(5)Lindsay W.
Good atmosphere, food was delicious! The server/bartender made a special drink just for me that was delicious and the steak and potatoes were equally tasty!
(4)Staci E.
We had nothing but horrible service at this restaurant. We ordered small plates and only got half of them and they apparently forgot to make the other half. The waitress refused to serve our table until the food was done. We ran out of water waiting for our food that was never being made. The There waitress was surprised when we walked up to her and asked if we could get the check and leave the restaurant. She then took 20 minutes to get us our check. My husband got all of his food but I was never given the food I ordered.
(1)KP S.
Magenta has numerous small plates and just a few entrees. While my companion ordered an entree, I ordered several small plates and I specified that the cold one was an appetizer and the hot ones were my meal. I know that the waiter understood, as he advised me as to the size of the dishes and how much to order. And yet, they brought all the small plates out early, long before my date's entree arrived. I objected, and the poor kid (not our waiter) carrying them looked like a deer in the headlights. He could not think of a solution, but he did hold the last one back. Our waiter returned later but never apologized or even mentioned the problem. On top of that, the food was quite mediocre in spite of the intriguing menu. Will not return.
(2)Dustin N.
Tapas restaurant with an Asian twist on numerous dishes. This is one of the best romantic date spots to take wife occasionally. The tapas mostly range from 4-9 dollars and you will need around 6-9 for a decent size meal which of course will depend on the size of the serving. I don't think u have picked a single option that either my wife or I didn't like. There are also full entrees. There is a full bar and the bartender makes an array of different tasty drinks. The draft beer list is decent and the wine list is solid. Although, wine by the glass is pretty limited. The setting of the restaurant is quite mellow which is nice for a date. I hope you aren't in a big hurry though because most of your sit downs here will take a bit longer than some other nearby establishments. In fact, a couple of times my wife and I have waited quite a while to even be acknowledged by the staff. This also comes down I believe to a lack of waiters on the floor compared to the number of tables being served. If 3.5 stars was available it would be very applicable here.
(3)Jeff S.
My wife and I decided to dine here on our anniversary. She had not been before but I thought she might enjoy the variety of small plates. We had the crab cake x 2, pork stuffed mushrooms, tenderloin tips, coconut prawns, & bbq salad rolls. All were fresh, delacately seasoned, not over-sauced, and delicious. I always enjoy this place and will certainly be back.
(4)Jasmeen P.
Service was good. Ambience is wonderful. My friend loved her mango matini. We ordered way too may small plates but it was happy hour, so why not? She ordered the pork potstickers, shrimp and cheese wontons, stuffed mushrooms, and ricotta ravioli. I ordered beef tri tip, sauteed mushrooms, Brussels salad, and escargot. We shared all, and ALL were totally delicious. Go here!
(5)Chi A.
I have been here twice. If one orders the European entrees then prepare to go home hungry and have a big dent in your wallet. The only good reviews would be the asian dishes such as pad Thai and pho soup. Not sure why this play is considered upscale apart from the price. Lastly last time I went with a group the server informed us the the cook went home sick so he the waiter would be our cook for the night. Turned out tragic.
(2)Tim B.
The food will not knock your socks off but it never dissapoints. Don't expect authentic ...this is more for creative and fun fusions and twists on standard dishes. Downstairs you'll find the best cocktails I've ever had served by a friendly and enthusiastic bartender
(4)Aaron H.
I'll state mediocre service. The food is awful and they do not know how to prepare or cook fish. The dishes are very small, so I went to safeway and got more food. The drunks are delicious, but expensive for not having much alcohol. I don't recommend to eat here, but to have a few drinks and socialize is nice.
(2)Laura S.
It's a class place with sophisticated lighting and an ambient feel. You are well looked after by the sharply dressed and attentive staff members. The fusion of flavors makes for distinctive and interesting dishes. Fortunately it is dim sum style so try to your hearts content. Some must have include their crab cakes, shrimp salad rolls and beef tri-tip.
(5)Lanie M.
I came here with a co-worker on a week night and was pleasantly surprised with the ambience of the restaurant. It was my first time there and the waiter was very attentive, he also explained how the ordering worked. We were also very pleased by the fact that we made it in time for happy hour. Their chicken coconut curry was exceptional, as well as their other sides such as coconut prawns. Their jack fruit and purple rice dessert is amazing as well. I would definitely come back once a week to this place!
(4)Joy H.
Ate here this past week with a friend. Enjoyed the atmosphere, service was good, food was excellent. Will definitely be back. Great place to go if you want to try a little bit of everything. Great wine list with lots of options.
(4)Amber K.
Great ambiance, but for being an upscale place in Corvallis, skimpy on the options for the herbivorous diners.
(2)Christina N.
Decided to revisit Magenta after seeing the owner, Kimber Hoang, on Alton Brown's Cuttthroat Kitchen on the Food Network, which I thought was pretty cool to see her on. I have always had good service at Magenta's, although my parties have been 4 or less people. I enjoy the concept of the non-traditional dim sum menu. I wish it had traditional dim sum dishes, but that would scare away most of Corvallis. Each 'dim sum' plate cost $4-5. Dim Sum plates varied from Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, and American dishes. Portions are quite small, but I guess that is what 'dim sum' stands for. Usually about 4-5 plates is what I end up ordering. Presentation of the food was superb. I love coming to Magenta for its great atmosphere and drinks. The interior decor is modern and sophisticated. Great place to bring a date or have a classy girls night out.
(3)Taste B.
The former Magenta about a decade ago on Monroe had some quality dishes. Currently, the food is ...I can't even describe it - saucy but not fresh or crisp, kind of oily and unappealing. With no room to move upstairs we headed to the basement. Dank, crowded, noisy, a little funky in a way I wanted to like it but just couldn't find a way to enjoy it - maybe I'm getting old and yelling to my friends across a table is unappreciable. Time to pay the bill ; I was given someone else's bill. I couldn't really read the bill very well in the darkness down there, but I could clearly read the bartender's face - that was an intentional "mistake" going on there. I've enjoyed heading over to Magenta post Majestic show- fun to see the cast and an opportunity to chat or buy one of the actors a drink. Other than the fun you make of it there's not much in Magenta. Someone wrote an appreciative Pho review which might allow me give it yet another chance.
(2)Lee F.
I really want to love this place, but they drive me CRAZY. I have been here about six times total, but have only stayed to eat 4 of those times. The good first: Amazing variety of dim-sum at $4 each. I can heartily recommend the veggie crepes, the Yukon fries, the chicken sate, and the beef in wine sauce. Also. the cocktails are fun. The decor is like eye candy and it flows very nicely with the menu selections. The two stars are for almost always presenting really great food in a fun atmosphere. But, the most important part of atmosphere is attitude, and sometimes the attitude here is just crappy. Once I waited 20 minutes for a table when they said they would "be right back." So I left. Another time they wanted to sit four of us at the bar when we asked for a table. There was NOBODY in the restaurant and they wouldn't let us sit at a table. Two people at the bar, sure, but with four we would have been whipping our heads to the front and back repeatedly to converse, but it would have felt more like a mosh pit, or that car scene from Wayne's World. I feel like the place tries to be fancier and snobbier than it is, and that translates into sub-par service. Also, along the same vein, I felt like the servers didn't care at all. Food often didn't arrive, sometimes very late. Also, the main dish entrees are WAY over-priced in my opinion. I will try them again in a couple of months and see if I can see any improvement on the customer service front. Always keep an open mind!
(2)Robin M.
We will never go back. I ordered the Korean BBQ and it tasted like it had been warned over leftovers. It was not only very dry, but had an old taste. I sent it back to the kitchen and was offered a small plate to get me through the experience. The clincher is that they charged me for the meal, but not the small plate. This is really bad business! I get to pay for food I could not eat. This is a good place to stay away from!
(1)Rich L.
Ate there with a large party, reservation was messed up despite calling twice, 1 server for our group of 20. She was very good but needed more help. Food arrived over 1 1/2 hours, some people were finished for 45 minutes or longer before others were served. 1 cook in the kitchen on a Friday night will not sustain business. We frequently entertain business guests all over the USA and never experienced entres that were served over almost 2 hours. Food was good, rack of lamb was a lamb chop not a rack, portions were small but tastey, bar service was mostly good, beer was served in a room temp glass and not cold. We won't be going back anytime soon, sorry Magenta used to be better.
(2)Katherine W.
Decent Bloody Mary, no oysters @ lunch tho and that's why I went in. The one dim sum was delish but the crepe thing had too much sloppy sauce. Overall, it's okay but a little pretentious and over-priced. Dim Sum's cool in theory but has to be executed without too much 'fusion' in my mind. I'd go with a work group but not for the overall experience, again.
(3)Amanda J.
I don't understand these bad reviews. Just had dinner here tonight with my husband and we loved it! Great service all around. We ordered 5 small plates. 4/5 were delicious! The escargot was amazing and we would go back just for that. Our server was very polite and accommodating when it came to making everything we ordered dairy free. We cleared our plates and were very happy with the quality and overall experience. We will be back and plan to try some of their drinks next time, too.
(4)Corey B.
Food was average poor services. Waitress acted like she wanted to be someplace else. We had reservations for 6:15 on a Friday and we did not get our bill until 9:10. Three hours for a party of 4 to east dinner is a little ridiculous. We won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)Sharon R.
I grew up from a young age dining on the very popular, Vietnamese Pho. Neighbors up the street from us had moved in when I was about 8 years old and would frequently invite us over for dinner. But when I ended up with a common cold a war was waged in our kitchen. Granny was always the cure all for what ailed you. But on this occassion, she'd be tested. This time, Kim would give granny's Campbell's chicken noodle soup a run for it's money. She showed up with a pot of pho! I sipped on its broth for a few days and it was waaaaaay better than ANYTHING Campbell's would can up. Some crazy years later, I am a huge fan of pho & have it more often than an American cheeseburger. So, when I arrived in Corvallis, OR and my sister said, "Hey! You wanna have some pho?" I was like...."YEA!" But she assured me that this would be the best pho I'd ever have. So, of course my mind ran rampant thinking of all the possible fantastic things that could possibly make Magenta's pho the best. Walking into Magenta, we're greeted by Buddah and beautiful flowers. You meander through bold sheer curtains into the open restaurant which is flooded with natural light from above. The gorgeous brick walls with very eclectic, but fitting art with beautiful colors to compliment the space. We sat beside a stair case that leads to the SnugBar but THAT is a whole other review ;) Sis ordered pho and out rolls two huge bowls of beautiful broth that smelled of spicy yum and lemon grass zest. And guess what?! She was right. Magenta serves up the BEST pho EVER!!!! I can't wait to visit Corvallis again so I can try out some of the other fare......with my pho ~Viv
(5)Jessica S.
This is where I bring out-of-towners. Such a great experience every time I go. You can't beat their Dim-Sum.
(4)Amy P.
Excellent service, delicious & interesting food, comfortable atmosphere & a really good daily happy hour! The regular menu is a bit on the spendy side, but you can always order off the extensive & more affordable tapas/dim sum menu. Great spot for a date, special occasion or just a treat!
(4)N C.
I was disappointed with the visit. We got a selection of tapas, which were good, but not excellent. The service was poor. I ordered a gin drink which came sans alcohol. The taste of gin is fairly unmistakable. When I gently pointed this out, neither the waitress nor the bartender would remake the drink. I ended up paying $10 for a glorified lemonade.
(2)Stephanie M.
This place rocks!!! Seriously, the best breakfast in Corvallis! Highly recommend the Salsa and the Benny!! Also, the dim sum menu is huge and has lots of gluten free and even vegetarian options. Coffee and drinks are amazing too! Eating here will only enhance your day guaranteed! Many thanks to the chef and staff, this is why I love Corvallis so much.
(5)Joseph B.
This is my favorite restaurant in Corvallis. The tapas menu is hard to beat and the prices are very good. The mixed drinks are great. It is a small place and I've been turned away only nice and that was when a play was going on. Great place for lunch or dinner.
(5)Andrew T.
My friends and I attempted to dine here on a Thursday night. We sat in the downstairs bar, and the bartender told us he would be right back to take our order. 20 minutes later he returned and gave us menus after we had to ask him for them. The food and drinks looked great however we didn't get to try any of it because we ended up walking out after about 40 minutes due to no service. The bartender even served people that showed up after we did all while ignoring us. I may try to go back but they need to get their service figured out first.
(1)Ron And Anita T.
Magenta is a fun restaurant, but I remember when, perhaps a decade or so ago, that it was much better when located on Monroe across from the campus. Then I'd have given it four stars; now only three, mainly because of the service. Four of us, first of all enjoyed the dim sum menu, which at $4 each, was good and reasonable. The entrees, I don't think were as reasonable, but were good. The water buffalo my wife had was tender and tasty; my steelhead steak on a bed of veggies with a wonderful rice was very good. Other entrees included lamb, which totally disappeared, so that speaks to it's quality. Finally, a steak entree didn't make a doggy bag either! The service was a bit bizarre! The two bottles of wine ordered came with the wrong glasses, as the were partly changed during the meal? The one waiter was challenged, although the restaurant was clearing out by the time we ate! We are from out of town now, but have been here several times never-the-less. Will probably keep going on occasion.
(3)Natascha C.
I was given a gift certificate to Magenta for my birthday. The food was pretty good, but not much to write home about. My husband and I ordered 8 of the tapas and shared. I think that was a pretty good selection off of the menu. Things were okay, but not great. The tuna was way overcooked. At the end I tried to order some dessert wine off of the menu and it took four tries to pick something they actually had. The service was okay too. I'm not sure I would go back. It was a little too fancy and stuffy for my taste, but I can see why people like it.
(3)Michael K.
We visited for Sunday lunch. I had the Korean BBQ pork and my wife had the risotto. Both were just wonderful. The service was attentive and the meal just delicious. We give it two thumbs up.
(4)coralee h.
I live in corvallis and have only been to magenta a few times, I am more of a burger or pizza and a beer kind of girl. My most recent visit was for a friends birthday, and her husband ordered everything on the dim sum menu. Which that night was about 35 -40 items. EVERYTHING was good, i will try anything but some of things looked pretty unusual. Like the emu carpaccio, it looked raw but tasted delicious. Their cocktails are always very tasty, and obviously made with high quality and fresh ingredients. I try other people cocktails but usually go with a jack and coke myself. A good place for conversation, its never too loud.
(4)Jim O.
I had lunch today at Magenta and had a great experience. The atmosphere is groovy and the Pho is awesome. I asked to have it spicy and they delivered. I cried my way through it, enjoying every bite through to the last. I had a Thai Iced Tea that was pretty good...sweet...but good. The server told me if I didn't like it, she would switch it out for something else, a nice touch to get me to try something different. I think I might just have new favorite soup, I'll be back for the Pho. #corvsmb
(5)Charlie T.
Order small plates, a drink, sit in front of fireplace and relax. We love Kimber. #CorvSMB
(4)John H.
Magenta's has started a Sunday brunch each week. Since the lamented closing of Michael's Landing, I have been bereft of a place to have brunch on Sunday, which is the only civilized way to end/start the week. Magenta's does well, food could be a little hotter but good quality as always and now the outside (limited) seating is available. Fresh squeezed OJ is out of this world and coffee excellent. They saved my life this last Sunday after a 3 hour bike ride with a friend way beyond my aging status. I needed sustenance and found it in the embracing arms of Kimber.
(4)Darv I.
The $4 dim sum is the best value gourmet food in the Willamette Valley. I have eaten there dozens of times and have tried almost everything on the dim sum menu. The only item I was not a fan of was the emu carpaccio. The martinis are good as well though the special martinis are a bit on the sweet side. I recommend the "tropical". I have always had a good experience there and would recommend it to anybody. Not sure why this isn't rated five stars across the board. Great food and atmosphere for a great value. I really miss this restaurants menu since moving away from Corvallis.
(5)Jess k.
i came on a sunday with a date. the place was pretty dead for 11 am. in the background, weird, urban trip hop about popping, locking, and dropping it low played mellowly. this place is bougie. there were fresh apples and pears stacked in bowls and strewn on the ground. gauzy curtains separated those on the inside from the awkward gaze of the peons on the outside. crazy throw pillows were aplenty, just in case you wanted to take a nap. don't get me wrong! the ambiance is very nice, but i felt a little out of place. i decided that since this was a date, it would be appropriate to start drinking at 11 in the morning. i ordered a mimosa made with fresh squeezed orange juice. i didn't feel that it was worth $7--especially since its not a bottomless mimosa. what brunch place doesn't offer bottomless mimosas? the answer is: the classy ones. the only waiter was also the bartender. he was friendly and gave great service; he didn't push me to make a decision quickly. getting the check and paying it was a little slow, but again, he was the ONLY waiter. after reading wonderful things about the eggs benedict, i decided to order it. i love my eggs bennie!!! i asked if i could have a half order, and i was told that they didn't do half orders, but that it kept well. so my date and i split the order. the waiter brought out an extra plate at no charge. the eggs benedict came on two fresh slices of homemade bread, with a sauce that was definitely not hollandaise, GIANT SLICES OF HAM, poached eggs, and maybe some reduced red peppers. the serving is ridiculously big, and was definitely big enough to split between two people. while it was good, it wasn't the eggs benedict i was looking for. the bread got soggy towards the end, which was disappointing. the price was decent and the quality and quantity of food were good. however, i don't think i'll be back for brunch since i wanted something a little less... bougie.
(3)Stephanie S.
I don't feel that I can do the food here justice in a review. The tritip in winesauce has tender steak, and a delicious sauce that makes you want to lick the plate clean. The Pho is the best I have ever had, and this is coming from a pho snob. The dim sum menu has so many options for four dollars each making for a great dining experience for a reasonable price. There are also entrees which are in the 25$ range, but don't let this deter you. The entrees have generous portions of perfectly cooked high quality food. I especially like the elk leg. I grew up in a small town where hunting was prevalent, and the presence of this on a menu makes my tastebuds leap with joy. Also, the drinks are made with fresh fruit purees so one can feign healthy choices while enjoying drinks with friends, what could be better than that? The staff is also accommodating, and care greatly about the quality and the needs of your dining experience. Give this place a try, I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
(5)Jessica B.
My biggest tip when planning a trip to Magenta is to sit at the bar. Sit at the BAR!! Order off the happy hour menu, eat delicious Emu Carpaccio, or escargot (GREAT traditional escargot), and top it off with a fruity drink! Here's what will happen if you sit at a table: You might wait longer for one, you will most likely have a waitress who has no clue what you ordered, how many of them were ordered, or if you are even there. I have no clue why Kimber has not fixed this glitch yet. GET BETTER STAFF. If you do, people will come more often, bring more people, and be happier to spend money with you! All in all, the atmosphere is amazing, the food is good, and the wait staff needs a lot of work. #corvSMB
(3)Madison W.
This is one of the nicer spots in Corvallis. Nice atmosphere and clubby-esque. Though the $4 dim sum (in the late evenings) seems appealing, the food is meh... I suppose it's different than fried bar food, but a lot of it's just normal bar food with jar-ed Asian sauces. (e.g., spicy wings)-FAIL. There was some weird concoctions like a bacon-wrapped bao (which was basically a big meatball)-FAIL. The bao was sitting in some type of hot/sweet sauce. So FAIL. The pad thai was decent. But the atmosphere is nice and it is a change of pace. Wait staff is awesome.
(3)Cynthia S.
Have you been here for breakfast yet? We had the "Bob" omelette and the Mickey Mouse waffle. Bob was hearty, meaty and delish with the hashbrowns cooked into it like a fritatta. Mickey was a tasty waffle with fresh fruit, a compote syrup and homemade whipped cream as thick and wonderful as you'll ever get. Tried to decline it at first but our waiter said I should try it and he was right! Will also confess that we split a "make your own Bloody Mary" while we waited. Yum. #corvsmb
(5)Alexis R.
I love Magenta! The dim sum menu is to die for and sooooo affordable!!!! Cocktails are great however, on the pricey side. If you want a great bite to eat, and try a little of everything this is the Restaurant for you! During the weekend be sure to check out the Snug bar which is downstairs.
(4)Sheri D.
Magenta brings sophistication to Corvallis in a way no one else has been able to. The owners' love for gourmet food and exquisite taste is evident in her very long and really good dim sum menu, premiere drink menu, and elegant atmosphere. My advice: get a take-out menu and mark off the dim sum as you try each one on subsequent visits. maybe do that with the drinks too. Oh, and they're serving breakfast now, too. With fresh squeezed orange juice mimosas. #corvSMB
(5)Carl C.
This is my favorite place in Corvallis. The food is a real treat. Order from the dim sum menu and get a bottle of wine and pass the evening away. After an hour or so, maybe an entrée or two to share. This place has a very casual, yet urban feel. It manages a real "chill" vibe with great cocktails and excellently prepared fine fare. If you miss relaxing in a nice chill resturant in Los Angeles or Miami, while a mix of Portishead and Thievery Corporation float down around you, then you can get your fix here. The emu carpaccio is a must have for anyone that steps through the red drapes. For me, it is worth the drive from Salem just to go here.
(5)B B.
My favorite (magenta) martini in town. Another lovely dinner, all from dim sum menu. A Corvallis fav.
(4)Gloria N.
We just discovered that Magenta is now open for breakfast. The "Bob" omelet was served frittata style and very tasty. The eggs Benedict had a wonderful sauce, served on sliced home made bread and was definitely a delight. Service was great. We now plan to go back and have the coconut pancakes with whole Marion berry syrup
(4)Benjamin B.
My wife and I first tried Magenta on a Friday night, and even though they were obviously understaffed, our waitress Jenny did a bang-up job of making us feel right at home. Nalicia (sp?), the bartender, was more than willing to try her hand at making one of our favorite cocktails for the first time. We stuck to the "dim sum" menu (more like tapas, less like a Chinese-style brunch, but who're we to argue?) after the sticker shock of the entrees, and we were largely satisfied with our choices even after half of them arrived swimming in one sauce or another (poor substitute for clever flavor & texture pairings). We even tried their Chocolate Cake with a Red Wine Reduction, but sadly the frosting was granular with refined sugar, the cake itself tasted store bought and the reduction was anything but as it soaked into the cake far before it reached our table. The whole thing ended up being an odd, chocolate-colored, overly sweet sponge with sharply bitter notes of the under-cooked "reduction". Our second night in town found us again at Magenta for a late night bite. Jenny had just gotten off her shift and we ran into her at the bar, trying to riddle out the final ingredient to a new mixed drink using an iris-infused gin named Magellan. We spent the next hour or so helping her out, and had a great time brainstorming with her and the bartender Brandon on the cocktail. Ultimately, I believe that we all settled on Magellan, soda and lemon zest in pomegranate-laced glass, though it took us another trip there the following night to come up with a suitable name for the drink: The Veiled Iris. I hear they're hoping to add it to the menu soon! :) Overall, the food needs just a little bit of tweaking before we'd feel confident ordering outside of the Dim Sum menu (the desserts especially?), but the service was more than cordial and the drinks were quite nice indeed. We'll look forward to returning when we're in town, and all three of our new-found friends there will be welcome to visit Portland so we can show them our hospitality as much as they'd done so for us. Thumbs up for making an above average food experience exemplary, you all! Thank you very much!
(4)Reba M.
OMG the HH menu is amazing. Fresh squeezed juices. Fire place. Breakfast menu is yummy too.
(5)Ormond G.
The owner of this restaurant fails to realize that without customers, she would not have a business. I took 6 clients out to dinner only to have the owner admonish me in front of my clients and other customers that we had not ordered expensive enough food to warrant the private space we had. Actually the owner selected our dinner menu, so I guess it was her own fault we did not pay over the $200.00. I still left a 20% tip because I did not want the owner's attitude to impact the earnings of the hard working server. I will never take another client to this restaurant and have influenced one of my other clients to no longer use the restaurant for dinner meetings for their board of directors of which I am one.
(1)Tabitha C.
Good food
(3)Ramanda L.
I've been contemplating whether or not to give it a 3 or 4 star. I would give their food selection a 4-5, but there service a 2. I loved the atmosphere. It's relaxing and exciting all at the same time. It's very nice inside, and you can choose to sit at the bar, by the fire place or at a regular table. The dim sum menus is AWESOME! There are at least 20 different items to choose from, and most of them have been great. I have been there with a large and small group- and every time we've all enjoyed mostly everything. When it comes to ordering drinks... There have been a few times we have had to send the drink back because it was pure mixer. The last time we went the bartender made the mojito 3 different times before we were just annoyed and said forget it. I've even ordered a cosmo that tasted like it had nothing in it... Usually when I order a cosmo it's hard for me to drink because all I can taste is alcohol! I've never tried the dinner menu so I can't rate the food, but if you were to go with someone and each order 1 thing your bill would be at least double... Maybe that's okay for some, but with the dim sum you can try 6 different things and have more than enough for half the price- That's my kind of deal!
(4)Daniel P.
Bravo for trying to bring fine dining to Corvallis. Bar drinks were great. Bar menu was interesting and mostly good. One item we really did not like and they took it back and did not charge us without a fuss. Try the prickly pear martini - YUM!
(3)Christine E.
When I'm in town, this is where you'll find me. Although it may be reminiscent of a chic city bar, it's a singular landmark for Corvallis. Offering amazing cuisine at fast food pricing with libations to match! The new mixed drinks for $4 are a hit! Try the rum with young coconut- the raw coconut flesh is the maker on this one. If you venture off their expansive Dim Sum menu- try the lamb, it's wonderful. Can't wait for their Snug bar to open!
(5)Alison C.
Magenta now serves breakfast and it's delicious! Great coffee, too. My daughter and I split a meal: eggs, hash browns, pancakes for $8.00. The eggs are from Norton Creek. The coffee is made to order. Pancakes light and buttery. The restaurant is beautifully designed and the acoustics are good. You can actually hear each other talk. Great food in a beautiful room, good conversation, delicious coffee. What more can you ask for?
(5)Yasmien H.
Super tasty Dim Sum-ish menu with lots of great choices. Food came out delicious!
(4)Colleen D.
We have followed owner Kimber Hoang's ups and downs ever since she opened the original location on Monroe Street. The downtown location is better for the type of ambience she's trying to create -- kind of relaxed but urban. Our favorite is the tapas menu. We've sampled the interesting martinis and for the most part they are good. Stay away from the coconut one though! I got that once and didn't like it, and they didn't charge me for it. We are mostly wine drinkers in any case. Magenta's selection of wines is quite good but not cheap. They have recently doubled the number of offerings on the tapas menu. Some of the offerings are totally awesome, such as the spicy tuna, and some are meh. The quality of the food is always decent and at times excellent. Like some other reviewers, we have also had mixed results with the service. #corvSMB
(4)Chris F.
Very nice atmosphere. $4 Dim Sum and its good! Buy two of them and you will be full. Have not been here yet for dinner. I see they serve kangaroo as a dinner entree. I wonder if they are as tasty as they are cute? I shall have to investigate one of these days and report back with my findings. Get in mah belly roo!!
(4)Patty B.
What a lovely break in my day! I recently met a client for lunch and was very pleased with the delicious meal (stuffed crepe...MMM.) and quiet atmosphere of Magenta. The restauarant wasn't super busy so we were able to enjoy quiet conversation and attentive service. I will definitely be bringing more clients in for lunch.
(4)Emi K.
We came here to celebrate my birthday. So ummm.... definitely looks a lot fancier than many of the restaurants in town. But, compared to what you see in Portland or in Tokyo... not as fancy. We just made a reservation 10 min. before arriving and they had our table ready, but the waiter seemed not to notice it... But eventually we were seated in the right place. We all ordered from the Dim Sum menu, but being an Asian fusion restaurant, I was expecting a lot more of "Asian" food. Instead it had some pastas and other non-Asian food on the menu. Anyways, I ordered 2 Dim Sum and everyone else ordered 3. This is more than enough to fill you up. The waiter seemed to be sick and kept on coughing... which disturbed my husband, since he's a little germaphobic. Well, it did disturb me too, but at least he was not coughing into our food. Talking about service... they are very nice, but they seem not to know what they're doing sometimes. They took my mother-in-law's drink before she was done. They couldn't seat us on the right table, and they just seemed a little off in the conversations we'd have. BUT, since it was my birthday, they gave me a free dessert! A chocolate mouse, which turned out to be delicious! The food in general was nothing special. The atmosphere needed a little more polishing, and the service staff needs some better training. If you are in Corvallis and looking for a modern, trendy place to eat and have a few drinks, this might work. But if you're looking for food, there are better places in town.
(3)M F.
We went here after being rudely treated at Terminus and I am happy to say this is a good restaurant. My husband and I wanted "fun" drinks and a variety to eat and I must say Magenta is the place for both. The dim sum menu has so many things to offer and we tried only about four of them before being full. We shared the appetizers and sipped the evening away. The service is slow - where isn't the service a downside to eating out in Corvallis? - but the food is very tasty. Plan a slow evening full of variety and spice and this is the place!
(4)Megan D.
Lunch time is the best time to go to Magenta. Great lunch specials. Great atmosphere, very intimate. If going for dinner, be sure to make reseervations.
(5)Foodie F.
Magenta is one of my favorite restaurants in Oregon. The dim sum is unusual and phenomenal as is Sunday brunch; the setting intimate and fun; the service is consistently good.
(4)Lee W.
The best part of Magenta is that they really do try hard to offer an interesting mix of foods. Their dim sum menu is fun and tasty, and only $4 per plate. Good way to do the tapas thing and the variety is huge. One of my favorites is the steak in wine sauce. Num! The sauce also goes well as a dip for just about everything else. Full bar, funky hip decor, good service, decent enough food, definitely better than a lot of places in this town. One of the few restaurants I want to eat at more than once.
(3)Ed K.
My wife and I made reservations at Magenta last night hoping for a great dinner out. While the food was superb and everything we thought it would be the service was horrible. Having arrived early we were offered seats at the fireplace. From there things went downhill fast. We noticed a couple sitting across from us that had were there prior to our arrival and at 6:40pm (our reservation was at 6:30) we noticed they had still not been seated. Right then their food showed up and they asked when they were getting seated. We asked them when their reservation was and they said it was 6pm. We thought what a joke, your food arrives before you get your table?? We then asked when we were going to get seated and they seemed puzzled that we were even asking. Finally another 10 minutes later they seated us next to the kitchen (even though we were promised a good table when we reserved). Now get this, there were nice tables for two near the fireplace that were empty then and stayed empty the whole time we were there. When we were seated I felt like the entertainment with a spotlight pointed right into my face. After much effort a waiter was able to adjust the light out of my eyes. We ordered and the meal arrived quickly. It was fabulous!! However, we had to ask for our bread and were never asked about the meal or drink refills. We talked to others who felt the same about their current and past experiences. The big problem with Magenta seems to be that there is no customer service protocols in place nor is there any dining room leadership in place to manage issues as the arise. Too bad since this restaurant could be top notch if they fix their customer service issues.
(2)Killer S.
I was pleasantly surprised with their Culinary Week special -- in my case, "Banana leaf-wrapped wild Alaskan rockfish steamed with a freshly sliced corn tamale, served in a ginger lemon cream sauce with zucchini and mushroom chutney." For $10, it was a steal... and effective marketing too. I'm going to give them another run when I'm in town next. They had by far the most expansive culinary week menu (with five or six different options). The lady had "Pan-seared pork tenderloin medallion in a passion fruit butter sauce, whipped Asian black beans and Asian blends stir fry." It was similarly quite a steal and confirmed that these guys/gals sure know their sauces. I did glance at their regular menu and while several of the items were pretty intriguing, I don't know if they'll be able to stand up to their price tags. The dishes described above was delicious, but was more of a $20 type deal than the $25-30ish that most of their entrees seemed to run. As for my rockfish dish itself, it was a generous chunk of fish that was cooked correctly, flaky but not dry, and its sauce was deliciously tangy. The tamale was a bit bland and uninspired; the sides were good filler. Neat space in there. Felt a little out of sorts for Corvallis but reminded me of a place I used to go to in DC.
(4)Jason H.
One word: small plates. Skip the entrees and stick with the starters and the dim sum menu. The more expensive entrees are not worth the price and don't really measure up to the other delights on the menus. Almost everything i've had off the starters section of the menu was good and about half of the items on the dim sum menu were worth getting again. Whats nice about sticking with the smaller items is that it is less costly and you get more variety. The pad thai, emu carpaccio, scallops, shimp wantons, are all good choices off the dim sum menu. I'd stay away from anything with pork as they use an odd assortment of Asian spices which leaves several of their pork dumplings a bit too "porky" for my taste. Service is friendly which always makes things a bit more enjoyable.
(4)Ormond G.
The owner of this restaurant fails to realize that without customers, she would not have a business. I took 6 clients out to dinner only to have the owner admonish me in front of my clients and other customers that we had not ordered expensive enough food to warrant the private space we had. Actually the owner selected our dinner menu, so I guess it was her own fault we did not pay over the $200.00. I still left a 20% tip because I did not want the owner's attitude to impact the earnings of the hard working server. I will never take another client to this restaurant and have influenced one of my other clients to no longer use the restaurant for dinner meetings for their board of directors of which I am one.
(1)Tabitha C.
Good food
(3)Ramanda L.
I've been contemplating whether or not to give it a 3 or 4 star. I would give their food selection a 4-5, but there service a 2. I loved the atmosphere. It's relaxing and exciting all at the same time. It's very nice inside, and you can choose to sit at the bar, by the fire place or at a regular table. The dim sum menus is AWESOME! There are at least 20 different items to choose from, and most of them have been great. I have been there with a large and small group- and every time we've all enjoyed mostly everything. When it comes to ordering drinks... There have been a few times we have had to send the drink back because it was pure mixer. The last time we went the bartender made the mojito 3 different times before we were just annoyed and said forget it. I've even ordered a cosmo that tasted like it had nothing in it... Usually when I order a cosmo it's hard for me to drink because all I can taste is alcohol! I've never tried the dinner menu so I can't rate the food, but if you were to go with someone and each order 1 thing your bill would be at least double... Maybe that's okay for some, but with the dim sum you can try 6 different things and have more than enough for half the price- That's my kind of deal!
(4)Daniel P.
Bravo for trying to bring fine dining to Corvallis. Bar drinks were great. Bar menu was interesting and mostly good. One item we really did not like and they took it back and did not charge us without a fuss. Try the prickly pear martini - YUM!
(3)Christine E.
When I'm in town, this is where you'll find me. Although it may be reminiscent of a chic city bar, it's a singular landmark for Corvallis. Offering amazing cuisine at fast food pricing with libations to match! The new mixed drinks for $4 are a hit! Try the rum with young coconut- the raw coconut flesh is the maker on this one. If you venture off their expansive Dim Sum menu- try the lamb, it's wonderful. Can't wait for their Snug bar to open!
(5)Alison C.
Magenta now serves breakfast and it's delicious! Great coffee, too. My daughter and I split a meal: eggs, hash browns, pancakes for $8.00. The eggs are from Norton Creek. The coffee is made to order. Pancakes light and buttery. The restaurant is beautifully designed and the acoustics are good. You can actually hear each other talk. Great food in a beautiful room, good conversation, delicious coffee. What more can you ask for?
(5)Yasmien H.
Super tasty Dim Sum-ish menu with lots of great choices. Food came out delicious!
(4)Colleen D.
We have followed owner Kimber Hoang's ups and downs ever since she opened the original location on Monroe Street. The downtown location is better for the type of ambience she's trying to create -- kind of relaxed but urban. Our favorite is the tapas menu. We've sampled the interesting martinis and for the most part they are good. Stay away from the coconut one though! I got that once and didn't like it, and they didn't charge me for it. We are mostly wine drinkers in any case. Magenta's selection of wines is quite good but not cheap. They have recently doubled the number of offerings on the tapas menu. Some of the offerings are totally awesome, such as the spicy tuna, and some are meh. The quality of the food is always decent and at times excellent. Like some other reviewers, we have also had mixed results with the service. #corvSMB
(4)B B.
My favorite (magenta) martini in town. Another lovely dinner, all from dim sum menu. A Corvallis fav.
(4)Gloria N.
We just discovered that Magenta is now open for breakfast. The "Bob" omelet was served frittata style and very tasty. The eggs Benedict had a wonderful sauce, served on sliced home made bread and was definitely a delight. Service was great. We now plan to go back and have the coconut pancakes with whole Marion berry syrup
(4)Chris F.
Very nice atmosphere. $4 Dim Sum and its good! Buy two of them and you will be full. Have not been here yet for dinner. I see they serve kangaroo as a dinner entree. I wonder if they are as tasty as they are cute? I shall have to investigate one of these days and report back with my findings. Get in mah belly roo!!
(4)Killer S.
I was pleasantly surprised with their Culinary Week special -- in my case, "Banana leaf-wrapped wild Alaskan rockfish steamed with a freshly sliced corn tamale, served in a ginger lemon cream sauce with zucchini and mushroom chutney." For $10, it was a steal... and effective marketing too. I'm going to give them another run when I'm in town next. They had by far the most expansive culinary week menu (with five or six different options). The lady had "Pan-seared pork tenderloin medallion in a passion fruit butter sauce, whipped Asian black beans and Asian blends stir fry." It was similarly quite a steal and confirmed that these guys/gals sure know their sauces. I did glance at their regular menu and while several of the items were pretty intriguing, I don't know if they'll be able to stand up to their price tags. The dishes described above was delicious, but was more of a $20 type deal than the $25-30ish that most of their entrees seemed to run. As for my rockfish dish itself, it was a generous chunk of fish that was cooked correctly, flaky but not dry, and its sauce was deliciously tangy. The tamale was a bit bland and uninspired; the sides were good filler. Neat space in there. Felt a little out of sorts for Corvallis but reminded me of a place I used to go to in DC.
(4)John H.
Magenta's has started a Sunday brunch each week. Since the lamented closing of Michael's Landing, I have been bereft of a place to have brunch on Sunday, which is the only civilized way to end/start the week. Magenta's does well, food could be a little hotter but good quality as always and now the outside (limited) seating is available. Fresh squeezed OJ is out of this world and coffee excellent. They saved my life this last Sunday after a 3 hour bike ride with a friend way beyond my aging status. I needed sustenance and found it in the embracing arms of Kimber.
(4)Darv I.
The $4 dim sum is the best value gourmet food in the Willamette Valley. I have eaten there dozens of times and have tried almost everything on the dim sum menu. The only item I was not a fan of was the emu carpaccio. The martinis are good as well though the special martinis are a bit on the sweet side. I recommend the "tropical". I have always had a good experience there and would recommend it to anybody. Not sure why this isn't rated five stars across the board. Great food and atmosphere for a great value. I really miss this restaurants menu since moving away from Corvallis.
(5)Jason H.
One word: small plates. Skip the entrees and stick with the starters and the dim sum menu. The more expensive entrees are not worth the price and don't really measure up to the other delights on the menus. Almost everything i've had off the starters section of the menu was good and about half of the items on the dim sum menu were worth getting again. Whats nice about sticking with the smaller items is that it is less costly and you get more variety. The pad thai, emu carpaccio, scallops, shimp wantons, are all good choices off the dim sum menu. I'd stay away from anything with pork as they use an odd assortment of Asian spices which leaves several of their pork dumplings a bit too "porky" for my taste. Service is friendly which always makes things a bit more enjoyable.
(4)Charlie T.
Order small plates, a drink, sit in front of fireplace and relax. We love Kimber. #CorvSMB
(4)Patty B.
What a lovely break in my day! I recently met a client for lunch and was very pleased with the delicious meal (stuffed crepe...MMM.) and quiet atmosphere of Magenta. The restauarant wasn't super busy so we were able to enjoy quiet conversation and attentive service. I will definitely be bringing more clients in for lunch.
(4)Ed K.
My wife and I made reservations at Magenta last night hoping for a great dinner out. While the food was superb and everything we thought it would be the service was horrible. Having arrived early we were offered seats at the fireplace. From there things went downhill fast. We noticed a couple sitting across from us that had were there prior to our arrival and at 6:40pm (our reservation was at 6:30) we noticed they had still not been seated. Right then their food showed up and they asked when they were getting seated. We asked them when their reservation was and they said it was 6pm. We thought what a joke, your food arrives before you get your table?? We then asked when we were going to get seated and they seemed puzzled that we were even asking. Finally another 10 minutes later they seated us next to the kitchen (even though we were promised a good table when we reserved). Now get this, there were nice tables for two near the fireplace that were empty then and stayed empty the whole time we were there. When we were seated I felt like the entertainment with a spotlight pointed right into my face. After much effort a waiter was able to adjust the light out of my eyes. We ordered and the meal arrived quickly. It was fabulous!! However, we had to ask for our bread and were never asked about the meal or drink refills. We talked to others who felt the same about their current and past experiences. The big problem with Magenta seems to be that there is no customer service protocols in place nor is there any dining room leadership in place to manage issues as the arise. Too bad since this restaurant could be top notch if they fix their customer service issues.
(2)Jason P.
French with a vietnamese influence. The is quite good. A nice restaurant with a good atmosphere.
(4)Emi K.
We came here to celebrate my birthday. So ummm.... definitely looks a lot fancier than many of the restaurants in town. But, compared to what you see in Portland or in Tokyo... not as fancy. We just made a reservation 10 min. before arriving and they had our table ready, but the waiter seemed not to notice it... But eventually we were seated in the right place. We all ordered from the Dim Sum menu, but being an Asian fusion restaurant, I was expecting a lot more of "Asian" food. Instead it had some pastas and other non-Asian food on the menu. Anyways, I ordered 2 Dim Sum and everyone else ordered 3. This is more than enough to fill you up. The waiter seemed to be sick and kept on coughing... which disturbed my husband, since he's a little germaphobic. Well, it did disturb me too, but at least he was not coughing into our food. Talking about service... they are very nice, but they seem not to know what they're doing sometimes. They took my mother-in-law's drink before she was done. They couldn't seat us on the right table, and they just seemed a little off in the conversations we'd have. BUT, since it was my birthday, they gave me a free dessert! A chocolate mouse, which turned out to be delicious! The food in general was nothing special. The atmosphere needed a little more polishing, and the service staff needs some better training. If you are in Corvallis and looking for a modern, trendy place to eat and have a few drinks, this might work. But if you're looking for food, there are better places in town.
(3)M F.
We went here after being rudely treated at Terminus and I am happy to say this is a good restaurant. My husband and I wanted "fun" drinks and a variety to eat and I must say Magenta is the place for both. The dim sum menu has so many things to offer and we tried only about four of them before being full. We shared the appetizers and sipped the evening away. The service is slow - where isn't the service a downside to eating out in Corvallis? - but the food is very tasty. Plan a slow evening full of variety and spice and this is the place!
(4)Megan D.
Lunch time is the best time to go to Magenta. Great lunch specials. Great atmosphere, very intimate. If going for dinner, be sure to make reseervations.
(5)Foodie F.
Magenta is one of my favorite restaurants in Oregon. The dim sum is unusual and phenomenal as is Sunday brunch; the setting intimate and fun; the service is consistently good.
(4)Lee W.
The best part of Magenta is that they really do try hard to offer an interesting mix of foods. Their dim sum menu is fun and tasty, and only $4 per plate. Good way to do the tapas thing and the variety is huge. One of my favorites is the steak in wine sauce. Num! The sauce also goes well as a dip for just about everything else. Full bar, funky hip decor, good service, decent enough food, definitely better than a lot of places in this town. One of the few restaurants I want to eat at more than once.
(3)Eve L.
Magenta has one of the rudest crews of waiters and waitresses I have encountered in a long time and I spent the past 5 years in NYC, so that's saying something! This place is pretentious without any real reason to back it up. There is less snobbery at NYC's Le Circque and Chicago's Moto than there is at Magenta. The concept of self-awareness is completely lost on this place. I was there last night and my jaw nearly hit the table when I saw a $25 margarita on the menu. This restaurant is located in Corvallis Oregon - a small college town, what exactly is the point of a $25 margarita here? Who's really going to purchase that product when entire town is lined with establishments offering $1 PBRs, $2 whiskey sodas, and $3 blueberry margaritas. The ambience is lame too, they're trying way too hard with their gauzy curtains, poorly maintained orchids, and mass produced Kmart quality Buddha statues. The whole thing just feels inauthentic. The "dim sum" menu borders on insulting for anyone who has ever known the pleasure of real dim sum. Magenta is basically serving a bunch of overblown finger food. Seriously, "Ricotta cheese ravioli with parmesan dill sauce" touted as dim sum, that's just plain silly. I am absolutely done with this place and would suggest others in Corvallis avoid it as well. Magenta would be crushed by far superior and more affordable establishments within a month in a place like NYC, Chicago, or San Francisco. The fact that it is surviving here in Corvallis is puzzling too. I'd like to bid this faux Asian nightmare goodbye so that we can replace it with what this adorable little college town is known for - locally sourced authentic Pacific Northwest cuisine served in warm and welcoming venues by genuinely friendly waitstaff.
(1)Vanessa M.
Pass through the entrance and you feel as if you've left Corvallis with its sheer magenta decor, Zen monk statues, and bamboo plants, only to reveal extremely snobby, rude service, poorly-executed attempts at French-vietnamese fusion, and a stench of vomit in the waiting area. I have tried Magenta at least five times in hopes that each experience will provide something promising and redeeming, only to be disappointed yet again. During my last visit, it was a busy Friday night, so a friend and I sat at the bar downstairs, and waited almost 30mins for the waitor to take our order. The bartender's response after my friend kindly asked him for 2 waters while we waited: "I'm kind of busy right now, so you're gonna have to go upstairs." I'm from so-Cal and know what bad service is like, but this type of treatment from select staff is seriously the worst that I've ever seen. And on another occasion while I was having dinner at the restaurant, the waiter asked my party to move to a less desirable table location in order to accomodate another party. We complained to the waiter, who responded by looking at us, gave an unsympathetic "sorry," and turned away. Magenta might provide a better experience on slow days, but their inconsistency, lack of courtesy, persistent disregard of its customers, faux Asian fusion, and overpriced cocktails (the downstairs bar), makes it an undesirable outcast in a town known for its friendliness, hospitality, and unpretentiousness.
(1)Scott L.
Awesome small plates. Love the wings! I've never had anything I didn't like. Highly recommend.
(5)Kristin B.
Tonight will be the last night I attend Magenta for Food. We went in around 8:30pm (Sunday they close at 9:30) because I love their Tapas type menu. Our server was someone who served us often, and is always very attentive. He even remembered I love ice in my water. There was one other table in the restaurant who looked as though they were almost finished with their meal. Fast forward to our meal: I ordered something I always order and it came out very very different. Basically instead of being pasta dish with some veggies mixed in, it was a dish of 3/4 cabbage with a little bit of pasta underneath. This dish has never had cabbage and I have ordered it at least once a month for the last 3 years. I unfortunately really dislike cabbage. One of the people with me convinced me to ask them to make another one due to the amount of cabbage. Intermission: 3 years ago I started going to Magenta with friends or family around 2 times a month. I always get the same Tapas, and over time have scaled back do to how the Tapas are continuing to go down hill. The size has been scaled back, the taste has gotten worse, etc. There was one server that argued with our complaint that something we had ordered wasn't done in the middle (which is a heath hazard) because Kim likes to cook them that way and so it was okay. They also are never allowed to discount or take off a bad meal unless Kim (the owner) okays it. We started going there for dinner less and less because their quality is so up and down. Back to Tonight: The server, after taking my dish away to remake it, came back and said the owner, Kim, wants to charge me again for the same meal. As I ordered two of the same meal the first time, this would of been $16 for the same small sides of pasta! i said no, that this was not okay with me. He said okay he would see what he could do. We then preceded to wait and wait and wait for my pasta - which never came. Turns out the owner didn't want to remake the plate, and after letting it sit on a shelf for 10 minutes or so offered to pick out the cabbage and reserve it to me. The server knew this would be unacceptable and said no. Kim, the owner, then left the restaurant without talking to our table, or making this issue right. (she went to have dinner at home while I didn't eat) Meanwhile the table next to us asked if this was our first visit because they were very disappointed in their steak. The $30 or so dish came out with a steak that was over 1/2 fat!. Upon asking for a new one it was still unacceptable. So unacceptable that about 20 minutes after the couple left, the gentleman came back and told the server that he couldn't believe they charged him full price for the meal he barely ate. The server said he couldn't discount it and was truly sorry that he didn't have the authority to do this and the owner had left. The gentleman then wrote a note to the owner about how frustrated he was. I was so upset by this whole ordeal; spending about $90 on dinner for the four of us at the restaurant I chose, so i could eat this one meal, that I never even got to eat! I called what ended up being the owners cell phone and her husband answered. I tried to explain how frustrated I was and asked for a credit for our next bill, or some compensation for yet another terrible food experience. Kim told me that it was my problem I didn't like it, she always makes it with cabbage and too bad. I then told her that we had been coming forever, and that her attitude about not making me a simple meal over and the right way was frustrating. She responded with WELL THERE ARE STARVING CHILDREN IN AFRICA, SO I SHOULDN'T COMPLAIN. I was so in shock and said wow, did she understand that she had cooked only two meals that night; ours and the table next to ours, and both meals had complaints. Kim then responded with WELL I SHOULDN'T EXPECT HER TO ROLL OUT THE CARPET FOR $4. My $4/8 craving made her restaurant another $90 on a slow night. On top of this she requires her serves to pay a percentage of her tips to her! (whether she is working or not I believe) I knew this but after tonight can not understand how this is possible. The servers were very apologetic, wished they could do more, and couldn't believe what I had to listen to! I had it on speaker phone. I could not believe how an owner would treat me or any customer. This is the last straw, and I will no longer give my support to a restaurant with such an attitude. Customers are what make a restaurant strong, and if an owner thinks she is better then her customers there are problems. I feel very sorry for the many good servers who make wonderful drinks, who work in such an environment, and I hope the other couple has better luck then we did. So long Magenta.
(1)C. R.
The dim sum menu is one of the best deals in town, especially at happy hour. The variety of dim sum offerings is astonishing... everything from escargot to shrimp rolls to meatballs, some small, some quite large. Considering the plates are only $3 each during happy hour, and two or three will fill you up, it's an amazing deal. The only reason I didn't give Magenta 5 stars is that the full entrées are ridiculously overpriced. Several restaurants are trying to bring Portland prices to Corvallis without backing up those prices with quality. In Magenta's case, the taste and quality are there, but it's still a bit dear.
(4)David S.
Terrible service, the owner is rude, the beer comes from party pigs that you can buy at the Co-op or MOC for $29(they contain about 20 beers). Magenta charges $4 a glass for foamy warm beer. We have given them 3 tries, they have gotten progressively worse. NEVER AGAIN! If I could give 0 stars, I would.
(1)John P.
My wife and I tried this out for dinner last night, having just moved into the region. Went with the Dim Sum menu in order to try a bit of everything. The good: Tri-tip in wine sauce (so tasty), sauteed mushrooms (I drank the sauce... nuff said), pork-filled bao (make sure to use lots of sauce, delish!), yukon fries (though not crunchy at all, the use of spicy cream sauce found on sushi made it tasty), shrimp spring roll (large leafs of basil, yum) The enh and bleh: coconut shrimp (mango sauce was too thin, not enough coconut), sate chicken (surprisingly not on a stick, the peanut sauce was thin, but otherwise not bad, just not great), pork-stuffed mushrooms were alright, lemongrass meatballs had surprisingly almost no lemongrass taste, asian hot wings were okay - basic fried mini-wings with a dab of spicy plum sauce. Nothing bad, just some things were less tasty than anticipated. Service started out kind of enh when we weren't ordering alcohol, but cheered up when he realized we were ordering lots of dim sum. For a Friday night, it was crazy slow... by 9pm, we were the only ones in the place, and no one came in when we were leaving. I can only guess it's because it's summertime? We'll definitely go back, and bring friends. Dim sum for the win!
(4)Kimberly W.
When we got to Magenta this evening we were greeted poorly when we told them we had no reservations. They asked if we would wait and we said yes, then magically they had a table for us despite no one leaving. We did have to sit my son and I on the booth side of a 2 person table and my husband in a chair on the other. The tables were packed in so tight that if you wanted to get up your butt would be in your neighbors face by default. We sat down and twiddled our thumbs for 5 minutes or so before they brought water. The waiter filled our cups with lukewarm water and rushed off, we were still menuless. It took another few minutes of trying to get the wait staff's attention before someone finally realized we had no menus. I've heard there is a full dinner menu but we were never offered it, they gave us the drink menu and the dim sum menu then shoved the local six menu at us before rushing off again. The entire time we were there i don't think we ever got more than a word or 2 out before the rudely left for other things. I was almost ready to leave at this point, but my husband insisted we stay and at least see if the food made up for the horrible service. All that waiting and rudeness ended up being for naught, the food was bland and not much of it. Potstickers should not cost $1.33 each when it's obvious they came out of a frozen bag you can get at Costco (they were $4 for 3). The wontons and the shu mai were more of the same bland and obviously previously frozen. The Asian hot wings were better than the rest but again they were just previously frozen fried hot wings with hoisin sauce on them. We also had the local 6 pad thai which was decent. Not worth coming back for, but sadly, it was the best thing we ate. They also cleaned off the table next to us during our meal and left a very dirty napkin on the seat and only wiped the table with a dry cloth leaving smears of food, talk about disgusting. Maybe it would have been worth it if the atmosphere or the service had been in line but neither were good. We decided not to try anything else since we couldn't get the servers attention and left starving. The table next to us was talking of leaving and going to Applebees since they were having a similar experience. We ended up at Baja Fresh (yeah not top of the line but my other choices all had a wait and you have to understand how starving we were!). My husband joked that Baja Fresh had better food and much better service than Magenta, the extremely sad thing was that what he said was very true.
(1)Jonathan W.
We decided to check this place out after hearing they were offering some Local 6 plates. We left quite disappointed with our experience. We were seated, got our menus 10 minutes later, and were not offered refills on our lukewarm water the entire time we were there. Besides the subpar service, the Dim Sum menu was moderately expensive for the portions you get. This would be forgivable if the taste were exceptional, but it was not. The Spicy Asian wings were drenched in hoisin, the dumplings and shu mai were large but uninspired and tasted from the freezer. The shrimp and cheese wontons were marginally tasty, but again not of the quality I'd expect of something costing $4 for 3. The only thing mildly worth our time was the pad thai, which I'm not sure is the same as the Pad Thai they usually serve off their dim sum menu. Overall, bad service, expensive mediocre food, and cramped atmosphere make this a place I will not be revisiting.
(2)Tammy S.
I have been here 3x - once for date night, twice for events held by a good friend & I will never return. The service here is the WORST in Corvallis (& that's saying a lot!!) - we sat at a table for over 30 minutes & every other person at the table was served & we were never even approached by any waitstaff, had to order the one beer we drank from the bar & he would not give us a menu so that we could attempt to order food. If I could give negative stars I would.
(1)C. R.
The dim sum menu is one of the best deals in town, especially at happy hour. The variety of dim sum offerings is astonishing... everything from escargot to shrimp rolls to meatballs, some small, some quite large. Considering the plates are only $3 each during happy hour, and two or three will fill you up, it's an amazing deal. The only reason I didn't give Magenta 5 stars is that the full entrées are ridiculously overpriced. Several restaurants are trying to bring Portland prices to Corvallis without backing up those prices with quality. In Magenta's case, the taste and quality are there, but it's still a bit dear.
(4)David S.
Terrible service, the owner is rude, the beer comes from party pigs that you can buy at the Co-op or MOC for $29(they contain about 20 beers). Magenta charges $4 a glass for foamy warm beer. We have given them 3 tries, they have gotten progressively worse. NEVER AGAIN! If I could give 0 stars, I would.
(1)John P.
My wife and I tried this out for dinner last night, having just moved into the region. Went with the Dim Sum menu in order to try a bit of everything. The good: Tri-tip in wine sauce (so tasty), sauteed mushrooms (I drank the sauce... nuff said), pork-filled bao (make sure to use lots of sauce, delish!), yukon fries (though not crunchy at all, the use of spicy cream sauce found on sushi made it tasty), shrimp spring roll (large leafs of basil, yum) The enh and bleh: coconut shrimp (mango sauce was too thin, not enough coconut), sate chicken (surprisingly not on a stick, the peanut sauce was thin, but otherwise not bad, just not great), pork-stuffed mushrooms were alright, lemongrass meatballs had surprisingly almost no lemongrass taste, asian hot wings were okay - basic fried mini-wings with a dab of spicy plum sauce. Nothing bad, just some things were less tasty than anticipated. Service started out kind of enh when we weren't ordering alcohol, but cheered up when he realized we were ordering lots of dim sum. For a Friday night, it was crazy slow... by 9pm, we were the only ones in the place, and no one came in when we were leaving. I can only guess it's because it's summertime? We'll definitely go back, and bring friends. Dim sum for the win!
(4)Tammy S.
I have been here 3x - once for date night, twice for events held by a good friend & I will never return. The service here is the WORST in Corvallis (& that's saying a lot!!) - we sat at a table for over 30 minutes & every other person at the table was served & we were never even approached by any waitstaff, had to order the one beer we drank from the bar & he would not give us a menu so that we could attempt to order food. If I could give negative stars I would.
(1)Scott L.
Awesome small plates. Love the wings! I've never had anything I didn't like. Highly recommend.
(5)Kristin B.
Tonight will be the last night I attend Magenta for Food. We went in around 8:30pm (Sunday they close at 9:30) because I love their Tapas type menu. Our server was someone who served us often, and is always very attentive. He even remembered I love ice in my water. There was one other table in the restaurant who looked as though they were almost finished with their meal. Fast forward to our meal: I ordered something I always order and it came out very very different. Basically instead of being pasta dish with some veggies mixed in, it was a dish of 3/4 cabbage with a little bit of pasta underneath. This dish has never had cabbage and I have ordered it at least once a month for the last 3 years. I unfortunately really dislike cabbage. One of the people with me convinced me to ask them to make another one due to the amount of cabbage. Intermission: 3 years ago I started going to Magenta with friends or family around 2 times a month. I always get the same Tapas, and over time have scaled back do to how the Tapas are continuing to go down hill. The size has been scaled back, the taste has gotten worse, etc. There was one server that argued with our complaint that something we had ordered wasn't done in the middle (which is a heath hazard) because Kim likes to cook them that way and so it was okay. They also are never allowed to discount or take off a bad meal unless Kim (the owner) okays it. We started going there for dinner less and less because their quality is so up and down. Back to Tonight: The server, after taking my dish away to remake it, came back and said the owner, Kim, wants to charge me again for the same meal. As I ordered two of the same meal the first time, this would of been $16 for the same small sides of pasta! i said no, that this was not okay with me. He said okay he would see what he could do. We then preceded to wait and wait and wait for my pasta - which never came. Turns out the owner didn't want to remake the plate, and after letting it sit on a shelf for 10 minutes or so offered to pick out the cabbage and reserve it to me. The server knew this would be unacceptable and said no. Kim, the owner, then left the restaurant without talking to our table, or making this issue right. (she went to have dinner at home while I didn't eat) Meanwhile the table next to us asked if this was our first visit because they were very disappointed in their steak. The $30 or so dish came out with a steak that was over 1/2 fat!. Upon asking for a new one it was still unacceptable. So unacceptable that about 20 minutes after the couple left, the gentleman came back and told the server that he couldn't believe they charged him full price for the meal he barely ate. The server said he couldn't discount it and was truly sorry that he didn't have the authority to do this and the owner had left. The gentleman then wrote a note to the owner about how frustrated he was. I was so upset by this whole ordeal; spending about $90 on dinner for the four of us at the restaurant I chose, so i could eat this one meal, that I never even got to eat! I called what ended up being the owners cell phone and her husband answered. I tried to explain how frustrated I was and asked for a credit for our next bill, or some compensation for yet another terrible food experience. Kim told me that it was my problem I didn't like it, she always makes it with cabbage and too bad. I then told her that we had been coming forever, and that her attitude about not making me a simple meal over and the right way was frustrating. She responded with WELL THERE ARE STARVING CHILDREN IN AFRICA, SO I SHOULDN'T COMPLAIN. I was so in shock and said wow, did she understand that she had cooked only two meals that night; ours and the table next to ours, and both meals had complaints. Kim then responded with WELL I SHOULDN'T EXPECT HER TO ROLL OUT THE CARPET FOR $4. My $4/8 craving made her restaurant another $90 on a slow night. On top of this she requires her serves to pay a percentage of her tips to her! (whether she is working or not I believe) I knew this but after tonight can not understand how this is possible. The servers were very apologetic, wished they could do more, and couldn't believe what I had to listen to! I had it on speaker phone. I could not believe how an owner would treat me or any customer. This is the last straw, and I will no longer give my support to a restaurant with such an attitude. Customers are what make a restaurant strong, and if an owner thinks she is better then her customers there are problems. I feel very sorry for the many good servers who make wonderful drinks, who work in such an environment, and I hope the other couple has better luck then we did. So long Magenta.
(1)Jess k.
i came on a sunday with a date. the place was pretty dead for 11 am. in the background, weird, urban trip hop about popping, locking, and dropping it low played mellowly. this place is bougie. there were fresh apples and pears stacked in bowls and strewn on the ground. gauzy curtains separated those on the inside from the awkward gaze of the peons on the outside. crazy throw pillows were aplenty, just in case you wanted to take a nap. don't get me wrong! the ambiance is very nice, but i felt a little out of place. i decided that since this was a date, it would be appropriate to start drinking at 11 in the morning. i ordered a mimosa made with fresh squeezed orange juice. i didn't feel that it was worth $7--especially since its not a bottomless mimosa. what brunch place doesn't offer bottomless mimosas? the answer is: the classy ones. the only waiter was also the bartender. he was friendly and gave great service; he didn't push me to make a decision quickly. getting the check and paying it was a little slow, but again, he was the ONLY waiter. after reading wonderful things about the eggs benedict, i decided to order it. i love my eggs bennie!!! i asked if i could have a half order, and i was told that they didn't do half orders, but that it kept well. so my date and i split the order. the waiter brought out an extra plate at no charge. the eggs benedict came on two fresh slices of homemade bread, with a sauce that was definitely not hollandaise, GIANT SLICES OF HAM, poached eggs, and maybe some reduced red peppers. the serving is ridiculously big, and was definitely big enough to split between two people. while it was good, it wasn't the eggs benedict i was looking for. the bread got soggy towards the end, which was disappointing. the price was decent and the quality and quantity of food were good. however, i don't think i'll be back for brunch since i wanted something a little less... bougie.
(3)Stephanie S.
I don't feel that I can do the food here justice in a review. The tritip in winesauce has tender steak, and a delicious sauce that makes you want to lick the plate clean. The Pho is the best I have ever had, and this is coming from a pho snob. The dim sum menu has so many options for four dollars each making for a great dining experience for a reasonable price. There are also entrees which are in the 25$ range, but don't let this deter you. The entrees have generous portions of perfectly cooked high quality food. I especially like the elk leg. I grew up in a small town where hunting was prevalent, and the presence of this on a menu makes my tastebuds leap with joy. Also, the drinks are made with fresh fruit purees so one can feign healthy choices while enjoying drinks with friends, what could be better than that? The staff is also accommodating, and care greatly about the quality and the needs of your dining experience. Give this place a try, I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
(5)Jim O.
I had lunch today at Magenta and had a great experience. The atmosphere is groovy and the Pho is awesome. I asked to have it spicy and they delivered. I cried my way through it, enjoying every bite through to the last. I had a Thai Iced Tea that was pretty good...sweet...but good. The server told me if I didn't like it, she would switch it out for something else, a nice touch to get me to try something different. I think I might just have new favorite soup, I'll be back for the Pho. #corvsmb
(5)N C.
I was disappointed with the visit. We got a selection of tapas, which were good, but not excellent. The service was poor. I ordered a gin drink which came sans alcohol. The taste of gin is fairly unmistakable. When I gently pointed this out, neither the waitress nor the bartender would remake the drink. I ended up paying $10 for a glorified lemonade.
(2)Stephanie M.
This place rocks!!! Seriously, the best breakfast in Corvallis! Highly recommend the Salsa and the Benny!! Also, the dim sum menu is huge and has lots of gluten free and even vegetarian options. Coffee and drinks are amazing too! Eating here will only enhance your day guaranteed! Many thanks to the chef and staff, this is why I love Corvallis so much.
(5)Joseph B.
This is my favorite restaurant in Corvallis. The tapas menu is hard to beat and the prices are very good. The mixed drinks are great. It is a small place and I've been turned away only nice and that was when a play was going on. Great place for lunch or dinner.
(5)Andrew T.
My friends and I attempted to dine here on a Thursday night. We sat in the downstairs bar, and the bartender told us he would be right back to take our order. 20 minutes later he returned and gave us menus after we had to ask him for them. The food and drinks looked great however we didn't get to try any of it because we ended up walking out after about 40 minutes due to no service. The bartender even served people that showed up after we did all while ignoring us. I may try to go back but they need to get their service figured out first.
(1)Ron And Anita T.
Magenta is a fun restaurant, but I remember when, perhaps a decade or so ago, that it was much better when located on Monroe across from the campus. Then I'd have given it four stars; now only three, mainly because of the service. Four of us, first of all enjoyed the dim sum menu, which at $4 each, was good and reasonable. The entrees, I don't think were as reasonable, but were good. The water buffalo my wife had was tender and tasty; my steelhead steak on a bed of veggies with a wonderful rice was very good. Other entrees included lamb, which totally disappeared, so that speaks to it's quality. Finally, a steak entree didn't make a doggy bag either! The service was a bit bizarre! The two bottles of wine ordered came with the wrong glasses, as the were partly changed during the meal? The one waiter was challenged, although the restaurant was clearing out by the time we ate! We are from out of town now, but have been here several times never-the-less. Will probably keep going on occasion.
(3)Natascha C.
I was given a gift certificate to Magenta for my birthday. The food was pretty good, but not much to write home about. My husband and I ordered 8 of the tapas and shared. I think that was a pretty good selection off of the menu. Things were okay, but not great. The tuna was way overcooked. At the end I tried to order some dessert wine off of the menu and it took four tries to pick something they actually had. The service was okay too. I'm not sure I would go back. It was a little too fancy and stuffy for my taste, but I can see why people like it.
(3)Michael K.
We visited for Sunday lunch. I had the Korean BBQ pork and my wife had the risotto. Both were just wonderful. The service was attentive and the meal just delicious. We give it two thumbs up.
(4)coralee h.
I live in corvallis and have only been to magenta a few times, I am more of a burger or pizza and a beer kind of girl. My most recent visit was for a friends birthday, and her husband ordered everything on the dim sum menu. Which that night was about 35 -40 items. EVERYTHING was good, i will try anything but some of things looked pretty unusual. Like the emu carpaccio, it looked raw but tasted delicious. Their cocktails are always very tasty, and obviously made with high quality and fresh ingredients. I try other people cocktails but usually go with a jack and coke myself. A good place for conversation, its never too loud.
(4)Kimberly W.
When we got to Magenta this evening we were greeted poorly when we told them we had no reservations. They asked if we would wait and we said yes, then magically they had a table for us despite no one leaving. We did have to sit my son and I on the booth side of a 2 person table and my husband in a chair on the other. The tables were packed in so tight that if you wanted to get up your butt would be in your neighbors face by default. We sat down and twiddled our thumbs for 5 minutes or so before they brought water. The waiter filled our cups with lukewarm water and rushed off, we were still menuless. It took another few minutes of trying to get the wait staff's attention before someone finally realized we had no menus. I've heard there is a full dinner menu but we were never offered it, they gave us the drink menu and the dim sum menu then shoved the local six menu at us before rushing off again. The entire time we were there i don't think we ever got more than a word or 2 out before the rudely left for other things. I was almost ready to leave at this point, but my husband insisted we stay and at least see if the food made up for the horrible service. All that waiting and rudeness ended up being for naught, the food was bland and not much of it. Potstickers should not cost $1.33 each when it's obvious they came out of a frozen bag you can get at Costco (they were $4 for 3). The wontons and the shu mai were more of the same bland and obviously previously frozen. The Asian hot wings were better than the rest but again they were just previously frozen fried hot wings with hoisin sauce on them. We also had the local 6 pad thai which was decent. Not worth coming back for, but sadly, it was the best thing we ate. They also cleaned off the table next to us during our meal and left a very dirty napkin on the seat and only wiped the table with a dry cloth leaving smears of food, talk about disgusting. Maybe it would have been worth it if the atmosphere or the service had been in line but neither were good. We decided not to try anything else since we couldn't get the servers attention and left starving. The table next to us was talking of leaving and going to Applebees since they were having a similar experience. We ended up at Baja Fresh (yeah not top of the line but my other choices all had a wait and you have to understand how starving we were!). My husband joked that Baja Fresh had better food and much better service than Magenta, the extremely sad thing was that what he said was very true.
(1)Jonathan W.
We decided to check this place out after hearing they were offering some Local 6 plates. We left quite disappointed with our experience. We were seated, got our menus 10 minutes later, and were not offered refills on our lukewarm water the entire time we were there. Besides the subpar service, the Dim Sum menu was moderately expensive for the portions you get. This would be forgivable if the taste were exceptional, but it was not. The Spicy Asian wings were drenched in hoisin, the dumplings and shu mai were large but uninspired and tasted from the freezer. The shrimp and cheese wontons were marginally tasty, but again not of the quality I'd expect of something costing $4 for 3. The only thing mildly worth our time was the pad thai, which I'm not sure is the same as the Pad Thai they usually serve off their dim sum menu. Overall, bad service, expensive mediocre food, and cramped atmosphere make this a place I will not be revisiting.
(2)Eve L.
Magenta has one of the rudest crews of waiters and waitresses I have encountered in a long time and I spent the past 5 years in NYC, so that's saying something! This place is pretentious without any real reason to back it up. There is less snobbery at NYC's Le Circque and Chicago's Moto than there is at Magenta. The concept of self-awareness is completely lost on this place. I was there last night and my jaw nearly hit the table when I saw a $25 margarita on the menu. This restaurant is located in Corvallis Oregon - a small college town, what exactly is the point of a $25 margarita here? Who's really going to purchase that product when entire town is lined with establishments offering $1 PBRs, $2 whiskey sodas, and $3 blueberry margaritas. The ambience is lame too, they're trying way too hard with their gauzy curtains, poorly maintained orchids, and mass produced Kmart quality Buddha statues. The whole thing just feels inauthentic. The "dim sum" menu borders on insulting for anyone who has ever known the pleasure of real dim sum. Magenta is basically serving a bunch of overblown finger food. Seriously, "Ricotta cheese ravioli with parmesan dill sauce" touted as dim sum, that's just plain silly. I am absolutely done with this place and would suggest others in Corvallis avoid it as well. Magenta would be crushed by far superior and more affordable establishments within a month in a place like NYC, Chicago, or San Francisco. The fact that it is surviving here in Corvallis is puzzling too. I'd like to bid this faux Asian nightmare goodbye so that we can replace it with what this adorable little college town is known for - locally sourced authentic Pacific Northwest cuisine served in warm and welcoming venues by genuinely friendly waitstaff.
(1)Vanessa M.
Pass through the entrance and you feel as if you've left Corvallis with its sheer magenta decor, Zen monk statues, and bamboo plants, only to reveal extremely snobby, rude service, poorly-executed attempts at French-vietnamese fusion, and a stench of vomit in the waiting area. I have tried Magenta at least five times in hopes that each experience will provide something promising and redeeming, only to be disappointed yet again. During my last visit, it was a busy Friday night, so a friend and I sat at the bar downstairs, and waited almost 30mins for the waitor to take our order. The bartender's response after my friend kindly asked him for 2 waters while we waited: "I'm kind of busy right now, so you're gonna have to go upstairs." I'm from so-Cal and know what bad service is like, but this type of treatment from select staff is seriously the worst that I've ever seen. And on another occasion while I was having dinner at the restaurant, the waiter asked my party to move to a less desirable table location in order to accomodate another party. We complained to the waiter, who responded by looking at us, gave an unsympathetic "sorry," and turned away. Magenta might provide a better experience on slow days, but their inconsistency, lack of courtesy, persistent disregard of its customers, faux Asian fusion, and overpriced cocktails (the downstairs bar), makes it an undesirable outcast in a town known for its friendliness, hospitality, and unpretentiousness.
(1)Jessica B.
My biggest tip when planning a trip to Magenta is to sit at the bar. Sit at the BAR!! Order off the happy hour menu, eat delicious Emu Carpaccio, or escargot (GREAT traditional escargot), and top it off with a fruity drink! Here's what will happen if you sit at a table: You might wait longer for one, you will most likely have a waitress who has no clue what you ordered, how many of them were ordered, or if you are even there. I have no clue why Kimber has not fixed this glitch yet. GET BETTER STAFF. If you do, people will come more often, bring more people, and be happier to spend money with you! All in all, the atmosphere is amazing, the food is good, and the wait staff needs a lot of work. #corvSMB
(3)Madison W.
This is one of the nicer spots in Corvallis. Nice atmosphere and clubby-esque. Though the $4 dim sum (in the late evenings) seems appealing, the food is meh... I suppose it's different than fried bar food, but a lot of it's just normal bar food with jar-ed Asian sauces. (e.g., spicy wings)-FAIL. There was some weird concoctions like a bacon-wrapped bao (which was basically a big meatball)-FAIL. The bao was sitting in some type of hot/sweet sauce. So FAIL. The pad thai was decent. But the atmosphere is nice and it is a change of pace. Wait staff is awesome.
(3)Cynthia S.
Have you been here for breakfast yet? We had the "Bob" omelette and the Mickey Mouse waffle. Bob was hearty, meaty and delish with the hashbrowns cooked into it like a fritatta. Mickey was a tasty waffle with fresh fruit, a compote syrup and homemade whipped cream as thick and wonderful as you'll ever get. Tried to decline it at first but our waiter said I should try it and he was right! Will also confess that we split a "make your own Bloody Mary" while we waited. Yum. #corvsmb
(5)Alexis R.
I love Magenta! The dim sum menu is to die for and sooooo affordable!!!! Cocktails are great however, on the pricey side. If you want a great bite to eat, and try a little of everything this is the Restaurant for you! During the weekend be sure to check out the Snug bar which is downstairs.
(4)Sheri D.
Magenta brings sophistication to Corvallis in a way no one else has been able to. The owners' love for gourmet food and exquisite taste is evident in her very long and really good dim sum menu, premiere drink menu, and elegant atmosphere. My advice: get a take-out menu and mark off the dim sum as you try each one on subsequent visits. maybe do that with the drinks too. Oh, and they're serving breakfast now, too. With fresh squeezed orange juice mimosas. #corvSMB
(5)Carl C.
This is my favorite place in Corvallis. The food is a real treat. Order from the dim sum menu and get a bottle of wine and pass the evening away. After an hour or so, maybe an entrée or two to share. This place has a very casual, yet urban feel. It manages a real "chill" vibe with great cocktails and excellently prepared fine fare. If you miss relaxing in a nice chill resturant in Los Angeles or Miami, while a mix of Portishead and Thievery Corporation float down around you, then you can get your fix here. The emu carpaccio is a must have for anyone that steps through the red drapes. For me, it is worth the drive from Salem just to go here.
(5)Benjamin B.
My wife and I first tried Magenta on a Friday night, and even though they were obviously understaffed, our waitress Jenny did a bang-up job of making us feel right at home. Nalicia (sp?), the bartender, was more than willing to try her hand at making one of our favorite cocktails for the first time. We stuck to the "dim sum" menu (more like tapas, less like a Chinese-style brunch, but who're we to argue?) after the sticker shock of the entrees, and we were largely satisfied with our choices even after half of them arrived swimming in one sauce or another (poor substitute for clever flavor & texture pairings). We even tried their Chocolate Cake with a Red Wine Reduction, but sadly the frosting was granular with refined sugar, the cake itself tasted store bought and the reduction was anything but as it soaked into the cake far before it reached our table. The whole thing ended up being an odd, chocolate-colored, overly sweet sponge with sharply bitter notes of the under-cooked "reduction". Our second night in town found us again at Magenta for a late night bite. Jenny had just gotten off her shift and we ran into her at the bar, trying to riddle out the final ingredient to a new mixed drink using an iris-infused gin named Magellan. We spent the next hour or so helping her out, and had a great time brainstorming with her and the bartender Brandon on the cocktail. Ultimately, I believe that we all settled on Magellan, soda and lemon zest in pomegranate-laced glass, though it took us another trip there the following night to come up with a suitable name for the drink: The Veiled Iris. I hear they're hoping to add it to the menu soon! :) Overall, the food needs just a little bit of tweaking before we'd feel confident ordering outside of the Dim Sum menu (the desserts especially?), but the service was more than cordial and the drinks were quite nice indeed. We'll look forward to returning when we're in town, and all three of our new-found friends there will be welcome to visit Portland so we can show them our hospitality as much as they'd done so for us. Thumbs up for making an above average food experience exemplary, you all! Thank you very much!
(4)Reba M.
OMG the HH menu is amazing. Fresh squeezed juices. Fire place. Breakfast menu is yummy too.
(5)Lanie M.
I came here with a co-worker on a week night and was pleasantly surprised with the ambience of the restaurant. It was my first time there and the waiter was very attentive, he also explained how the ordering worked. We were also very pleased by the fact that we made it in time for happy hour. Their chicken coconut curry was exceptional, as well as their other sides such as coconut prawns. Their jack fruit and purple rice dessert is amazing as well. I would definitely come back once a week to this place!
(4)Joy H.
Ate here this past week with a friend. Enjoyed the atmosphere, service was good, food was excellent. Will definitely be back. Great place to go if you want to try a little bit of everything. Great wine list with lots of options.
(4)Amber K.
Great ambiance, but for being an upscale place in Corvallis, skimpy on the options for the herbivorous diners.
(2)Aaron H.
I'll state mediocre service. The food is awful and they do not know how to prepare or cook fish. The dishes are very small, so I went to safeway and got more food. The drunks are delicious, but expensive for not having much alcohol. I don't recommend to eat here, but to have a few drinks and socialize is nice.
(2)Laura S.
It's a class place with sophisticated lighting and an ambient feel. You are well looked after by the sharply dressed and attentive staff members. The fusion of flavors makes for distinctive and interesting dishes. Fortunately it is dim sum style so try to your hearts content. Some must have include their crab cakes, shrimp salad rolls and beef tri-tip.
(5)Marie D.
It has been a while since I was in, but I logged onto yelp and decided to write some reviews that I have been neglecting. This place is fabulous. Always unique and I LOVE the small plates. They are perfect and always good. I love the unusual ingredients they find and creative ways they mix up the menu. I hope you continue to keep up the excellent work!!
(5)Lindsay W.
Good atmosphere, food was delicious! The server/bartender made a special drink just for me that was delicious and the steak and potatoes were equally tasty!
(4)Staci E.
We had nothing but horrible service at this restaurant. We ordered small plates and only got half of them and they apparently forgot to make the other half. The waitress refused to serve our table until the food was done. We ran out of water waiting for our food that was never being made. The There waitress was surprised when we walked up to her and asked if we could get the check and leave the restaurant. She then took 20 minutes to get us our check. My husband got all of his food but I was never given the food I ordered.
(1)KP S.
Magenta has numerous small plates and just a few entrees. While my companion ordered an entree, I ordered several small plates and I specified that the cold one was an appetizer and the hot ones were my meal. I know that the waiter understood, as he advised me as to the size of the dishes and how much to order. And yet, they brought all the small plates out early, long before my date's entree arrived. I objected, and the poor kid (not our waiter) carrying them looked like a deer in the headlights. He could not think of a solution, but he did hold the last one back. Our waiter returned later but never apologized or even mentioned the problem. On top of that, the food was quite mediocre in spite of the intriguing menu. Will not return.
(2)Dustin N.
Tapas restaurant with an Asian twist on numerous dishes. This is one of the best romantic date spots to take wife occasionally. The tapas mostly range from 4-9 dollars and you will need around 6-9 for a decent size meal which of course will depend on the size of the serving. I don't think u have picked a single option that either my wife or I didn't like. There are also full entrees. There is a full bar and the bartender makes an array of different tasty drinks. The draft beer list is decent and the wine list is solid. Although, wine by the glass is pretty limited. The setting of the restaurant is quite mellow which is nice for a date. I hope you aren't in a big hurry though because most of your sit downs here will take a bit longer than some other nearby establishments. In fact, a couple of times my wife and I have waited quite a while to even be acknowledged by the staff. This also comes down I believe to a lack of waiters on the floor compared to the number of tables being served. If 3.5 stars was available it would be very applicable here.
(3)Jeff S.
My wife and I decided to dine here on our anniversary. She had not been before but I thought she might enjoy the variety of small plates. We had the crab cake x 2, pork stuffed mushrooms, tenderloin tips, coconut prawns, & bbq salad rolls. All were fresh, delacately seasoned, not over-sauced, and delicious. I always enjoy this place and will certainly be back.
(4)Jasmeen P.
Service was good. Ambience is wonderful. My friend loved her mango matini. We ordered way too may small plates but it was happy hour, so why not? She ordered the pork potstickers, shrimp and cheese wontons, stuffed mushrooms, and ricotta ravioli. I ordered beef tri tip, sauteed mushrooms, Brussels salad, and escargot. We shared all, and ALL were totally delicious. Go here!
(5)Chi A.
I have been here twice. If one orders the European entrees then prepare to go home hungry and have a big dent in your wallet. The only good reviews would be the asian dishes such as pad Thai and pho soup. Not sure why this play is considered upscale apart from the price. Lastly last time I went with a group the server informed us the the cook went home sick so he the waiter would be our cook for the night. Turned out tragic.
(2)Tim B.
The food will not knock your socks off but it never dissapoints. Don't expect authentic ...this is more for creative and fun fusions and twists on standard dishes. Downstairs you'll find the best cocktails I've ever had served by a friendly and enthusiastic bartender
(4)Christina N.
Decided to revisit Magenta after seeing the owner, Kimber Hoang, on Alton Brown's Cuttthroat Kitchen on the Food Network, which I thought was pretty cool to see her on. I have always had good service at Magenta's, although my parties have been 4 or less people. I enjoy the concept of the non-traditional dim sum menu. I wish it had traditional dim sum dishes, but that would scare away most of Corvallis. Each 'dim sum' plate cost $4-5. Dim Sum plates varied from Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, and American dishes. Portions are quite small, but I guess that is what 'dim sum' stands for. Usually about 4-5 plates is what I end up ordering. Presentation of the food was superb. I love coming to Magenta for its great atmosphere and drinks. The interior decor is modern and sophisticated. Great place to bring a date or have a classy girls night out.
(3)Taste B.
The former Magenta about a decade ago on Monroe had some quality dishes. Currently, the food is ...I can't even describe it - saucy but not fresh or crisp, kind of oily and unappealing. With no room to move upstairs we headed to the basement. Dank, crowded, noisy, a little funky in a way I wanted to like it but just couldn't find a way to enjoy it - maybe I'm getting old and yelling to my friends across a table is unappreciable. Time to pay the bill ; I was given someone else's bill. I couldn't really read the bill very well in the darkness down there, but I could clearly read the bartender's face - that was an intentional "mistake" going on there. I've enjoyed heading over to Magenta post Majestic show- fun to see the cast and an opportunity to chat or buy one of the actors a drink. Other than the fun you make of it there's not much in Magenta. Someone wrote an appreciative Pho review which might allow me give it yet another chance.
(2)Lee F.
I really want to love this place, but they drive me CRAZY. I have been here about six times total, but have only stayed to eat 4 of those times. The good first: Amazing variety of dim-sum at $4 each. I can heartily recommend the veggie crepes, the Yukon fries, the chicken sate, and the beef in wine sauce. Also. the cocktails are fun. The decor is like eye candy and it flows very nicely with the menu selections. The two stars are for almost always presenting really great food in a fun atmosphere. But, the most important part of atmosphere is attitude, and sometimes the attitude here is just crappy. Once I waited 20 minutes for a table when they said they would "be right back." So I left. Another time they wanted to sit four of us at the bar when we asked for a table. There was NOBODY in the restaurant and they wouldn't let us sit at a table. Two people at the bar, sure, but with four we would have been whipping our heads to the front and back repeatedly to converse, but it would have felt more like a mosh pit, or that car scene from Wayne's World. I feel like the place tries to be fancier and snobbier than it is, and that translates into sub-par service. Also, along the same vein, I felt like the servers didn't care at all. Food often didn't arrive, sometimes very late. Also, the main dish entrees are WAY over-priced in my opinion. I will try them again in a couple of months and see if I can see any improvement on the customer service front. Always keep an open mind!
(2)Robin M.
We will never go back. I ordered the Korean BBQ and it tasted like it had been warned over leftovers. It was not only very dry, but had an old taste. I sent it back to the kitchen and was offered a small plate to get me through the experience. The clincher is that they charged me for the meal, but not the small plate. This is really bad business! I get to pay for food I could not eat. This is a good place to stay away from!
(1)Rich L.
Ate there with a large party, reservation was messed up despite calling twice, 1 server for our group of 20. She was very good but needed more help. Food arrived over 1 1/2 hours, some people were finished for 45 minutes or longer before others were served. 1 cook in the kitchen on a Friday night will not sustain business. We frequently entertain business guests all over the USA and never experienced entres that were served over almost 2 hours. Food was good, rack of lamb was a lamb chop not a rack, portions were small but tastey, bar service was mostly good, beer was served in a room temp glass and not cold. We won't be going back anytime soon, sorry Magenta used to be better.
(2)Katherine W.
Decent Bloody Mary, no oysters @ lunch tho and that's why I went in. The one dim sum was delish but the crepe thing had too much sloppy sauce. Overall, it's okay but a little pretentious and over-priced. Dim Sum's cool in theory but has to be executed without too much 'fusion' in my mind. I'd go with a work group but not for the overall experience, again.
(3)Amanda J.
I don't understand these bad reviews. Just had dinner here tonight with my husband and we loved it! Great service all around. We ordered 5 small plates. 4/5 were delicious! The escargot was amazing and we would go back just for that. Our server was very polite and accommodating when it came to making everything we ordered dairy free. We cleared our plates and were very happy with the quality and overall experience. We will be back and plan to try some of their drinks next time, too.
(4)Corey B.
Food was average poor services. Waitress acted like she wanted to be someplace else. We had reservations for 6:15 on a Friday and we did not get our bill until 9:10. Three hours for a party of 4 to east dinner is a little ridiculous. We won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)Sharon R.
I grew up from a young age dining on the very popular, Vietnamese Pho. Neighbors up the street from us had moved in when I was about 8 years old and would frequently invite us over for dinner. But when I ended up with a common cold a war was waged in our kitchen. Granny was always the cure all for what ailed you. But on this occassion, she'd be tested. This time, Kim would give granny's Campbell's chicken noodle soup a run for it's money. She showed up with a pot of pho! I sipped on its broth for a few days and it was waaaaaay better than ANYTHING Campbell's would can up. Some crazy years later, I am a huge fan of pho & have it more often than an American cheeseburger. So, when I arrived in Corvallis, OR and my sister said, "Hey! You wanna have some pho?" I was like...."YEA!" But she assured me that this would be the best pho I'd ever have. So, of course my mind ran rampant thinking of all the possible fantastic things that could possibly make Magenta's pho the best. Walking into Magenta, we're greeted by Buddah and beautiful flowers. You meander through bold sheer curtains into the open restaurant which is flooded with natural light from above. The gorgeous brick walls with very eclectic, but fitting art with beautiful colors to compliment the space. We sat beside a stair case that leads to the SnugBar but THAT is a whole other review ;) Sis ordered pho and out rolls two huge bowls of beautiful broth that smelled of spicy yum and lemon grass zest. And guess what?! She was right. Magenta serves up the BEST pho EVER!!!! I can't wait to visit Corvallis again so I can try out some of the other fare......with my pho ~Viv
(5)Amy P.
Excellent service, delicious & interesting food, comfortable atmosphere & a really good daily happy hour! The regular menu is a bit on the spendy side, but you can always order off the extensive & more affordable tapas/dim sum menu. Great spot for a date, special occasion or just a treat!
(4)Jessica S.
This is where I bring out-of-towners. Such a great experience every time I go. You can't beat their Dim-Sum.
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