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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 Pioneer Mike II dedication Saturday ... Transient who made racist comments known to Ashland police ... 18 students fraudulently earned certification at Abdill ... Pioneer Mike II dedication Saturday ... Transient who made racist comments known to Ashland police ... 18 students fraudulently earned certification at Abdill ... DINING Luna Cafe and Mercantile Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jul. 1, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jul. 1, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News With its mixture of chef-prepared fare and unconventional service, Luna Cafe proves great ideas are all in the execution. Coming from the restaurateurs behind Lark's, the newly opened cafe inside the Ashland Hills Hotel at 2525 Ashland St. has its own identity and its own charm. The bulk of the new spot's menu is between $11 and $15, with dishes developed by Lark's executive chef Damon Jones. The focus is on roasted meats and poultry, primarily locally sourced rotisserie chicken, pork shoulder and beef brisket. There are also vegetarian and vegan choices, including sandwiches, pizzas and salads, for tastes from simple to adventurous. Those who just want a burger can get one made from Applegate Valley beef and Tillamook cheddar ($13), but those seeking something different can go for ground lamb from Tawanda Farms ($14), or black beans from Dunbar Farms ($11), or organic free-range ground turkey ($12). Among the ways they reached those lower prices is through a level of service that's more than typical counter service, but below a full-service sit-down restaurant. The word "cashier" didn't fully describe the woman who took my order at the counter Monday. Her manner was closer to that of traditional waitstaff, helpfully and enthusiastically informing me of the day's specials before entering my order and taking my payment. Her enthusiasm got me to try the day's special, an open-faced beef brisket sandwich with fried onions and blue cheese ($12). I was handed an order number and pointed to a station to collect my utensils wrapped in a napkin. Other than a little trouble finding a straw, I found the setup straightforward enough. My open-faced sandwich was delivered hot from the oven, but the toasty Rise Up! bread and Double RR beef brisket were sturdier than my butter knife could handle. Thanks to the wonders of self-service, there was no awkward wait for a server to check on me. I just went back to where I'd served myself complimentary lemon-herb water and grabbed the steak knife I needed. My sandwich came with a choice of seven sides — fresh-cut fries, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, green salad, rotisserie vegetables and Walla Walla onion rings. I went for the fries and ordered an extra side of cole slaw ($4). The fries were fresh and crispy, served with a side of Portland Organic Ketchup, but the cole slaw was the side that really blew me away. The diced red pepper and not-too-sweet dressing added to the cabbage-and-carrot standby makes it easy to recommend. Nestled inside the '70s chic hotel, the cafe environment draws from its own futuristic inspirations to create a space-age style that's congruent with the hotel's decor and architecture. Bright, white walls, mid-century modern seating and crisp blue stenciled lettering in a rectilinear font evoked "2001: A Space Odyssey," but the cafe's look is never clinical thanks to live plant centerpieces and uses of natural wood, among other touches. Moon colonies may still be decades away, but the glowing flat-screen LCD menu boards were enough to remind me that we are indeed living in the future. By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jul. 1, 2016 at 12:01 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... 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