Seasonal Food - Regional Focus
Remember the day in large cities, when it was fashionable to lunch at downtown hotels? Good food, see and be seen? I was thinking about that earlier this week and decided to stop for lunch at 151 Boutique Bar & Kitchen at Hotel Indigo. Parking is something you'll need to know about. First park in the small lot by the front door, go in to the desk and tell them you're there for their restaurant. They'll give you a pass to the garage below the hotel where parking is free and … [Read more...]
Fire on the Rock Competition Dining Series kicked off last night with a challenge between last year's winner, Chef Michael Barbato of Timberlake's at Chetola Resort and first-timer, Chef Jessica Grogan of Crave. Interesting to note, Chef Jessica's team consisted of her Mother Marla and Aunt Tonda. They were Fire on the Rock's first all female team. As my companion and I arrived at Crippen's Country Inn and Restaurant, host of the Blowing Rock Dining Series, we spotted the … [Read more...]
Beginning late last year, owners began morphing Scully's into something a little different. Their logo went from "Scully's Signature Dine & Drink" to "Scully's Bar & Grille" They've also got a ". . . new menu and now some new windows on the street." You can see their menu here, but keep in mind it might be a little different at the restaurant. Built on the Walnut Street incline, Scully's has three distinct dining areas. Two are at a lower level: a room full of cozy red … [Read more...]
I'm probably going a bit over-breadboard with that title, but if Books and Breadboard isn't the best place to get lunch in Asheville, it's certainly one of the best. A bookstore, gift shop, cafe and historic (built in 1895 by George Vanderbilt) building all rolled into one, Books and Breadboard has a main dining area and four more tucked away in various rooms. Some tables are situated perfectly for a private conversation over lunch. Breadboard owners say: "At the Breadboard we … [Read more...]
By Bunny & Himself ~ We decided recently to try the Flat Rock Wood Room for a late lunch. Pleasantly surprised, but glad we went a bit late. I called ahead to see if they closed after 2:30 pm and was told that they are open all day. Each time we pass, the parking lot is full. Heard from another person that they went but there was a 45 minute wait, so they had not been in yet. If you want to beat the evening rush, try after 7:00 pm. Himself ordered a Sampler Extreme: ¼ … [Read more...]
Can you say, “Jack Sprat” without the nursery rhyme immediately popping into your head? I can’t. The only connection I see, as an “outsider”, between the rhyme and Jack Sprat Cafe is the rhyme is posted on the wall. Another item posted on their wall is a Sanitation Score of 101.5. Impressive considering the cluttered, college hang-out look of the place. All time-of-day bases are covered at Jack’s: morning coffee/espresso, breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night. They have a … [Read more...]
Breakfast and gift shopping in Asheville yesterday couldn’t have been better! I’ve had my eye on some very cool cheese boards at Bloomin’ Art, just two doors down from Cafe Ello at 64 Haywood St. Owners have tagged the Cafe as an “Urban Eatery and Tea House”. With the current local “Bongo” artwork on the walls, Ello’s interior hints of a 1960′s beatnic coffee house – in a good way. I almost started snapping my fingers, but thought better of it since there were people … [Read more...]
A top North Carolina pick. Dining at Charlotte’s Mimosa Grill involves all the senses! Mimosa’s interior is gorgeous during daylight hours. “Sophisticated urban views” of a beautiful plaza and street scenes are easy to enjoy through this wall of glass. As lighting changes, so do the tableaus – pun intended. Take a look at the same table during daylight and after the sun set. Made me sigh. Warm, light, flaky biscuits served with Strawberry Butter, perfect for warmer weather. … [Read more...]
Mom and Pop, David and Laura Roselli, co-owners of Kitchen Roselli are young. They don't have grey hair or travel with walkers. They do serve up authentic Italian recipes that have been handed down in their family over the generations. Every now and then they put a modern twist on a dish that only makes it better. Some might say their location in East Bend is "in the middle of nowhere". I say it's "in the middle of home town America". Many of their regulars from surrounding cities … [Read more...]
Sugarland has only been in business three years, but has already been featured on the Food Network, MTV Good Morning America and in Southern Living magazine! When I asked Co-owner (with her husband) Katrina Ryan why she was getting so much national exposure, she said she wasn't exactly sure except she has a bright, colorful shop and is on a block of Franklin St. that probably gets more foot traffic than any other block in North Carolina. She also told me Sugarland is the only Bakery/Bar in … [Read more...]
