Small Bites: News of two west-side openings, a Biltmore Village closing, and an anniversary party

Is the book closed?

Books and Breadboard, a charming breakfast/lunch eatery and bookstore housed in an 1895 Biltmore Village building, has closed its doors because of issues with its lease, the owners say. Co-owner Grace Lennon says that they hope to open again in the future, but are not able to at the moment. “We have such a great bunch of customers that have become friends,” Lennon wrote in an email to Xpress. Customers with unused gift cards are advised to email Books and Breadboard to arrange a refund (booksandbreadboard@gmail.com).

In sandwich news

We missed it when it opened in October, but a new(ish) sandwich shop, Rev It Up! Sandwich Shop, is now open at 5 Regent Park, where the Asheville Aquarium store used to be. Sandwiches feature Boar's Head cheese and meats, cut fresh to order. It's very much like a Southern deli — here, you can get pastrami on rye, or order a turkey sandwich slathered with house-made pimento cheese. There are burgers and all-beef franks, too, as well as a selection of beers, including PBR for $1.50 and local micros for $3.

And why the name? Owners Jeff and Teresa Wright, Harley and hotrod enthusiasts, met because of their mutual affinity for riding big bikes. Jeff used to drag race too, says Teresa. The restaurant hosts "cruise-ins" every Saturday (with muscle cars and bikes galore) and features a collection of racing and motorcycle memorabilia on its walls. "This is who we are," says Teresa. "Fast cars, motorcycles and food."

Rev It Up is open Monday through Saturday. Call 505-8555 or visit http://revitupsandwichshop.com for more information.

The great big house of Yao

On the west side, Yao (formerly the Asiana Grand Buffet) has reopened on the west side with a fresh remodel. Xpress readers loved Asiana, voting it No. 1 in Chinese cuisine in the annual Best of WNC poll. Yao does not limit itself to Chinese, with a variety of pan-Asian food under the sneeze-guard, along with takeout and some made-to-order options.

Yao is bigger and badder than ever, boasting a buffet offering everything from orange-sesame chicken to green Jell-O, a huge bar of dumplings, egg rolls and other deep-fried goods, miles of sushi, a gargantuan salad bar and a spiffed-up noodle bar and Mongolian grill. How big is it? The place seats nearly 400, and employees report that there is sometimes a wait on weekends.

Yao is located at 153 Smokey Park Highway. Visit http://asianagb.com for more information.

Party at Maggie B’s

Maggie B’s, a wine and specialty food store in Weaverville, will host a fifth anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 2, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Owner Elspeth Brown (who owns the shop with her husband, Andy) is a Johnson & Wales culinary school grad and a certified Master Sommelier, and has cooked locally at Horizons in the Grove Park Inn. The shop, named after Elspeth and Andy Brown's labrador retriever, offers wine, beer, meats, pates, a full-service cheese counter and a small menu of sandwiches and salads. The owners source from smaller vineyards and offer a selection of organic wines, also hosting free wine and beer tastings every week.

The five-year anniversary party includes a wine tasting and food, with live music from Jimmy Hayes starting at 2 p.m. The shop has a new location, too: 10 C. South Main Street, Weaverville. Call 645-1111 or visit http://www.maggiebswine.com for more information.