This is for the sushi restaurant- not the chef's table. My first visit to Ashland and the restaurants did not disappoint. What works great are the not so common choices. Trout and hiramsasa sushi rolls had great flavor! Pork belly sando was well balanced. The red snapper tostada was also a winner. Drinks were fun too. The only miss was the Nama dog - it's a basic hot dog, no more. read more

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This was for our wedding anniversary, and it was a great experience. We sat at the chef's counter as recommended by other reviewers and watching the food preparation is a show on its own. All small bites and halfway through I thought " we will need to stop for a burger " but with a couple of courses to go plenty satisfied. Each dish has a variety of flavors. We also did the drink pairing with different sake's and white wines mostly from Europe that paired well. Also got refills both spontaneous and on request. It is an experience that I doubt any other Southern Oregon can match. read more

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My favorite restaurant and all of the Rogue Valley! Service is excellent and the food is phenomenal! Best raw oysters I have ever had. Chef Hez is is excellent at what he does. You won't be disappointed read more

What a find! I thought I had seen all of southern Oregon's restaurants and found this browsing on Yelp for ideas for my birthday dinner and I'm sure happy I did. It was definitely the most unique dining experience I've had. It was curated very well by the chef himself which was fun to have him explain each dish. The sommelier was extremely knowledgeable which paired wines with the meal exquisitely and he was a super nice guy as well. The best part of this meal I will say, is that 90% of the dishes were something I would never order myself. But I find it good to push yourself and try new things and it was fantastic. As you can tell by the photos, the plating is exquisite as well. Overall it was a fantastic experience and really makes Southern Oregon feel a little bit classier. read more

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Visited this place while in Ashland Oregon and found this gem! Just be aware that the entrance is at the back of the street. The front entrance is their sister company Nama. We had a fantastic dinner with Chef Josh and his team! The ambience was perfect, making us feel like we were part of the kitchen. It was truly a memorable experience. We savored each dish and flavor, and learned more about the restaurant's story as we dined. We did the chef tasting course and ordered a few glasses of wine (you need to since you are in Oregon wine country ). We definitely loved the trio with a awesome twist on the waffle. The morel locally source mixed with the lamb was so delicious! read more

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Amazing food and perfect wine pairing. We had a private room. If you can afford it, it is worth every peny.

We were back in Ashland after several years, and came to Mäs again. Chef Josh was out sick but Chef Miles (Mäs's sous chef), aided by Chef Andy, did a wonderful job making this another unforgettable experience. Every dish was amazing, by far our best meal in a town where all the restaurants are excellent. read more

If you are a foodie, this is a MUST try. The ENTIRE dining experience is exquisite: from the engaging service, the simple kitchen ambience (I sat at the chef's table) to the perfection of food presentation, and amazing mix of flavors and ingredients. EVERY bite made the next bite more intriguing. read more

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This restaurant is punching far, far above the weight of anything you'd expect in southern Oregon. This restaurant serves food that is rightfully recognized by the James Beard Foundation and The New York Times, and would fit in any major city. The food is finely crafted from mostly local ingredients, with careful thought into how flavors play together in harmony. The menu changes and adjusts frequently based on what's available, thus to get too into the details of individual items might not be helpful for what *your* menu will be. I will say the menu borrows a lot of influences from Japan, interwoven with local vegetables and meats. The idea of creating a "Cascadian Cuisine" isn't a marketing gimmick, something distinct is being created here. An enjoyment of seafood feels like a must, though the flavors aren't particularly fishy. Among the interesting ingredients on my visit were firefly squid from Japan that were part of a trout, asparagus, and sake leese; foie gras "fudge" in a savory stroopwafel; and hickory brown sugar in a petit four that accompanied the optional post-dinner whiskey pour. I'm not doing the creative work justice, but -- again -- your menu will almost certainly be different. Setting aside the food, the entire experience at MÄS strikes a nice balance of intimate, professional, and accessible. It's unpretentious without being overly friendly. You feel like you're in the hands of experts, led by Chef Josh Dorcak and sommelier Joseph Shaughnessy, who know that this is also a hospitality industry. They've created a space that's welcoming to folks who might be having their first experience with haute cuisine, without short-changing the experience. I wasn't surprised to learn that the small-scale restaurants of Japan inspired this compact, tightly run operation. I'm glad I sat at the Chefs Counter and feel close to the team as they prepared our food, explained everything, and chatted about life. I would recommend this restaurant to those curious about trying chef-driven, haute cuisine but worried about the intimidation factor. This is a welcoming experience. For those who are a bit more seasoned and/or jaded? You will be happy your travels brought you to Ashland. read more

Amazing meal. A Japanese-inspired though not authentically Japanese cuisine based on fresh seasonal selections. Everything was incredibly tasty, delicate but with depth, and artistically plated. Although not big drinkers, we highly recommend the wine pairings, as all were very unique with an emphasis on the diversity of sakes. The service too was excellent, although sitting at the chefs table the owner and chef was also our server, sommelier, and culinary guide providing background on each tasting dish. The only con is that one certainty will pay a hefty sum for the best fine dining in the Rouge Valley, but this is on par with other restaurants of equal caliber in other regions. Once we've saved up, we will be back to taste in a different season. read more

So I want to start out by addressing those one star reviews out there that are like "why does this cost so much? You don't even get that much food!" Meals like this are not just about filling your stomach. They are about the experience. They are art. People don't pay hundreds, thousands, or even hundred thousands of dollars for beautiful paintings because of the cost of the materials, or even the cost of the time of the artists, but because its artwork. Someone should think of a meal like this the same way - it's art. And at that, it's performance art - a good reason to sit at the chef's counter - which we fortunately decided to do. Getting to watch our chefs put together each plate, as well as seeing the care that had clearly gone into the preparation before hand, was entertaining and really added to the experience. Also getting to chat and shoot the shit with the chefs very much added to the whole evening. I'm not going to go into every dish we were served (as there were many), but I will say that each one was thoughtfully put together, presented beautifully, and was innovative. The little things matter, such as the fact that they had clearly thought about what cutlery and dishes would best present each course, and also thought to instruct us on if fingers were appropriate. I loved how seafood heavy it was - I love seafood. I was inspired to eat sea urchin more often. I was reminded how truly good lobster can be. I knew I was into truffles going in, but did they do some fun stuff with truffles! (Apparently they are currently in season). I also really enjoyed the wine pairings. How well did they go with the food? I don't really know... but they were very interesting in themselves and well explained by Josh. I particularly liked the champagne. As mentioned earlier , talking with the chefs was great, but want to add that they were also really kind and caring humans. I hope Josh can continue to be successful in this business because I know it is hard to turn a profit in this niche industry. Also loved the relaxed pace. Didn't feel rushed, but also never felt like I was waiting very long. And you know, by the end of the meal, I was pretty full too! read more

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MÄS Simply sublime... Chef Josh and his capable team delivered a symphony of succulent Japanese-inspired dishes elevated and enhanced -- indeed, was it possible ?--by Sommelier Joseph's elegant and thoughtful wine and saké selections. From the cocktails at NAMA, to the perfectly petite cutlery and artisanal serve ware, and finally (sadly, does it have to end?) to the last taste of dessert in the private Library Room, the welcoming personal touch of the master was apparent in presentation, description, and each well-planned bite, all curated to delight in crescendo'd layers of complexity that showcased the talent and passion of this James Beard Foundation SemiFinalist doing what he loves: carefully crafting dishes to create an absolutely unforgettable meal that lingers on the tongue and in the heart. read more

I suspect MÄS is going to be polarizing. If you don't think of yourself as a foodie, willing to pay for premium prices to get a Michelin star level experience, then just skip it. Or, if you're looking to fill a ravenous appetite with hearty meats and starches, then you can also move on. There are plenty of great places in Ashland for you. If you want a memorable, unique-for-Southern-Oregon, curated bite-by-bite, culinary experience, where each entree is meticulously crafted with tweezers and eye droppers, then you ought to give MÄS a spin. Really, the more you geek out about subtle flavor characteristics and textures, the more you will enjoy MÄS. Josh is an extraordinary talent, but is really down to earth and happy to talk with you about each and every ingredient and preparation technique. You may only be able to choose the Omakase option, where you get ~10-12 courses chosen by the chef and designed to flow in sequence. Bear in mind these courses are very small, and meant to be enjoyed slowly, saving each bite and nuance. Meat and Potatoes it is not. The chef can make some accommodations for certain diet restrictions, but I would recommend clarifying that in advance. The experience is not for everybody. Look - touring the Louvre in Paris isn't for everybody either. But if you appreciate a high-end gastronomique adventure, or have an open palate and open mind, you'll be quite delighted, I assure you. read more

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It's unbelievable to find a Michelin star quality restaurant in Ashland. We were lucky enough to secure a table for four for lunch today, and we can't wait to try their dinner. Each dish we had was exquisite, meticulously created, plated, and presented. The techniques showcased a gastronomic flair with Japanese influences. Chef Josh personally attended our table, adding a personal touch to the ambiance. The lunch menu consisted of four courses: a simple tomato dish, a mackerel dish, a lamb dish, and a dessert. The wines were beautifully paired with each course, and the pours were generous. If we ever visit Ashland again, we will definitely try their dinner. read more

My friend, Nat, and I visited this restaurant in July of 2020 in the middle of the Covid pandemic. Hoping it was the middle so the end will be soon. With nothing to do in Covid I am writing my review now in January 2021 because this was my last sit down restaurant experience. However, because of Covid, we didn't have to fight the crowds to get in. We drove into town at 3:00 p.m. and secured reservation for that evening. Otherwise I'm sure this restaurant would have been bag logged for months and I might have had to kiss a waiter to get a seat like some other popular restaurants in the bay area. We were celebrating Nat's conquest of Mt. Rainer. I can't really remember all the ingredients anymore but I do recall the essence of a great time. The wines and sparkling beverages came from all over the world. The pairing were tantalizing and unexpected. We marveled at the presentation, each a sculptured work of art. If I know one thing, life is short and the only thing worth paying for are experiences. So yes, nice restaurants are somewhat pricey but what if this was your last meal? It would be worth it! read more

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Coming from LA, I was shockingly surprised at the level of umami each dish this little establishment put in front of me. A true hidden gem! Thank you chef Luke & John. I'll be back for sure. read more

MÄS - Saturday 10 Course Lineup (pics in order as served) - New American Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

Amazing if you're a foodie you gonna love this simply sublime. Food art. An unexpected surprise in Ashland read more

MÄS - Hand roll - New American Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

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The tasting menu dinner my wife and I had last night was the most unusual meal in my life. That was the answer I gave to the owner/chef Josh after he asked my impression that had him questioning whether it was good or not. The meal blew conceptions of what amazing food can be out the window. The ingredients used in the dishes are so different as to be mind-bending. The 14 course tasting menu probably had over 200 ingredients! Everything from coffee oil infused strawberries to fresh coriander seeds turned into capers to Japanese fermentation methods I cannot pronounce. I felt sort of stunned at the end and speechless because it was like seeing a movie or reading a book with layers of meaning. Your brain cannot wrap itself around what is being presented. Since we had a 1.25 hour drive to get home we opted for the optional non-alcoholic drink pairing that was right there for the ride. Melon juice, green tea sour, fennel infused juice, kombucha, and more I cannot remember that also contained myriad components. The menu changes all the time based on ingredient availability and what they have going at different stages of fermentation. If you like sushi and Japanese food you will likely love this food. While nothing was actually raw because it had been marinated or aged or had some other process performed on it, some of the items tasted raw. While my wife was initially reticent about eating here due to some ingredients listed on the menu and in reviews, she loved everything and nothing was given to me. Bring an adventurous attitude and open mind. read more

Very wonderful dinner, michelin star experience. Josh is an amazing host. We had no idea what to expect, each course was an adventure. read more

MÄS - New American Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

The food and wine pairing is orgasmic. The presentation is beautiful, wine pairing was done with perfection. This is an experience that was extremely amazing. Now I need a cigarette and a shower. read more

MÄS - New American Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

Josh and team are artists! Food is beautiful and so good. He uses high quality local ingredients. Can't wait to see Josh's career continues to grow. Also check out the oyster bar next door. read more

Oof. Big fail. My husband ended up puking all night after eating here. The entire meal consisted of soft, and foamy seafood. Lol. And the mixing of champagne was ridiculous bc none of it paired well with what was going on...also, they finished the meal off with whistle pig as if we were going to be impressed or something. Haha. No. But thanks for trying guys. None of it made sense. read more

This was a really great experience. I love watching my food be prepared so we were lucky my husband made reservations very far in advance and we were seated facing the action. It was wonderful chatting with the chefs and enjoying their creative dishes. Reservations are a must, seriously they need to know you are coming in advance. read more

Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? YES! This chef is a genius and what he is doing reflects the future of fine dining. Go for a special occasion - you'll be reliving the deliciousness for weeks to come. read more

We ate dinner there and had some wine as well. Terrific experience. Fabulous food and service. Expensive but worth it!

As a resident of NYC and having been to every Michelin 3 Star restaurant in NYC, MAS can hang. I'm not going through every dish as the Chef changes them so it makes no difference. Every dish we got was memorable. The execution and explanation was exceptional. Downside, alcohol service. I like to drink, but don't want the pairings, but not clear if there are other options. I want a drink menu. Overall, exceptional. I have told all my Oregon and California friends that it is a destination restaurant. I will go back...as often as I am in the area. read more

Josh and Luke are incredibly inventive and knowledgeable about their ingredients and sake/wine pairings. Every ingredient is carefully thought out and prepared, and just so delicious! They are clearly very passionate about what they do and it creates such a fun and intimate dining experience. I have paid for some expensive dinners and this is one of the absolute best! I would drive down from Portland just to eat here again. read more

Josh Dorcak and Luke VanCampen have created a highly unique and magical experience with Mas. Perfect in Covid Season (alas, any season) we were in the intimate space off a back alley in Ashland by ourselves as Josh and Luke created and cleaned everything in front of us, describing how they'd picked this artichoke from the garden that morning or foraged for mushrooms in the forest. A culinary adventure like none other, paired with wines from around the world, make Mas a Michellin-feel with the transparency of a friend cooking in your kitchen. From pop up to their current space, you don't want to miss this ride! read more

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Best food hands down. The chef is a genius. Get the bar service for the best experience

An exceptionally thoughtful and creative restaurant where the experience itself feels like art. Although their kitchen is small, the food is the star of the show here -- complex, refined, adventuresome, and local. The service was quietly attentive. There are only a few tables here, which really allows them to focus on every detail. This place is worthy of its significant price tag. read more

Josh is an amazing chef, visionary and an embracer of all things local and fresh. So impressed with the dining experience tonight as well as the wine pairing selections. We've eaten at Thomas Keller and this is a far better experience from the food to intimacy! read more

The food was very good with fresh ingredients interestingly combined. We sat at the counter with chef Josh describing each serving and drink pairing. It was definitely a cool experience but very expensive. My wife and I decided to add non-alcoholic pairings with the meal and it came to $187 dollars. Be prepared to spend some money for this experience. read more

Amazing experience. Inspired menu progression to keep the mouth guessing. Don't be afraid- it's all fresh and accessible. Even the push is still comfortably within reach. If you opt for the 10 course chef counter seating you will be able to ask questions and get intricate details in the creation process. Very thankful for the food journey and happy to support local, creative and sustainable food escapades. The "tartlet" could win an award on its own. Thank God there are two in the pairing. And aged duck...Need I say more? read more

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This place is incredibly creative!! It reminds a bit like Benu in SF... I love the intimate relationship with the chef Josh and customers. I've never expected or experienced the luxury to dine and have a friendly conversation with the chef and his assistant George. 5 stars all the way!! So grateful to dine here often so that can experience their creativity dishes with local ingredients. Concersation while dining makes it more intimate like you are being care for in a personal way while taken in their beautiful and yummy dishes. You will not regret your dining experience and the dishes are so yummy that you wish your dining partner was disappeared so you can eat his portion too love this place and highly recommend it!!! I will not stop coming here and I hope Josh will continue to challenge himself with more creative dishes!!! read more

The three course take-home meal that the geniuses at Mäs have created for the COVID lock-down is mind-blowingly good. I wasn't sure how the delicacy & freshness of their Cascadian food would survive the journey home but they've really thought about this & the meal was beyond delicious. Almost as much fun as eating at their chef's counter. We'll be back for more very soon. read more

MÄS - Chickpea Salad with harissa, herbs, & lilac-rose vinaigrette - New American Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

This was a wonderful experience. My wife and I made reservations on a Saturday night. I just wrote a long description and realized I shouldn't spoil your own impressions of this unique journey/adventure. Can't recommend it enough. read more

Small group experience meal. It was just us in front of the chefs, Josh, Luke and a new member of their team. Another couple came in 2 hours later. So a 1:1 experience. My husband got the sake pairing and I had the wine pairing. These were wines and sake that we don't see much so it was great to try. They complemented the meals well. We had the 10 course meal. Outstanding meal of unique dishes, locally sourced and sometimes wild ingredients presented in a novel way by the chef himself. A great way to interact with the creater of your meal and understand it more in depth. Thanks for the San Fran recommendation we already booked it. Sorry that people have had a bad time here and felt it was expensive. It's an experience and you get to try new flavors. It may not be your thing, but the cost is on the webpage when you put your credit card in. read more

Josh and Luke thank you for an amazing experience Watching you prepare our meal was a joy but eating it was even better. From your presentation to your pairing of sake, made this experience a memory I'll never forget. Thank you for helping me celebrate my 50th. We will be back soon. read more

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MAS is unequal and incomparable. Fresh food were thoughtfully prepared from the appetizer to the main and dessert. All plates were served by the chef. By his description, we get to know where the food came from and how he prepared those amazing plates. Four of us sat in the library. Our friends eat vegan food. Their plates are gorgeous as ours. We look forward to the next visit! read more

Stunning chef duo Josh & Luke have created truly lasting impressions. We enjoyed a very well balanced combination of exceptionally crafted & surprising Japanese-inspired dishes, Oregon wines, sakes and whiskey. The location is warm and intimate, and the team is fabulously enthusiastic. Definitely the highlight of our trip to Ashland! read more

MÄS - New American Near Me - Ashland, Oregon