She’s leaving on a jet plane:
Amber Arthur, owner of Izzy’s Coffee, is selling her well-known downtown coffee house. Fear not though, loyal Izzy’s coffee drinkers: nothing should change, according to Arthur.
Arthur and two of her long-time employees are headed to Brooklyn to open a coffee shop that offers a taste of North Carolina to the Yanks. In lieu of bagels and cream cheese, the café will feature homemade biscuits with pimento cheese and jams imported from WNC. The coffee will be imported from some of Asheville’s local roasters as well. “We’re bringing a Southern theme to our coffee shop,” says Arthur. “We’re taking pride in our heritage.”
Ross and Kristin Britton will be taking over downtown Asheville’s Izzy’s in Arthur’s stead. “They’re big fans of Izzy’s, and they have every intention of keeping Izzy’s the way that it’s been for six-and-a-half years,” she says.
So no freaking out?
“No freaking out. You’re going to be able to get the same latte at Izzy’s West as you’ll be able to get downtown,” she says. Incidentally, West Izzy’s will still be owned by Arthur and business partner Catie Conroy, who will remain in Asheville.
“Thank you to all the loyal followers of Izzy’s,” Arthur adds. “And if you’re ever in Brooklyn, NY, come see me at the Tiny Cup in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.”
Lexington gets more libations … and chilaquiles!
Boca, the restaurant that’s been slowly but surely coming together on Lexington Avenue right next to Mela, is slated to open some time in mid-November.
Anoop Krishnan and partner Markus Procida are opening the new eatery, which will feature American food with a healthy California Tex-Mex bent — “lots of peppers, lots of free-range eggs, lots of pancakes — buckwheat pancakes, spelt pancakes, corn pancakes,” reports Krishnan. He adds that Boca will also sell churros.
Boca’s bar menu will include a wide selection of creative margaritas, mojitos and more — perfect for drinking on the spacious patio when the weather warms.
The task of menu execution will go to Johnson and Wales graduate Stewart Lyon, former chef of Curras Nuevo and finalist in the WNC Magazine Chefs’ Challenge.
The planned hours for Boca are from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 3 a.m., Thursday through Saturday.
Boca is located at 68 N. Lexington in downtown Asheville.
Bouchon Street Food not gone:
Bouchon Street Food is not packing it up for the season! They’ve simply moved to the courtyard just behind Bouchon. The menu has been expanded to include soups, salads, cheeses, patés and a few sandwiches. Hours are from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., seven days a week. Coffee, beer and wine are available as well as wireless. Access is through the alley next to Bouchon, or through the main gate to the courtyard a few yards up the street. Bouchon is located at 62 N. Lexington in downtown Asheville.
More Fire!
Buchi Fire is on tap in various locations right now. Check their website for details. We tried it here at Xpress, where much of the staff is feeling the post-Moogfest health blues. Spiked with cayenne and ginger, it’s spicy, good, sinus-searing stuff. It perked us all right up.
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