Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW How you can conserve water at home ... Stouts fire burns 15,000 acres and counting ... 'Mitigation banking' ... How you can conserve water at home ... Stouts fire burns 15,000 acres and counting ... 'Mitigation banking' ... DINING Basque-inspired cuisine at Eleven in Ashland Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 27, 2015 at 9:00 AM Updated Mar 27, 2015 at 11:12 AM Posted Mar. 27, 2015 at 9:00 AM Updated Mar 27, 2015 at 11:12 AM » Social News Offering freshly prepared sharables inspired by the cuisine of the Basque region of Spain, Eleven is a worthwhile step off the beaten path. I took notice when I first read about the Basque restaurant, located at 11 N. First St., Ashland. My dad was raised by his grandmother, who was born at the turn of the century in Spain's Basque region near the French border. She came to Eastern Oregon via Ellis Island with her husband, as a sizable amount of Basque shepherds and their families did a century ago. Although I have warm, early memories of my great-grandmother, 4-year-olds rarely have adventurous palettes. My lack of familiarity with the cuisine means I can't speak for the food's authenticity, but Eleven's colorful environment, warm server and relaxed approach to dining captured a trait in my relatives that's equal parts bold and relaxed. Eleven's menu offers an assortment of salads and entrees, all meant to be shared. The menu changes as ingredients become seasonally available.  On a Tuesday evening, my friend and I started with glasses of tempranillo and a salad of locally sourced mixed greens, shaved Parmesan, warm, freshly grilled bacon pieces and halved roasted Brussells sprouts drizzled in a light and flavorful vinaigrette. The warm and the cool, crisp elements mixed well together, as did the crunchy Brussells sprouts and savory vinegar flavors. The ingredients were somewhat uncommon, but the combination is one I'd strongly recommend. Next my friend and I shared the blue cheese and chanterelle mushroom tart.  I especially appreciated the savory crust, with its consistency rivaling shortbread. The warm, creamy tart, with its combination of bold garlic and blue cheese flavors, was an ideal choice for a cool March evening. For a main dish, we went for the Lamb Loin with Kumquat Chutney, which struck me as the most rustic menu choice. The sweet and uncommon flavor of kumquat worked well with the juicy and well-roasted lamb. The entree was another meant to be shared, with two pieces on the plate, and we both agreed we'd order it again. The restaurant also offered a selection of desserts, including apple fritters and a house-made lemon ice cream. The portion was generous and hard to finish, but the ice cream had a vibrant flavor worth recommending. —  Nick Morgan MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 27, 2015 at 9:00 AM Updated Mar 27, 2015 at 11:12 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501