Greenleaf Restaurant — Restaurant in Ashland

The sun was shining splendidly one Sunday afternoon in the very early springtime of the year 2019, when a friend of mine who happens to be of questionable character had called to invite me out for an aimless jaunt through the rolling foothills of the Ashland mountains. Having told myself just earlier to surrender all control to the spirit and the winds of destiny for just this one day, I was forced by ethical responsibilities to accept.. soon finding myself deep into a mystical adventure. What we were up to was purely recreational, sightseeing, specualtive day-tripping, but with a firm intention set specifically on not setting any particular plans or destinations in either of our collective minds.. to just let loose and allow the universe to do us. Without further a due, it was roughly 1:00PM when mother goddess agreed with father sky that it was the correct moment to align the paths of our souls, forming a perfect conjunction with the doorways that lead into the prime establishment directly located in the heart of town center square, which goes by the unassuming name: Greenleaf Restaurant. Ok, so the Greenleaf, immediately upon walking in you are greeted by the most friendly faces and staff. These guys know service, but let me assure you that it's not in the pretentious Ashland snooty stereotype fashion and demeanor you might be worrying about. Nope, the vibe of Greenleaf is that which carries the perfect balance between the old fashion class you look for on a lazy Sunday afternoon, combined with that clean wholesome fresh energy that downtown is known best for. There is seating outside in back right on the river walk! The outdoor tables are perfect for those warm early spring days when the sun comes, a great location to have snacks and a drink while watching the birds, listening to the brooke bubble and bob by.. so very nice it just must be experienced in person. Well friends, let me leave off with one last glowing detail regarding my visit to the Greenleaf Restaurant that should definitely not go unnoted.. it was the fact that available upon their ala carte menu is none other than a serving of Mashed Potatoes with garlic and butter! Let me repeat that.. yes, at 1pm in downtown Ashland, located directly at the trailhead of Lithia Park and downtown Ashland, is waiting for you and your friends: a really cool presented plate of Mashed potatoes with garlic and butter! Ready to fuel the rest of your mission! Why, that plate of potatoes not only gave us the energy to continue the rest of our days activities, but it sustained me so well that it drove me to come share this glowing review of them, and the place, the people especially who make them. You will never do wrong to stop into the Greenleaf, that is one thing I was able to learn and take home from this fine day spent on this great earth. Much thanks, and have a great rest of your life as well. I plan on spending more of mine at.....

During our recent trip to Ashland, Oregon, we stumbled upon a hidden culinary gem that we simply can't stop raving about: Green Leaf Restaurant. From the moment we walked through the door, we were greeted with warm smiles and excellent service. We sat on the patio by the river, the stage for a remarkable dining experience.

To start our meal, we couldn't resist ordering the Potato Skins. These delightful appetizers were a heavenly combination of crispy potato skins smothered in melted cheese, sautéed mushrooms, bacon, and green onions. We would never think of adding mushrooms to potato skins and wow it’s a wonderful addition, and the accompanying ranch dip added the perfect touch to this delicious appetizer. Sincerely the best potato skins we’ve ever had, not kidding!

My daughter had the Rustic Soup. It was a comforting choice. Made fresh daily, Cream of Zucchini I believe made with coconut milk. Served with garlic bread, she loved it!

Our son ordered the Short Rib French Dip, and it was a true winner. The braised short rib, on a French roll, was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The accompanying rich au jus for dipping added a savory dimension that elevated the sandwich to new heights.

My wife ordered the Free Verse Veggie Pasta, a vegetarian delight that exceeded all expectations. The oven-roasted tomatoes, roasted garlic, white wine, and olive oil created a harmonious symphony of flavors, which blended beautifully with the basil and fettuccine. Topped with Parmesan cheese and served with garlic bread, this dish was a celebration of freshness and creativity. The addition of blackened chicken added a delightful twist, taking the dish to another level.

As for me, I indulged in the Braised Short Rib, and it was an absolute triumph. The boneless beef short rib was flawlessly cooked and rested on a bed of creamy garlic mashed potatoes. The red wine reduction added another level to this fantastic dish. It was a culinary experience I was not expecting.

The Green Leaf Restaurant in Ashland, Oregon, is a true hidden gem. From the exceptional service to the outstanding flavors of each dish, every aspect of our dining experience was impeccable. We wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a remarkable culinary adventure in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Special thanks to Hayden for his outstanding service and welcoming personality.

We...

I've been to Green Leaf twice recently, after taking a long break from visiting it (early 2020 was my last time there). I went a month ago and it was great. I went again today, and it stank. I'll share more about both experiences.

First visit post-2020, I had a waitress from Minnesota, and I ordered the pesto scramble with a latte. My meal was dee-li-cious and the waitress was a delight. Interacting with her and eating my breakfast in the toasty warmth of the restaurant lifted me up and started my day off on a very high note.

Today, I had a waitress from Guatemala and I ordered the corned beef omlette with a latte. My meal was blah (side order of the rosemary potatoes tasted like bland frozen food that had been heated up) and the omlette itself was fine, nothing special. What was particularly painful about today's visit was the service. The waitress barely gave me eye contact and rarely spoke to me (e.g. when she came with the bill, she just stood there with the little billing machine, without saying anything). The way she behaved was awkward and inhumane. I REALLY wanted to say something wonderful about her, since she's from Guatemala and my own parents are of Spanish origin, but unfortunately, I can't say anything positive about her behavior.

Would I return to Green Leaf again? Sure thing. That pesto scramble is worth revisiting, I'm interested in their other new offerings, the owner (or manager fellow) is so welcoming, and the ambiance is lovely. However, if I get the second waitress again, I'm running out the door.

P.S. While I was eating, a white woman walked up to me and began to ask me questions about my meal, how I liked Green Leaf, if I had ever been to Brothers, whether I knew that Morning Glory had issues with their cleanliness... all very inappropriate and odd behavior that gave away her lack of manners and impressively tiny brain. I smiled and nodded as she yapped, and luckily the manager kindly shooed her away. She had just finished bothering the Guatemalan waitress, telling her she has "such beautiful skin" and did such "a great, amazing, wonderful job" at waitressing and can't wait to tip her. What else can be said? Veiled racism in Ashland? Not so veiled. Pretty obvious lack of...