What to eat + drink in Ashland, Oregon

There is still so much I didn't get to experience in regard to food and wine in Ashland. Check out my favorites below.

I ate and drank some delicious things in Ashland, Ore., earlier this month. Here are some recommendations for lunches and dinners solo or with your bestie girlfriend.

Larks restaurant is in this lovely old hotel downtown.

1) Treat yourself to a solo lunch at Larks: Perfect mezzanine table, friendly staff, a divine glass of local Tempranillo and the turkey melt sandwich special. And definitely accept the lavender bread while you wait.

2) Sushi dinner at Kobe: Ask to sit outside on the river. Many of the roll selections had spicy ingredients like jalapeño. This place is definitely doing sushi with a twist. Our rolls, Duma and West, were fresh and devoured quickly. We washed them down with cocktails, a St. Germain cocktail for me and a Kobe drop with lychee for Marcia. Plus! When I left my watch in the Kobe restroom Friday night we called Saturday and they had found it! Major points!

3) Cocktails at Liquid Assets: Peach Stone cocktail with peach Makers Mark for Marcia and La Luz, a tequila, lime and sparkling wine cocktail for me. We shared tiramisu that didn't quite live up to expectations. Pass on dessert and just go for the booze. Liquid assets had a cool vibe that also would be great for a date.

The view is one of the best parts of Weisinger Family Winery. It reminded me of the rolling hills of Napa Valley.

4) Weisinger Family Winery: Not a tourist attraction for the tasting room itself, but the wine was great. It was close to downtown. This was my first solo wine taste and the gal behind the bar could have been more warm and welcoming. Weisinger had a healthy selection of whites and reds to choose from, the viognier grape being the specialty grape of the region. I learned a lot and brought home three bottles of wine for my Thanksgiving table.

Be warned - there is not a lot of signage for the tasting room. I actually drove by it at first!

5) Have fun and beer at Caldera Brewing: It’s not right in town but wow! Fun atmosphere and tons of creative beers to try. One group on a beer tour showed up in lederhosen and really didn’t seem out of place! Do not drink wine here. Try the Mowgli, hibiscus ginger or vanilla wheat. Amber is also always a favorite! 

6) The final indulgence: Get a facial at The Blue Giraffe Spa & Salon. I booked an essential oil tub and that was frankly boring and hot. I'm not a tub person. But the facialist was great and my skin glowed for a week after!

Verdict: I was impressed by the culinary options in Ashland. It is a perfect adventure for foodies. I will be returning soon so I can visit more wineries and breweries.

More gorgeous views at Weisinger.