Mix Sweet Shop | Ashland, OR

Looking for the perfect place to rest your feet? How about the perfect place to satisfy that sweet tooth of yours? After having spent of couple of hours window shopping through Ashland’s downtown plaza, we were ready to do both.

But where do we start? Ashland has its fair share of dessert bars and coffee shops to choose. There are the name brands, of course, but you’ll also find a scattering of small, independent establishments as well. Being who we are, we asked around and were kindly directed towards the Mix Sweet Shop.

Located in what was once known as the Ashland Fudge Company, the Mix Sweet Shop opened in July 2006 and, dare I say, borrowed a page or two from its predecessor by providing its customers with scrumptious handmade chocolates and candies as well as a selection of ice creams and gelatos. Where the fudge shop was once the town's premiere destination for refreshing treats on a hot afternoon or a lazy day, their baton was certainly passed on to here.

But that's where the comparisons end. The folks at the Mix Sweet Shop take it a few steps further with a full-service bakery where the smell of baked bread, cookies, and pastries is only rivaled by the sharp aroma of freshly brewed coffee, compliments of Stumptown Coffee Roasters.



Now, we’re told that many of the ingredients used in their baked goods are delivered daily by suppliers and growers who are local to the surrounding region. And you can taste the freshness in each bite whether you’re having a simple dessert like their lemon bars or cupcakes or specialty sandwiches such as the ham on a buttered baguette with bright red roma tomatoes or a croissant stuffed with leafy spinach and Rogue Creamery blue cheese.

If you have a few extra dollars in your pocket, we suggest that you indulge yourself and add either the coconut cream tart or a slice of the Dagoba Mousse Torte to your order. Take it home or nosh on it right then and there, you won’t be disappointed.


By the way, if you stop in after 6:00p, it’s noted that the baked goods remaining near the register (i.e. not the ones in the glass case) are 2 for the price of 1. We’re talkin’ about baguettes, boules, croissants, and the like.

So, who's responsible for all this goodness? The driving force behind the Mix Sweet Shop is renowned pastry chef Jamie North, who, after earning her culinary degree from the University of Oregon, honed her skills by working in Napa Valley's The French Laundry and Terra. When asked what her motivation was for opening the shop, she once noted to a local writer that it was “to showcase classic desserts and pastries that don't require the same time-consuming techniques that she uses at Ashland's fine-dining restaurant Amuse, which she co-owns with husband Erik Brown.”

This was certainly fortunate for us and for the many others who stood in line to sample the shop’s wares. And once we were poised to move on, the Mix Sweet Shop had us refreshed, recharged, and ready for our next activity. I’m willing to bet you’ll discover the same.

Mix Sweet Shop

57 North Main Street

Ashland, OR 97520

541.488.9885

Greenleaf Restaurant | Ashland, OR

In a town where world-class theater is expected by its visitors, the same can be said for the demand in high-quality food. Now, that’s not to say that the local restaurants and eateries are in direct competition with the latest revival of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” or a modern twist to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” but to keep up with the diverse tastes of the audiences attending these fine programs, many of Ashland’s finest chefs have had to reinvent and redefine the way we eat. Take, for example, the Greenleaf Restaurant.

Located just a short walk from the downtown venues that house the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Greenleaf Restaurant is the brainchild of chef and owner Daniel Greenblatt, who opened this quaint establishment in 1985. With a friendly wait staff and a varied menu that includes selections made from local ingredients, diners are treated to a warm and inviting dining experience.

Seating is available upstairs and downstairs, but as lovely as that appeared on the day of our visit, we elected to take advantage of the nice weather and chose to sit out on their back patio. This was especially charming since we were able to overlook Lithia Creek as well as take in the sights and sounds of Ashland’s open-air market.

I know what you’re thinking, what about the food? Atmosphere and personality aside, let’s get to the things that are really important.




Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is the order of the day, and it all gets started at 8:00 a.m. every morning. Choices during these hours include omelets, frittatas, and scrambles. There are also a variety of waffle and pancake combinations. And when the clock strikes noon, entrees range anywhere from a variety of pastas, two kinds of flatbread pizzas, over twenty different wraps and sandwiches, and over ten hearty salads.



Looking for just an afternoon snack? Select appetizers include exotic selections such as a feta pate, a hummus plate, dolmades, Italian fries, and garlic mushrooms. A favorite of ours was their tofu satay, cubes of organic tofu fried crispy and served with a side of the Greenleaf’s own spicy peanut sauce.

Oh, by the way, everything on the menu is available for those on the go, meaning that the Greenleaf is known for their boxed meals, which can be enjoyed as a picnic in nearby Lithia Park or in the OSF courtyard as you wait for the show to begin.



But don’t just take our word for it. Stop in for a bite when visiting Ashland. “Fresh, healthy, and delicious.” This is what the folks at the Greenleaf promise to all of their customers, and that’s certainly what they deliver.

The Breadboard Restaurant | Ashland, OR

EAT WELL ... We all strive to do this whether it's in the way we prepare our food, knowing where our ingredients are coming from, or how much we feed our bodies. There is no doubt that putting these two simple words together carry a great deal of meaning, especially since food is universal to all of us. Food gives us nourishment and energy to think better and go farther, and it brings people together as a community: family, friends, colleagues, or neighbors. Simply put, eating well relates to one's personal growth, health, and happiness.

Given this, we were certainly glad to have found The Breadboard, a breakfast and lunch establishment located just north of downtown Ashland. Family owned and operated since 1983, it was easy to notice that the restaurant amassed quite a following among the locals who live in the community and tourists who call the town home for a few days in between Shakespearean plays.

"If you can believe it, this used to be a popular roadside gas station before we turned it into a restaurant,” notes Sarah Foster, who, along with her husband, Pete, has been running the show at The Breadboard for the last fourteen years.


But what's not to believe, especially since the restaurant is located on Oregon's historic Highway 99. You see, this highway was once known as the state’s main thoroughfare, stretching between Oregon's southern border and Portland. That is, until Interstate 5 took over that distinguished title.

But I’m digressing. Those who stop into The Breadboard probably could care less about its historical origins, but rather the thought is more about what’s on the menu. Be warned, it is quite extensive. Even before I was able to peruse the selections on my own, I overheard a neighboring customer describe it as, "Eye-candy for my stomach. There's just one belt-busting temptation after another."

No kidding. The folks at The Breadboard certainly don't mess around. They seemingly have everything under the sun including scrambles and omelets, traditional country breakfasts, pancakes and waffles, french toast, and a host of other special twists to old favorites. Nothing is held back or compromised, and if you don’t see it, just ask for it. This is one place that encourages substitutions.

Oh, by the way, every item on the menu is made from scratch, meaning that everything is made-to-order with ingredients provided by local farmers and artisans. So, what you’re getting is not only good, but it’s good for you no matter if it's choosing something simple such as a bowl of hot oatmeal with seasonal fruit or something more hearty like the Mountain Man, which features two hefty buttermilk biscuits split and topped with sausage patties, eggs any style, cheddar cheese, and homemade country gravy. And, lest not forget, most of the dishes are served with homers, i.e. their own unique spin on hash browns.

The Breadboard is open seven days a week, but only from 7:00a to 2:30p. Getting there early certainly allows for less wait time, but even if you did find yourself chatting with others outside before being summoned inside, the wait is never very long.

So, to this I say, EAT WELL. This is not only a moniker they believe in at The Breadboard, but it is a promise … After all, the very words are emblazoned on the back of their souvenir t-shirts!

Breadboard Restaurant
744 N Main St
Ashland, OR 97520

The Triple Shot of the Day -- More Oregon Finds!

In this photo: A triple sampler of ice cream - marionberry pie, wild mountain blackberry, and mountain blueberry from the Tillamook Cheese Factory located on the Oregon Coast in Tillamook, OR.

In this photo: Many many cheese choices from The Rogue Creamery in Medford, OR.

This company is well-known for their award winning blue cheese as well as being a sustainable company.

In this photo: A hearty and tasty banana nut short stack from

the Breadboard in Ashland, OR.

Yummy Monkey Popcorn | Ashland, OR

To be honest with you, when the craving for a mid-day snack starts to build around that 4:00 p.m. hour, eating a bagful of popcorn is the last thing on my mind. Rather, my habits are generally reserved for a plate of Oreo cookies, a bowlful of Planters peanuts, or perhaps a small serving of M&M's candies. On hot days, I'll drag myself from the cool confines of my office to hit the nearby vending machine for an It's It ice cream sandwich or a frozen Chocolate Taco.

But on a recent visit to Ashland, Oregon, I found myself unusually drawn to a closet-sized storefront that bared a simple sign noting, "Organic Kettle Korn!" I just had to have a bag, and as quick as that first handful was downed, Yummy Monkey Popcorn had a new fan ... Actually, make that six new fans since the bag of salty-sweet goodness was passed between my daughter, son, wife, uncle, and aunt. And there was nothing but smiles on our faces.

Established in 2008, Yummy Monkey Popcorn produces four flavor-packed varieties: Hot Buttered, White Cheddar, Kettle Popped, and Just Salt. Each is made in small batches to maintain quality and contains only fresh organic ingredients. There's also a lot of love and enthusiasm that goes into the popping as well. As the person behind the dutch door noted, "It's fun to pop popcorn, especially since it's the perfect snack. Low in calories, high in fiber and protein, and just plain yummy."

No need to convince us. We'll be back, and hope others will also stop by. Just look for that fortuitous sign!!!

The Triple Shot of the Day

In the photo: A chocolate ganache cupcake and coconut cream tart at

Mix Sweet Shop in Ashland, OR

In the photo: Our new friends at Weisingers Winery in Ashland, OR

In the photo: Tofu satay Greenleaf Restaurant in Ashland, OR

Morning Glory | Ashland, OR

According to the folks at No Sweat Shakespeare, it was often typical of William Shakespeare to make colorful references to food and drink in his plays, especially when characterizing everyday things or people of his time. With this in mind, it is only appropriate to find Morning Glory, one of our favorite stops for breakfast, in Ashland, home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Founded in 1998 by chef and owner, Patty Groth, Morning Glory takes advantage of its natural surroundings to provide its guests with a casual place to discuss Shakespeare while enjoying seasonal dishes made fresh with organic ingredients from local farmers and artisans. This has proved to be a successful recipe, meaning that the most discernable diner can find something to dazzle the taste buds even if the "show" didn't meet personal expectations. As Chef Groth notes, "My dream, when I opened Morning Glory, was to give every person a place to meet and then walk away saying, 'That was the best breakfast I ever had.' That is still my hope."

In my opinion, and please pardon my use of the Bard's words, but she has been "great in act, as she has been in thought." Okay, in all seriousness, Morning Glory's menu boasts a variety of omelettes, sandwiches, and scrambles as well as tasty cakes, waffles and french toast. During our visit, we curbed our appetites by ordering the Lemon Ricotta Stuffed French Toast with Raspberry Syrup, the Tandoori Tofu Scramble, and Rock Shrimp Cakes with Poached Eggs. And even though we chose not to cleanse our palettes with their specialty drinks (the chipotle Bloody Mary or the nation orange creamsicle), we're told that they are a MUST for the next time. Guess we'll be back for more as I'm sure you will be too once the curtain closes.

Morning Glory
1149 Siskiyou Boulevard
Ashland, OR 97520