Three restaurants have closed over the past few weeks:
Ed Boudreaux’s Bayou Bar-B-Que remains closed, but, according to reports from former employees, the restaurant still offers catering. Attempts to contact owner Dustin Vanderbunt have gone unanswered. The website is still live.
The Northside Bar and Grill has closed. The restaurant’s Facebook page has this message: “Sorry Everyone! We could not come to an agreement on a new lease. Thanks for everyone’s business and great times!” Northside has been open for more than two decades. About a year ago, the north Asheville haunt came under new ownership when Christopher Byrd purchased the business.
And it has been confirmed, Never Blue on Broadway is closed. It was first reported by Ashvegas this morning. We originally reported that the information was false after an employee of the Hendersonville location of Never Blue told us it was. They have since confirmed it’s true.
Also, Bon Appetit‘s latest issue is all about the South, and includes a piece that informs readers how to “eat like a local” in Asheville. The magazine mentions White Duck Taco Shop, Gypsy Queen Cuisine, the Admiral and others. From the article:
“Asheville has long enjoyed a bohemian reputation, with draws like the Blue Ridge Mountains, the vibrant farmers markets, and — let’s be honest — a robust microbrewery scene. But in the last few years, the food scene’s taken off. ‘The big thing is the small independent businesses,’ says ceramist Heather Knight, whose Element Clay Studio is in the thriving River Arts District. ‘You’re coming here for the mom-and-pop places.’ Here’s her short list.” (Xpress would like to point out that, although the Grand Bohemian is quite lovely, it is not a “mom-and-pop” joint, per se, as it is part of the Kessler Collection, which includes upscale properties in other states, including Florida and New Mexico.)
Visit this link to read for yourself.
Also, a team of five students from A-B Tech’s valued culinary program have cooked their way to Winston-Salem, N.C., where they will compete for the title of 2012 American Culinary Federation Southeast Region Student Team Champions. If they win, they will advance to the national finals in Florida in July. Congrats to A-B Tech and the team.
The Lexington Avenue Brewery is featuring a beer dinner at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Chef Jason Roy will feature six courses paired with LAB beers. “The menu is built around our Red Whitey which has won a gold medal,” Roy wrote in an email to Xpress. Courses include raspberry point oysters with kombucha sorbet and basil pearls paired with the LAB’s white ale as well as a rabbit roulade course with country ham and cornichons, paired with the Farmhouse ale. Cost is $40, not including tax or gratuity. But get this: Anyone that brings in five paying diners gets to eat for free. To reserve a spot, call 252-0212. For more about LAB, visit http://www.lexavebrew.com.
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