Seminars on how to make different kinds of goat cheese — including old-fashioned clabber cheese (made without rennet or cultures) and mozzarella — will be among a wide range of classes offered in the upcoming American Dairy Goat Association's Annual Meeting and Convention. The event will be hosted by the Piedmont Dairy Goat Association Saturday, […]
Venturing into the orchard and filling baskets with fresh apples has been an Orris tradition since before we were married. One of our first dates involved crisp apples, hot doughnuts and the intoxicating bite of cold apple cider. After this year's trip to the orchard, we looked at the bushels of apples hogging the counter […]
When the original Thirsty Monk opened in 2008, it was in the basement of 92 Patton Ave. downtown. As it became known as one of the nation’s best beer bars, it took over the ground floor. In 2010, a Monk popped up south of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Gerber Village. Just two weeks ago, […]
The main reason to visit Rhubarb may not be the most obvious. People will tell you about the James Beard Award-winning chef and owner, John Fleer. They'll mention his background, which includes a 14-year stint as head chef at Blackberry Farm, an exclusive resort in east Tennessee where one night’s stay could easily cost four […]
In 1905, at a certain bar in Albuquerque, every drink was served with a fried oyster, according to Chall Gray's research. While Top of the Monk, the bar Gray helped open last week, won't serve fried oysters, it will offer what Gray calls "companion bites," snacks that accompany every drink by default. Think a prosciutto-wrapped, […]
Like the fermented beverage it serves, Blue Kudzu Sake has developed over time. The plan for the nation's fourth independent sake brewery (as the owners slate it) began in 2011. Two years later, the sake finally is flowing in the River Arts District. Blue Kudzu will begin as a bar and restaurant, and as the […]
Watch for more voices in Xpress’ Food section, thanks to Gina Smith, our new coordinator who took over last week from outgoing Food Writer Emily Patrick. She will help evolve the section into a forum for readers, food activists, restaurateurs, chefs and community leaders to tell their food stories. Smith will also contribute articles and […]
Zak Yancey, owner of Neo Burrito, admits he's interested in showing off — but in a good way. He's planning a new Neo Burrito at the Reynolds Village development in Woodfin, and it promises to be a little more exhibitionistic than his other two restaurants in West Asheville and Biltmore Park. The Woodfin spot will […]
With its Thursday, Oct. 3 Harvest Festival, the Oakley Farmers Market celebrates two years.
After months of construction, Trader Joe’s hosts its grand opening Friday, Sept. 27, on Merrimon Avenue.
Tyler Capps never realized a pot of chili would land him a book deal with one of the largest publishers in the world — until just that happened. (Illustration for Xpress by Tyler Capps)
Every year at Bele Chere a number of gyro vendors line the streets. To the untrained eye, they’re all alike. But if you’ve been to the Asheville Greek Festival, you know that Trinity Greek Orthodox Church’s booth is the only place to go for a mid-festival gyro. Now that the last Belle Chere festival is […]
Brace yourself for the confusion that’s about to ensue. Soon, Asheville will be home to Tiger Mountain, the downtown bar frequented by the hipster set, and Tiger Bay Café, the restaurant taking shape behind BattleCat Coffee bar in West Asheville. Here are two crucial differences: Tiger Mountain refers to a Brian Eno album; Tiger Bay […]
As part of the national No Kid Hungry Campaign, Mellow Mushroom offers several edible incentives (and one wearable one) for diners to pitch in to Share Our Strength's fundraiser for American children in need. According to a release from the Atlanta-based, locally distinct chain, "Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is joining thousands of restaurants nationwide … […]
Summer officially ends on Sunday, Sept. 22, but not without one last outdoor to-do. The 17th annual Brewgrass Festival combines two of Western North Carolina’s superlative productions: beer and bluegrass music. Hosted by the Great Smokies Craft Brewers Association, the event welcomes sippers and pickers to Martin Luther King Jr. Park from noon to 7 […]
By 9 a.m. on Monday mornings, Jonathon Flaum is already more than 100 miles from home. He’s a milkman on a mission, and in his massive, refrigerated van, he’s navigated down from the mountains and through the flatlands beyond. He’s headed to Wholesome Country Creamery.
Hyphen, the new everything business coming to Patton Avenue, could just as appropriately be called “slash.” The longtime Creatures Café spot will become a coffee roaster/yoga studio/tattoo parlor/art gallery/music classroom. Why so many operations in one building? The concept is about more than keeping rent costs low, co-owner Kimi Leger explains. The goal is to […]
As part of the national No Kid Hungry Campaign, Mellow Mushroom offers several edible incentives (and one wearable one) for diners to pitch in to Share Our Strength's fundraiser for American children in need. According to a release from the Atlanta-based, locally distinct chain, "Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is joining thousands of restaurants nationwide … […]
Laurey Masterton walked 500 miles this summer, released a book and landed a TV appearance — all while enduring cancer treatment. The longtime Asheville resident started a catering business in 1987. Eventually, it grew into Laurey’s, a Biltmore Avenue café serving fresh fare from a deli-case, soups, sandwiches and take-home meals. But there's more to […]
All of our lives could be very different if Laura Mixson, co-owner of White Duck Taco Shop and Pizza Pura, had gotten her way. “I wanted to be Ye Olde Taco Shop,” she says before falling into a fit of laughter. Her husband and business partner, Ben Mixson, just smiles. “He's better at branding,” Laura […]
Bence Vetro wasn't just raised in Asheville — he was raised by Asheville. “I was taken care of by the whole city,” says the 17-year-old, whose parents, Melinda and Zoltan Vetro, founded Old Europe coffee shop in 1994. “I would be at the shop, and people would just take me for the day.” He remembers […]
