Add another restaurant to the list of recent closings: The Fiddlin’ Pig, a barbecue and bluegrass joint in east Asheville, is shutting its doors. The Fiddlin’ Pig joins a growing list of recently capsized restaurants, including Steak & Wine, Sadie’s Seafood Pub, the Flying Frog and Chameleon Soul Food.
The owner of the Fiddlin’ Pig. Matthew C. Burril, has posted a statement on the restaurant’s website, including instructions for what to do if you have scheduled a party or event:
“I want everyone to know that when we decided to create this concept, it was out of love for our state and more specifically our area of Western North Carolina that we love so much. Asheville and WNC have been very good to me and my family, so the thought of celebrating our culture through music, food and hospitality was the driving force behind our project. And with those things in mind it was a marvelous success. The difficulty of our economy and the pressure on our typical family budget that was the lifeblood of our guest profile has made it impossible to continue.
“For questions regarding reservations or party schedules that have been made in advance please call Nancy Dunn at 251-1979 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, Monday through Friday. She will be glad to direct you to other venues in Asheville.”
Former Xpress food writer Hanna Raskin wrote about the Fiddlin Pig in 2007.
But, it’s not all bad news in the Asheville restaurant scene. Les Doss and Kathy Taylor, former owners of the Usual Suspects (now called Avenue M), are back in the swing of things. This time, they aren’t opening a bar, but rather a wine shop with a focus on natural continental wines, says Doss. “We’re going to specialize in wines that specifically show their origins — where they’re from,” he says.
The shop, to be called Vinsite, is located on Broadway St., right next to Bruisin’ Ales, making this slightly quiet block a bit more bumping.
Vinsite is still under construction, and Doss and Taylor are not yet releasing an opening date. They hope to be open before spring, however.
Also, Pizzeria Ritrovo in West Asheville is now open for lunch as well as dinner. Lunch is served until 4 p.m. and includes pizzas, salads and pastas. There is also a menu of creative sandwiches on house-baked bread, including an Italian that I’m eager to try. It incorporates pepper-rubbed house-roasted pork loin, prosciutto, Genoa salami, Provolone cheese, pickled cherry peppers and fresh oregano. Ritrovo is open from Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 until 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 4:30 until 9 p.m. It’s located at 1050 Haywood Road.
You can add the downtown Hot Dog King to that list which is closing after 32 years marking the end of one of the few really affordable places to eat downtown. It was a victim not of the downturn in the economy (business was as brisk as ever) but of the 51 Biltmore project.
You can add the downtown Hot Dog King to that list which is closing after 32 years marking the end of one of the few really affordable places to eat downtown. It was a victim not of the downturn in the economy (business was as brisk as ever) but of the 51 Biltmore project.