Be sure to make a reservation if you want to go to 131 Main, 308 Thetford St, in Biltmore Park, South Asheville. The word is out. Expect one of the best restaurant experiences you’ll have.
With a clear view of the open kitchen, I watched, fascinated by the elegant, effecient pace. It was like a modern dance production. When I asked how servers knew whose order was up when the expeditor(s) raised their hand with no other identifier like number, name, etc., our server, Chris, explained their “six steps of importances” system in order from most to least important.
“If you see a hand up and you’re doing a first round or a greet, that’s more important. If you’re manicuring or bussing a table, then food is more important, so you stop what you’re doing and go get and run the food.” Chris
Steps of Importances (as I heard them)
- Greet
- First Round (drinks)
- Guest Request (anything a guest might need to complete their dining experience)
- Running food
- Manicuring tables
- Bussing tables
I watched staff at the next table, hands full of cleared plates, explaining desserts. Another staff member came by and like magic, those dirty dishes passed seamlessly out of the dessert explainer’s hands without missing a beat describing desserts, and into the passer-by’s hands. If I’d have blinked, I’d have missed it.
Seating is in multiple areas – all with a warm, friendly feel. Lighting is enough to easily read menus, but not enough to ruin the ambiance.
The Food
Details of each dish are in the gallery image captions below.
Notes
- Water was delivered with perfectly clear ice, prompting me to ask if they had a clear ice program. Nope. Just triple filtered water – important after Hurricane Helene. Sometimes clear, sometimes not, like in my cocktail.
- Drinks: Wine – generous pour. Old Fashioned – larger than some on the portion scale.
- That Chilled Wild Rice Salad served with the Cedar Plank Salmon was fantastic! I’d be temped to have it as an entree.
- Entrees: Whoa! Large portions for the Salmon and Ribs. More than half of those fall-off-the-bone, house-smoked ribs went home with me.
- Salmon: Great flavor, moist, generous center cut portion.
- Ribs: Whole rack is your menu only option if you want these delicious ribs. A large empty bowl (you know what it’s for) and heated damp towels (nice touch) arrived with the ribs.
- Renovations: A small part of the restaurant is blocked off, but the important thing to know and plan for, is that Restrooms are in a trailer at the side of the building. See the last gallery picture.
