Early Girl Eatery: Even not-so-early girls will now be able to enjoy biscuits and gravy at Early Girl Eatery, thanks to owners John and Julie Stehling’s recent decision to serve breakfast all day. The change came “in response to loyal customer demand,” Julie writes. The downtown-Asheville restaurant (pictured above) has also extended its hours, dispensing with its traditional practice of closing between lunch and dinner service. Early Girl is now open Monday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. To learn more, call 259-9292.
Bacchus Bistro: Just as liquor-by-the-drink opponents feared, bacchanalia has broken out in downtown Marshall—at least for one night. The brand-new Bacchus Bistro recently celebrated its grand opening with a Bacchanalia festival featuring music and menu samplings. Co-owner Terri Terrell says the Italian-American eatery plans to hold many more “special nights,” including art openings and wine dinners.
“We’re trying to create a wine bar,” she explains. “It’s the first bar in Marshall in a really, really long time.”
Terrell is especially proud of the proseccos and bruts on Bacchus’ Italian-dominated wine list.
In addition to drink, Bacchus offers a wide selection of pastas, pizzas and freshly baked bread. Terrell, her partner Colie Benzing and the restaurant’s executive chef, Ja Wall, all worked at 28806 and Stovetrotters before opening Bacchus this summer.
The restaurant, located at 18 N. Main St., is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the kitchen staying open until 10 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday. The bar, Terrell says, will keep serving as long as there’s a crowd. For more information, call 649-0000.
The Fresh Market: Marco’s Pizzeria on Merrimon Avenue is making way for The Fresh Market’s planned expansion by relocating three units north. “We’re hoping to get started this month,” the market’s manager, Mark White, says. “We’re just waiting for the pizza place to move.” The North Asheville grocery will absorb the vacated 12,000-square-foot space, which White hopes will help relieve the congestion that often occurs at the store during peak shopping hours. “We’ll have larger departments and all new fixtures,” he says. “It’s going to be great when it’s done.” Renovations are slated for completion in December; the store will remain open throughout the process.
Earth Fare: Skilled pumpkin carvers have a chance to win a free Thanksgiving dinner from Earth Fare: First prize in the grocery store’s Jack O’Lantern contest is a package including a turkey, stuffing, dinner rolls, cranberry relish, gravy, pumpkin pie and apple pie, all available for pick-up the week of Thanksgiving. Entries should be submitted to either Earth Fare location on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The winners, selected by customer vote, will be announced on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m.; contestants must be present to win.
Stecoah Valley: Thanksgiving is also on the minds of the culinary instructors at Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, which is offering eight Southern Appalachian cooking classes next month. Class topics include dressings, preserves and desserts. Classes cost $20, and pre-registration is required. To sign up, call 479-3364 or visit www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.
Hmmm, the Bacchus Bistro sounds like, ahem, my kind of place.