New Restaurant Located at Lithia Springs Resort & Gardens of Ashland, OregonWritten by Charlie McHenry
Innkeeper Duane Smith of Lithia Springs Resort & Gardens of Ashland has opened a new restaurant, Verdant, serving Southern Oregon Cuisine prepared using traditional European methods, Verdant will feature a Prixe Fix (fixed price) menu, changing daily, that includes a variety of roast meats and fresh fish complemented by a number of creatively prepared and presented vegetable dishes. The new restaurant’s lush, European-style desserts and an extensive beer and wine list will cater to most discriminating tastes. A wine menu chosen by Sommelier to match dinner will be available nightly. Set in Carriage House at Inn at Lithia Springs, located at 2165 W. Jackson where Ashland’s Main Street becomes South Pacific Highway, restaurant seats 40 people. The new restaurant will be open for dinner Thursdays through Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Reservations are available by calling (541) 488-1062. In addition to Thursday-through-Saturday dinners, Verdant is hosting "Wine Wednesdays," every Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. These events will feature special presentations of Owner- or Barrel-Select wines, paired with restaurant’s gourmet fare in an informal setting where guests can eat, talk and sample fine food and wine in comfort. Helena Darling, Verdant’s executive chef, founded Ashland’s Prima Vera restaurant in early 90’s, then sold it in 1997. "I am delighted to be working with Duane Smith to provide our region and visiting tourists with a new and different fine-dining experience," said Darling. "I’m going to ensure that Verdant will be known for its fresh, local ingredients; sophisticated, textured flavors and creative menu options featuring regional favorites. Our cooking is really inspired by what we’ve got growing outside kitchen door and wide variety of very high quality locally-grown organic produce and meat." Darling’s style incorporates use of fresh and rare herbs, like Saffron; flavored oils, like truffle and walnut oils; and aged, balsamic vinegars in preparation of roasted, grilled and baked meat and fish entrees. Her desserts add Northwest touches to her classic European sensibilities to produce menu items like: "Meyer Lemon Custard Cake with Blackberry Puree and Orange Cream Cookie" and "Housemade Spumoni Bombe with Strawberry, Pistachio and Chocolate Ice Creams served with Balsamic Syrup and Anise Biscotti."
| | 10 Things to Know (and Do) About Special Needs and CruisingWritten by Susan Dunn, MA, Personal Life Coach
I speak on cruises and have found them almost amazingly accommodating to special needs. From disabilities, to medical needs, to family reunion celebrations or weddings...in many cases, you need only to ask. Here are some things to consider beforehand. Don't be like gentleman traveling with his 8-year-old son, who only discovered on 3rd day out there was a daytime play program for children! Ask! 1. Check out your health insurance. Some policies cover international travel; some do not. If your policy doesn’t cover travel abroad, check with cruise line. Most lines offer an auxiliary policy to cover your needs for a nominal price. Check to see if your policy covers air evacuation, which is extremely expensive, unless you relish emergency surgery in, say, Belize. 2. If you have medical problems, or problems with seasickness, book on one of larger ships -- 1,000 or more passengers. The bigger ships (generally measured by number of guests) have better health facilities and services, and also better stabilizers so do better in rough weather. I spoke on a cruise in middle of Isabel, and know this to be true! 3. Ships with more than 100 passengers normally have a doctor and nurse. Though some have only a nurse. Be aware that medical personnel on ships charge a fee for services. 4. If you have medical problems, be sure and discuss them with your personal physician. Some conditions require a note from a physician. 5. Be sure and bring all medications you need with you, with an extra supply in case your travel plans are delayed. Ship infirmaries carry some medications, but of course not all. Most ship infirmaries are only equipped to handle minor emergencies. Find out where infirmary is and how to get to it, as well as location of other important things such as restrooms and lifts.
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