We wanted to treat our son to a delicious birthday dinner earlier this week. Considerations included great food, of course, a good wine & beer selection, and cocktails, but price was important, too. So that’s why we went to Rezaz (https://rezaz.com).
Bread For the Table is optional, but at $4 for nice variety of tasty house-made breads, it’s pretty much a given that you should go for it like we did. Breads this evening were House Focaccia, Oatmeal Blueberry, and Caramelized Onion & Parmesan. The bread is served with herbed dipping oil and whipped butter.
Birthday Boy opted for the Chef’s 3 Course Dinner: $36 per Person, gratuity & drinks not inclusive. Choose from quite a few items in each of three categories: Snack, Appetizer, and Entree.
From the Snack section, he chose the Israeli Lamb & Beef Bourekas with Muhamarra and Sheep Feta. Ordered a la carte, this yummy dish goes for $10.
For his appetizer, Charred Romaine Salad with Caesar Dressing, White Anchovy, French Onions, Golden Beet, Fried Capers, and Parmesan. A la carte cost is $11.
We were all surprised at the composition of this dish. It was kinda fun to pick and choose what to include in each bite.
And for his Entree, Bistro Beef Filet with Roasted Cauliflower Gratin, Oyster Mushrooms, Lemon Arugula, Veal Demi-Glace. A la carte $24. The filet was cooked perfectly to order and that cauliflower gratin – wow.
Silly me, I was so focused on the cauliflower gratin (which I tasted and loved), I pretty much missed the filet in the picture below.
And for The Hubs, one of his favorites, Spanish Paella ($22) with Scallop, Red Shrimp, House Chorizo, Chicken, Bomba Rice, Tapenade, Aioli, Soffrito, and Pea. He loved Chef Brian Smith’s take on this classic.
I’m a sucker for Chef’s Moroccan Tagine ($21) creations. Choose a protein to add – Local Chicken, Tofu, or Red Shrimp – to a luscious mixture of Fregola (pasta) Ginger, Apricot, Cashew, and Olive. The chicken was cooked beautifully and still very moist.
Throw in a couple beers for the boy, a glass of malbec for my husband, and a G&T for me, and you can understand why we were all pretty full by the end of this meal. But you have to have some kind of sweet end for a birthday dinner, right?
The only thing that fit the bill was a Chocolate Pot de Creme that came with a couple cookies. Our server knew we were celebrating a birthday and nice enough to bring out the Pot de Creme with a lit candle. I really was too full, so the guys shared this one.
THEN, our server brought these three house-made Chocolate Truffles to the table saying that Chef Brian heard we were celebrating a birthday. I’m guessing that Co-Owner/Pastry Chef Laura Smith made these. As it turned out, I was able to force myself (wink) to let one of these truffles melt in my mouth. It was delicious.
Rezaz is on the edge of Biltmore Village, just south of downtown Asheville. They have a small parking lot that seems to do the trick on most days.
Your server will probably tell you about a couple specials in addition to the regular menu. Whatever you decide to order, I’m guessing you’re going to be happy.
Rezaz Pan Mediterranean
28 Hendersonville Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
Phone: (828) 277-1510
Good review Laura. Thank you!
Any time you guys want to go, Dave, we’re in!
Well written review. Thank you!