Last night my husband treated me to dinner at Loft Brasserie in Ashland, Oregon. While I will admit that "French Food" isn't exactly on my list of items ok to consume in my new found obsession with getting in shape, I was starving, desperate for an adult night out, and for something other than salad and protein shakes to put in my belly.
Now, if you have never had the pleasure of visiting Ashland on a nice summer evening, I suggest, at a minimum, you take a nice walk through Lithia Park (before dark that is, there are bears amongst other things). If you have been to this lovely artisan town, then you know what I'm saying. There is just something special about Ashland. It reminds me of small towns in Europe that I have visited, with it's bohemian atmosphere and lively culture. It is a college town however, and with that comes, well, college students :) So keep an open mind, and be prepared to be entertained by your surroundings!
Now, if you have never had the pleasure of visiting Ashland on a nice summer evening, I suggest, at a minimum, you take a nice walk through Lithia Park (before dark that is, there are bears amongst other things). If you have been to this lovely artisan town, then you know what I'm saying. There is just something special about Ashland. It reminds me of small towns in Europe that I have visited, with it's bohemian atmosphere and lively culture. It is a college town however, and with that comes, well, college students :) So keep an open mind, and be prepared to be entertained by your surroundings!
Ok, Ok... I know this is not a travel blog, though maybe I should start one of those~ This is about food. Specifically, the food at Loft Brasserie. It is certainly days like these when I am happy that I don't let a first impression shape my entire opinion, especially considering the mood I was in at the beginning of the evening. Having just completed a horrendous leg and ab workout, and having only eaten an apple, Greek yogurt, and more water than any fish would ever need to consume for the day, I get a text stating "We're going to dinner in Ashland"... Yippy! (note the sarcasm) All I wanted was a shower and a protein shake. Yet, I sucked it up and put my best foot forward, by 7:20pm we were on our way to Ashland.
After a lovely walk in high heels on a cobblestone street, I was horrified to enter the restaurant. "Welcome, please join us UPSTAIRS" (What! Don't they know I just finished three sets of lunges, leg presses, dead lifts ect, ect, ect!) Again, putting my best foot forward, one painful step at a time, I began my journey up a slim staircase to a destination that was smelling better and better with each agonizing step. About half way up, I needed to scoot over for the people coming down. That's when I heard the magic words " It's worth it, the food is fabulous" the gentleman said with a smile. It was just the encouragement I needed to continue on.
Upon entering the seating area, I immediately felt a little claustrophobic, the place was packed. I wasn't to concerned considering we did have reservations. (Here's where that first impression thing comes into play...) While huddled together with a sea of hungry patrons waiting for tables, I did what I usually do, a head count of the service staff in the immediate vicinity, and started the "when will they greet us" timer in my head. I counted 6 people, not one of which turned around to give a friendly smile, or a quick " I'll be with you in a moment". Won't lie, that is a total turn off, it took a good 8 minutes of standing in a corner to be approached. Though the hostess was very friendly when she did finally make her way to us, my "first impression" was formed, and I was expecting the worst for the rest of the evening. (don't stop reading now, if you know me, I get the bad out of the way first thing!)
Now, as I continue, please keep in mind that I was in a mood to begin with.....We were seated on the patio, at a small table right up against a concrete wall, with hardly any room to move the chairs without hitting the person behind you. Not thrilled....As our waiter approached (DISCLAIMER: He is a close friend of ours) you could tell that he had been through the throws of hell and back already this evening, yet he still had a smile on his face, and greeted us with a gracious attitude. The night had finally begun with our drink order.. Mine, a Blood Orange Margarita on the rocks, hubby's an Old Fashioned. Water was quick to come, and our cocktails were served promptly. They were a welcome sight, and delicious too.
As I noted in my disclaimer above, our waiter, Steven Crane, is a close friend. I felt it was only appropriate to sit back and observe his interactions with his other guests, as I don't want to give a biased opinion here to my readers. I can tell you, with complete honesty, Steven is a fabulous server to have. He was charismatic and prompt, with a genuine concern for all of his customers seated in his section. At one point, I heard a patron tell him " I hope you know I am not at all unhappy with you" (apparently he had a dish that needed to be sent back. This is the food business people, things happen!)
We started off with a few Hors d'Oeuvres. For my husband the TRADITIONAL RABBIT PATE:house made pickles, onions, caperberries, mustard, toasted baguette. And for me the ARTISAN CHEESE PLATE: local and imported cheeses, seasonal fruit, apple butter, Marcona almonds. (P. S Loft, you need to correct the spelling of "Marcona" from "Macrona" as you have it listed on your menu, as my husband is from Spain, he was quick to catch it). We also ordered the ROASTED BEET SALAD: sliced beets, arugula, Belgium endives, toasted pecans, goat cheese, sherry vinaigrette.
I cannot speak much to the rabbit pate, other than to tell you my husband made short work of it, apparently, it was delicious, however I can't stomach eating a rabbit. When asked how it was, he mentioned that the pate itself was wonderful, and the combination of flavors on the plate was perfect, none of it taking away from the star of the show, that being the rabbit pate.
As for the Artisan cheese plate. Oh, I can certainly critique that... YUM just about sums it up. Grapes, strawberries, thinly sliced pears, brie, manchego, and blue cheese along with a house made apple butter, and french baguette... if this was all I had for the evening, I would have been completely satisfied!
The roasted beet salad, now how can I put this into words... If you have never eaten beets or are in the belief that beets only come pickled you need to slap yourself in the the face and man up! HA! sorry if that was a bit harsh, but people, get outside of your comfort zone for a second and try this salad. You are missing out on one of natures most delectable products if you don't. There.. nuff said.
For the entree, I ordered the FRESH DAY BOAT SCALLOPS: pommes dauphine, cauliflower puree, asparagus, baby carrots, lemon basil sauce. Pretty sure I've died and gone to heaven with this plate full of perfectly cooked EVERYTHING... seriously, do you know how hard it is to cook a scallop? Not to mention the vegetables? I have nothing at all negative to say about this dish. I wouldn't even know how it would be possible to improve upon it. Though, I fought hard to not eat the pommes dauphine (fried potato croquettes) I would be doing a great dis-service to my taste buds if I didn't at least sample one. The word delicious doesn't cut it... I would rather say this entire dish was "Gorgeous".
My husband ordered the DRAPER VALLEY CHICKEN BREAST: lemon-herb marinade, savory mushroom bread pudding, garlic creamed greens, natural jus. Judging by his absolute silence, and un-willingness to share a bite, this was a fabulous plate of food. As anyone who knows my husband, to render him speechless is an amazing feat and darn near impossible!
What first impression?? As I ferociously attacked my food, I had completely forgotten that "first impression" I was so picky about upon our entering this establishment. I don't know if any of you have seen the movie "Chocolat" with Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche, but my love affair with this dish is reminiscent of a particular dinner party scene. I had completely abandoned my first impression, and couldn't help but think that the hike up the stairs was, as the friendly stranger coming down had told me. Totally worth it.
Now, as I had explained earlier, I am on a mission to get in shape, or "ripped" as I like to refer to it. That being said, I had made up my mind that there was to be no dessert tonight. My husband on the other hand had a different plan. Who am I to deny him? Heehee.
The entire dessert menu was mouthwatering to say the least, though I cannot recall everything that was on it, as I am sure it changes regularly. I had my eye on the Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee. I have never been able to say no to a custard. Add a glass-like candied shell on top of it, and resistance is futile. Top it off with a beautiful cup of Noble coffee, and what can I say. I caved. With the first crack of the shell, as my spoon dipped down into the creamy custard, all I could do was imagine the amount of bench presses, cardio, squats, and tricep laterals that were in my future. Again... as the stranger on the stairs said... TOTALLY WORTH IT.
Though our evening at Loft Brasserie started off rocky. Our evening at Loft Brasserie turned out being one of the most enjoyable, romantic, and delicious restaurant experiences I have ever had in Southern Oregon, let alone the world. That small and cramped patio table I was so quick to snipe about, morphed into a comforting, candle lit corner of heaven, on a warm evening, with a slight breeze, nestled next to a rustic wall, on a lovely patio, in a wonderful restaurant, in Ashland, Oregon. I don't think I can sum it up better than that, and with that I will leave you with the particulars:
