Nous — Restaurant in Ashland

Alsatian is the cusine Ashland deserves, but not the one we thought we needed right now. Wow! One of greatest strengths of this spot is its unique and strong identity. Alsace is a region of France bordering Germany and its control has alternated between both countries. Through that comes a melting pot of cultural and culinary traditions which to the unfamiliar patron may make the restaurant puzzling—a French joint selling fried schnitzel? 🤔

Through their identity comes a fresh and fantastic dining experience. The colors of the walls, tables, and lamps are various pastels of green, pink and blue. This is a charming homage to the characteristic German-style buildings of the region that boast these colors (google image search “colorful homes Alsace”).

This sets the scene nicely for what’s to follow: delicious food and drink. We went with the leek starter and, of course, the pretzel. The leeks were a complex adventure, softened and seasoned in oil and sprinkled with other textured elements that made each bite a new experience. The pretzel was light and airy, accompanied by chicken liver pâté, aerated cheese, and a robust mustard. Totally new flavors in this town.

Our entrees were a delight as well. The schnitzel was so well done. The crispy fried exterior collided elegantly with the mushroom gravy sauce to give you both crispiness and creaminess in a single bite. The accompanying potatoes were also perfectly cooked and somehow fluffy all the way to the center. Accidentally spilling a little gravy in that direction of the plate wasn’t a bad idea.

Finally, I’ll mention the pea spätzle. The server aptly called it their “Dr. Seuss dish,” and for good reason. Each element was goofy and off-the-wall, but somehow worked excellently. The small noodle flakes were so intensely seasoned with herbs that it almost felt like they could list perfume as an ingredient. Their strong flavors were interspersed with caramelized onions, intensely pickled cauliflower, carrots, peas, and a light fluffy cheese to give your palate some reprieve. If you’re an adventurous eater, you must choose this one. It may be one of the more interesting dishes I’ve tried.

If you’re looking for a unique, elevated, yet comfortable dining experience, I highly recommend...

I love coming to Nous. I was able to be there when they first opened and try many of the menu items. I need to eat gluten free and there are so many options there. There was even a breaded chicken that was Gf and so delicious. This time coming to visit, it’s the first place we went for dinner and to enjoy a game Night! (Sundays at 4:30) they have a ton of fun games and you can enjoy a night of food too. We started with pretzels, the cheese dip has a nice zing of sharp cheese and air throughout. Then the kids had Mac and cheese that the chef came out and told us he made extra cheesy for them! I enjoyed the salmon with roe and celeriac purée. I wasn’t sure about celeriac but I loved it! I also ordered the chicken thigh which was delicious and came with beans and fennel! I had lots of leftovers to eat at my air b and b. We shared a dessert which was a spicy cake with coconut cream (no eggs or gluten or dairy!) I would eat one everyday! Crispy crust and soft middle. The warming spices were a welcome flavor on the cold Night of Fall. I love how they serve regular or sparkling water. The staff all made a point to check on us throughout the night and refill all of our waters. The kids enjoyed another pretzel too! It’s so peaceful inside with its green and pink color pallet. Julie is an artist and hosts regular art shows. We enjoyed looking at them before leaving! If you’re looking for a beautiful environment to enjoy an amazing meal, I highly...

Molly, Julie, Charlie, and their staff are wonderful, and you feel like family every time you dine with them.

I’ve been a couple of times, and Nous is an absolute treasure. From the moment you walk in, you are welcomed with warmth, intention, and an obvious love for craft — from the design of the space by Julie to the sommelier-curated wine list by Molly. Every dish is thoughtfully and beautifully executed by Charlie, with flavor combinations that feel both elevated and grounded with local, fresh, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients.

The wine list is a true highlight — smart, focused, and full of small-production, terroir-driven selections that pair perfectly with the menu. You can tell a lot of care went into curating it, and the staff is knowledgeable without a trace of pretension. Whether you’re a casual wine lover or a full-on wine geek, you’ll find something exciting to sip.

We are so lucky to have...