Monet is owned and operated by Chef Pierre Verger from the Rhone valley of France.  He met his wife Dale in Oakland, CA and they have been operating Monet in Ashland for 8 years. 

The restaurant is lovely...perhaps too lovely for Ashland and the hordes of tourists descending for the Shakespeare theater every year.  I would love to have been able to seen the garden, but November isn't the time. 

The food was excellent.  I had a salad with Chevre and soup a l'oignon.  Neither of which was spectacular, but certainly as good as any I've had recently.  The cheese tray I requested for dessert was a bit sparse, but they certainly tried their best to please. 

About the only complaint I have is their wines by the glass.  The Pinot Noir was very, very fruity...much like something with a screw on lid.  Not the fault of Monet's owners...they're featuring wines of the regions and trying to support the local vineyards.  Their bottled wine selection is excellent. 

Food: A. Ambiance: A+. Attitude: A. Parking: Might be difficult in the tourist season. Service: A+. Value: A-.