The Oregon Club - Ashland, MA

I recently celebrated my best friend's son's college graduation (way to go, Ben!) at The Oregon Club.  He chose it because of its cool history as a speakeasy back in the 20's and probably also because it was a special occasion meal and therefore a justified splurge.

There is patio seating but it was a cool night so we ate inside.  When you enter, it is as if you're stepping through someone's parlor.  There are small rooms with a few tables and still the old bar with only 3 or 4 stools.

We started with the Gorgonzola Meatballs and I swear they melt in your mouth.  They are served with brown gravy and Romano cheese is sprinkled over the top.  Some people say the right time to stop is when you still want more, and maybe they're right, but when I tasted those meatballs a part of me wished I had ordered them as my entree.  (An order is 3 meatballs, so you almost certainly will be wanting more.)

The menu is not large but I'm convinced that you probably can't go wrong.  I had browsed the menu before our visit and already decided before we were sat but then upon looking at the menu a second time realized what I had decided on was an appetizer.  Our waitress was very accommodating and let me make it a meal - crispy duck confit, mashed potatoes, and green beans.  Everything was delicious.  The duck leg fell right off the bone, the green beans were garlicky and crisp.

I also, of course, sampled most everyone else's meal because that's what you do.  There were specials that night that included surf & turf - a filet and garlic shrimp - as well as a half rack of barbecue ribs with cornbread and some other accompaniments.  I tried the ribs which were rubbed and a bite of my best friend's sirloin strip - only after it was declared that they couldn't eat another bite.  Her steak was cooked perfectly medium rare and was packed with flavor.  The ribs were nice and meaty but I'm a sauce girl, myself.

And even though no one thought they could eat another bite, we couldn't leave without a peek at the dessert menu.  Of course, there was no dessert menu, but our waitress expertly rattled off a number of dishes.  We settled on cheesecake with caramel sauce and a cup of dark chocolate mousse.  Let me tell you, that was the richest cheesecake I have ever had and I have both made and eaten a lot of cheesecake in my life.

I was treated to this meal, but I am not ignorant as to what a generous treat it was.  I would classify The Oregon Club as a restaurant reserved for celebrating big achievements or milestones in life; not just for an ordinary evening.

The Oregon Club