Although the number of craft distilleries in Western North Carolina has increased significantly in recent years, business owners say state legislation is still hampering the growth of burgeoning industry.
Small bites: Whisk Avl relocates to Smokey Park Highway
Whisk Avl heads west. Also: Folkmoot hosts its Scottish Friendship Dinner, the Town of Fletcher celebrates its 18th annual Chili Cook-Off, and plenty more.
Small bites: Asheville Restaurant Week returns
Entering its seventh year, Asheville Restaurant Week begins Monday, Jan. 21. Also: Science Pub series returns; Chestnut hosts six-course wine dinner; Dobra Tea West Asheville leads a course on the history of tea; and plenty more.
Asheville chefs craft success at home and away
Four young chefs who got their start in Asheville culinary programs have achieved early success on both the local and national level.
Small bites: Ciao Asheville
Ciao Asheville: An Italian Cultural Forum launches on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at Metro Wines. Also: A Taste of Italy; Harvesting for the Community; Modernist Cuisine and more in this week’s Small Bites.
Top Shelf Views: Asheville restaurant bars focus on dessert cocktails
When considering a dessert drink, “traditionally, most folks would probably think of a sweet cocktail,” says Jayson Landers, operating manager at Italian eatery Strada and its Social Lounge. “But there’s really a wide spectrum.”
Small bites: Will cycle for food justice
Gabriel Whitlock is raising funds and awareness for The Lord’s Acre, one mile at a time. Also: Green tea class and tasting; Asheville Wine Focus Group; and Monk’s Flask.
Year in review: Notable Asheville food and drink events
In a city that’s always hopping with food and drink events, here are a few that stood out from 2018.
Year in review: Creative new cocktail bars
Several bars focusing on the creative end of mixed drinks opened in Asheville in 2018.
Small bites: Strada Italiano continues its New Year’s tradition
Feast of Seven Fishes returns to Strada Italiano. Also: New Year’s celebrations at Postero, Golden Fleece, Jargon and Rustic Grape Wine Bar. Meanwhile Punk Wok returns to Buxton Hall Barbecue.
Asheville mindfulness practitioners discuss eating with intention
Mealtimes can offer the ideal setting for establishing or expanding a mindfulness practice.
Small bites: Bounty of Bethlehem
Bounty of Bethlehem continues its quest to provide a Christmas meal for residents in need. Also: O’Hole-y Night returns to Hole Doughnuts, Lookout Brewing Co. hosts Christmas Eve by Candlelight, The Cut Cocktail Lounge celebrates the holidays with a pair of special dinners and plenty more.
Top-shelf views: The sweet side of cocktail making
Making syrups for cocktails is a fun and forgiving process that encourages experimentation.
Carolina Beer Guy: Crowler or growler?
Local brewery representatives discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using glass growlers or aluminum Crowlers for on-demand packaged beer.
Niche markets: Asheville is fertile ground for growing specialty food shops
Three local specialty food shop owners agree that Asheville offers a friendly environment for starting and growing unique, food-focused businesses.
Small Bites: The Hop heads to Black Mountain
This week, The Hop Ice Cream gets set to open a new store in Black Mountain, Chow Chow: An Asheville Culinary Festival is on the calendar for September 2019, Bold Rock Hard Cider celebrates facial hair with Winter BeardFest, the Monte Vista Hotel hosts an ugly Christmas sweater murder mystery dinner theater and more Asheville food news.
Carolina Beer Guy: Meet brewer Trace Redmond
The latest in the brewer profile series spotlights Highland’s Trace Redmond and his research and development work on the brewery’s pilot system.
Bagels rising: WNC bakers deliver the hole schmear
From a soon-to-open spot on Hendersonville Road to established businesses like West End Bakery, the Asheville area boasts several independent bakeries that are big on bagels.
Asheville City Council explores new sales, food and beverage taxes
A quarter-cent sales tax on all purchases in Buncombe County would be earmarked for transit improvements, as required by state law, while a 1 percent tax on prepared foods and beverages bought in the city could be used as general funds. Both taxes would require approval by voter referendum, projected to take place in 2020.
Top-shelf Views: Asheville bartenders talk about bourbon
It’s bourbon whiskey that best deserves the appellation of “the quintessential American spirit,” says Casey Campfield of downtown bar The Crow & Quill. “There’s a poetic allure to the history of bourbon that really appeals to me.”
Small Bites: Foothills Meats brings back its Butcher Table events
Foothills Meats revives its Butcher Table dinner series in Black Mountain. Also, OWL Bakery hosts the Slow Food Asheville Happy Hour, the Nu Wray Inn and Homeplace Beer Co. join forces for a pop-up beer dinner series, Villagers offers a class on making ghee and much more local food news.