In the restaurant industry, success rates can be shockingly low. Yet there are a handful of eateries in Asheville that have stood the test of time.
Small bites: Goombay brings it back to The Block
Goombay Celebration looks to honor The Block during this year’s festivities. Also: Fiesta Hendersonville returns; Chai Pani turns 10; White Moon introduces evening hours; and more in this week’s Small Bites.
Asheville chefs reflect on figs
Although they aren’t actually a fruit, figs are a late-summer favorite in dishes both sweet and savory.
Pastry chefs step into the culinary spotlight
“For many years, the stereotype was if you were a woman in the kitchen, you would do pastry, and that was seen as a lesser thing. That perception still lingers, but I think it is changing,” says James Beard Foundation Award-winning pastry chef and Asheville native Camille Cogswell.
Small bites: PubCorps promotes volunteerism in Beer City
PubCorps, a new local nonprofit, launches with a volunteer event at the Asheville Masonic Temple. Also: Metro Wine hosts a Spanish tapas dinner; The Bountiful Bonanza of Bitters comes to Villagers; Looking Glass Creamery leads a cheese pairing event; and plenty more in this week’s Small Bites.
Appetite for Life: Heirloom apples are rich in flavor and history
A simple apple crisp can be an easy, creative way to highlight locally grown fruit.
Small bites: Chow Chow culinary festival prepares for its debut
Chow Chow: An Asheville Culinary Event, runs Sept. 12-15. Also: Girls Gone Wine; Mr. Sushi comes to Merrimon; Monk’s Flask debuts new menu; and more in this week’s Small bites.
Everything in Moderation: Plēb urban winery celebrates its first year during N.C. Wine Month
The NC Wine Guys will help plēb urban winery celebrate its birthday and kick off N.C. Wine Month with a live podcast from the winery on Saturday, Aug. 31.
Panaderias feed WNC’s appetite for traditional Mexican baked goods
From conchas to cemitas, Western North Carolina’s Latino bakeries craft a huge variety of pastries, breads and more.
Small bites: Shanghai Dumpling House opens on Biltmore Ave.
Shanghai Dumpling House is one of the latest restaurants to open downtown, taking over the former site of Doc Chey’s Noodle House. Also: RosaBees opens in the RAD, Inconceivable Cafe opens in Hendersonville and more in the latest Small bites.
Warren Wilson College launches an industrial hemp program
The new program will work with local farmers and landowners in an effort to develop hemp as viable crop for Western North Carolina.
Beer Scout: New laws allow two-drink orders and pets in NC taprooms
Owners of Green Man, Wedge and Whistle Hop discuss the new rule changes prior to their Sept. 1 implementation.
Q+A with chef Amber Whitt of the Princess Anne Hotel
Only in her early 20s, the chef has a flair for whimsical pastry and a soft heart for mentoring young people.
Small bites: The Bier Garden celebrates 25 years
The Bier Garden hosts a seafood boil to celebrate its 25 year anniversary. Also: TreeRock Social Cider House and Appalachian Chic Food Truck team up for slider and cider pairing; chef Witt Pinkerton hosts a pop-up at Doc Brown’s BBQ; The Lord’s Acre rebrands; and plenty more in this week’s Small Bites.
Small bites: ASAP’s Local Food Experience returns
Entering its fourth year, ASAP’s Local Food Experience returns to New Belgium Brewing Co. on Thursday, Aug. 15 from 6-8:30 p.m. Also: Hole Doughnuts hosts book signing; Soverign Remedies teams up with OWL Bakery; and more.
Asheville seeks new approach to water treatment sludge
Last October, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality placed stricter controls on what outside materials MSD could accept, thus barring the plant from taking Asheville’s treatment residuals. The city’s current plan is to landfill the sludge in Buncombe County and Concord, N.C. — at over 2 1/2 times the cost of its previous disposal arrangement.
Get Off the Grid Fest workshops explore sustainable gardening and farming
More than 30 bands on three stages plus classes covering everything from aquaponics to regenerative agriculture practices are on the schedule for the three-day festival.
Local meal subscription services deliver zero-prep dinner options
As national subscription meal services like Freshly and Sakara gain popularity, similar homegrown businesses are finding success in WNC with locally produced ingredients.
Bountiful Cities plans Buncombe County’s first food hub
The proposed two-story pavilion would provide cold storage, processing space, a value-added kitchen and more for local community gardens.
Of mountains and men: New anthology surveys Appalachian nature writing
“We have to start looking at what is nature at this point? What is the nonhuman world?” maintains “Mountains Piled Upon Mountains” editor Jessica Cory. “We’ve affected the air, which affects everything else. We’re really getting to the point where we have to look at things a little differently.”
Appetite for Life: ‘Mater matters
Close your eyes and feel the summer heat. Think about the flavor of summer and see what comes immediately to mind. Watermelon, perhaps. Or fire-grilled chicken. Or basil. Or lemonade. Did I hear anyone say tomato? Ahhhh … the luscious drip of juice that exudes from a ripe tomato, fresh-picked from the vine on a […]