The Final Ritual: Buxton Hall’s Velvet & Lace hosts its last bewitching hurrah

If you haven’t yet fallen under the spell of Buxton Hall Barbecue’s monthly Wicca-themed extravaganza, Velvet & Lace, you have one last chance. Organizer’s Kelly Vormelker and Sam Pennington started the bewitchingly memorable pop-up concept to celebrate outstanding women behind the bar, and after six months of parties, it is time to pack the cauldron away. […]

Small bites: The Lantern brings coastal flavors to Hendersonv­ille

A new restaurant is set to open at Hendersonville’s historic Charleston Inn; Metro Wines hosts a high-flying fundraiser for A-B Tech aviation scholarships; Buxton Hall Barbecue plans a late-night holiday dance party; Burial Beer works on a kitchen build-out for Salt & Smoke; and the Italian Cookie Lady hosts holiday truffle cake-pop parties.

Small bites: Blue Ridge Food Ventures Holiday Market

Blue Ridge Food Ventures is planning its annual holiday market, including a smorgasbord of locally made products that are ripe for gifting. Meanwhile, West Asheville gets a new ice cream joint; Chabad House celebrates the 10th iteration of its Chanukah Live celebration; Buxton Hall hosts a monthly night honoring lady bartenders; and Addison Farm Vineyards prepares to host its Handcrafted Christmas with shopping and refreshments.

The Thunderbird’s final flight

With his long-awaited barbecue joint, Buxton Hall, on the horizon, chef Elliott Moss marked the final night of his pop-up restaurant, The Thunderbird, with a mash-up of the two concepts that have sustained his wait for his own kitchen. On May 24, Thunder Wok Punk Bird delivered creative combinations of the Asian cuisine Moss had previously offered and the Southern cooking he loves.

The long hello: Permitting issues drag on for South Slope ventures

Driving by the old Standard Paper Sales building, you can see construction workers carrying equipment in and out and hear the sounds of loud machinery. Vortex had originally planned to open in the space in June, and four other South Slope businesses had their sights on the space for September. As the summer slips away, you can’t help but wonder what’s holding up those projects.