Remember Ali Baba, the Mediterranean food-by-the-pound restaurant formerly located in the Grove Arcade? If not, here’s a refresher.
Well, Ali Baba is coming back. The restaurant will be located in the “food court” area of the Downtown Market at 45 S. French Broad.
Currently located within the food court is La Empanada, which sells — you guessed it — empanadas. Several great bakers make an appearance some weekends as well.
The Market, it should be said, is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays — although the Hi-Fi Coffee Bar and Amazing Savings, everyone’s favorite discount grocery store, are both open daily. It’s somewhat of a shame that the food court is only accessible during weekends — not only is Ali Baba coming back, but we’re about to get (drum roll please) Vietnamese food in Asheville.
Details are sparse about the new Culinary Canvas merchant right now, says Pepper Paris, Downtown Market co-coordinator. In the next two weeks she’ll be able to release more information, including the name of the new venture and the chef, who currently works elsewhere locally. Stay tuned to Xpress for more details as they unfold.
Yeah for Ali Baba!
Hi Fi Coffee is awesome!
Update on the hours of operaton at the Downtown Market – We now have over 30 merchants inside the Market who are open for business 7 days per week! Rugs, antiques, art. And maybe someday soon, the Food Court WILL be open more than Fri-Sun!