Small Bites

Caffiend Gets A Makeover: Caffiend, the coffee shop at 120A Merrimon Ave. that never closes (we mean never—owner Matt Hebb tells Xpress that the 24/7 joint doesn’t even close on Christmas) just turned a corner, celebrating two full years in business. To mark the occasion, Hebb and his staff have given Caffiend a significant makeover while still keeping the shop’s staple offerings around.

Caffiend sells local bagels, cookies from Sugar Mamas, rare specialty sodas (even Cheerwine in a bottle), a variety of snacks, more than 60 types of tea and “any coffee drink you can imagine—and so many you can’t,” as Hebb puts it. Most of the coffee, he stresses, comes to Caffiend via a direct-trade agreement with Leopard Forest Coffee, which is based in Travelers Rest, S.C.

“There’s a lot we do that people would probably be surprised to know,” Hebb says. For example, Caffiend hosts bands for live music on a regular basis, and offers both free wireless and computers for short-term rental.

Most of that was true before the recent upgrade, but Caffiend now has a brand new look and some additional amenities. There’s a new side bar with barstools, ideal for the laptop set. The interior has been repainted, and there’s some new furniture and flooring. “We tried to streamline the flow of the place for customers,” Hebb explains.

What’s more, Caffiend has upped its wi-fi capacity and added a large-screen TV on one wall (pictured) for movies and gaming.

The goal, Hebb says, has been to provide a little something for everyone, regardless of their caffeine needs and proclivities. “You’re going to find every kind of walk of life here,” Hebb says. “We want every kind of person to feel comfortable here.”
Contact Caffiend at 505-2098.

Blue Mountain Pizza’s Thursday-Night Special: Family-style eating has become the way to beat the high cost of eating out, with restaurants touting shareable comfort food at reasonable prices. Weaverville’s Blue Mountain Pizza has led the local pack, pioneering a Thursday-night special that’s been extended by popular demand.

The dinner for four, which includes a giant platter of spaghetti with meatballs, four house salads, four garlic knots and four fountain drinks, is priced at just under $20. Couples can take advantage of a similar two-person-sized promo for $12. According to an announcement in the restaurant’s newsletter, “sometimes, but not every Thursday, we even offer an order of our incredible Sweet Knots on the house!” For more information, call 658-8778.

Travinia Coming To Biltmore Park Town Square: The chains continue to converge upon Biltmore Park Town Square, with Travinia Italian Kitchen announcing plans to open its first North Carolina outlet there this fall. Travinia, which currently operates four restaurants in South Carolina, offers pasta, steak and seafood at “casual dining prices,” according to a release.

“We chose to expand to Biltmore Park Town Square because Asheville is such a thriving scene for the restaurant industry,” owner Mark Craig is quoted as saying. Travinia will join the newly opened Brixx, featuring wood-fired pizzas, and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro in the rapidly growing development. Other eateries slated to open over the coming year include Cold Stone Creamery and 131 Main Restaurant, a Charlotte-based franchise specializing in continental fare.