Larks Restaurant is revitalizing home cooking.
Larks Home Kitchen Cuisine recently launched their new Provisions Box for weekly purchase. In keeping with their farm to table focus, boxes are filled with locally grown produce, housemade sauces and condiments created by Chef Franco Console, a bottle of wine produced in Southern Oregon and artisan products. This month’s featured winery is Irvine & Roberts and will likely change seasonally. Boxes are $60 and can be ordered online here.
Cocktails to-go takeoff at Luna Cafe + Marketplace.
Located in the Ashland Hills Hotel, Luna is a casual scratch cooking eatery with unique sophisticated cocktails. A lineup of their iconic-branded cocktails (Northern Lights, Lunar Eclipse and Lift Off sounds about right!) and wine by-the-glass have been added to the menu to complement their active delivery and takeout business. Burger and cocktails, anyone?! Naumes Suncrest Winery, Cuckoo’s Nest Cellars and Kriselle Cellars are but a few of the many Southern Oregon wines served at Luna. Order online here.
MÄS restaurant pivot continues to evolve with new pasta kits.
With COVID-19 regulations still disrupting downtown eating options, MÄS Chef-Owner Josh Dorcak upped the takeout game with Fresh Pasta Kits complete with Duck Leg Bolognese. Lunchgoers can still get Japanese style sandwiches (“sandos”) like the delicious Tamago Sando Bento, Steam Burger, and Onigiri Dog (Japanese hot dog), and a “soup and sandwich” Truffle Smash & Tomato Koji Bisque. Rotations may occur depending on ingredients, per his hyperlocal Cascadian Cuisine philosophy. Pickup some dinner with your lunch. Rooftop tastings now open but space is limited. Full takeout and reservations here.
Falafel Republic had a new baby and she’s called Burrito Republic.
No stranger to start-ups, chef-owner Sam Jackson developed Falafel Republic, which has had a successful run in South Ashland. In-dining restrictions in the downtown plaza area presented Chef Jackson with the right time to launch his newest fast casual concept, Burrito Republic. Step right up for a design-your-own fresh-Mex burrito, salad or bowl. Located in the vacated space once occupied by Hilltop Coffee and Noble Coffee. The only walk-up window in town offers self-serve computer touch screen ordering and a friendly chat with the cook. For pre-order and pick-up go here.
New gluten-free bakery opening this month.
New Ashland resident and baker, Carla Guimaraes, has quietly been transforming the shuttered Bestow and Bloom plant shop on Pioneer Street. Behind the papered windows Guimaraes is preparing to open Vida Natural Baking Co., her natural, sweet and savory, 100% gluten-free bakeshop. Born and raised in Brazil, she will feature the traditional “cheese bread” snack common to her native country. Also on the menu will be a variety of pastries, sandwiches, local artisan products, and coffees. Locals will eventually find her products at grocery stores in the region.
The Final Course.
Busy restaurateur, Billy Harto, joined the ranks of Oregon’s fried chicken trendsetters with the October opening of Billy’s Fried Chicken. He continues to indulge Ashland’s passionate palate for global flavors with Korean, Japanese and straight-up Buttermilk coatings. He joins Chef Neil Clooney’s Bird & Rye, as the go-to spots for that fried chicken feel. Over on the Plaza, Ostras! Tapas and Bottle Shop is taking a winter break and plans to reopen in Spring 2021.
