Asheville (Biltmore Village) – Considering all the new, sparkly openings in Asheville, it seems like Rezaz (http://rezaz.com/) – beloved by locals – has been around forever.
“The menu is also changing, with the addition of fare from North Africa, Spain and Greece. New dishes include Tunisian ahi tuna, fragrant Israeli chicken soup, Sicilian burrata cheese and grilled Delmonico steak.” ~ The Laurel of Asheville
Co-owners since 2015, Laura and Brian Smith, reopened Rezaz last month after a major remodel. The place was basically gutted and totally reconfigured. As an aside, Laura’s smile is completely infectious. You just can’t help but smile in response.
They also shook up the menu, re-focusing from Middle Eastern to Mediterranean. Not to worry, though. Some favorites like Grilled Octopus and Bento Box lunches are still available.
I’d been wanting to go for quite awhile and this remodel was the perfect motivator. The prospect of great food? Well, yeah, that too.
Complimentary house-made Banana and Focaccia Bread that arrived at our table were so good, none of us bothered dipping.
Okay. Here’s a little story for you. My sister ordered this cocktail while I was looking at the wine list, so I didn’t pay attention to ingredients. I was distracted by the three page wine folder, that when opened, was completely blank.
We all tasted the drink and agreed it was light and refreshing, perfect for warmer weather. And just look at that color!
As soon as our server stopped back to take my wine order, I said, “Nothing on your list spoke to me. Perhaps you could choose something for me?” It was fun watching her reaction when she opened it up to pick the perfect match for my meal.
Although the food pictured in the Moroccan Tagine ($22) below isn’t in focus, I wanted to show you the lovely serving piece (Tagine) they’re using.
Here’s a better shot of the sweet & savory tagine mixture of lemon pickle, apricot, fregola, cashews, olive and chicken. You have a choice of protein: tofu, chicken, or shrimp.
What a wonderful symphony of flavors, cooked to tender perfection. This is a dish you must order when you go.
My choice was the Parisian Beef Bourguingon ($26). Imagine a boneless Short Rib resting in a shallow bowl of Red Wine Jus topped with Potato Beignets (herbed mashed potatoes, deep fried), Grilled Asparagus, and bread crumbs.
I would have been happy stopping at the short rib in red wine jus, to tell you the truth, but asparagus and potatoes completed the meal beautifully. Meat – fall-apart tender; Asparagus – al dente and bursting with a lightly smoked flavor; Potatoes – subtly seasoned and an interesting concept.
Three of us shared this large slice of Coconut Cake layered with lemon curd. Absolutely fantastic flavor and great texture! You must order this, too – even if you’re full. Take it home for later if you have to.
Actually, you really should try everything in this post. All our meals were generously portioned. So much so, we all went home with enough for a hearty snack or mid-day meal.
Rezaz has a small lot next to their building, but it’s frequently full. We parked in the free Village lots across the street and walked the block or so.
If you’ve never been, or haven’t been since Laura and Brian remodeled, you must go.
People frequently ask me that impossible to answer question – “What’s your favorite restaurant in Asheville?” My answer is always, “There are so many fabulous restaurants in Asheville. It depends on the cuisine you’re in the mood for, your preferred price range, and ambiance.” And then I list off three or four favorites. Rezaz in now on the top tier of that list.
Rezaz (http://rezaz.com/)
28 Hendersonville Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
Phone: (828) 277-1510
I live in Tennessee and I never want to discover a new Asheville restaurant because I think Rezaz is already tops! (I was there on Monday for lunch!)