Small Bites

Sazerac: Downtown Asheville's newest bar/eatery, Sazerac, opened last week. Owners Jack and Lesley Groetsch, former managers of the Orange Peel, say that the venue is a classic-cocktail bar. Sazerac, at 29 Broadway in the space formerly occupied by Ambiance Interiors, is named after a cocktail created in New Orleans, where the Groetsches used to live.

Photo by Jonathan Welch

The bar leans heavily on New Orleans traditions, from the cocktail list to the cuisine, which is mostly Cajun-themed small plates. Lesley (who's pictured above) says the focus is on the cocktails, especially those "that have in some cases gone out of style, but in some cases are rushing back into style."

Sazerac also boasts a rooftop terrace. Visit www.ashevillesazerac.com for more information.

Waking Life: Jared Routledge's contention that Asheville's coffee scene should be as impressive as its beer scene will soon find more expression at Waking Life, a small coffeehouse in the making at 976 Haywood Road in West Asheville.

"I just feel like it's time for coffee to blossom to that standard," says Routledge. "Coffee is where beer was 20 years ago."

In his near-decade long career as a barista, Routledge has worked closely with leading figures in the high-end espresso industry, including the chairman of the World Barista Championship's rules committee. Having been exposed to the highest levels of coffee craft, Routledge is pained by what he considers locals' misguided espresso habits.

"Seventy-five percent of people in Buncombe County probably don't even know what a real cappuccino is," he moans. "It's not a 32-ounce drink. It's not a good idea to drop all these syrups in it. We had a guy who'd get six ounces of vanilla syrup in a 20-ounce latte. People don't see coffee as a cultural experience, and I'd like to gently move them toward it."

Gentleness calls for concessions, so Routledge will stock flavored syrups, although he stresses he's not planning to use the chemical concoctions he claims most cafes choose.

"My vanilla syrup is vanilla beans seeped in water," he says. "It's a whole other level. Otherwise, it's like putting out a good steak and covering it with ketchup."

Routledge reports the café itself will have a fairly minimalist aesthetic, since he's investing most of his money in pricey European equipment. Still, he hopes Waking Life will serve as a gathering spot.

"The idea is to make it a community-centered coffee shop," he says.

At press time, Routledge planned to open this month or next. For more information, visit www.wakinglifeespresso.com.

Sugar Beet Cafe: The most-vaunted breakfast and lunch spot in Fairview is taking aim at the dinner market, staying open for evening hours on Fridays and Saturdays. In keeping with Sugar Beet's philosophy, the seasonal menu changes weekly, but comfort foods are a constant: Pot pies were prominently featured over the first few weekends of dinner service. Sugar Beet is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; reservations are strongly recommended. To learn more, call 628-0094.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.