This review is written by by Duane Smith who has lived in Ashland for over 40 years.  He has watched it grow from a small lumber town, into one a town of surprising sophistication.  Duane built and still owns Ashland's Inn at Lithia Springs, and you can usually find him in the morning at the inn having breakfast with the guests.  Or in the afternoon, you'll find him there, once again, pouring wine the wine.  He invites you to come join him for a glass wine and give him feed back on his Restaurant Review. Duane also founded and is the publisher of Ashland Magazine. 

Setting the Scene

I've become accustomed to enjoying fine dining in Ashland – as you can tell by my Irish girth – since Bernard Pradel came from France over 30 years ago. He opened Chateaulin , creating a whole new expectation for dinners in Ashland . Let me tell you, before Bernard came to town, 98% of all the wine sold in Ashland was of the screw-top variety, and the food was less than to be desired.

Today, many restaurants in Ashland create their own wonderful mix of fine dining, comfortable atmosphere, outstanding service, and a wine list of liquid gold. This wide range of establishments has been dutifully following in Bernard's footsteps, and I don't doubt that you'll agree that Ashland's cuisine compares favorably with any fine dining you will find anywhere on the West Coast.

Code of Honor

To qualify for my list, I insist that the restaurants prepare each course from scratch with the freshest of ingredients and be of a consistently high quality. Should you become aware of any violations to this basic tenant, let me know. If I can verify it, it will be grounds for immediate disbarment from this astute article by order of an official Irish judge – me.

Unbiased Opinion

I do not take complimentary meals. I am a paying customer just like you.

Rating System

You will find my ratings of all restaurants in the following categories: overall ambience, service, quality of the food, and of course, the wine list. I use a 1-10 scale for ease of understanding.

The entrée prices in Ashland generally range from $15 - $40 with the average at about $30. The typical prices at the restaurants in this list will be given using the following system.

Now, let us proceed. Please note that I've listed the restaurants alphabetically and not in order of preference. To make this list, they are definitely worth a visit.

Fine Dining

Arbor House. The area's most heart felt restaurant with casual elegance and  wonderful food, all wrapped up with a passion for what they do.  Patrick Calhoun came to Southern Oregon in the 60's to live in nature along the banks of the Applegate River.  Today, the walls of the restaurant are covered with pictures of friends of that era, many of them now the businessmen that populate downtown Ashland. Patrick is gone now, but his son Rorey is the Chef, and his sister Lieh carry one with the same love and passion infused in the operation that made it a treasured find, and my secret hideaway for oh so many years.   

Amuse is one of the newer restaurants to make this list. First of all, I must admit that for about 3 years now, it has stayed right up there with the best Ashland has to offer. On a recent evening, I would have rated it equal to anything in town. What really stands out in my mind are the flavors they manage to pack into their dishes. My entrée was just excellent. As constructive criticism, they might consider adding to the décor to invite the world in the door.

Beasy's on the Creek is the place to go if you like red meat, seafood, and a lot more. Your meal is served in an elegant setting of mahogany and brass. A blazing fire place helps to set the mood as the centerpiece of an elegant décor. Beasy's is located just below the plaza and is the newest Ashland restaurant in a long string of interesting restaurants that Beasy MacMillan has started over the years. Enjoy a meal next to the fire or out on the veranda overlooking Ashland Creek. And make sure to try the Lobster Ravioli. It is a killer dish (without a calorie in it).

Chateaulin has turned out great food with great service for over 30 years. For many of those years, it was the only decent place to eat between Eugene and San Francisco . About 25 years ago, the headwaiter and chef (Michael Donovan and David Taub) bought out Bernard Pradel. They immediately brought out the white linen and took it “top drawer” – where it has remained ever since. Chateaulin is the yardstick by which I measure all other restaurants. I have probably eaten here over 600 times in 30 years and have only had a poor meal there one time. It's an old favorite of mine as you can tell.

Cucina Biazzi is a delightful Tuscan Italian restaurant and one of Ashland 's most popular places for dinner befre a show. Some of my favorite times have been spent under its wisteria-covered arbor on a late summer's evening. A 4 or 5 course meal is served at a fixed price and offers a variety of choices, although all maintain a strict allegiance to the Tuscan theme. If your idea of Italian cuisine is spaghetti and meatballs, don't come here. You'll choose from a selection of entrées, then have a choice from about 8-10 pastas. This is followed by a great antipasto dish and finally, European style, a killer salad.

Hong Kong Bar is another of Beasy MacMillan's masterpieces – and its so much more than just a bar. He has managed to capture all of the intrigue of Hong Kong , and make it fun at the same time. I think he brought the best dish from each of his 9-10 other restaurants thay he has spawned here in Ashland over the years to the Hong Kong . You will find an eclectic and varied menu of Pan Asian foods that are all done so very well. Ask for a window seat, as the view from the 3 rd floor over the plaza is dramatic.

Lela's Bakery & Café is one of the latest entries to this esteemed list, and at this particularly pleasing place you can enjoy a great meal in a casual environment without breaking the bank to do it. For lunch, it's the best choice in town, if you can get in. For dinner, the competition is a lot stiffer, buy Lela more than holds her own offer a short list of entrees as well as some lighter faire. Lela's just proves that you don't have to be pretentious or spend a whole wagon load of money to have great food and good service. Recently, I had her Salmon Aioli and it was perhaps the best I've ever had. The wine list is expanding and the casual elegance of the décor is refreshing. Parking can be a challenge so allow a little extra time for this worthwhile eatery.

Monet's is best known for its wonderful, authentic French cuisine prepared by the French-born and trained chef. Dining at Monet's won't disappoint even the experienced connoisseur. In the summer, try their delightful patio. Located only two blocks from the Festival or one block from the Cabaret Theater, Monet's is a great place for a great meal before an evening of theater.

The Peerless has secured itself a solid place in the upper echelons of our fine dining scene. An eclectic décor and great service from a colorful wait staff makes this a break from the ordinary. A dynamite duo reign over the kitchen – Stu Stein was an instructor at the California Culinary Academy and his wife, Mary, trained at the New York Culinary Institute. The result is an evening of culinary delight that will satisfy the orneriest of food critics.

Thai Pepper is a must if you like Thai food. The setting is elegant, with white linens, and creek-side in the plaza area. The chef/owner is Indonesian and I've accused him of tweaking the traditional Thai recipes with some Indonesian spices. He just grins. Truly, this is some of the finest Thai food I have ever experienced. You can have it hot if you want, but there are plenty of items to choose from that are medium to mild as well.

Winchester Inn has a delightful Victorian setting with an eclectic menu that ranges from European to Vietnamese and back to novae cuisine. The owners, Mike and Lori Gibbs, are delightful and each winter they do a Dickens Feast that is a real holiday treat.