Anyone looking for lodging in Ashland, OR should check out the Plaza Inns & Suites. They are offering their spa/king room for $89/night which is a fantastic rate.

This property is very nice, next to Beasy's on the Creek, and walking distance to downtown Ashland. We plan on having dinner at Chateaulin which is a very small French restaurant that offers a prix fixe dinner for $32.50 including two glasses of wine. www.chateaulin.com I can't wait to visit this beautiful, quaint Southern Oregon town again!! Happy Travels!! ***kim***

We ate at the Chateaulin and do I have a story for you. My husband's idea, and we were aghast to find a beetle in my salad and the waiter would not remove the price of this from our bill, nor did he even seem like it was unusual. Like we should expect bugs in our food! We spoke to the manager and she was even less polite, even to the point we didn't feel welcome there. I won't be going back to that dump again. The smokers had taken over and the place stunk. That's the French for you, I guess.

Try The Peerless Restaurant or Amuse the next time you want a nice dinner in Ashland.

They were smoking inside Chateaulin?? Kind of hard to imagine, isn't it?

I guess I'm unusual. Yes I know somehow a bug can get in a salad and it isn't great, but if the customer DEMANDS something be done about it, well? What are they supposed to do? I think this idea of "something went wrong so we'll comp your meal" has gone way too far. No wonder eating out is so expensive. The rest of us are paying for all those meals that get comped because of every little thing that happens.While I suppose it is a very nice gesture if they offer to take it off the bill or do even more for you, I wonder how your approach was. I have friends who manage to have many problems in restaurants and immediately they go into the "we DEMAND" mode. And they too can't imagine why the restaurant staff becomes rude.

Sorry if this wasn't the case, but it somehow sounds like one of those cases. Especially since you already felt the place stunk before you even got the salad!

We've been to the Peerless several times, it's also one of my favorites. My only bad experience in Ashland has been at Cucina Biazzi where our car was chased down when we didn't tip for the horrible service there.

I found Chateaulin to be very cozy and intimate with very good food. Our service was wonderful and we even had a visit from some carolers since it was Christmas time. We thought it would be nice to return. ***kim***

No, no, no, Fatrick, you're wrong again. I never said it stunk before we got the salad. You need more coffee for your reading eyes, dearheart. The smoking was coming from the kitchen. It was obvious. Neither one of us has smoked for 30 plus years, so we know smoke when we smell it. One of those swisher sweets that the guys at the garage smokes. They did it once in the Lexus and my Ralph got after them for it. If you ever smell it once, you know it forever.

About that dinner, we don't demand things. I know what you're referring to. I've seen this happen. It's not pretty. Growing up, I worked at my Aunt's restaurant outside of Seattle. I learnt a few things there I'll tell ya. Respect isn't like a side dish that you order at a restaurant. Matter of fact, the louder the request, the slower the service. Anybody tried to get one over on us, we'd send Eddie to have a talk with them. A dollar earned is a dollar paid. But if you didn't earn it you're on my list, you know.

It's not about the dollars for us. Anyone here could buy a better restaurant. We just know they were rude and these two were a pair, I tell you. I don't hold a grudge, but you guys here brought it up.

I've got a grip of other restaurants where you could eat in the area, kima mom. Let me know if you're interested. They're chasing your car when they get taxed by the gov't. on the tip you don't leave them. Don't do that. You have to at least tell them what's wrong. How will they ever fix it? You know, most waiters and waitresses aren't mindreaders. Only the great ones. And those aren't in Ashland. There used to be a place that we - oh, it doesn't matter its not there anymore.

I'm very familiar with the area, thank you. We have been offered a comp meal at Cucina Biazzi, but I think we'll pass. The management is well aware of our grievances.

As for me, I'm looking forward to another great meal at Chataulin. ***kim*** )

Patrick: think funny-looking thing that lives under a bridge. (Catch my drift?) ***kim***