The Lobster Trap: The Lobster Trap's monthly Oyster House Night, which debuted in October, is putting on its party hat for the holiday season. The Trap's Christmas Luau on Thursday, Dec. 10, will feature all-day beer specials and tropical-flavored carols from Hank Bones and Kon Tiki from 10 p.m. till midnight. "An island-inspired appetizer buffet will be available during the main event," manager Tommy Hughes writes. For more information, call 350-0505.
Beacon Pub: A Swannanoa bar known for its musical acts is adding food service to its repertoire this month: "Our focus will be real good food, not bar food, with fresh seasonal options," Dean Pistor, owner of Beacon Pub, writes. Starting this month, the year-old pub at 204 Whitson Avenue will offer dinner and late-night menus. According to Pistor, planned items include "good ole boy steak and potatoes, thick burgers and fresh cut fries," as well as vegan and vegetarian items. To learn more, call 686-0006.
The Wine Guy: The Wine Guy, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this month, has introduced an interesting twist to its free Saturday afternoon tastings. One of more than three local wine shops offering samples on Saturdays, The Wine Guy's south location at 1200 Hendersonville Road is the only store consistently organizing semi-blind events. "We will now present our wines wrapped in bags," a recent newsletter explained. "This is one of the best methods to learn grapes and the styles of wine that these grapes produce. … Come exercise your palate with us as we all learn something." Weekly tastings run from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, call 277-1120.
Cook-Out: A North Carolina drive-through burger chain so beloved that more than 100 locals joined a Facebook group demanding it add an Asheville location is preparing to open on Tunnel Road. "We're opening soon," a staffer at a Durham outlet of Cook-Out confirmed. "Within the next couple of weeks."
Cook-Out, which uses the slogan "cooked outdoors style," serves burgers, barbecue and milkshakes in more than three dozen flavors, including cherry cobbler, peanut butter banana and Hi-C punch.
"I have gauged student interest on campus, and it appears that the majority feels the same way as me," wrote the Facebook group page administrator, explaining why he planned to petition Cook-Out to enter the Asheville market. "We all crave those juicy burgers and delicious shakes!"
The first Cook-Out opened in Greensboro in 1989, and the chain now has more than 60 locations statewide. The Asheville location is being constructed on the site of the former Ruby's BBQ Shack at 251 Tunnel Road.
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COOOOOOK OOOOOOOUT !!!!