Ashland

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

~ hsnixon ~ 3 Comments
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

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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 →

Sandy Shores, Ashland, WI., 5/24/24

~ hsnixon ~ 6 Comments
back entrance – 2524 Lake Shore Dr W, Ashland, WI 54806

Sandy Shores Cafe took over the building that used to house the Lake Shore Cafe and although the new owner, Sandy Marsland and her partner Bob Truchon have made changes you’ll easily recognize it.  Even some of the staff are still working there, which is a good thing when you know how welcome Priscilla makes all the guests feel.   A coworker suggested that Marsland could name a restaurant Sandy Shores should she ever open one and in July 2021 she and Truchon did just that.  They’ve tried to keep the prices low and portions generous but it’s a difficult challenge, however whatever they’re doing it seems to be working by the  number of folks patronizing the place.  They’ve kept the menu similar to before and offer daily specials which they publicize on their Facebook page.  They have a combination of seating options with counter stools, free standing tables and booths.   Along the window wall is a direct view of Lake Superior.  It’s comfortable with lots of parking available around the outside of the building.  The food is good, simple and plentiful and along with the great service you can bet I’ll be back.  Hope you try it if you are in the area.

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The Local Bar and Grille, Ashland, WI, 8/10/22

~ hsnixon ~ 1 Comment
exterior – 3000 Golf Course Road, Ashland, WI., 54806

The Local Bar and Grille is on the Chequamegon Bay Golf Course and the dining room and bar have views of it and the surrounding trees.  It’s a large space and open every day for lunch and dinner.  They opened in Dec. 2021 in a building that was and is available for rental – it’s a large space.  A husband and wife team, Mike and Natalie Skinnes, joined up with friend Brad Moulett to try and make some dreams come true for the three that grew up in Wisconsin.  They call their menu ‘pub fare’ with a twist.  There’s plenty of parking out front.  When you enter the bar is to your right with a few tables also.  The rest of the room is a large space set with 4 tops covered with brown cloths and a large fireplace is at one end of the room.  Windows look out on the golf course and lovely hanging baskets of plants.  A separate door is on the golf course side for those sports people to pop in for a short respite.  Between the windows and lights, the room is well lit.  Service was friendly and attentive and the food was good and generous.  With a smaller lunch crowd I might have closed off part of the large room, but everyone wanted a window table to watch the outdoors. Continue reading →

Frankie’s Pizza, Ashland, 7/23/18 and 8/25/18

~ hsnixon ~ 6 Comments
entrance
entrance

Frankie’s Pizza is on Lakeshore Drive (U.S. Highway 2), in the eastern part of Ashland and has been family owned for 54 years.  The Mickey and Chuck Iverson family bought it in 1963 from Frank Ledin, who was thought to be the first to offer commercial pizza sales in Ashland.  Frank and Joyce Ledin started with a root beer stand that was later remodeled into Frankie’s Pizza.  The Iverson’s children now run the place that survived a fire in 1982 and a visit from Johnny Mathis who tipped every server $20, Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton and Bridget Fonda.  It is a medium sized place that is open every day for lunch and dinner, except for Sunday when they don’t open till 4:00 pm.  It had windows on three sides of the place but it is still a little darker inside than out.  They offer a combination of booths or tables for dining and the walls are lined with cute signs, awards and pizza related items.  Hanging lights and nets adorn the ceiling.  The menu is almost all pizza with the addition of salad, burgers and an assortment of fried snacks.   Service was friendly and helpful.  For example the server suggested we order a pitcher of soft drink rather than by the glass cause it was a cheaper deal.  They do offer beer and wine.   Continue reading →

Lake Shore Cafe, Ashland, WI., 9/29, 11/11 & 11/15/17

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IMG_4017
building

You could drive right by Lake Shore Cafe, it is that non-descript.  On the main highway coming into Ashland, Wisconsin, it does have a lovely view of Lake Superior and a crew of regulars who eat there.  The large menu covers breakfast and lunch as well as having chalkboard daily specials.  Prices are pretty reasonable and try to snag one of the fresh iced cinnamon buns on the counter if they’re still there.   Booths line the walls with the lake view windows and the rest of the place is filled with tables and some low stools at the counter opposite the pass through window to the kitchen.  Staff are super friendly and efficient.   Continue reading →