Cocorico Neo Rustic Kitchen, Ashland, OR., 5/17/25

exterior – 15 N 1st St, Ashland, OR 97520

Cocorico was a medium sized place serving Mediterranean cuisine.  Chef Nat Borsi and his wife Grace dreamed of owning their own place for years.  His experience came from many fine kitchens and hers was in hospitality.  Named for the French translation of ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’ it was to be French but not too much.   Opening in August 2022 it seems to be a local favorite drawing a steady stream of customers the night we were there.  Open Tues to Sat they have both indoor and patio seating.  At first they didn’t take phone reservations, but now the website refers you to tock  The room we were in had some art on the walls, windows to the street, music in the background and bench seating along the walls.  The lights were lowered and the medium sized bare wood tables were fairly close.  They have a full bar and street parking is your option if you can’t walk there.  Service was good and the hostess at the door made you feel most welcome.  The food was great, the portions large and I’d easily recommend the place and go back if I’m ever back in the area. Continue reading

MÄS, Ashland, OR., 5/16/25

building – 141 Will Dodge Way, Ashland, OR 97520

MÄS was a tiny tasting bar by Chef Josh Dorcak serving Cascadian cuisine.  Started in 2017, it was in the basement of a bakery but it secured a more permanent home the next year.  Dorcak was a finalist for the 2023 James Beard Best Chef Pacific Northwest award and the restaurant was named on the New York Times “favorite 50 restaurants” in 2022.  It’s a hidden sort of entry, in an alley behind the busier streets of downtown Ashland.  The tasting menu only is served at a half dozen counter seats and a small room with tables for a total capacity of 18.  The night we were there only 4 of us were at the counter for the earlier seating of the night and Dorcak was not there but the other two chefs, Chef de Cuisine Andy Peterson and Sous Chef Jeffrey Kimura,  and Sommelier Joseph Shaughnessy provided a wonderful evening of tastes and wines for about 2 and a half hours.  Pairings are offered and also available as non-alcoholic.  If you’re in Portland, it’s about 5 hours to drive here but it’s worth the drive.  Next door is Dorcak’s a la carte and drink slightly larger place, Nama. Continue reading