Asheville – “Easygoing edgy” is how I think about AUX Bar (https://www.auxbar.com/), Asheville’s latest food & drink joint. Why? Because in my head that oxymoron goes to the heart of Aux Bar and its ownership.
Chefs Mike Moore and Steven Goff are both pretty chill guys. At the same time, they’re guys who lean toward edgy and pushing creative boundaries. Wives Darlene Moore and Samantha Goff are co-owners. I don’t know too much about “Sam”, but Darlene is an incredibly gifted graphic artist. She designed this AUX Bar logo:
Moore and Goff are well known in Asheville and beyond. They both have a history of successes and are loved and embraced by locals. A partnership between the two of them and their wives sure seems like the perfect storm.
Moore previously owned Seven Sows Bourbon and Larder. The food was amazing, but not “safe” enough for the average diner, IMO. He, along with Darlene, also founded Blind Pig Supper Club, tag-lined “creative cuisine – bridging community”. Each dinner benefits a local or national charity.
“We produce events which impact local community in more ways than one. We are also a unique fundraising organization and community building catalyst established through a network of chefs and volunteers. The Blind Pig Supper Club offers personalized catering services, pop ups and concept driven charity fundraising events working with local and national charitable organizations.” ~ Blind Pig Supper Club
Goff has led a pretty edgy life, so it’s impressive that he’s as chill as he is. I think fate played a part in his landing in Asheville Buncombe Technical College’s (AB Tech) culinary program. It’s where he met his wife, Sam, and eventually did a stint as an instructor. My take is that he was born to work with food. He’s best known in Asheville as co-owner/chef of King James Public House.
When King James closed (there’s a story there, but I won’t go into it here), he and Sam headed to Raleigh where he worked as a butcher at Standard Foods with well known executive chef Scott Crawford. When Standard Foods closed, the Goffs launched Brine Haus Meat + Provisions Food Truck after totally tricking it out.
Now the Goffs are back in Asheville with their truck and partnered with the Moores at AUX Bar. Here’s hoping they’ll both be creating wonderful food together for a long time!
The Food
AUX is billed as Modern-American. Think of it as taking Southern, as good or better than you’ve had (Fried Chicken, Country Ham, Vinegar Pie), throw in a few not-so-Southern (Baba Ganoush, Smoked Pork Curry Poutine, Tempeh) and you get creative, yet constructed with purpose dishes.
Not sure where Goff got the fermentation bug, but it’s his thing. He might have some other “things”, but when I think of Steven, I think “king of fermentation”. Watch for his creations on AUX’s menu like Pickled Bar Eggs in three flavors and California Frites. And he’s known for adding his pickled garlic juice to whatever he can.
AUX also does their share of smoking, pickling and preserving.
The Drinks
The bar program at AUX is pretty killer. Of course they have all the usual suspects: beer (local and others), wine, and well drinks. BUT their Bar Manager, Jennifer Gordon, who is also Event Beverage Specialist and Sommelier at The Blind Pig Supper Club, does a fantastic job creating specialty cocktails. Keep reading to see which one I chose.
The Space
Not a huge space inside, the bar area draws your eye the minute you walk in. I love the red lighting! The picture above just doesn’t do it justice.
That said, there is the almost obligatory glass garage door that opens in good weather onto one of the best patios in Asheville. It’s covered, has plenty of seating, it’s pretty, it’s great for people-watching as they pass on Lexington, AND coming this summer – a wood-fired grill and special Wood Fired Patio Menu! I can’t wait! There’s a peek at the patio in the gallery at the end of this article.
Our Dinner
The boys each had local brew. Love that they’re using Blind Pig glasses. Not a bad way to advertise, either.
I went for one of their specialty cocktails. Fairytale in the Supermarket ($10) is made with Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka, Frangelico, Carrot Juice, Peppered Honey, Lemon, Devil’s Food Fuego, and Ginger Beer. You all know I love Ginger Beer, right? Well this was a delicious way to incorporate it into a cocktail! The name’s a bit silly, but creative!
Again, the boys stuck together, both ordereding Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($18). A classic served a little differently – in a bowl with Brown Gravy on (very) Whipped Taters and Fried Herbs under the superb fried chicken.
I wasn’t too hungry, so ordered a “single” Animal House Burger ($8, Double $12). Take a patty of Fresh Brasstown Ground Beef and top it with American Cheese (Cheddar not available this evening) lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, and special sauce. It’s cooked to order and served with Hand Cut Fries.
Next time I’m going to get the Smoked Pork Shoulder ($15) with Carolina Rice Porridge, Wild Mushrooms, Smoked Jus, Soft Egg, and Cracklings. OMG, I really wanted to get this Small Plate, but opted for the Burger from “The Hits” menu.
All images below are credited to Sabrina Kolton Photography.
When you go, plan some time for street parking, or opt for one of the nearby city garages. I usually go right to the Rankin Garage and walk the two blocks.
*This is a long post, but I wanted to express fully how special these folks are.
AUX Bar (https://www.auxbar.com/)
68 N Lexington Ave
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 575-2723
