This place checked all the dinning out boxes. It had adorable ambiance, incredible service, delicious food and cocktails.
Johnathan Price
Some incredible food that made me order seconds before I was done with my first meal, I’m not a big fan of coconut but none of the food tasted overly coconut, cocktails were great, and the staff were polite and attentive, and the atmosphere was pleasant but not overly interesting or overwhelming!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Rendang
Monica S
Love this restaurant! The Chicken Gulai is amazing if you like some heat! The veggies and rice go so well with it. Staff is super friendly. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bethany Aberle
We were returning customers tonight and we were just as impressed with the food, comfortable ambiance, and welcoming service as our first experience. 5 stars deserved all around but especially our server Alec who happily went above and beyond expectations to ensure our group had a good evening
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryon L.
Exceptional cuisine, unique flavors, top level service, and a cute ambience, even with the airy high ceilings.
Eric B.
My first Indonesian dinner experience was years ago in Den Haag (Holland) on a Company business trip. The Dutch were once the colonizers over Indonesia and the cuisine followed to the home country. Fast forward a number of years, and you'll find Gayle and I at the gym with our Indonesian trainer (Meike). Not only has she whipped us into shape, we enjoy the cultural conversations as a bonus. Our most recent adventures have been the Bali Express food truck in Reno/Sparks and Tee Jay's Corner Cafe in Carson City. So when we say Blue Toba in Ashland during our recent Downtown walk, how could we resist? Service was prompt and friendly, including a nice short chat with the Chef's Wife as we were leaving. The restaurant consists of a well appointed and spacious dining room in back and a cool and large front bar area. Here's some feedback that Meike provided as we were texting her about our experience (including sending her the menu): - She and her daughter love Opor (Javanese Candlenut Curry), the dish that Gayle enjoyed. It's white curry and Javanese (where she's from). - Blue Toba is a Lake in North Sumatra and probably where the Chef is from. She suggested that I say "Horas! to them. - She and her husband love the "Rendang" dish, which we'll need to order the next time. - She also noted the Bajigur drink that we should have tried. When she was in college in Bogor, she liked to hang out sitting on the side streets with friends drinking Bajigur (especially when it was cold and rainy). - She thought that the menu was a little pricey, and we did point out that this is a more upscale establishment in a theater town. We also agreed that having better ingredients and a creative chef makes a difference, Did I mention that I had the Mie Goreng (Indonesian Fried Noodles) That was a delicious choice as well. At the same time, Gayle and I both agreed that we chickened out and didn't go "full spice" here. That will change when we come back.
Rob P.
Looking for unique in Ashland,Oregon, as a local I highly recommend it. Wonderfully accessible food with a staff that takes time to explain Indonesian cuisine. It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives! Lots of great dishes. Don't miss the black rice pudding for dessert, or maybe order it first. The pudding is a chocolate like experience but with no chocolate. Try pairing it with Kencur a very subtle tea. Explore Indonesia while in Ashland and have a unique dining experience.
Forrest Corbin
We celebrated my fathers birthday dinner at Blue Toba. I've been eating here well before they moved, but this was my first time back since the move.The food is exactly as I remember it. The meat in my dish was tender & flavorful. The fried rice dish that my son had was new to the menu & incredible! My father also had the fried rice & ate every bite.This is a great restaurant to support!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Rendang
vegfairy
DELICIOUS vegan options (majority of the menu is vegan) & fun cocktails and mocktails. Our server Chelsea was great. We did family style, ended up ordering a second round of the noodles because we enjoyed them so much! Even dessert was vegan! Overall loved dining here and will definitely be going back/recommending to friends!
Updated from previous review on 2024-02-25
Mike F.
I was happy to see an Indonesian restaurant in Ashland, a rare cuisine option in the US. Unfortunately, Blue Toba was a bit disappointing. I've had Indonesian food in the US, Amsterdam, Java, Bali and Curaçao so comparisons are easy. The atmosphere, decor and service are good. The menu options are limited, and rather pricey for the six or seven main dishes offered. $22.50 to $26.50 for what in Indonesia is offered as street food. I chose the Mie Goreng with chicken (like spicy spaghetti with vegetables). The flavor was good but this dish is more like Chinese than any Indonesian I've ever had. My dinner was very light on the chicken and the "added" vegetables (cabbage, carrots, broccoli) were oddly cold. Are they held in a bowl and tossed in at the end, after the noodles are stir fried? Disappointing for the price.
What a great experience! We came in last night to celebrate our four year anniversary. The restaurant was packed, and we had to wait for about 45 minutes, but it was well worth it. The bartender, Chelsea, made us a pair of Indonesian Spiced Old Fashions at the bar while we waited for a table. What a treat! It was so rich in many different spices, very unique and probably the best Old Fashioned I've had. The atmosphere is lovely. I love all the artwork they have, the music, and the lighting is gorgious. The food was delectable. Our waiter, Liam, recomended we start off with the Corn Fritters, which were warm and delicious, real good, fried comfort food. I ordered the Beef Rendang, and it was so tender. Incredibly unique spices, like nothing I'd ever had before. My husband ordered the Ayam Bakar, also delicious! Very tender chicken thigh with a great (coconut?) marinade. I wanted to try the Black Rice Pudding for dessert, but I was just too full. What a great way to spend our anniversary! Highly recomend. The one down side to our night was the table of four next to us. We could overhear them giving their waiter a hard time. I think their server was named Jess? It was his first night and I could tell he was trying really hard. He was just so lovely and attentive with us, I wondered what was wrong with those people that they were so mean to him. My husband and I were disapointed in their behaviour.
Micheline C.
I would give it one star - but because the bartender Chelsea was so kind and had a great personality - I added the extra star. My friends were standing there and nobody took their name or greeted them. When we got there finally somebody came over and told us it would be a 40 minute wait. That's when we sat at the bar to have some mocktails. That was the one and only good thing about our evening. Our table was finally ready after close to an hour. The waiter was nice, but it was his first night so he did make a lot of mistakes. That can be overlooked. However, the food did not look appetizing, three of the entrées were served lukewarm and the food was mediocre at best. The waiter forgot my tea, and when he finally brought it to the table, it was honestly like locker rooms socks in hot water. That dessert was a great disappointment, and very expensive. I read a review in Southern Oregon magazine, and it raved about this place so we drove an hour there. The bill was ridiculously expensive and the food was not good. Will not be going back here.
Aaron R.
Incredible food. Great ambiance. Excellent customer service. First time we visited the restaurant and we will definitely be back!
Donna M.
This place never fails! So full of flavor. It's one of our favorites places in Oregon. If you're in the Ashland area, looking for a good experience with a perfect meal and great customer service, go to Blue Toba. You won't regret it.
This place checked all the dinning out boxes. It had adorable ambiance, incredible service, delicious food and cocktails.
Some incredible food that made me order seconds before I was done with my first meal, I’m not a big fan of coconut but none of the food tasted overly coconut, cocktails were great, and the staff were polite and attentive, and the atmosphere was pleasant but not overly interesting or overwhelming!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Rendang
Love this restaurant! The Chicken Gulai is amazing if you like some heat! The veggies and rice go so well with it. Staff is super friendly. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were returning customers tonight and we were just as impressed with the food, comfortable ambiance, and welcoming service as our first experience. 5 stars deserved all around but especially our server Alec who happily went above and beyond expectations to ensure our group had a good evening
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exceptional cuisine, unique flavors, top level service, and a cute ambience, even with the airy high ceilings.
My first Indonesian dinner experience was years ago in Den Haag (Holland) on a Company business trip. The Dutch were once the colonizers over Indonesia and the cuisine followed to the home country. Fast forward a number of years, and you'll find Gayle and I at the gym with our Indonesian trainer (Meike). Not only has she whipped us into shape, we enjoy the cultural conversations as a bonus. Our most recent adventures have been the Bali Express food truck in Reno/Sparks and Tee Jay's Corner Cafe in Carson City. So when we say Blue Toba in Ashland during our recent Downtown walk, how could we resist? Service was prompt and friendly, including a nice short chat with the Chef's Wife as we were leaving. The restaurant consists of a well appointed and spacious dining room in back and a cool and large front bar area. Here's some feedback that Meike provided as we were texting her about our experience (including sending her the menu): - She and her daughter love Opor (Javanese Candlenut Curry), the dish that Gayle enjoyed. It's white curry and Javanese (where she's from). - Blue Toba is a Lake in North Sumatra and probably where the Chef is from. She suggested that I say "Horas! to them. - She and her husband love the "Rendang" dish, which we'll need to order the next time. - She also noted the Bajigur drink that we should have tried. When she was in college in Bogor, she liked to hang out sitting on the side streets with friends drinking Bajigur (especially when it was cold and rainy). - She thought that the menu was a little pricey, and we did point out that this is a more upscale establishment in a theater town. We also agreed that having better ingredients and a creative chef makes a difference, Did I mention that I had the Mie Goreng (Indonesian Fried Noodles) That was a delicious choice as well. At the same time, Gayle and I both agreed that we chickened out and didn't go "full spice" here. That will change when we come back.
Looking for unique in Ashland,Oregon, as a local I highly recommend it. Wonderfully accessible food with a staff that takes time to explain Indonesian cuisine. It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives! Lots of great dishes. Don't miss the black rice pudding for dessert, or maybe order it first. The pudding is a chocolate like experience but with no chocolate. Try pairing it with Kencur a very subtle tea. Explore Indonesia while in Ashland and have a unique dining experience.
We celebrated my fathers birthday dinner at Blue Toba. I've been eating here well before they moved, but this was my first time back since the move.The food is exactly as I remember it. The meat in my dish was tender & flavorful. The fried rice dish that my son had was new to the menu & incredible! My father also had the fried rice & ate every bite.This is a great restaurant to support!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Rendang
DELICIOUS vegan options (majority of the menu is vegan) & fun cocktails and mocktails. Our server Chelsea was great. We did family style, ended up ordering a second round of the noodles because we enjoyed them so much! Even dessert was vegan! Overall loved dining here and will definitely be going back/recommending to friends! Updated from previous review on 2024-02-25
I was happy to see an Indonesian restaurant in Ashland, a rare cuisine option in the US. Unfortunately, Blue Toba was a bit disappointing. I've had Indonesian food in the US, Amsterdam, Java, Bali and Curaçao so comparisons are easy. The atmosphere, decor and service are good. The menu options are limited, and rather pricey for the six or seven main dishes offered. $22.50 to $26.50 for what in Indonesia is offered as street food. I chose the Mie Goreng with chicken (like spicy spaghetti with vegetables). The flavor was good but this dish is more like Chinese than any Indonesian I've ever had. My dinner was very light on the chicken and the "added" vegetables (cabbage, carrots, broccoli) were oddly cold. Are they held in a bowl and tossed in at the end, after the noodles are stir fried? Disappointing for the price.
Restaurantji Recommends
Wonderful setting with fresh vegan
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a great experience! We came in last night to celebrate our four year anniversary. The restaurant was packed, and we had to wait for about 45 minutes, but it was well worth it. The bartender, Chelsea, made us a pair of Indonesian Spiced Old Fashions at the bar while we waited for a table. What a treat! It was so rich in many different spices, very unique and probably the best Old Fashioned I've had. The atmosphere is lovely. I love all the artwork they have, the music, and the lighting is gorgious. The food was delectable. Our waiter, Liam, recomended we start off with the Corn Fritters, which were warm and delicious, real good, fried comfort food. I ordered the Beef Rendang, and it was so tender. Incredibly unique spices, like nothing I'd ever had before. My husband ordered the Ayam Bakar, also delicious! Very tender chicken thigh with a great (coconut?) marinade. I wanted to try the Black Rice Pudding for dessert, but I was just too full. What a great way to spend our anniversary! Highly recomend. The one down side to our night was the table of four next to us. We could overhear them giving their waiter a hard time. I think their server was named Jess? It was his first night and I could tell he was trying really hard. He was just so lovely and attentive with us, I wondered what was wrong with those people that they were so mean to him. My husband and I were disapointed in their behaviour.
I would give it one star - but because the bartender Chelsea was so kind and had a great personality - I added the extra star. My friends were standing there and nobody took their name or greeted them. When we got there finally somebody came over and told us it would be a 40 minute wait. That's when we sat at the bar to have some mocktails. That was the one and only good thing about our evening. Our table was finally ready after close to an hour. The waiter was nice, but it was his first night so he did make a lot of mistakes. That can be overlooked. However, the food did not look appetizing, three of the entrées were served lukewarm and the food was mediocre at best. The waiter forgot my tea, and when he finally brought it to the table, it was honestly like locker rooms socks in hot water. That dessert was a great disappointment, and very expensive. I read a review in Southern Oregon magazine, and it raved about this place so we drove an hour there. The bill was ridiculously expensive and the food was not good. Will not be going back here.
Incredible food. Great ambiance. Excellent customer service. First time we visited the restaurant and we will definitely be back!
This place never fails! So full of flavor. It's one of our favorites places in Oregon. If you're in the Ashland area, looking for a good experience with a perfect meal and great customer service, go to Blue Toba. You won't regret it.