Raise a glass for Asheville’s Green Man Brewery, which finished in fine form at the Carolinas Championship of Beer, held at the Hickory Hops Festival in Hickory on April 12. Masterbrewer John Stuart submitted five beer brands for judging, and brought home four medals: gold ones for the India Pale Ale and the Belgian-style Abbey Ale, and bronzes the Extra Special Bitter and the Imperial Stout.
Banking on Buncombe County’s affection for upscale Latin cuisine, Curras Dom has opened a Weaverville branch (at 72 Weaverville Highway) of its successful Austin, Texas, establishment. The self-appointed “Mother of All Mexican,” Curras spurns the typical cheesed and sauced enchilada-and-burrito model for salmon, snapper and pork legs wrapped in banana leaves. Help them celebrate Cinco de Mayo with five days of drink and food specials, accompanied by live Bolero music, from Thursday, May 1, through Monday, May 5. For hours and more information, call 253-2111.
The “warm and friendly” bistro room at Vincenzo’s Ristorante & Bistro in downtown Asheville has announced a change in its smoking policy. Henceforth, smokers are permitted to light up after 9:30 p.m., but not before. “The atmosphere will remain casual, and live blues, jazz and standards music will be provided without cover charge, allowing our customers to enjoy smoke-free dining and live entertainment,” a release from the restaurant says. Call 254-4698 for more information.
Demonstrating a welcome economic sensitivity—and an all-too-rare sense of electoral-season humor—Sugo has unveiled its “Gastronomic Stimulus Plan.” The downtown-Asheville eatery, which specializes in rustic Italian dishes, is offering a $23 three-course tasting menu from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The menu changes weekly, but look for an array of seasonal favorites. For more information, call 251-5552.
Proving chef-types can get competitive about anything, the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association has announced its “Eat Carolina Food Challenge.” The sustainable-agriculture organization is seeking contestants for its weeklong July event, during which competitors pledge to eat only Carolina-raised foods and then blog about the experience. The eater who collects the most points wins. The grand prize? Free admission to CFSA’s annual conference—and unassailable locavore cred. Visit www.carolinafarmstewards.org to register.
West Asheville’s 28806 Deli has updated its Small Plates menu, which quietly debuted this winter, for the season. The menu—sorted into vegetables, starches, meats and desserts—features local pork-belly cannellini with ricotta and spring peas, living bibb lettuce salad and sautéed green beans with lemon jelly. But don’t get your heart set on any particular item: Offerings change weekly, although the prices stay in the $4 to $10 range. Small Plates are served Thursday to Saturday, 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Call 252-4664 to learn more.
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