Flavor: Pull-no-punches Southern food and barbecueAmbiance: Down-home neighborhood bar with an airy feelService: Well-versed in all things beer and barbecue I have a new home and, consequently, a new bar. Thankfully, my abode is within hollerin’ distance of what locals refer to – with only the thinnest veil of humor – as “Downtown Haw Creek.” […]

Spring is (supposedly) in the air, and that means a fresh start for many area eateries with menus that capture the spirit of the season: Cafe on the Square in downtown Asheville has new hours and menus. The new lunch menu features light bites and small plates, as well as full-sized entrees. Prices are kept […]

Flavor: Seasonal southern ItalianAmbiance: Intimate, charmingService: Well-trained, colorful On a recent evening, three friends joined me for dinner at at La Caterina Trattoria. The restaurant has been an Asheville success story, opening first in Pack Square in 1994, then moving a decade later in the building off Merimon Avenue formerly occupied by the Il Paradiso […]

Jonesing for some authentic African cuisine? Then make a date with Anntony’s Caribbean Cafe in Asheville’s Grove Arcade. From 5:30 to 9 p.m. this Sunday, May 21, the restaurant will host La Cuisine de l’Afrique, an event featuring African food and wines. Call 255-9620 to find out more. The Wine Guy is presenting several events […]

Flavor: Seasonal, globalAmbiance: Warm, welcomingService: Laid back (in a good way) In its relatively short life on Eagle Street in Asheville, Bearly Edible became known as a bit of a party spot. So says owner Mark Ware, who closed the eatery this winter and gave it a facelift and a new name. I paid him […]

This Mother’s Day, don’t forget to treat mama right. Earth Fare in Asheville is holding a benefit brunch for all the civic-minded moms out there. Ten percent of the proceeds from the meal, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m on Sunday, May 14, will go the Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information, call […]

Arden’s The Boathouse on Lake Julian now offers a Sunday brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The buffet features an array of low-country items prepared by chef Jeff Lanzaro, such as spicy shrimp and grits and biscuits with sausage or ham gravy. For more information, call 687-4141, or visit www.boathouserestaurants.com. The Cellar Door in […]

Flavor: MexicanAmbiance: Sparse, utilitarianService: Friendly and polite After an afternoon hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway, my next meal is always first and foremost in my thoughts. And so it was some that some time ago, after a trip to the mountains, my search for sustenance took me to Los Volcanes, a humble Mexican restaurant […]

Mela’s got heart: Mela Indian Restaurant will donate 15 percent of all receipts on Wednesday, April 26, to benefit the building of the Seth Olson Playground at Isaac Dickson Elementary School in Asheville. The playground is for younger children, and is being named in honor of a kindergarten teacher who passed away last fall. Anoop […]

Flavor: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, North AfricanAmbiance: Rich, Moroccan lookService: Friendly, but at times lackadaisical Whenever the weather turns, my mind turns with it to the foods of the season. When the wind begins to blow sharp and chill, I dream of hearty stews and porter by the fire, root vegetables and winter greens. When spring […]

Spring at the Grovewood: Asheville’s Grovewood Cafe is welcoming spring with a new seasonal menu, and the eatery’s outdoor patio area is also ready for warm-weather dining. The Grovewood is located at 111 Grovewood Road, next to the Grove Park Inn; for more information, call 258-8956. Hop to it: Looking for a great way to […]

Flavor: Low-frills Southern, some global influencesAmbiance: Comfortable and welcomingService: Very friendly but slightly disorganized The Sunnyside Cafe has a certain unfettered quaintness. The tables and chairs are all mismatched, but not in a “look how funky and rummage-sale hip we are” kind of way. Rather, the furnishings are modest yet attractive, which is somewhat symbolic […]

Through the grapevine: If you had to pay a ridiculous amount of taxes, the Rio Burrito and the Weinhaus feel your pain. On Saturday, April 15, join the California-style burrito palace and the esteemed house of vino for a what will either be a tax-time celebration or drown-your-sorrows dinner, depending on your perspective. This event […]

The human race holds many things sacred and dear. In some segments of the global population, it’s wealth that drives the herd. In others, religion is what nourishes or even, perhaps, saves the soul. Few matters, however, are as universally and fundamentally important, or as basic, as the need for food. “Food is essential,” notes […]

Longstanding fetish: The Chocolate Fetish, one of Asheville’s preeminent sweet spots, is celebrating its silver anniversary. The Haywood Street chocolate-lovers’ delight has spent 25 years dishing out what Xpress readers have repeatedly voted the best chocolates in WNC. Where else can you find truffles infused with essence of roses, and fine French red wine next […]

Flavor: French, with global fusion flavorsAmbiance: Romantic setting in a well-lit, historic buildingService: Good If you’ve spent enough time around foodies, farmers, wine-lovers or devotees of artisanal edibles, you may have heard of the Slow Food movement – a loose-knit international association started in Italy in the 1980s that touts the benefits of all things […]

Happy anniversary, Vincenzo’s: Vincenzo’s Ristorante and Bistro turns 15 this year, and the venerable downtown Asheville establishment will celebrate this milestone by digging deep into the recipe archives to reintroduce popular dishes from bygone days. In addition, the restaurant is planning a series of wine dinners. For more information about Vincenzo’s, which is located at […]

Flavor: Global, emphasizing grilled meats and fishAmbiance: Beautifully decorated interior; classy yet casual vibeService: Pleasant To me, little can be done to a piece of meat that makes it more alluring than smoking or grilling it over wood. The sensuous depth of flavor that smoke imparts is nigh impossible to replicate over a gas flame. […]

Wine with heart: Olympic Cellars in Washington State is a small winery with a big heart. The winery, which is owned by three women, turns out a brand known as Working Girl Wines. Earlier this month, one of the winery’s owners was in Asheville visiting the Fine Wine Trading Company’s trade show at the Haywood […]

Talk of the town: Changes abound at downtown eateries. The former Beanstreets space. Photo by Jodi Ford Downtown Asheville is booming, and restaurants are riding the winds of change with varying degrees of success. The culinary scene here is always in flux, of course, but given the spate of recent changes, Xpress decided to hit […]