Pho real?
Xe Nguyen, the brother of Tru Phan (the former chef and owner of the now-closed Pho Fusion), is opening his own Vietnamese restaurant in Asheville, Pho 'R' Us. Nguyen reports that the menu will be almost strictly dedicated to pho.
The 49-seat restaurant will open in the former Izumi location (1950 Hendersonville Road) on Tuesday, May 1. In an email to Xpress, Tru Phan graciously suggested that Nguyen's pho "may be better then my pho."
Nguyen is also the owner of Asaka Japanese restaurant in Biltmore Village.
A walk in the park
Slow Food Asheville is hosting a fundraiser for the Appalachian Food Storybank on Sunday, April 29, from 1 until 5 p.m. that includes a cake walk set to live music. Participants have the chance to win sweet treats from Short Street Cakes, West End Bakery, French Broad Chocolate Lounge, Farm and Sparrow and the Montford Walk-In Bakery. The fundraiser will also feature heirloom-plant vendors, food vendors and demonstrations of traditional Appalachian tools and methods.
The Appalachian Food Storybank, an oral history initiative centered on Southern Appalachian heritage foods and foodways, works to preserve and collect stories of heritage foods and traditional Appalachian foodways. A story booth will also be in place at the event, presenting an opportunity for attendees to record their stories of history, culture and heritage.
The event will take place at Carrier Park Picnic Pavilion (220 Amboy Road). The event is free, but it's $2 to participate in the cake walk.
Taste of Black Mountain
Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce hosts the 12th annual Taste of Black Mountain on Thursday, May 17 at White Horse Black Mountain. There, you’ll find plenty of food from local restaurants, plus local products such as chocolate, cheese and yogurt.
VIP ticket sales are $40 and allow early entrance into the event at 5 p.m. for personal interaction with restaurant and vendors. Regular tickets are $25, with entrance at 5:30 p.m. The event ends at approximately 7 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Black Mountain/Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. White Horse Black Mountain is located at 105-C Montreat Road. Call 669-2300 or visit http://www.exploreblackmountain.com for more information.
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