Q: Secrets to Getting the Most Out of the 75th NC Apple Festival Labor Day Weekend

Insider tips from 1898 Waverly Inn: Western North Carolina’s largest festival hits a big year this Labor Day weekend with our 75th NC Apple Festival. It’s Hendersonville’s busiest weekend of the year which in the past has had close to 250k people walking Main Street from Friday morning through Monday’s King Apple parade finale. You’ll find the biggest crowds at the festival on Friday from 3pm-8pm, all day Saturday and Sunday until 6pm. You’ll also find the highest room rates of the year on Friday and Saturday night as well. To get the best value, book Thursday night before the festival starts and hit Main Street at 10am. At this time, you’ll avoid the elbow to elbow crowds and will also reach merchants and apple farmers before most other festival goers. If you want to see one of the best small town parades in the Southeast, then book Sunday night at the Waverly at the end of the festival. That will give you the last moments of the street fair on Sunday night and will also allow you to stick around on Monday to watch the King Apple Parade from the front porch of the inn at 2:30. You’ll also be able to enjoy great food and live music which we will provide up until the parade starts. The Waverly Inn still has many great rooms for the Apple Festival. Call 828.693.9193 and book today.

Question 1

Wrap Yourself in the Beauty that is Overmountain Vineyards

Accepted Answer

Family owned and run, Overmountain Vineyards (https://overmountainvineyards.com/) is located in the foothill countryside outside the town of Tryon, NC. Grapes are grown and all their wines are made on site &#8211; the family&#8217;s 70 acre farm. Sometimes a novel concept these days.

&#8220;Winemakers Frank Lilly and his daughter Sofia use innovative techniques to develop handcrafted and distinctive French-style wines. The Tasting Room at Overmountain Vineyards, opened in 2010, welcomes guests year-round. The front porch offers stellar views of the foothills — or you can reserve a more intimate seating area.&#8221;
~ Overmountain Vineyards

Walking into the tasting room and front porch/patio felt more like walking into a fabulous garden bursting with color than a winery. No idea when the owners find the time to maintain all the plants and planter arrangements, but it&#8217;s sure appreciated that they do!
There are a few seating areas, covered and not. One of the first we saw had a long table with 13 place settings and full glasses of wine in honor of the 13 service members lost recently in Afghanistan.

Tastings
We each decided to do a tasting of six wines: Chardonnay, Epic Petit Manseng, Rosé 2020, Decade Red Blend, Patriot Red, and their Red Sangria, substituted for their Dry Muscadine. As family member Mark brought each bottle to our table, he thoroughly described the wine and bits of vineyard history.
The pace of the tasting was relaxed, but we never felt neglected. My two favorites were the Chardonnay and the Decade Red Blend.
I bought two types of cheese and a box of crackers to go with my tasting, and we both took advantage of the food truck on site this day &#8211; Seoul Republik. Mmm. Mmm. Those Mini Pork Dumplings!
Wrap yourself in Overmountain&#8217;s beautiful, intimate setting as you sip multiple wines in a tasting or enjoy a glass (or two).
Epicurean Notes:

Everyone, no matter what size your party, is requested to make a reservation prior to visiting.
There are two Luxury Villas available for rent on property. Both are listed as &#8220;Superhost&#8221; properties on AirB&B&#8217;s website.

Overmountain Vineyards
2012 Sandy Plains Rd.
Tryon NC 28782
828-863-0523

Question 2

Secrets to Getting the Most Out of the 75th NC Apple Festival Labor Day Weekend

Accepted Answer

Insider tips from 1898 Waverly Inn:

Western North Carolina&#8217;s largest festival hits a big year this Labor Day weekend with our 75th NC Apple Festival. It&#8217;s Hendersonville&#8217;s busiest weekend of the year which in the past has had close to 250k people walking Main Street from Friday morning through Monday&#8217;s King Apple parade finale.
You&#8217;ll find the biggest crowds at the festival on Friday from 3pm-8pm, all day Saturday and Sunday until 6pm. You&#8217;ll also find the highest room rates of the year on Friday and Saturday night as well. To get the best value, book Thursday night before the festival starts and hit Main Street at 10am. At this time, you&#8217;ll avoid the elbow to elbow crowds and will also reach merchants and apple farmers before most other festival goers.
If you want to see one of the best small town parades in the Southeast, then book Sunday night at the Waverly at the end of the festival. That will give you the last moments of the street fair on Sunday night and will also allow you to stick around on Monday to watch the King Apple Parade from the front porch of the inn at 2:30. You&#8217;ll also be able to enjoy great food and live music which we will provide up until the parade starts.
The Waverly Inn still has many great rooms for the Apple Festival. Call 828.693.9193 and book today.

Question 3

Green Man Brewery Releases Grateful Dead Tribute Beer

Accepted Answer

Green Man Brewery (https://www.greenmanbrewery.com/) has released the 11th edition of their Hazy Homage series- The Grateful Haze. This Grateful Dead inspired tangerine and grapefruit forward hazy IPA comes from a specialty line of hazy IPAs launched quarterly, each dedicated to a particular band or artist. Previous features include Nine Inch Nails-inspired Pretty Haze Machine, David Bowie-inspired Hazy Cosmic Jive, and the original Van Helen-inspired Van Hazy IPA.
The Grateful Haze features layers of citrus, creamy coconut from the Sabro hops, mango, dried apricot and candied pineapple. It is lactose-free, 6.8% alc./vol. and comes in a four-pack of 16 oz. cans. Its packaging stands out because of its four unique can designs per pack, a first for Green Man and a rarity in the beer business.
Green Man also just debuted their new slim cans for their Green Man Cider made in partnership with Urban Orchard, an Asheville-based cider company just down the street from Green Man. The cider itself will remain the same- all natural, gluten-free, sugar-free, 5.5% alc./vol. and will come in a four-pack.
Beer + cider lovers can enjoy both offerings on tap at either of Green Man&#8217;s taprooms- the Green Mansion (27 Buxton Ave. Asheville, NC 28801) + Dirty Jack&#8217;s (23 Buxton Ave. Asheville, NC 28801), or purchase four-packs at the Green Mansion. Both are also available for purchase through Green Man&#8217;s online beer store GetGreenMan.com, which ships to 13 states.

Question 4

It's about Wine and Views at Linville Falls Winery

Accepted Answer

Nestled between lush, picture-perfect rolling hills planted with grape vines sits Linville Falls Winery (https://www.linvillefallswinery.com/). Views from their expansive patio and indoor space take in those hills, as well as their Red Barn (Lawn Bar) and healthy, full of life pond.
The Red Barn is opened for overflow when the winery is especially busy, but with the expansive lawn, cozy seating groupings, and pond, I might just walk down to the lawn seating with my wine when they&#8217;re not that busy and the Lawn Bar isn&#8217;t open.
Their Website is informative and easy to navigate. You&#8217;ll find succinct information on just about whatever you want to know. Take flights, for instance.
Wine Flight: $12 for your choice of 4 wines, 2oz. of each & souvenir glass. Can be ordered at a table with a Wine Steward, or in the Red Barn on busy weekends
Can you bring your own food? The answer is yes, but if you want to get something there, they &#8220;source various locally made snack items.&#8221; It&#8217;s reasonable that they say &#8220;locally made snacks&#8221; rather than giving details because they might have to change them up as things are available or not. If you&#8217;re curious about what they might have on hand, I&#8217;ve included a picture of their &#8220;snack&#8221; cooler in the gallery. The day we were there we saw pre-made charcuterie boards, local goat & dairy cheese, homemade pimento cheese, packaged cured meats, water & other non-alcoholic drinks.
Looking like a something right out of Tuscany, the entire operation is family owned and operated. All staff we interacted with were welcoming and friendly.
What about the wine? Between us, we tasted:

Cabernet Sauvignon, WA &#8211; Columbia Valley
Red | Dry | Heavy Body | French Oak
Notes: Pepper, Cherry, VanillaAlcohol 13.50%
Brandy Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, WA &#8211; Columbia Valley
Red | Dry | Heavy Body | French Oak 2 years
Aged 6 Additional Months in American Brandy Barrels
Notes: Tobacco, Oak, VanillaAlcohol 13.50%
Merlot, WA &#8211; Columbia Valley
Red | Dry | Medium Body | American Oak
Notes: Plum, Fig, BlackberryAlcohol 13.50%
Red Barn Blend, WA &#8211; Columbia Valley
&#8220;Big Red&#8221; | Dry | American Oak
Notes: Rustic, Tart Cherry, SpiceAlcohol 13.00%
Petit Verdot, NC &#8211; Yadkin Valley
Red | Dry | Light Body | American Oak
Notes: Pepper, Black CherryAlcohol 13.00%
Rosé, NC &#8211; Appalachian High Country
Blend | Semi-Dry
Notes: Strawberry, RaspberryAlcohol 12.00%
Mountain White, NC &#8211; Appalachian High Country
White Blend | Sweet
Notes: Pear, StonefruitAlcohol 12.00%

Everyone&#8217;s palate is different, but between the two Cabs, we both preferred the Brandy Barrel Aged Cabernet. Other than the Cabs, he preferred the Red Barn Blend to the Petit Verdot. I didn&#8217;t care for the Rosé, thought the Merlot was okay, but took a bottle of the Mountain White home for porch sitting in warm weather. Our overall favorite was the Brandy Barrel Aged Cabernet.
Linville Falls Winery is slightly over an hour drive, much of it scenic, northeast of Asheville. When you go, tell them Carolina Epicurean sent you.
Linville Falls Winery
9557 Linville Falls Hwy. Linville Falls, NC 28647
Blue Ridge Parkway Mile 317
(828) 765-1400

Question 5

ASAP’s Farm Tour Returns Sept. 18–19

Accepted Answer

ASAP’s highly anticipated annual Farm Tour is back for 2021, following cancelation in 2020 due to COVID-19. On Sept. 18–19, from noon to 5 p.m., approximately 20 Appalachian Grown family farms will welcome visitors for guided tours, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. This fun and educational weekend offers the public a chance to experience firsthand how food is grown and raised in the mountains, sample farm-fresh products, and meet local farmers. The tour is a great outing for visitors of all ages and abilities.
The 2021 Farm Tour will feature farms in Buncombe, Henderson, and Haywood counties, all located within an hour drive of Asheville. Every year, ASAP introduces new farms on the tour and brings back old favorites, including u-pick farms, vineyards, flower farms, fiber producers, and more. A full list of participating farms will be announced later this summer. Farm Tour guides, including a map, driving directions, tour tips, and farm descriptions, will be available at community centers and area businesses in mid-August.
“The ASAP Farm Tour gives us a chance to share our dreams and passion with others committed to a sustainable future,” said farmer Sara Martin, whose Two Trees Farm in Haywood County has been a past tour favorite and will return for 2021. “Showing people the joys of working the land and eating fresh food creates a community. We are truly happiest when we have our feet in the soil, sharing skills to make agriculture more accessible to others. Come share our dream!”
The Farm Tour is an outdoor event and will follow current state guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Hand-washing facilities or hand sanitizer will be available at all farms. Visitors who are not vaccinated should wear a mask and maintain social distancing while on the tour.
Farm Tour passes are on sale now for $35 at asapconnections.org/farmtour. One pass admits a carload of visitors to all farms both days. Pending availability, passes purchased the weekend of the tour will be $45. More information, including details on volunteering and attending the tour for free, can be found at asapconnections.org or by calling 828-236-1282.
ABOUT ASAP (APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT)
ASAP’s mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. To learn more, visit asapconnections.org.

Question 6

Brews and Bears at the WNC Nature Center is Back Just in Time for Summer

Accepted Answer

After being cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, Brews and Bears has come out of
hibernation just in time for summer! On Friday, July 9, and Friday, August 13, from 5:30-8:00PM, the WNC Nature Center will host the after-hours event, where guests can explore the Nature Center in the evening hours when it’s cooler and the animals are more active.
There will be food, drink, and music, and guests will get to watch an enrichment activity for the Nature Center’s resident black bears, Uno and Ursa. “Brews and Bears is the perfect happy hour fundraiser that lets guests explore the Nature Center after hours while supporting the wildlife they love,” said Kate Frost, Director of Development at Friends of the WNC Nature Center. “You can also take your pint with you and visit the newest additions to the WNC Nature Center &#8211; our red foxes, Bonita and Samson.”
Admission to Brews and Bears is $15 for Friends of the WNC Nature Center members and $20 for non-members. New this year, tickets can include a beer token to cover patrons’ first drink, and there is a VIP option that includes a signature Brews and Bears silipint cup and the opportunity to jump the line for drinks. The event is intended primarily for adults, although youth are welcome to attend with the purchase of a ticket. Children two and under are free. Proceeds from ticket and beverage sales go to the Friends of the WNC Nature Center and help support various programs throughout the park, including animal
enrichment and habitat renovations. Learn more and purchase tickets at wildwnc.org/brews-and-bears.
Beer, cider and/or wine, and food will be available for purchase at each event. Music will also be provided:
July 9
Beer: Highland Brewing
Cider: Urban Orchard
Food Truck: Cecilia’s Kitchen
Others: Blunt Pretzels, Ice cream treats
Music provided by Mix 96.5
Bear Education provided by BearWise
August 13
Beer: Highland Brewing
Cider: Urban Orchard
Wine: Plēb Urban Winery
Food Truck: Gypsy Queen Cuisine
Others: Blunt Pretzels, Ice cream treats, Music provided by 105.9 The Mountain
Bear Education provided by BearWise
The American black bear, Ursus americanus, is the only bear species native to North Carolina. At the WNC Nature Center, Uno and Ursa continue to be ambassadors for the American black bears in this area. They were removed from the wild for unknown reasons and lack survival skills. Therefore, they cannot be released into the wild. They prefer to den separately in the summer but enjoy sharing a den for winter torpor. On hot summer days, Uno and Ursa splash in their habitat’s pool and enjoy enrichment such as frozen fish, fruit, and ice popsicles.
The Brews and Bears events are presented by Zealandia Holdings and White Oak Financial Management. Additional sponsors include Grimes Teich Anderson LLP, BrickStreet Equity Management, U.S. Cellular Premier Locations, HomeTrust Bank, and Park National Bank.
The Friends is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting the animals, programs, and facilities of the WNC Nature Center. The Nature Center connects people of all ages with the plants and animals of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. For more information on the Friends of the WNC Nature Center, or to join the Friends and support future projects, visit www.wildwnc.org.

Question 7

Fun Guided History Walks Are Back in Hendersonville

Accepted Answer

Three popular guided history walks will be offered in June. Now in its seventh year, Hendersonville Guided History Walks offers 90-plus minute walks in three historic areas of town: along Main Street (Friday, June 11, 10 a.m.), in Oakdale Cemetery (Friday, June 18, 10 a.m.), and in the 7th Avenue Historic Depot District (Friday, June 25, 10 a.m.). Cost for each tour is $10 per person 10 years and older. Children under 10 are free with a paid adult. Appropriate guidelines for safety and health will be practiced, space is limited and reservations are required. Contact history walk leader Mary Jo Padgett at 828-545-3179 or email maryjo@maryjopadgett.com to make a reservation. Private tours for groups can be arranged anytime. Visit the website at www.maryjopadgett.com and click on Guided Walks to see the entire schedule for 2021.
Main Street
On Friday, June 11, the walk will start at 10 a.m. at the front steps of City Hall, corner of Fifth Avenue E. and King St. Stroll along Historic Main Street with tour guide Mary Jo Padgett to answer such questions as &#8212; who donated the land where the new town would be built, what is the age of the oldest block of buildings, what was on the third floor (and in the basement) of the old City Hall, who was the town named for, where was the Opera House, and learn about bordellos, shoot-outs, trolley lines, and stories of life in the old days on Chinquapin Hill.
Oakdale Cemetery
On Friday, June 18, the walk will begin at 10 a.m. in the cemetery on U.S. 64 W. This guided tour of Historic Oakdale Cemetery, Hendersonville’s municipal cemetery, whispers stories of the town’s early days and colorful citizens. The famous Italian marble monument which inspired the title of Thomas Wolfe’s novel Look Homeward, Angel is in Oakdale, along with both marked and unmarked graves of historic figures. The heritage of our African-American community is told in the Black section of the cemetery, while the designated Jewish cemetery reveals how the town grew to embrace ethnic and religious groups through the years. How and why the cemetery was established in 1883, names of those who helped build the town and where they were laid to rest, where the Sunshine Lady is buried, and more questions will be answered.
7th Avenue/Historic Depot District
On Friday, June 25, this walk will start at 10 a.m. at the front steps of City Hall, corner of Fifth Avenue E. and King St., then we’ll meander through this historic part of town encircling the Train Depot. When the first steam locomotive arrived in Hendersonville on July 4, 1879, crammed with tourists and visitors from the low country of South Carolina, it was the beginning of an exciting era of big-band music, dancing, numerous inns and hotels, much real estate trading, and huge agricultural growth. Money was made and lost, famous musicians and sports figures came calling, delicious food was enjoyed at every inn and boarding house … Hendersonville was in its hey-day from that moment until the financial crash of 1929. This neighborhood boasted many businesses run by Black and white owners. We’ll hear the details.
“Locals and visitors alike can celebrate and share the interesting history and architecture of Hendersonville,” Padgett said, “For example, learn how the rich natural resources here – the local clay for brick, the hand-hewn foundation rocks from local quarries, and, in fact, the heritage carried from the earlier Cherokee lifestyle – have contributed to our lives today.”
Padgett served on Hendersonville City Council for eight years, is a journalist and public relations consultant, was co-founder and former executive director of ECO, was associate editor at The Mother Earth News magazine, and conducts programs and guided tours in Paris, France, on the American Revolution. Her parents spent their honeymoon in the Skyland Hotel on Main Street. She grew up on a farm in Rutherford County, and has lived in a 100-year-old house in downtown Hendersonville for 40 years.
Hear stories about famous people, destructive fires, and more about this historic small-town gem in the mountains during Hendersonville Guided History Walks, June 11, 18, and 25 at 10 a.m.
Hear stories about Hendersonville’s Gilded Age with the coming of the railroad and well-to-do tourists. The Wheeler Hotel was one of the fancy inns located in the 7th Avenue/Historic Depot District. Hendersonville Guided History Walks are in June.
To make reservations or for more information, contact Padgett at 828-545-3179 or email maryjo@maryjopadgett.com. Visit www.maryjopadgett.com and click on Guided Walks for a complete 2021 schedule.

Question 8

"There is always some reason in Madness"

Accepted Answer

Four of us, including two industry pros, went a little crazy at The Madness &#8211; Sushi, Burger & Bar (https://www.themadnessavl.com/) this past Monday, ordering way too much food! Even though we were sharing, it was still way too much.

“There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche

Here&#8217;s the rundown in gallery (below) order:

Toro: Excellent! As good as Toro gets!
The Dumplings: Delicious. Perfect for sharing, they were a hit.
Red Snapper Carpaccio: Excellent! Dipping pieces in that sauce had us all Oohing and Aahing.

Takoyaki Balls: Okay. Sounded good to all of us. I was really looking forward to these. Unfortunately, some of the octopus pieces were overcooked and rubbery. It could have been a fluke, so if you&#8217;re willing to give them another chance, order these balls.

The Rangoon Dip: Okay. Thick, mild crab dip. The dip itself was okay. None of us cared for the fried wontons with this dip. We felt the dip should shine, but wasn&#8217;t flavorful enough to stand up to these crisp, but neutral chips.
The Madness Burger: Very Good. A fun showstopper. &#8220;The Madness takes pride in grilling burgers fresh to order. All of our burgers are made from half-pound Certified Angus Beef&#8221; Dig in, get messy. You&#8217;ll be happy you did.
The Madness Bento Box: Very Good. One of two bento boxes on the menu. The other does not have additional Burger Slider or Specialty Roll options like this one.
Hurricane Specialty Roll: Delicious. These rolls may sound mild, but they&#8217;ve added a little kick with sauces.

The Madness is casual with some indoor seating in a not-so-big space. The outdoor patio felt like it almost doubled seating. We counted ourselves lucky to get a table outside on a Monday night at just after 7:00pm.

The Madness is new-ish, opening in December, 2020. They&#8217;ve had to deal with supply shortages and staffing issues. I wouldn&#8217;t hesitate to go again. Some of those specialty rolls are calling my name. And a cocktail would be good, too. Didn&#8217;t have one this time, because we met for wine on the deck at one of our homes first and I had a solid drive home on I-26 afterwards.
Epicurean Notes:

They&#8217;re located near Enka, west of West Asheville in a mall on Smoky Park Hwy.
Reservations are not taken at this time.
For a more in depth look at The Madness, read this Citizen Times article by Mackensy Lunsford: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/entertainment/2021/05/05/asheville-restaurateur-thrives-covid-pandemic-asian-fusion-new-sushi-burger-bar/7220695002/
And for an interesting take on the possible future of Sushi in the US, take a look at this Grub Street article by Adam Platt: https://www.grubstreet.com/2021/05/rosella-nyc-restaurant-review.html

The Madness &#8211; Sushi, Burger & Bar
275 Smokey Park Hwy, Unit 251
Asheville, NC 28806
828 418 3166

Question 9

Little Pearl: Fine Dining Cuisine, Casual Ambiance, Reasonable Prices

Accepted Answer

A friend and I had lunch at Little Pearl yesterday and it was fantastic! One of Asheville&#8217;s newest eateries, they bill themselves as &#8220;Raw Bar • Beer • Burgers&#8221;. Co-owners, husband & wife Kristen Onderdonk and Tommy Quartararo, along with Chef John Inglesby, have brought something engaging and fresh to town. They&#8217;re serving up-scale dishes in a casual, yet hip and welcoming, smaller mall location.
The level of preparation and plating are more like fine dining. Every single thing we ordered was completely fabulous!
Not only is the &#8220;Corn&#8221; dish delicious, it&#8217;s fun to watch the heat from the corn make the bonito flakes move.
https://vimeo.com/534912085
Four seating areas offer options: indoor-front dining room, small bar, small back dining at high-tops, and outdoor patio out back. The patio is nice, but you&#8217;ll be looking at traffic and the Asheville Mall. Personally, I think all of that would fade in to the background after a few minutes.
There&#8217;s plenty of free parking, so get yourself to Little Pearl ASAP!
Little Pearl
15 Peaks Center Ln
Asheville, NC 28805
828 575 9128

Question 10

Harvey's at The Henderson Announces New Dining Experience

Accepted Answer

Harvey’s @ The Henderson (https://www.thehendersonnc.com/harveys/) adapted to the Covid 19 pandemic by completely moving its dining room operation outside to its beautifully renovated covered wrap-around porch.
&#8220;Eating outside is less risky than eating inside, if everybody is six feet apart and the wait staff are all wearing masks. That keeps the risk as low as it can be,&#8221; said infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville.
According to Chef Michael Gilligan and Mixologist Jeanne Gilligan, owners of The Henderson
Inn and Harvey’s Restaurant, our tables are six feet apart, with our wait staff wearing masks and gloves. Our guest’s safety is our number one priority along with serving award winning chef-prepared fine dining and hand-crafted cocktails using the freshest ingredients, homemade mixers. premium liquors, and the proper ice to create fresh and flavorful libations to help you unwind and savor the experience.

For the fall and winter season, The Henderson has installed a series of fabric roll-up curtains to cover the porch area so as to provide a weather break for outdoor seating. The curtains are made with a revolutionary ‘Soltis 92 Solar Screening Mesh’ which is breathable so as to maintain the air flow but as the mesh holes are so small rain cannot permeate the fabric.
The dining area is now heated with a series of 46,000 BTU Aged Chestnut Gas Patio Heaters which give off radiant heat and project a warm glow during dinner hours. The porch at Harvey’s @ The Henderson is now open year-round with dinner service Thursday through Saturday from 5pm – 8pm and Sunday Brunch from 10am to 1pm.
The Gilligans shared that they scored a 99 out of 100 on their latest Health Inspection. Also by following all CDC requirements for quests staying at the Inn and dining at their restaurant, their top priority is the health and safety of their guests, staff, and community.
Harvey&#8217;s @ The Henderson
201 3rd Ave. W.
Hendersonville, NC 28739
(828) 696-2001
Press Release

Question 11

Citizen Vinyl: Put Another Record On

Accepted Answer

&#8220;Put another record on
Round and round and round and around &#8211; oh
Ah &#8211; see him smile.&#8221; ~ Genesis
Session Bar & Café is my beat, but you can feel a different kind of beat pulses throughout the entire building at Citizen Vinyl (https://citizenvinyl.com/).
&#8220;Citizen Vinyl is a communal space housing a record press facility, café, bar, recording studio & record store – located in the historic Citizen Times building in downtown Asheville. This grand civic space serves to celebrate the history of manufacturing & craft – alongside the current state of music, food & beverage within our local community.&#8221; Citizen Vinyl
If you want a quick overview, as well as access to an easy way to take a deeper dive, go to their website and look at the main menu. It&#8217;s all there.
I was most interested in Session Bar & Café, but was also totally entranced by vinyl production side of the business. How cool is it to have this in Asheville!?! It&#8217;s a great addition to the entire regional music scene.
Session Bar & Café
A new place to grab a bite to eat in downtown Asheville! Two local power hitters, Chef Graham House, formerly of Sovereign Remedies, and Susannah Gebhart of OWL Bakery are the creative forces behind Session&#8217;s Menu. See some samples they whipped up for us in the gallery. The food matched the vibe. Tasty and as expected according to their menu, with a few creative twists. Loved the cocktails.
Vinyl
They&#8217;ve come at the business of vinyl from a lot of different directions: the retail record shop, recording studio, their ability to make vinyl masters, as well as large and short album runs, and the rooftop, which may be used for intimate live performances.
With the record press installed and running on the main floor, you&#8217;ll be able to watch it do its magic through large interior windows while you have lunch, sip a latte, or meet with friends for cocktails.
Take a look inside Citizen Vinyl:

Citizen Vinyl
14 O Henry Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801

Question 12

Pre-Order Drive-Thru Holiday Cookies at Mills River Presbyterian Church

Accepted Answer

On Saturday, December 12, 2020, Mills River Presbyterian Church will host a Drive-Thru Holiday Cookie Sale. The socially-distanced event will be held from 10am to 1pm in the church parking lot off Schoolhouse Road in Mills River.
The public is invited to pre-order boxes of cookies or make their selections the day of the sale. A wide variety of cookies will be available for $8.00 per box.
Each box contains about two dozen homemade cookies. Buyers can select all of the same cookie or an assortment of holiday favorites. Some of the popular cookies at the sale include snickerdoodle, chocolate chip, molasses, peanut butter and oatmeal. Half-pound bags of homemade Chex mix will also be available for $4 each.

“We’re taking this sale outdoors in 2020 to make it as safe as possible for everyone,” says Jackie Auten, co-chair of the event. “Pre-orders are now being taken. These will be boxed and ready for immediate drive-thru pick up on December 12. We’ll also have a safe way for on-site orders to be quickly filled.
“Our initial Holiday Cookie Walk was so popular last year that we want to make it available again in 2020. Whether you’re purchasing a single box for yourself or multiple boxes for family, office workers and friends, we invite everyone to drive-thru to get delicious homemade cookies for the holidays!”
For more details on the fundraising event and to get an order form for the cookies, contact Jackie Auten at jackieauten48@gmail.com or 828-891-5354.
Mills River Presbyterian Church is located at 10 Presbyterian Church Road in Mills River, accessible from Haywood Road or Highway 280. For more information, call 828-891-7101 or visit www.millsriverpresbyterianchurch.com.

Question 13

Zen Hen Cafe Now Open in Hendersonville

Accepted Answer

Zen Hen Cafe (https://www.zenhencafe.com/) is now open in Hendersonville bringing healthy, honest food to the new quick, counter-service concept.
“This is an idea that has been near and dear to my heart for many years,” said Randy Dunn, executive chef and Zen Hen founder. “We are so excited to finally open and offer something for the entire family that is honest, healthy, quick and incredibly tasty.”
Located at 1794 Asheville Highway, Zen Hen Cafe features scratch-made build your own Buddha bowls and in-house non &#8211; GMO rotisserie chicken.
“I wanted to go back to my roots, go back to the farm,” Dunn said of his new venture. “I wanted my food to speak for itself and to be comfortable, approachable and affordable for anyone looking for flavor-forward, healthy meals.”
Dunn, a staple in Asheville’s restaurant scene, was part of the opening team for Roux in Biltmore Park in 2009. He continued to serve the community as the executive chef for both the independent restaurant and the 4-diamond Hilton hotel for over a decade.
“I’m excited to let my feathers back out, per se, and really focus on a menu that fills the need for so many people in our community right now,” Dunn said.
The “Zen” menu features build your own Buddha Bowls with fresh vegetables, house-roasted chicken, and scratch made sauces – or choose from an array of signature bowls like the Chimichurri Chicken – a Buddha Bowl featuring brown rice, rotisserie chicken, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, chili-lime corn, jalapenos and a house-made chimichurri sauce.
The “Hen” menu features whole, half, and quarter hormone and antibiotic-free, non- GMO rotisserie chickens and family dinners with health-conscious homemade side dishes.
The menu is by design, is gluten-free and health-centric transparency is one of the overarching missions of the café. All nutrition information is available and tracked for each protein, fat and carb.
“I think one of the most unique parts of Zen Hen is in our transparency,” Dunn said. “I’ve tried all the meal prepping, Keto, Paleo, and they all worked to a degree, but I am so busy that it was hard to take the time to meal prep every day and I needed options that were quicker and more budget friendly.”
As a classically trained chef, Dunn draws much of his culinary inspiration from his childhood. His father, a dairy farmer, raised the family on their 10-acre farm in Tennessee where they grew and harvested the majority of their own meals.
Dunn went on to graduate from the prestigious Johnson & Wales Culinary School and to open national 4-diamond hotels, including MIT Cambridge where he once cooked for the ever-amazing, culinary icon Julia Childs.
“I feel like I bring a piece with me from all of my past culinary experiences, but I always want my food to speak for itself,” Dunn said.
Dunn said that he hopes Zen Hen Café will fill the need for health-conscious families in the area looking for every day meals, that are not so “everyday.”
“Someone once told me that how you live today, is how you live your life,” said Dunn. “It’s those choices that you make every day and hopefully this restaurant is going to make it easier to make those choices that matter.”
It’s good food, to put you in a better mood &#8211; or as Dunn would jokingly say – “you would cross the road for this.” For more information on Zen Hen Café, visit www.zenhencafe.com

Question 14

Griff’s Kitchen and Bar Announces Opening Date, Details

Accepted Answer

Griff’s Kitchen and Bar (https://www.griffskitchenandbar.com) has finalized plans to open, and announced details for their new restaurant located in the heart of Enka-Candler.
Griff’s Kitchen and Bar will initially open on October 7 for lunch take-out, featuring locally-focused and seasonally-inspired dishes such as house ground burgers, a cast iron salmon salad, grilled pork shoulder buns, and rotating vegetarian steam buns. Chef/owner Ian Griffin and GM/owner Gina Griffin have created a cozy neighborhood spot serving contemporary fare with a focus on local, fresh ingredients and community wellbeing.
“Hiring local, supporting small local farms, and keeping money in the local economy are our priorities when it comes to crafting a menu,” says Ian Griffin, chef/owner. This is his solo debut after working as a chef for acclaimed venues including All Soul’s Pizza, Panciuto, and Garland. Griff’s will have a focus on modern American cuisine with foreign twists.
“We’re so excited to finally open,” says Gina Griffin. “It’s been quite the journey due to the pandemic, and we’re so grateful that we’ve had a fan base from the beginning, sticking with us through all of this. We look forward to feeding everyone!”
Lunch service will be available Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-3pm. Diners can place their orders online via Toast or call to order ahead, with curbside pickup only. Griff’s Kitchen and Bar is located at 1390 Sand Hill Road, Candler, NC 28715. For questions or orders, call (828) 633-2153.
About Griff’s Kitchen & Bar
Griff’s Kitchen & Bar, created by husband-wife duo Ian and Gina Griffin, is what a restaurant was intended to be: a place where everyone feels taken care of like a regular. Whether you&#8217;re a neighbor or a new face, we&#8217;re dedicated to serving you and supporting our local community and farmers with a delicious contemporary American menu. We welcome food lovers of all tastes! Enjoy a meal crafted with ingredients &#8220;sourced from our backyard.&#8221; Learn more at https://www.griffskitchenandbar.com

Question 15

NEW: Garden Jubilee 2020 Nurseries & Orchard Tour

Accepted Answer

The 2020 Garden Jubilee has been reformatted to avoid totally cancelling the event by shifting the festival from Main Street to the individual nurseries and orchards for the safety of festival goers and vendors. The event has been extended to four days, Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25 of Memorial Day Weekend.
Henderson County offers a wealth of agritourism related business, which includes nurseries, farms and orchards. The self-guided Nurseries & Orchard Tour will introduce the public to a whole new experience, by having access to products that they may not have access to on Main Street, due to space constraints. By visiting these locations, people will have the opportunity to peruse their entire inventory, for a much broader selection of merchandise.
Local nurseries will be selling annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, vegetable plants, herbs, hanging baskets, planter boxes, garden accessories, flowers pots, garden soil and much more. Some of the products to be found at the orchards include cider, produce, baked goods, apple chips, jams, jellies, honey and apple butter. Several of the stops along the way, will feature crafters, selling such items as: pottery, soap, wind spinners, wreaths, aprons, jewelry, wind chimes, bells and sculptures.
For a list of participating locations (nurseries & orchards) and vendors (craft & food) visit, , https://www.visithendersonvillenc.org/garden-jubilee Check back often for updates.
A brochure is being created with a map and listing the participating Henderson County nurseries and orchards. For more information call the Visitor Center at 828-693-9708.

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