Question 1

Salvage Station Teams Up With with Root Down Food Truck

Accepted Answer

An exciting new partnership between Salvage Station (https://www.salvagestation.com/) and the Root Down Food Truck (http://www.rootdownfoodtruck.com/) will allow the sprawling entertainment venue along the French Broad River to feature some delicious new food options while giving award-winning food truck co-owner Dano Holcomb the chance to branch into a brick-and-mortar space.
Dano’s new role at Salvage Station is going to allow him to expand on his classic training in country French and New Orleans cuisine. While the menu of many locally sourced ingredients will fluctuate with the seasons some, a variety of NOLA-inspired mains, sandwiches, and sides are in store. Standouts include a 12-hour, pecan wood-smoked and pulled pork sandwich with grilled pepper cheese; a catfish po’boy with jalapeno-avocado tartar; classic boudin balls with Creole mustard sauce as well as gumbo; hog jowl chicharrones with pepper jelly; crawfish poutine; and an alligator pie stuffed in a mini pie shell from Geraldine’s Bakery.
“Now I’ll be able to do more things that I learned in New Orleans that I haven’t necessarily been able to do with the food truck simply because our capacity was more limited, like broiled and sautéed items,” says Dano.
The menu will include vegetarian-friendly options too, including a vegan sausage sandwich with grilled seitan and a loaded black bean burger. A catering menu offered through Salvage Station’s special events will present even more options, including a slew of sides from collards and black-eyed peas to fresh seasonal salads to Creole deviled eggs.
Owned by Dano Holcomb and his wife, Julie, Root Down Food Truck launched in 2012 (in Statesville), serving Creole, Southern, and soul-influenced comfort food. Since moving to Asheville in 2014, Dano has received multiple accolades for his food, including being recognized among the South’s Best Food Trucks in both Southern Living magazine (2016) and on CNN’s Wander Musts (2019). A graduate of Delgado Culinary Arts Program in New Orleans, Dano trained in some of NOLA’s finest kitchens and worked briefly for farm-to-table pioneer Cassie Parsons at Harvest Moon Grille in Charlotte.
The Root Down Kitchen at Salvage Station will be open Tuesday through Sunday, during Salvage Station’s regular business hours. “In addition to bringing even more great music to our lineup this year, we are equally excited to offer this new menu to our food loving patrons.” says Danny McClinton, founder and owner of Salvage Station. The kick-off event on Fat Tuesday, February 25 starts at 7pm and is free to the public. Patrons can expect a special Mardi Gras-inspired menu and musical entertainment by Zydeco Yaya and Unihorn.
About Salvage Station
Founded by Danny McClinton in 2016, Salvage Station is a riverfront bar, restaurant, concert hall, and award winning special events venue located along the French Broad River in Asheville, NC. Indoor and outdoor stages are in store for many big acts in 2020, including Stephen Marley, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Big Gigantic, JRAD, Steep Canyon Rangers, and more. salvagestation.com
About Root Down
Owned by Dano and Julie Holcomb, Root Down Food Truck launched in Statesville in 2012. Hailing from an Italian household where food was a centerpiece, Dano is a Chicago area native and graduate of UNC Asheville, who spent 14 years as a NCAA Division I soccer coach before moving to New Orleans in 2009 to pursue his dream of cooking. He trained at Delgado Culinary Arts Program and in the kitchens of some of NOLA’s finest chefs, where he learned the nuances of classic Creole, French, and Southern cuisine as well as the farm-to-table ethos. In search of a city with a supportive and creative local food community, Dano found himself in Charlotte, working for farm-to-table pioneer Cassie Parsons at Harvest Moon Grille, before launching Root Down Food Truck. He and his family moved to Asheville in 2014. In addition to being recognized among the South’s Best Food Trucks in both Southern Living magazine (2016) and on CNN’s Wander Musts (2019), Root Down took top honors for four years at the Asheville Food Truck Showdown (2014, ’15, ’16, and ’18) and won People’s Choice award for the showdown in 2016, ’17, and ’19. He was also invited as a guest chef on the 2020 Jam Cruise. rootdownfoodtruck.com

Question 2

Is Bargello Spinning a Yarn?

Accepted Answer

The Bargello (https://bargelloavl.com/) Yarn begins in 17th Century Florence, Italy, when a set of chairs were discovered in Bargello Castle. They were covered in a new needlework style, now known as the Bargello style, after the castle. Those can be seen today in the same building (built in the 12th &#8211; 13th centuries), which is now the Bargello Museum.
Image: Jeff Beck
History of the style&#8217;s origin is short on documentation, but long on legends of creation by both Italian and Hungarian noblewomen. After watching the de Medici television series, one legends I particularly like is that of a Hungarian noblewomen practicing the craft, including a Hungarian princess marrying into the de Medici family.
Fast forward a few centuries to Bargello, the recently opened restaurant in current day Asheville. Co-owner Martha Pollay took design inspiration for the Mediterranean-inspired eatery from her mother&#8217;s love of needlepoint and the Bargello stitch she loves to use. Specifically her mother&#8217;s bench and pillow done in the Bargello style.

Interestingly, General Manager Peer Larson’s mother also had a Bargello needlepoint chair cover in his family home, which they are currently framing for the Bargello office.
So how is this yarn being spun?
As with Bargello needlework, hues of one color &#8211; blue in this case &#8211; and repeating geometric patterns have been used in Bargello, the restaurant&#8217;s, beautiful design.
Note the repeating arched design throughout the interior and on the exterior sign.

But what about the food?
I&#8217;ve known Peter Pollay for years and was thrilled to accept his invitation to do some sampling of Bargello&#8217;s menu. There were four of us at one of three high-tops overlooking the very open kitchen: myself and my friend Anne, along with another media person and her guest. By the way, all of these high-tops have easy to access outlets for your devices. It is in a hotel, after all, and sometimes you want to get a bite and work at the same time. I&#8217;m not sure about outlets at other types of tables & booths.
The evening was a wonder of moving parts in a smooth-running professional kitchen.
It began with Peter handing us the restaurant menu saying, &#8220;You can look, but not order. We&#8217;ll be sending dishes out for you all to share.&#8221;
Firstly, it can be exciting and fun to go out for a meal and tell your server, &#8220;please ask the chef to send out whatever he thinks we should try.&#8221; Secondly, it can be just a little scary because you never know what&#8217;s going to happen.
In this case, sixteen out of thirty one menu items rolled out to our table at a comfortable pace, one after the other. The flow was interspersed with questions and answers, note-taking, and a sampling of wine and cocktails.
Every. Single. Dish. Delicious. You may be thinking, of course they were. The kitchen knew who you were. Well, we specifically watched food going out to the &#8220;general dining room population&#8221;, and there was no noticeable difference. I&#8217;ll be going back, incognito and will be paying attention to see if there&#8217;s any difference in presentation, taste, etc.
Fascinating side note. One of the dishes we sampled was a tasty &#8220;Israeli Salad&#8221;. Ingredients had previously been those of a classic Israeli Salad, but had been seasonally adjusted. My friend Anne took one look and said, &#8220;This isn&#8217;t an Israeli Salad&#8221;. One of the other women at the table agreed. As it turned out, this other woman was Israeli &#8211; Israel-born, America-raised. An in-depth discussion of classic ingredients ensued, a little of which between these two, in Hebrew, just for fun.
Given current restaurant prices, Bargello&#8217;s menu is very reasonably priced. All the &#8220;For the Table&#8221; shareable plates were between $10 and $15. I could easily make a meal out of two. House-made pasta dishes are $17 &#8211; $21. All sides, like the Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Roasted Baby Sweet Potatoes we had were $10. Their incredible Cider Glazed heritage Pork Belly is $22, but three other &#8220;From the Farm&#8221; selections are more. Spice & Pepper Crusted Brisket (for 2-4 people) is $58, 32oz Bone-In Rib Eye is $70, and Joyce Farms Brick Chicken is $38.
The yarn Bargello is spinning is one of attention to detail, excellent service, delicious food you will not quickly forget, and a long-term plan to serve Asheville from this location.
Takeaway
If I were to boil this all down to one takeaway, it would be that you MUST go.
Epicurean Notes:

Cocktails are lovely and truly craft cocktails.
There&#8217;s an open-fire oven, open-kitchen area right on the lobby edge with counter seating for your viewing and dining pleasure.
You can dine, snack, drink outside on a large patio that runs the width of the building. Choose to sit at a table or on soft seating while you watch the Biltmore Ave, Pack Square action.
Current Days & Hours: OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, BREAKFAST: 6:30 – 10 AM, LUNCH: 11 AM – 2:30 PM, DINNER: 5 – 10 PM
Don&#8217;t forget, you don&#8217;t need to be a hotel guest to dine at Bargello or across the lobby at District 42.
Bargello is located in the Hotel Arras ground floor lobby, 7 Patton Ave (corner of Patton and Biltmore), Asheville, NC 28801

READ MORE about District 42, Bargello&#8217;s sister eatery/bar across the lobby here: Asheville&#8217;s Most Beautiful Hotel.
Click on any image in the gallery below to enlarge the image and description.

Question 3

Asheville Art Museum Re-Opens with Ribbon Cutting Nov. 13, 2019

Accepted Answer

Looking for a new reason to visit Asheville, NC? The eye-popping $24+ million expansion of the Asheville Art Museum (https://www.ashevilleart.org/) will showcase American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. The museum challenges guests to experience the art of this period and explore its relationship to Western North Carolina and the Southeast.
1. Put your finger on the pulse of the hottest artists in Southern Appalachia right NOW with the opening exhibition.
For Appalachia Now! An Interdisciplinary Survey of Contemporary Art in Southern Appalachia, New York-based scholar and curator Jason Andrew considered more than 700 artists (including nominations from an open call) from the Southern Appalachian states of North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. After 55 studio visits, Andrew selected 50 diverse working artists. Mediums span photography, ceramics, glass, performance, painting, new media, music, sculpture and more. The exhibition is on view in the Explore Asheville Hall and Appleby Foundation Hall through Feb. 3, 2020. Meet four women artists tapped for the exhibition.
2. Feast your eyes (and more!). The new Museum offers a glass facade and Perspective Café.
The Museum&#8217;s expansion includes:

A stunning glass facade and art-filled Windgate Foundation Atrium
The Oculus, a 15-foot viewing window in the SECU Collection Hall, affords unmatched immersive city views and a place for reflection
Sculpture terrace and Perspective Café worthy of Asheville’s foodtopian values
Henry Richardson&#8217;s glass sculpture, Reflections on Unity, chosen as the first public installation on the Museum plaza
Now with 70 percent more Collection gallery space, new galleries showcase recent gifts of photography, craft, art, glass

3. What is Western NC&#8217;s relationship to art in America? Why is Black Mountain College a big deal?
Intersections in American Art offers a fresh look at the Museum&#8217;s permanent art Collection in the 10 galleries of the SECU Collection Hall. A grant from the Henry Luce Foundation allowed a diverse group, including an N.C. poet laureate, to help reinterpret the Collection with ideas derived from the groundbreaking Black Mountain College (1933-1957). Several of the most important artists of the 20th century taught or studied at Black Mountain College.
4. The Museum is a place for children, adults, even those with memory loss.
The Wells Fargo ArtPLAYce, a hands-on creative space for guests of all ages, allows visitors to learn together. In addition, a new program called CONNECTIONS will serve adults living in the WNC community with mild to moderate memory loss and their care partners. You may also notice the diversity of themes, subjects and types of art. The Museum features art made by African Americans, Cherokee indigenous peoples, and people from various backgrounds, working from different perspectives.
&#8220;In rebuilding our home&#8230;we reflected on what it means to be in this place, a site nestled in the mountains of Appalachia of significance to native and immigrant communities of all backgrounds.&#8221; &#8211; Asheville Art Museum Executive Director Pamela L. Myers
ABOUT THE ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM
The Asheville Art Museum&#8217;s mission is to engage, enlighten, and inspire individuals and enrich community through dynamic experiences in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries including work of significance to the Southeast. The schedule for opening events is showcased here.
The Museum is located in downtown Asheville at 2 South Pack Square. General admission: $15. Open 11 am-6 pm daily, except Tuesdays. Late night on Thursdays until 9 pm. Closed on Tuesdays. Visit ashevilleart.org.
The Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and receives support from the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources; the National Endowment for the Arts; and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and media sponsor Asheville Citizen Times.
The Museum recognizes top supporters who made the expansion possible: The Museum gratefully acknowledges the leadership supporters of the new Museum and its vibrant programming: Appleby Foundation, Buncombe County, Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, City of Asheville, Edith and Frances Mulhall Achilles Memorial Fund, Henry Luce Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Janirve Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation, William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, Windgate Foundation and the many other foundations, businesses and individuals who supported the Art WORKS for Asheville Capital Campaign and who support the exceptional programming, exhibitions and collections which enliven the new Asheville Art Museum on a daily basis.

Question 4

The Market Place Restaurant Awarded Prestigious 6 Links Award

Accepted Answer

The Market Place Restaurant (https://marketplace-restaurant.com/) has been recognized for its role in promoting good food and sustainable food systems with Six Links on the third annual Good Food 100 Restaurants List from the Good Food Media Network.
The list is based on self-reported annual food purchasing data, independently verified by NSF Responsible Sourcing. Restaurants are rated with two to six links—symbolizing links in the food chain—based on the percent of total food costs spent to support state, regional and national ‘good food’ producers and purveyors. A corresponding economic assessment conducted by the Business Research Division, Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder measuring the dollar impact locally, regionally and nationally by these restaurants will be available this summer.
“My mission when it comes to sourcing is local first, but always sustainable. Local food provides immediate impact on our communities, and this impact helps to create change not only by putting hyper-fresh ingredients on the table for our guests, but in our economies as well, by supporting local farms and food artisans. The Good Food 100 is an important next step in our industry to provide transparency for our guests to know the chefs and restaurants who are taking care in sourcing healthy ingredients,” said William Dissen, Chef & Owner of The Market Place Restaurant.
“Consumers are making a concerted effort to be aware of where their food is coming from. Now diners can select where they want to eat not solely based on a critic’s pick, Yelp review or best-of lists, but by which restaurants are actively contributing to the betterment of our food system through sustainable purchasing practices. The Good Food 100 is not only a compilation of these restaurants, it’s a celebration of them,” said Sara Brito, co-founder and president, Good Food Media Network. “Congratulations to all of this year’s participants. We look forward to expanding this list even more and honoring the many wonderful restaurants and food service businesses that are positively impacting every link in the food chain.”
The Market Place Restaurant is celebrating our 40th anniversary, and has always been a forward thinking restaurant from its inception in 1979 in downtown Asheville. The restaurant’s vision for local sourcing and sustainability have helped it to garner national and international accolades for their ingredient driven and seasonal menus as well as their approach to community leadership. Under the direction and leadership of Chef William Dissen, The Market Place Restaurant has pushed ahead to a creating thoughtful cuisine by collaborating with organizations like the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, the James Beard Foundation’s Impact Programs, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program. Partnering as a leader with the Good Food 100 is an opportunity to showcase our dedication to using the best ingredients that help to make a positive impact on the world around us.
Nearly 140 restaurants from 39 states participated in the national survey. To learn more about the Good Food 100 and all the restaurants, visit the Good Food 100 website.
Methodology: Restaurants were segmented into five groups based on their respective level of good food purchases as a percentage of overall food purchases. The top cohort reporting good food purchases earned six rings—meaning that they reported the greatest percentage of good food purchases among the participating restaurants. The next cohort earned five rings and so on. Restaurants earning two rings reported some good food purchases. Those who participated but reported no good food purchases were designated as a “2017 participant”.

Question 5

Asheville's Most Beautiful Hotel

Accepted Answer

Okay, Grove Park Inn IS gorgeous and in a class by itself, so I&#8217;ll say that other than GPI, Hotel Arras (https://www.hotelarras.com/), is currently the most beautiful hotel in Asheville.
As soon as my friend Barrie and I stepped inside, we were struck by gorgeous elevated design and attention to every detail. Their commitment to exceptional, unusual local art displayed throughout was a thing to behold.
We entered from Biltmore Avenue, but if you&#8217;re staying at the hotel and arrive by car, you&#8217;ll enter a small lobby area from the roof of the one story parking garage off Patton Ave. Check-in is at one of the two free-standing kiosks (for want of a better word).
Back to the Biltmore Ave. entrance. Upon entering, your eye first rests on what appears to be a Bonsai-type tree growing on a rock, placed on a table with roots for legs. From there, your eye is drawn beyond that table to a short hallway, the entrance of which is flanked by a stunning pair of bold art panels. Elevators are to the right and left, and large, beautiful, sculpted-looking leaves are hanging from the ceiling. Note the dark panels above the elevator doors reflecting the hanging leaves. Beautiful.
There are so many nice touches throughout Hotel Arras, here are just a few:

All walls feature textured surfaces. We had to touch many of them to double check what our eyes were telling us.
Hold your room key up to the elevator touch pad and tap the floor you want to go to. Voila! Step in and you&#8217;re taken to that floor.
Ice is sealed in individual plastic bags and available in a small self-serve freezer on each floor.
Windows open just enough to let fresh air in to your room if you choose.
There&#8217;s a large, well equipped fitness center and massage room available for booking.
They are super Pet Friendly, offering pet beds, treats, and even a ball for dogs to play with!

One of my favorite Asheville Restaurateur/Chefs, Peter Pollay, and his wife Martha, under the Mandara Hospitality Group banner, are behind the two independent lobby restaurants, Bargello and District 42.
&#8220;Bargello features Mediterranean-inspired fare with international influences. Experience hand-turned pastas, hearth-fired pizzas and whole preparations for sharing from Executive Chef Jordan Arace.&#8221;
District 42 is &#8220;a welcome gathering place, District 42 brings together warm hospitality and spirited cocktails at the vibrant center of downtown Asheville. Executive Chef Jordan Arace’s menu includes shareable plates perfect for enjoying with your morning coffee, casual lunch or unwinding with friends. Globally inspired small plates are meant to be shared with family, friends or colleagues.&#8221;
We swung left, heading for District 42&#8217;s bar for a drink . . . or two. The patio outside runs the length of the building, sports a great view of center of town action, the newly expanded/renovated Asheville Art Museum, and is completely glorious. We decided on hanging out at the bar this time because it was a little chilly outside.
Both restaurants are beautifully designed. Each in their own way exude welcoming, luxurious comfort.
Our cocktails were expertly crafted by friendly, attentive bartender, Savvy. And the garnishes were the freshest I&#8217;ve seen at any bar. On a fun note, Savvy used a tool called a Flavour Blaster to make a rosemary smoke-filled bubble on top of my Mountain Air cocktail. It&#8217;s their take on a French 75. Pop the bubble and watch that rosemary smoke swirl and settle on your drink.
https://youtu.be/jv7A5d_1w5c
A few notes on District 42:

Craft cocktails range from $11 to $16, with a few served up in a glass dispenser for 2-4 or 6-8 people. Not sure what well drinks run.
If you want to impress, or have the budget, order the 2oz spirit that goes for $350 (not a typo).
There are a number of super-cozy seating areas and a raised &#8220;VIP&#8221; area (anyone can sit there) that&#8217;s also used as a stage for live music.
Bar design was thoughtful with under-lighting, a few purse hooks, outlets, and lovely stools. As Barrie pointed out, they can use more purse hooks because you can&#8217;t hang most purses from the seat arms or backs.
They serve small plates, and are open all day, 7 days a week.
Wi-Fi is available.

Is Hotel Arras the most beautiful hotel in Asheville? I vote &#8220;yes&#8221;, but you should go for dinner, a drink, both, or spend the night, and see what you think.

Question 6

What's up with Twisted Laurel Restaurant Group?

Accepted Answer

The Twisted Laurel Restaurant Group has a lot of news to share: Hard to believe the summer is over, but all of us at the Twisted Laurel Restaurant Group had a great one and hope you did too. Now as we dive into another beautiful fall in the mountains, we wanted to share what we have going on. First, if you haven’t yet seen the new and improved twistedlaurel.com, please check it out! We have a new look featuring our new menus, more details on our special event spaces like The Daphne Room downtown, and our off-site catering options throughout Western North Carolina.
Now. here’s what we have going on at all the restaurants&#8230;
Meet Chef Tom
We’d like to introduce the newest member of the Twisted Laurel family &#8211; Executive Chef Tom LaFauci who joined downtown’s Daphne at Twisted Laurel to take its menu to an exciting, new yet familiar place, bringing some old favorites back by popular demand.
“Being approachable to a large number of people is important to us.”, says General Manager Vince Charbonneau. “I am excited to have Chef Tom on board to push Daphne in a new and creative direction while staying true to Twisted Laurel&#8217;s roots. His background in quick service, corporate, fast casual, and independent restaurants is not only valuable to Daphne, but for the entire Twisted Laurel family.”
LaFauci grew up cooking with his grandfather in an Italian kitchen in New Jersey where he “was the Italian kid, standing on a chair, stirring the sauce.”
Tom continues family traditions by making all the pastas and sauces featured on the Daphne menu from scratch, including the linguini, pappardelle, and ravioli, just to name a few.
His history with big brand restaurants along with his extensive catering experience and role as Chief Smoker of an award winning competitive barbecue team makes Chef Tom the perfect person to take the helm of the Daphne at Twisted Laurel kitchen.
Chef Tom added, “Working for a brand that is established, and tasked to take it to new levels, excites me.”
We hope it excites you too!
Menu Makeover
If you have visited either Twisted Laurel West or Twisted Laurel Weaverville in the past few weeks, you might have noticed something a little different. We have new menus! But don’t worry &#8211; all your favorites are still there, we’ve just added some new dishes like a Fried Mac N Cheese appetizer and a Blackened Mahi Mahi entree. Take a look at the new menu here.
West Side Vibes
Twisted Laurel West on New Leicester Highway redesigned their patio this summer with cafe lights making for beautiful outdoor dining and fun with cornhole and giant jenga during these fall days and nights. They have also updated their daily specials which you can check out here.
“We at Twisted Laurel West absolutely love being apart of the Leicester highway community. We are coming up on our second year anniversary, and would like to thank everyone that has supported us. We currently have 40 beers on tap, 17 television&#8217;s for all the big games and a beautiful patio. Besides our new menu with some amazing new items, definitely also try our brunch menu and $6 Bloody Mary’s and $4 Mimosas every Sunday. We have recently changed our management team and have a talented new chef cooking up some amazing dishes.” &#8211; Christopher Luce, General Manager
&#8216;Tis the Season
Did you know that Twisted Laurel Weaverville is the only restaurant offering the NFL Ticket in the North Asheville/Weaverille neck of the woods? Yep &#8211; you can watch the big games while enjoying drink specials like $4 pints on Mondays, $3 pints on Tuesdays, and $1 off select Brewery of the Month beers on Thursday Pint Nights. You can check them all out here.
And speaking of &#8220;The Season&#8221; &#8211; it&#8217;s time for holiday parties, and it’s not too late to book yours with us! Already have a venue? Let us take care of the food! Contact us today so we can help you plan the perfect off-site catering options for your event and guests.
The Twisted Laurel Mobile Eatery &#8211; which made appearances all summer long at places like Homeplace Beer Company in Burnsville and at concerts at The Barn at Paint Fork in Barnardsville &#8211; is also available for special events from weddings to sporting events to holiday parties!
We have something for everyone &#8211; from traditional to trendy &#8211; and can work with your budget to make sure that the food is a deliciously unforgettable part of your gathering. Just give us a call and let us know what you have in mind.
* All Twisted Laurel restaurants offer catering, to-go orders, can accommodate large parties, and have dog-friendly outdoor seating. Be sure and call the restaurant of choice for any questions, to make reservations, or place any orders!
Teachers always get 15% off.

Question 7

FAA awards Millions in Infrastructure Grants to NC Airports

Accepted Answer

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $986 million in airport infrastructure grants, the fifth allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States.
“This significant investment in airport improvements in North Carolina will fund construction and rehabilitation projects that will help maintain high levels of safety in U.S. aviation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
The following airports will receive a grant:

Asheville Regional–$5,319,909 – grant funds will be used to expand aircraft parking area, provide security enhancements and acquire snow removal equipment.
Concord-Padgett Regional–$5,161,958 – grant funds will be used to rehabilitate an aircraft parking area.
Piedmont Triad International, Greensboro–$500,000 – grant funds will be used to update Airport Master Plan Study.
Pitt-Greenville–$3,406,185 – grant funds will be used to rehabilitate and expand aircraft parking area.
North Carolina State Block, Raleigh–$2,400,000 – grant funds will be used for non-primary airport development projects.
Fayetteville Regional Airport, $15.5 million –to fund expansion of the airport terminal.
Wilmington International Airport, $3.1 million –to fund expansion of the airport terminal

The FAA will award grants to 354 airports in 44 states and two territories Micronesia and Puerto Rico. Selected projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by these grants will enhance safety and capacity while promoting economic growth in the regions served by each airport.
Airport infrastructure in the United States, with 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways, supports our economic competitiveness and improves quality of life. According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs. Under Secretary Chao’s leadership, the Department is delivering AIP investments for the American people, who depend on reliable infrastructure.
Airports can receive a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.
See a complete listing of grants on their website.

Question 8

Asheville Art Museum Announces Grand Opening!

Accepted Answer

The Asheville Art Museum, the hub for 20th- and 21st-century American art in Western North Carolina, will open to the public on November 14. The $24+ million, state-of-the-art facility encompasses 54,000 square feet and adds 70 percent more Collection gallery space. For the first time in the Museum&#8217;s history, it has the capacity to host major traveling exhibitions from nationally recognized museums. The expansion increases its physical space and dramatically increases its role as a community center, educational resource, economic engine for WNC, and cultural concierge for the region’s residents and visitors.
EXPANSION HIGHLIGHTS
Working with local general contractor Beverly-Grant, local architecture firm ARCA Design, and New York-based architectural firm Ennead Architects, the project consisted of three main components:

The historic preservation of the Museum’s current North Wing (formerly the 1926 Pack Library) to house the new John & Robyn Horn Education Center and Frances Mulhall Achilles Art Library.
Renovation and new construction of the East Wing including two special exhibition halls (Appleby Foundation Hall and Explore Asheville Hall) and more Collection storage.
Entirely new construction of the West Wing with a stunning glass façade.

Features of the new Museum:

A rooftop sculpture terrace and Perspective Café offer gorgeous mountain views.
The Oculus, a 15-foot viewing window in the SECU Collection Hall affords unmatched immersive city views and a place for reflection.
Public art installations and programming on the Plaza.
Wells Fargo ArtPLAYce, a hands-on creative space for people of all ages.
The Windgate Foundation Atrium, a light-filled place to take in large-scale works of art.
SECU Collection Hall&#8217;s 10 new galleries

&#8220;The new Asheville Art Museum is a warm and welcoming space on a personal level,&#8221; says Executive Director Pamela L. Myers. &#8220;It&#8217;s a space designed for people to come together and be inspired in an art-filled, open environment with all the amenities to make them feel comfortable.&#8221;
OPENING EXHIBITIONS
Appalachia Now! An Interdisciplinary Survey of Contemporary Art in Southern Appalachia is the inaugural special exhibition of the newly renovated Museum. Curated by Jason Andrew, the juried exhibition features 50 artists of diverse backgrounds from the Southern Appalachian states of North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virgina. Appalachia Now! provides a regional snapshot of the art of our time—a collective survey of contemporary Southern Appalachian culture. “Asheville is going through a significant shift through the type of work that’s made and shown here—moving through and alongside an Appalachian craft background,” says Appalachia Now! artist Molly Sawyer. “It’s a reawakening of what artists can do as a community here. It’s powerful and really exciting to be a part of.” Meet four women artists tapped for the exhibition.
Intersections in American Art is the largest presentation ever drawn from the Museum’s Collection of 5,000+ works and 4,000+ architectural drawings. It celebrates the unique qualities of art from Western North Carolina, placed within the context of art from across the United States. The intersections of regional and national art are highlighted throughout the galleries, as are three specific ways of understanding the works here:

Time & Place
Experiments in Materials & Form
Collaboration & Interdisciplinary Dialogue.

A grant from the Henry Luce Foundation allowed a diverse group to help reinterpret the Collection with ideas derived from Black Mountain College (1933-1957). Several of the most important artists of the 20th century taught or studied at Black Mountain College, and its legacy carries on in the work they produced later in their careers as well as of those they influenced.
Many Become One &#8211; Much like the traditional United States motto E Pluribus Unum, meaning “out of many, one,” the artists who created the works seen in the Windgate Foundation Atrium and Plaza brought many separate parts together to make a unified whole. These works offer us a variety of possibilities for how to navigate our physical world on regional, national, and global levels. Featuring works by Alex Bernstein, Wesley Clark, Ken Fandell, Maya Lin, George Peterson, Henry Richardson, and Kenneth Snelson.
Points of View: Recent Gifts to the Photography Collection &#8211; A look at the collectors who have donated and how their own interests in photography become self-evident when their gifts are displayed together.
50 Years of Western North Carolina Glass: The James D & Judith S. Moore Collection &#8211; This exhibition highlights the beauty of the Moores&#8217; collection and illustrates the depth with which they have collected certain foundational artists in the Studio Glass Movement.
Collecting Craft & Recent Gifts &#8211; Presenting some of the new treasures to enter the Collection, with a special focus on craft. The Museum&#8217;s Collection contains some of the best-known makers, both locally and nationally.
Image: David Huff
ABOUT THE ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM
The Asheville Art Museum&#8217;s mission is to transform lives through art. Located: Downtown Asheville at 2 South Pack Square. General admission: $15. Open from 11am-6pm daily, except Tuesdays. Late night on Thursdays until 9pm. Closed on Tuesdays. Standard Museum hours and operations will begin Thursday, November 14, 2019. Visit ashevilleart.org for more information.
The Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and receives support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the NC Department of Cultural Resources; the National Endowment for the Arts; the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and media sponsors Citizen Times, WNC Magazine, and Blue Ridge Public Radio.
The Museum gratefully acknowledges the leadership supporters of the new Museum and its vibrant programming: Appleby Foundation, Buncombe County, Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, City of Asheville, Edith and Frances Mulhall Achilles Memorial Fund, Henry Luce Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Janirve Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation, William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, Windgate Foundation and the many other foundations, businesses, and individuals who supported the Art WORKS for Asheville Capital Campaign and who support the exceptional programming, exhibitions and collections which enliven the new Asheville Art Museum on a daily basis.
The Asheville Art Museum asks when reprinting images, please keep all artwork at their original proportions; please do not crop them or alter them disproportionately. Provided image credit information is mandatory and images are not for resale.

Question 9

Special Wine and Appetizer event at The Sky Club!

Accepted Answer

Metro Wines and Ciao invite you to &#8220;Buona Sera&#8221; at The Sky Club on Wednesday, November 6th from 5:30 to 7pm. Hosted by Kelly Hull for Ciao Asheville, the event includes high end Italian wines paired with appetizers selected by Chef Marcus Day formerly of Jargon and The Vue at Grove Park Inn.
Guests will include Marla Hardee Milling, author of &#8220;Legends, Secrets and Mysteries of Asheville&#8221; and Andy Hale of The Asheville School of Wine @MetroWines.
Wines will include 2017 Girolamo Russo Nerina Etna Bianco from Sicily, 2016 Dessimis Pinot Grigio, an &#8220;orange wine&#8221; served to great accolades at ChowChow, 2010 Ciacci Piccolomini d&#8217;Aragona Brunello di Montalcino that received 93 points from Wine Spectator and 94 Points from Robert Parker, and 2014 Luigi Einaudi Barolo!
The Sky Club has a long history and remains the subject of speculation at cocktail parties! Starting as a restaurant and dance club operated by German-Americans Gus and Emma Adler atop Beaucatcher Mountain called The Old Heidelberg Supper Club. Opened in the late 1930s, the club changed its name in 1942 in response to anti-German sentiment.
After Gus&#8217; death in a fire in 1952, Emma continued the club, hosting celebrities such as Grace Kelly and Robert Mitchum, in town to make movies. &#8220;Buncombe County did not allow sales of liquor,&#8221; historian Sharon Fahrer writes. Sky Club patrons &#8220;would bring their own bottles &#8230; They were also charged a dollar for a bucket of ice.&#8221; The Sky Club &#8220;was known for &#8230; strip steaks and shrimp cocktail,&#8221; as well as for views, Rick McDaniel writes in his book &#8220;Asheville Food.&#8221;
In 1957, Castle in the Sky purchased The Sky Club from Emma Adler for $65,000, with much more later spent on renovations. The corporate treasurer was Fred Seely Jr., E.W. Grove&#8217;s grandson. The president, William Conrad of New Jersey, revived the panoramic third floor dinner-and-dance hall as The Satellite Club. The Sky Club was later sold and converted to condos.
&#8220;Join us as we bring an Italian touch to The Sky Club!&#8221; says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines. &#8220;The history continues.&#8221;
$35 for the evening. Tickets for &#8220;Buona Sera&#8221; can be reserved by calling (828) 575-9525 or online here: https://metrowinesasheville.com/store/product/buona-sera/. Space is limited to 20 guests so please reserve early! Call also if you have any questions.

Contact for Ciao Asheville: ciao@MetroWinesAsheville.com
Contact for MetroWines: gina@MetroWinesAsheville.com
http://www.metrowinesasheville.com/
http://ashevilleschoolofwine.com/

Question 10

Historic S&W Building opens Spring 2020 as Food & Beverage Hall

Accepted Answer

Asheville’s iconic S&W Building will become a food hall focused on the best of local food and beer when it opens next spring as The S&W Market. The Ellington Realty Group project will revitalize the building, located at 56 Patton Avenue, which will become home to a roster of top local restaurants curated by culinary consultant Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani Restaurant Group.
The S&W Market will also welcome Highland Brewing Company back to downtown, where their story began 25 years ago. Asheville’s original craft brewery will anchor the two-story space and feature a first-floor bar area and a mezzanine-level bar, tasting room and event space. Highland’s founder Oscar Wong said, “Highland was part of the rebirth of downtown Asheville back in the ‘90s along with many others – to return downtown and be part of the rebirth of this iconic building is nothing short of amazing.”
Upon entering the building, guests will be greeted with a sampling of flavorful dining options from four Asheville-based food stalls hand-selected for their crave-worthy offerings and ties to the city along with Highland Brewing’s main-level bar.
On the mezzanine, an expanded lineup of Highland’s small-batch, sour and barrel-aged beer offerings will be featured. The space will have seating for guests to enjoy a pint with their food and a view of the activity below or the city outside. It will also house a separate private events room with a roaring ‘20s vibe and room for 40 seated guests.
“I’ve never had an interest in opening a second taproom,” said Highland’s second-generation family-owner and president, Leah Wong Ashburn. “But this confluence was powerful. We are engaged in revitalizing a piece of Asheville’s history and working with an incredibly talented group of Asheville entrepreneurs who all believe in authenticity, family and having fun with this project.”
The feeling is mutual. The S&W was purchased in 2017 by brothers Douglas and Kenneth Ellington, who are the great-nephews of the building’s noted architect Douglas Ellington.
“There is a great deal of meaning for us in this particular project,” says Douglas Ellington. “We’re honored to work alongside Meherwan and the wonderful team at Highland Brewing to create a welcoming space that will enhance our downtown community and revitalize a beautiful historic building that has provided fond memories for many in Asheville.”
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the revived S&W will serve as an homage to the property’s storied past, while also honoring its place within the Asheville community’s future. The S&W Building is a celebrated staple among the city’s buzzing downtown for its striking Art Deco style and intricate architectural details.
Much of the time-honored space will remain unchanged, including its familiar facade of wide arched windows and terra cotta panels, accented with richly colored green and blue tiles. A revamped interior will seek to evoke the same energy of the bustling dining destination that many enjoyed while growing up in Asheville, and ample sidewalk seating will adorn the building’s front.
“With the culinary mecca that Asheville has become, we feel that a food hall focused on the best of local food and beer in the center of downtown will be a huge hit with both locals and out-of-town visitors,” says Burns Aldridge, Managing Broker of Ellington Realty Group. “Food halls have become incredibly popular in the past few years as the consumer demand for authentic, healthier yet casual food options has grown. The S&W Market will offer counter service with delicious local food, just as the building was originally intended.”
Restaurateurs signed onto the project will be announced at a later date.

About Ellington Realty Group
Ellington Realty Group (ellingtonrealty.com) is a full-service commercial real estate firm, offering brokerage, development and property management services in Western North Carolina. The firm’s philosophy is based on the spirit of collaboration and focused on building and maintaining meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues. For inquiries, contact Burns Aldridge at (828) 231-4894 or burns@ellingtonrealty.com.

Question 11

Save the Date! 11th Annual Asheville Oktoberfest Sat, Oct 5th

Accepted Answer

The 11th annual Asheville Oktoberfest (https://www.ashevilleoktoberfest.com/), presented by Allegiant.com, returns to Pack Square Park on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Asheville Oktoberfest will feature libations from 30 craft beverage makers as well as traditional Oktoberfest games, live entertainment, German-inspired cuisine and more.
“Allegiant is proud to partner with the Asheville Downtown Association to bring a taste of Bavaria to the Land of the Sky,” said Scott DeAngelo, Allegiant chief marketing officer. “Oktoberfest has become a local tradition, so as Asheville’s hometown airline, we’re proud to support the local people and businesses that make this such a fantastic, vibrant city.”
Following a parade through the park in downtown Asheville, the ceremonial tapping of the keg will officially open the festivities. Confirmed participants include 12 Bones Brewing, Asheville Brewing Co., Blue Ridge Cold Brew, Bold Rock Hard Cider, Catawba Brewing Co., Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery , The Collaboratory, Cultivated Cocktails, Currahee Brewing Co., Dalton Distillery, Devil&#8217;s Foot Beverage, Eluvium Brewing Co., Flat Rock Cider Co., Foothills Brewing, French Broad River Brewery, Ginger&#8217;s Revenge, High Climate Tea Co., Highland Brewing Co., Hi-Wire Brewing, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Nantahala Brewing, Noble Cider, Oskar Blues Brewery, Oak City Amaretto, Pisgah Brewing, Samuel Adams, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., UpCountry Brewing Co., Whistle Hop Brewing Co. and Wicked Weed Brewing.
“We have a great lineup of Oktoberfest veterans and newcomers offering dozens of seasonal brews, ciders, ginger beers, select wines and spirits, as well as non-alcoholic craft beverage options,” said Meghan Rogers, executive director of the Asheville Downtown Association.
The official Oktoberfest Games will also return this year. Attendees have the opportunity to compete for prizes in games including Brezel Werfen (pretzel toss), Stein Hissen (stein hoist), Unterwäsche Rennen (tighty whities race) and the Kostümwettbewerb (costume contest). Other activities will include the official Oktoberfest photo booth, yard games from Pong AVL, dig pong with Dig Local Asheville and an ENO hammock lounge.
Additionally, Oktoberfest will feature entertainment by local polka outfit, Lagerhosen. The band will have attendees dancing with their renditions of happy yodeling songs, traditional shoe-slapping dances and lively, spirited polka music.
“We’re particularly looking forward to all the fun games and activities we have planned for this year, and hope attendees go all out for the costume contest. That’s a big part of what makes Oktoberfest special,” Rogers added.
Food vendors will include Blunt Pretzels, Brinehaus Meat + Provisions, Cecilia’s Kitchen, Haus Heidelberg German Restaurant, The Hop Ice Cream Cafe, Kernel Mike’s World Famous Kettle Corn and The Purple People Feeder.
Tickets are on sale now for Asheville Oktoberfest, presented by Allegiant.com. General admission tickets are available for $45. Tickets for children 6 years and older cost $10, and those under the age of 6 will be admitted for free. All tickets can be purchased at www.ashevilleoktoberfest.com.
Asheville Oktoberfest and its partners remind all attendees to drink responsibly. Designated driver tickets are available for $10.
Oktoberfest is made possible through sponsors including Allegiant.com, The Retreat at Hunt Hill, Weirbridge Village Apartments, Audubon Place Apartments, Go Minis Portable Storage, Kudzu Brands, Shay Brown Events, Bröö Craft Beer Shampoo, 97.7 The Brew, 98.1 The River, Alt 101.1, 105.9 The Mountain, DigLocal Asheville, Asheville Color and Imaging, The Foundry Hotel, The Med and Strada Italiano.
All participating partners, contests and games are subject to change.
Visit www.ashevilleoktoberfest.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

About Asheville Downtown Association
Founded in 1987, the Asheville Downtown Association is a nonprofit organization committed to the preservation and improvement of the central business district. Through programs and annual objectives, the association works to make Downtown Asheville the center of commerce, culture, government and leisure. Together, the Asheville Downtown Association board and members support the vitality of downtown through public advocacy, political involvement and community events. Membership is open to any person or organization interested in supporting the downtown community. Members reflect a wide variety of residents, property owners, business professionals, retailers and restaurants. The Asheville Downtown Association produces a number of major events in downtown including: Easter on the Green, Downtown After 5, Asheville Oktoberfest, the Pritchard Park Summer Series and the Asheville Holiday Parade.
About Allegiant®
Las Vegas-based Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) is an integrated travel company with an airline at its heart, focused on connecting customers with premier leisure experiences &#8211; from vacations to hometown family entertainment. Since 1999, Allegiant Air has linked travelers in small-to-medium cities to world-class vacation destinations with all-nonstop flights and industry-low average fares. Today, Allegiant serves more than 450 routes across the country, with base airfares less than half the cost of the average domestic roundtrip ticket. Allegiant’s Sunseeker Resorts subsidiary is currently under construction with its inaugural resort property, Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor in Southwest Florida &#8211; a unique waterside integrated resort like no other. And a growing group of Allegiant Nonstop family entertainment centers offer state-of-the art indoor games and attractions to thrill seekers of all ages. For more information, visit us at Allegiant.com.

Question 12

Pasta Making Class at Metro Wines

Accepted Answer

Join Metro Wines on Sunday, October 20th from 1 to 3pm @MetroWines for Ciao Asheville&#8217;s (https://www.facebook.com/CiaoAsheville/) Pasta Making Class. Ciao Asheville presents Chef and Sommelier Roberto Stragiotti who will teach us to make pasta and a simple red sauce from scratch.
Cost is $25 for this &#8220;hands on&#8221; class that includes all your materials and a glass of Italian Wine. &#8220;Students will learn the techniques of making dough and rolling!,&#8221; says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines. &#8220;Pasta is just the beginning!&#8221;
Class is limited to 15 students. To reserve your seat, please call (828) 575-9525 or online: https://metrowinesasheville.com/store/product/pasta-making-class/
Contact for Ciao Asheville: Gail Rampersaud
ciao@MetroWinesAsheville.com
Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
gina@MetroWinesAsheville.com
Shop: 828-575-9525
http://www.metrowinesasheville.com/
Go Italian! here: https://www.facebook.com/CiaoAsheville/

Question 13

WNC Battle of the Burger Returns to Salvage Station Sept 29

Accepted Answer

On September 29, All American Food Fights Presents the 6th Annual WNC Battle of the Burger from 1-5pm, at The Salvage Station.
Twelve area restaurants will set up grills and griddles and cook up thousands of burger samples for the attendees while great local music by Boogi Therapi and Downtown Abby and the Echoes keeps the crowd groovin&#8217;.
What: WNC Battle of the Burger
When: September 29, 2019 1pm-5pm
Where: The Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville, NC, 28801
How Much: $20 in advance and includes your first 3 sliders (12 Burger Bucks) or $12 at the door and does not include any sliders
VIP tickets are $55 and include a slider from each challenger (12 burgers), complimentary beer provided by Upcountry Brewing, hard sparking water from Bold Rock Cider, and a special VIP area.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at WNCBurgerBattle.com
Less than 30 VIP tickets still available!
The Battle of the Burgers Challengers
The following restaurants will be competing for the title:
Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge
Foothills Local Meats
Salvage Station
The Real Smokehouse BBQ
Mountainview BBQ and Deli
Kitchen 743 at Isis
Biltmore Stable Cafe
The Barrelhouse
Asheville Burger and Mugshakes
White Labs Kitchen & Tap
The Grey Eagle Taqueria
Southern Porch
Zack of All Trades
Sandhill Kitchen
The Bands
Boogi Therapi
Ryan “RnB” Barber is a proud staple of Asheville NC’s legendary music scene, at the forefront of its funk and R&B community. Drawing from a lifetime of singing, rapping, producing and touring across the nation, Ryan has released 6 full length studio albums. He has also been featured on many high profile projects, including producing on two of R&B stalwart W. Ellington Felton’s recent albums, and also singing and rapping on the 2017 GRAMMY winning album “Infinity Plus One” by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, just one of the groups he actively tours with.
Born to a musical family and steeped in gospel and R&B from his first heartbeat, Ryan started his musical education in the church choir at the age of nine, and continued adding to a deepening knowledge of rhythm and percussion by joining the school marching band at sixteen. But it was love for hip hop, funk, new jack swing and especially R&B that beat in his chest, so he quickly began applying all he’d learned to producing his own tracks, inspired by J Dilla, A Tribe Called Quest, Gerald Levert and Teddy Riley. Mixing a classic beat production feel with soulful Southern
singing and a fearless falsetto, Ryan solidified his musical identity as a recording artist as well as a highly sought after performer and collaborator.
Already known throughout the SouthEast as a standout voice, charismatic bandleader, and musical workhorse, Ryan “RnB” Barber has begun spreading his soaring funkiness across the nation, recently rocking sets at Chicago’s Lollapalooza Festival and performing live on SiriusXM in Washington, DC, delivering uplifting messages with a timeless soul that
sounds like both yesterday and tomorrow.
DownTown Abby and the Echoes
DownTown Abby & The Echoes captures the spirit of old soul while emphasizing its youthful energy and fresh songwriting.
Taking influence from the work of the titans of soul, blues, and southern rock, the North Carolina-based band brings its fresh take on soul to an ever-growing fan base. With performances at many of the Southeast&#8217;s hottest festivals and most popular music venues under its belt, DownTown Abby & The Echoes has never been more focused on its mission to bring funky, dance-inducing original tunes to the places you most love to hear music.
The band’s EP, Leavin’ You, brings the energy of a live DTA show to the web. The buzz surrounding the release of a new album is encouraging everyone to hear the exciting new directions modern soul rock is headed.
DownTown Abby & The Echoes&#8217; powerful vocals and groovy rhythm section are a must-see for all ages and musical preferences.
***Notable bills recently have included Ghost Light, Travers Brothership, Vintage Pistol, The Mantras, Tameca Jones, Moon Hooch.
Notable Festivals include: Floydfest, Bristol Roots and Rhythm, Mustang Music Festival, Carolina Jubilee, The SmokeDown, Greenwood Blues Cruise, Floatchella,
Confluence Festival, Farm Brew Live Freedom Festival.

Question 14

Asheville Art Museum announces new rooftop Perspective Café

Accepted Answer

After a careful search, the Asheville Art Museum announces their café partner Food Experience, a local, community-minded catering company dedicated to all things Asheville.
Tony Franco (pictured, left) and Matthew Macon (pictured, right) have run the full-service catering company Food Experience in Asheville for 12 years. Now, they bring their culinary talents behind the counter at Perspective Café, the Museum&#8217;s rooftop eatery, set to open along with the Museum this fall.
 
Perspective Café will keep the same hours as the Museum, including late evenings on Thursdays—open until 9pm—perfect for catching sunsets and cocktails!
Follow for updates:
#myashevilleart
#perspectivecafe
“Our goal is to curate a menu to meet many different dining perspectives, from a sweet sticky bun and coffee in the morning, to a comforting bowl of soup at lunch, to champagne and charcuterie at sunset.” ~ Matthew Macon, Food Experience
Find Out More

Question 15

Girls Day Out: sipping & snacking our way through Grove Arcade's Restaurant Row

Accepted Answer

Warm days full of sunshine and breezes are perfect for eating outside. It was just such a day recently, and past time to do something fun with girlfriends. Strolling from restaurant to restaurant at Grove Arcade&#8217;s Restaurant Row (https://grovearcade.com/), stopping at patio tables shaded by colorful umbrellas, we caught up over glasses of wine & shared plates.
Of course we also spent some time browsing the shops and outdoor Maker&#8217;s Market, where local artists and craftspeople sell their work.
The afternoon flew by. It was a perfect Girls Day Out, but it would have been just as fun with the guys along.
We stopped at all six restaurants, sampling different cuisines at each. Of course you can go to fewer restaurants and still have a fabulous time! The following list is in the order we chose, but you can mix it up to suite yourself. Menus and hours are posted on line.
Battery Park Book Exchange
La Premier Tier Champagne Flight
WEBSITE
The full name of this wondrous labyrinth of the written word is &#8220;Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar&#8221;. That&#8217;s right, you can enjoy &#8220;edibles and libations&#8221; ordered from a huge selection of wines, sparkling wine cocktails, coffee, beer, cider, cheese boards, and desserts at this comfortably sophisticated used book store. On weekends you can listen to live music while you browse. Done browsing? There&#8217;s lots of seating where musicians set up near the bar, as well as throughout the bookshop. We shared a Champagne Flight and a French Cultural Platter. Take a look at their menu here.

Baba Nahm
Hummus Bowl: pickled vegetable, Israeli salad, feta, olives, sumac, zatar, parsley,toasted pita and EVOO
WEBSITE
Baba Nahm serves up middle eastern cuisine in a &#8220;grab and go&#8221; format. That doesn&#8217;t mean you can&#8217;t eat in. There are plenty of seats inside and a few tree-shaded picnic benches, where we sat, out front. That Hummus Bowl was fantastic, as was the filled Flat Bread (pictured below) that we shared. Fabulous seasoning! See their menu here.

Carmel&#8217;s Kitchen & Bar
Fried Green Tomatoes: Fried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, arugula, balsamic vinaigrette, bacon, basil aioli
WEBSITE
Carmel&#8217;s keeps it casual while serving up a wide selection of Southern inspired dishes like delicious Fried Green Tomatoes (pictured above), Pimento Cheese, and Catfish Reuben. Their corner patio, next to the Makers Market, is great for people watching. And if you&#8217;re there on a weekend, you&#8217;ll get a good taste of what Asheville is about. Watch as various types of tours cruise by: the Amazing Pubcycle, LaZoom Bus, and Gray Line Hop-On, Hop-Off Trolleys. If you&#8217;re on a Trolley Tour, definitely hop off at Grove Arcade. Look for the red umbrellas. See Carmel&#8217;s &#8220;All Day&#8221; menu here. And don&#8217;t miss the dessert and drink menus.

Modesto
Octopus: Asiago, fennel seed, chili flakes, tomato, olive oil
WEBSITE
Oh, Modesto. How I yearn to see you again for a full meal. Like in the old country, Modesto wraps you in luscious, generously portioned Italian food. Pizzas and Calzones are baked in their imported Italian Mugnaini wood-fired oven. The Octopus pictured above was beautifully presented and cooked perfectly! Everything we ordered was very good. We did go a little overboard here, but it couldn&#8217;t be helped. See their menu here.

BurgerWorx
Build your own amazing burger, or choose one of their house specialties
WEBSITE
By now you&#8217;re wondering, what were they thinking? How could anyone eat that much? Here&#8217;s a little secret; we wanted to sample the flavor of all six restaurants, so we left with a few boxes of what would become delicious leftovers. BurgerWorx is a fun concept. They have House Specialties you can order, or you can &#8220;build&#8221; your own burger by filling in a detailed form that covers type of meat, cheese, toppings, sauces, extras, and type of bun. These burgers were dripping with juicy goodness. You can also order ahead online for pickup using their LineSkip App. To see all the options, click on the &#8220;Menu&#8221; link on their website.
Epicurean Notes:

As always, verify days and hours of operation before you go, if you&#8217;re heart is set on a particular restaurant
And a reminder that online menus give you a good idea of what to expect, but you might find that some items have changed when you go to the restaurant
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Grove Arcade

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