May is the perfect month to begin adding color to the menu with salads made from locally sourced edibles.
Asheville food and farm tours can brighten fall and winter days
Even though the weather is getting chilly, many local tour companies continue to schedule trips to Western North Carolina farms and restaurants throughout the holiday season.
Taste of Our Carolina Foothills welcomes larger crowd with new venue
This year’s Taste of Our Carolina Foothills culinary event features an expanded capacity and a wider variety of vendors with its shift to the Foothills Equestrian and Nature Center.
Small bites: Hickory Nut Gap Farm hosts a new Friday Night Barn Dance series
Hickory Nut Gap Farm hosts a new Friday night dance series, Little Sparrow Coffee and Kitchen is set to open in Woodfin, Ambrozia adds lunch, and Tryon offers its annual Blue Ridge Barbecue and Music Festival.
Time to wine: March marks the beginning of winery tour season
March marks the beginning of winery tour season. Western North Carolina’s wine industry boasts about 30 wineries and vineyards, many of which welcome visitors for tours and tastings.
Mélange of the Mountains highlights the flavors of Haywood County
Haywood County’s thriving food and beverage scene will be on full display at the upcoming 12th annual Melange of the Mountains, planned for Thursday, March 10.
Chasing white squirrels: A foodie tour of Brevard
Just a stone’s throw from Asheville, the little town of Brevard is building a dining scene that’s well worth a daytrip — or two.
AED: Breakfast and brunch
Asheville takes breakfast and brunch pretty seriously. Simple or elegant, urban or rustic, Asheville and environs offers options ranging from a heaping stack of pancakes with eggs and bacon to a breakfast salad — and just about everything in between. A walk through downtown on a weekend morning reveals a staggering number of choices. Eateries […]
AED: Hidden gems and unsung heroes
Every city has its hidden gems — eating and drinking establishments that locals treasure but that may not command the same attention as their higher-profile brethren. Asheville boasts an array of those unsung heroes in just about every corner of the city. Many are tucked away amid the bustling downtown, but there are also good […]
AED: Sweet stuff
When your sweet tooth starts making noise, it’s good to know that Asheville has myriad options offering swift and complete satisfaction. Consider these choice venues: The French Broad Chocolate Lounge downtown is one of Asheville’s standard-bearers for quality chocolates. When you visit, be sure to sample their sipping chocolates. Also notable is The Chocolate Fetish: […]
AED: Meatless, gluten-free and flavorful
Food limitations, whether taken by choice or of necessity, can make eating out feel more like a chore than a treat. Skimming those delicious-looking menu items only to settle for the blandest dish that’s devoid of all the good stuff can beg the question, “Why go out at all?” Thankfully, Asheville boasts a number of […]
AED: Fast bites
The slow food movement is alive and thriving in Western North Carolina, but sometimes we all find ourselves in need of a quick, affordable bite on the run. An informal poll of Mountain Xpress staffers (a busy and budget-conscious bunch) revealed that, in Asheville, the need for speedy eats doesn’t have to mean a stop […]
AED: Kid-Friendly in WNC
Parenting is hard work, and let’s face it, sometimes at the end of a long day mom and dad just don’t feel like cooking. But despite the wealth of top-notch eateries in Asheville, the simple act of taking kids to a restaurant can present unique, stress-inducing challenges. Thankfully, plenty of local dining destinations warmly embrace […]
AED: Something stronger
Despite having so many great breweries in Asheville, sometimes you just need a hiatus from the hops. Those finding themselves in need of something a little stronger should consider trying a tipple from one of the city’s many creative craft-cocktail lounges and savvy wine bars. Even though it was illegal to sell alcohol by the […]
AED: Taste of the South
When in the South, eat Southern. And fortunately, whether it’s fine dining or homegrown barbecue, a number of Asheville-area chefs and restaurants are as rooted in the region as the local foods they source and serve. Hailing from Eastern North Carolina, Mike Moore has made his mark with the Blind Pig Supper Club, a recurring […]
AED: Neighborhood notables
Despite Asheville’s compact size, its neighborhoods are as distinct and varied as can be — from downtown’s eclectic, urban vibe to West Asheville’s reinvented charm. And naturally, those areas’ neighborhood favorites also run the gamut: Downtown Limones offers classic Mexican dishes with a modern twist, plus a not-to-miss brunch. Primarily set up as a bar, […]
AED: A coffee and tea culture
Let’s face it: A substandard (or merely ordinary) cup of coffee or tea just isn’t going to cut it in Western North Carolina. Infusion-savvy residents know where to find pu-er tea from Yunnan, “Dereje” heirloom coffee from Ethiopia, a pour-over iced coffee from Sumatra, and the best coffee- or teahouse for hunkering down with a […]