Kobe is a Japanese restaurant located in downtown Ashland, Oregon overlooking Lithia Creek. The atmosphere in Kobe is a mixture of the best of Ashland: welcoming, bustling, casual, sophisticated, elegant, easy. No matter the mood however, Kobe always offers up delicious, high quality Japanese fare. Kobe has become a bi-weekly habit for me and friends due to the amazing and affordable happy hour menu offered from 5-6pm and 9-10pm.

Tonight’s orders:
Seaweed Salad $4
Edamame $3
Volcano Roll (tempura spicy tuna, topped volcano mix) $5
Dynamite Roll (albacore, avocado, topped dynamite mix) $5
Sake Steamed Clams $5

The only catch? Each person hoping to indulge in the excellence must also order a drink – what a shame. The cocktails are fresh, creative, strong and of big city caliber. Kobe also offers an impressive sake menu topped by local, organic Oregon sake from SakeOne in Forest Grove, Oregon.

Kobe is the kind of restaurant one leaves feeling satisfied and healthy, not overfull and regretful. I realize now that I have taken a Buddhist liking to Kobe – the website quotes:

when you find what is
wholesome and nourishing to you
partake in it often – Buddha

I certainly will, thank you.

The first page of the Noble Coffee Roasting brochure reads, “Our vision has always been to build a temple to coffee”.  Many coffee connoisseurs understand this sentiment, yet the Noble Coffeehouse definitely walks the walk.  The smell of roasting beans tickles the crisp outside air on this October morning at the bottom of Fourth Street in Ashland, Oregon.  The sun is shining and the sidewalk tables are abuzz with bundled friends, smiling and chatting with caffeinated fervor.  The line is long – almost out the door, yet moves quickly.

A name is called and someone approaches the counter to retrieve their cappuccino as the barista decorates the top into a foamy work of art.  The concept is simple, yet beyond the scope of many trendy and stylish coffeehouses these days: organic, artisan, fairly traded, non-pretentious coffee served quickly and consistently.  If a regular cup of coffee is ordered, it is French-pressed or siphoned; “drip” is not part of the Noble lexicon.  Noble serves coffee as though there are inherent golden truths to each drink type and each one exists in the coffee pantheon in an inherent way.  A specific sized mug or glass will be used based on the type of coffee or espresso drink ordered, like red wine glasses in a fine dining restaurant.

Noble offers much more than quality coffee, however.  Noble, naturally lit and airy, is full of energy, and is a common gathering ground for Ashland locals.  Though many work and study, it seems the majority of patrons are meeting friends or at least stopping by to say hello to one of the Noble employees.  The mood is always friendly, upbeat, and sincere.

The roasting process occurs frequently in an adjacent roasting room and can be seen through the windows from the coffeehouse.  Noble brings a welcome, slightly urban feel to this somewhat suburban community.  The roaster today has his headphones on and wanders around, testing this and that, dancing to his own tune.

Noble Coffee Roasting offers a retreat on a windy Saturday morning, or a fueling station on the way out of town.  And for those uninterested in pantheons and temples and golden truths, most of all, Noble offers up a fine cup o’ joe.

Ashland Oregon Restaurants:
Ashland is the base for many of our Oregon Rafting trips and the restaurants reviewed are great places to visit before or after trips on the Upper Klamath, Rogue River, or Illinois River.

One last Note about Noble:
We serve Noble Coffee on all of our trips – these guys are passionate about coffee, their business, and the Ashland, Oregon Community  - we love them!!

Tucked in a small building away from downtown Ashland Oregon,  Wiley’s World Pasta feels like a friend’s warm and welcoming dining room upon entry… but with 10 small tables and a host. It is decorated with odds and ends gathered over the years by the owners and there is obscure, interesting reading material at the entry for all patrons to enjoy. Wiley’s is a locals’ hangout, which makes it even more appealing. It is located near the Ashland Shopping Center on Ashland Street, away from the hub and bub of it all.

Featuring organic ingredients, Wiley’s makes fresh, hand made pasta everyday and sports a simple, elegant, and extremely tasty menu. To boot: Garlic caper sauce pasta – “Whole fresh garlic roasted for hours in pure olive oil, then blended with Italian capers, served with a side of parmesan.” Basil walnut pesto pasta – “Organic basil, walnuts, garlic and olive oil, served with a side of parmesan.” Spicy Thai Peanut – “Coconut milk, cilantro, tamari, sesame oil, garlic and chilies, tossed with organic veggies.” Butternut squash and walnut ravioli topped with basil cream sauce – This one speaks for itself. All pasta dishes can be served with angel hair, spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine and are served with an organic green salad with red onion-poppy seed vinaigrette dressing and fresh organic bread. The red onion-poppy seed dressing and the fresh bread are worth the trip alone. The salads aren’t messing around either. In fact, I often get the Chicken Salad with free range chicken, which is the kind of salad that one can’t make at home, or, at least not quickly or easily. And finally, the desserts. I will sum them up by admitting that my own mother bought the Double chocolate walnut brownie so often that she had an account at Wiley’s. All deserts can be served with the Homemade vanilla ice cream.

Wiley’s is very kid friendly; kids are adorned with crayons and a template once seated and, if their finished picture is chosen, it will be put on the wall and the next time he or she comes in, they are treated with a free meal or a Wiley’s T-shirt.

Prices are reasonable and actually reflect lunch prices at some of the more tourist-targeted establishments closer to downtown. All items range from $10.25 – $11.95, and $13.50 for some specials.

Wiley’s is the kind of place you can go on a quiet Tuesday night when the refrigerator is mocking you, or on a Saturday with a date to sit in a romantic corner over candlelight with a glass of local beer or wine.  Whatever the occasion, Wiley’s will welcome you and yours; for as the menu quotes, “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda.

Ashland Oregon Restaurants:
Ashland is the base for many of our Oregon Rafting trips and the restaurants reviewed are great places to visit before or after trips on the Upper Klamath, Rogue River, or Illinois River.

We are really excited about a new event taking place in the Rogue Valley called Farm to Fork.  Farm to Fork was created to celebrate Oregon’s Farms, Wineries, and local food Artisans.  The mission of the FARM to FORK Dinners is to reconnect people to the true source of their food, to increase community awareness about the importance of supporting local & sustainable producers, to provide diners with an exceptional culinary experience, and to directly support local farmers, wineries and organizations that support small farms, food security, and greater accessibility to healthy, local food.

The dinners take place at farms that sustain the food on your plate or the wine in your glass.  Each event begins with a tour of the farm to highlight the farmers hard work and good, clean, fair food.  The  menu’s focus on seasonal harvest and are prepared by local chefs.  The proceeds of each dinner are directly contributed to the farmers and pro-food organizations.  The 2010 dinners will support Rogue Valley Farm to School and Friends of Family Farmers. Check out the 2010 Schedule to see which Dinners benefit which Causes.

For a full schedule of dinners throughout the summer check out Farm to Fork at http://farmtoforkevents.com/dinners/2010-schedule/

Another great way to experience some of the best Southern Oregon has to offer while also supporting a really great cause!

The Black Sheep is one of Ashland local’s favorites.  It is a genuine English style pub that serves beer, spirits and authentic English fare.

Furnished with big tables, a comfy couch, a fire place and a dart room, “the sheep” is a great place to meet friends for happy hour or for dinner and a game of darts.  Lately some of us have been trying our hand at darts while sipping black and tans and enjoying a big plate of English “chips”.  (pete is not very good at darts by the way!)

The Black Sheep sits above the plaza and has a great view of downtown. It also happens to be the best place in town to get a frothy pint of Guinness!

The Dragonfly Restaurant is one of our favorites in town!  It is the best for a lazy Sunday morning breakfast.  Robyn loves the artichoke scramble and Pete always orders the breakfast tamales.  If you head in for an evening meal don’t forget to get a piece of the flourless chocolate cake, after a filling Buddha Bowl of course.  The Dragonfly also has a full bar and is walking distance to everything downtown.  Definitely worth stopping in for a bite!