Sweet on brewing

With local beer, pickles, kombucha and more, fermented foods are brewing all over Asheville. Soon, cider will become part of that list. Come fall, Urban Orchard Cider Bar will open on Haywood Road with about four craft ciders on tap, plus beer and wine. “It's just an addendum to the whole fermentation scene,” says Thom […]

Food blindness

Readers, Xpress has been blind. For nearly four years, a local, affordable, family friendly restaurant has gone nearly unreported. I'm not really sure why we haven't written about Piazza in east Asheville. Shortly after it opened in 2009, we mentioned it here and there, but we’d not written a full feature. Piazza offers a glorious, […]

Stick to your list

Tyler McCall understands the perils of the grocery store: the crowded aisles, the long lines, the impulse buys. He's created a business to address those problems. Simply, To Go, which launches this week, offers a personal grocery shopping and delivery service. “Asheville doesn't have anything like this at the moment, and I think it's something […]

Pizza parlour

After two years on Patton Avenue, Favilla's New York Pizza is growing with a new dining room. Until now, the restaurant's pizzas, pasta dinners and sandwiches have been available by carry-out or delivery only. The expansion into the adjacent shop will provide seating for 39 people. Jeanette Favilla, who co-owns the business with her husband, […]

A beginner’s guide to plant-powered proteins

Protein Tofu Tempeh Seitan Textured vegetable protein (TVP) What is it? Concentrated protein from soy milk Fermented, fungus-covered legumes (soy or otherwise) Concentrated protein (gluten) from wheat flour Dehydrated, concentrated protein from soy flour How’s it taste? Mild with hints of peas and earth; adapts to seasoning and broth; takes on the flavor of surrounding […]

Back to its roots

Veg-In-Out has been rechristened. The vegan meal delivery service now goes by Eden-Out. Founder and chef William Najger sold Veg-In-Out in 2010. But in December, he returned to Asheville and purchased the business anew with business partner Jennifer Woodruff, who owns Build It Naturally on Biltmore Avenue. Eden-Out delivers vegan meals (no animal products) with […]

Kooky culinary contests

Let the thrill of a contest pique your appetite. Whether you like sweets or savories, this week offers dining competitions for all palates. Cupcakes vs. Cancer On Saturday, March 16, graze on cupcakes at the Grove Park Inn. Cupcake makers of all skill levels compete for first prize ribbons while diners sample their creations. The […]

“Taking the Fear Out of Gluten-Free Dining Services,” Saturday, April 27

The Gluten Intolerance Group of Asheville will sponsor an educational program on Saturday, April 27, from 9 – 11 a.m. Here are the details from the press release: The Gluten Intolerance Group of Asheville will sponsor an educational program, “Taking the Fear out of Gluten-Free Dining Services,” from 9:00-11:00 am, Saturday, April 27th 2013 at […]