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Tag Archives: Local Food

Saturday Brunch at the Grove Park Inn 2 for 1 Special in April

Grove Park Inn, Asheville NC, 5-16-2007
Image via Wikipedia

The same brunch that the Grove Park Inn is famous for on Sundays is now available on Saturdays through the end of April for $29.95 for 2 people, tax and serviced charge not included. While the menu varies slightly, yesterday, we enjoyed omelets from the made-to-order station, carved ham, potato casserole, French toast with mountain berry compote, quiche, chilled crab legs, southern fried chicken, a variety of salads, fresh fruit, grilled vegetables, fresh squeezed orange juice, and a myriad of dessert choices. Keen to offer the best dining experience, the chefs choose fresh, Farm to Table ingredients whenever possible. Mimosas, Bloody Mary

AshevilleLive's Faves: Best Downtown Eatery

Green Man Porter and Harmony Bowl at Laughing ...
Image by Complicated via Flickr

The votes are in and Asheville has spoken! Your favorite downtown restaurant is Laughing Seed Cafe. This poll was very interesting, because Laughing Seed started out running away with the vote, but it looked at the end like it might be overtaken by Mela Indian Restaurant. The vote broke down like this:

Laughing Seed Cafe: 30%
An exclusively vegetarian and vegan restaurant located on Wall Street, the Laughing Seed has been serving up delectable healthy food here in Asheville for as long as I can remember. Most of their menu items come in vegan options, and many even come gluten-free. I have eaten there many times, and their Low Country Rollups are a staple of my diet. I’m no vegetarian, but I can tell you that you don’t have to be to enjoy what Laughing Seed has to offer. In fact, unless you’re paying attention, you probably won’t even notice that there’s no meat on your plate! Not the least expensive restaurant on our list, but certainly among the most delicious, in my own humble opinion.

Mela Indian Restaurant: 26%
Mela’s is one of the places on our list that I have never been to, but judging from the response to the poll, I will be checking it out soon. Since I’ve never been there personally, I can’t really review it, so I’ll just leave this snippet from the New York Times (yes, that New York Times):
“This sumptuous ethnic hideaway blends imported spices with local ingredients. The dark, wood-paneled space of the Indian restaurant draws a mixed crowd with dishes like Chowpatty ragada, potato patties topped with curried chickpeas, tamarind yogurt and mint chutney, and shrimp bhuna, cooked with ginger, tomatoes and green chilies. Wash it down with a Chimay beer, brewed by Belgian Trappist monks, or a glass of Champalou Vouvray. After 10, dining tables are cleared to make way for a salsa club.”

Doc Chey’s Noodle House: 20%
Doc Chey’s serves an outstanding mix of Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Indian dishes. If you like it spicy, you’ll love Doc Chey’s, although they have plenty for the more delicate palate as well. Doc Chey’s has been a local favorite since they opened their Asheville location several years ago. They use primarily locally grown ingredients, and the things they do with them will make your mouth water. Many of their dishes are vegetarian or can be prepared that way on request. From their site: “Our approach to food is simple

First 5 Course Beer Dinner Sold Out – New Date Added

Cafe Azalea - Asheville, NC

Craggie Brewing Co. and Cafe’ Azalea announced a while back that they would be holding a 5 course “Beer Dinner”. The March 29 dinner sold out, so by popular demand, they have added an encore dinner scheduled for April 12th. Everything’s the same except the date. Call Cafe’ Azalea at 828-299-3753 to make your reservation, because the first one sold out quickly!

Join us for this refreshing culinary collaboration!
Owner/Brewmaster Bill

St. Patty's Day Feast!

St Patricks Day Parade 2010, Albany NY
Image by Benny BNut via Flickr

Feeling a little green? Don’t worry, you’re not sick, it’s just everyone’s favorite Irish holiday, St. Patrick’s day! If you’re looking for a way to celebrate the holiday, look no further than Mother and Son Bistro and Bakery. What’s that? Corned Beef and Potatoes for lunch? Hang on while I wipe up this drool. Dinner buffet, you say? Let me loosen my belt a little and I just might see you there!

Once again, it is time for our annual St. Patty’s Day Feast at Mother & Son Bistro.
This year we will be celebrating for lunch and dinner.

Our lunch special will be a heaping plate of Corned Beef with Potatoes and Cabbage for only $8.95. We make our Corned Beef in house and it will be sliced per order.

Our dinner will be another buffet feast just like last year!!

More fresh Corned Beef
Seasoned boiled cabbage
Potatoes
Sheppards Pie
Guinness Stew
Cabbage Rolls
Fresh baked Irish Soda Bread
and complimentary Black Mocha Stout from our local Highland Brewery

Dinner is $12.95 a person

We hope you can come and enjoy this wonderful feast with us.

For info or reservations, call the Bistro at 828-505-3510

New Year's Eve Packages at the Biltmore House

The Vanderbilt Black-Tie Gala Package, The Dining Room Package, and The Bistro Package Include:

  • Guest room accommodations
  • Chef’s breakfast buffet daily in The Dining Room
  • Access to the Library Lounge with live entertainment starting at 9:00pm
  • Party favors
  • Champagne toast at midnight
  • Midnight fireworks (weather permitting)
  • Estate daytime admission valid for the length of stay
  • Daytime Audio Guide to Biltmore House
  • Gratuities for valet, bellmen, housekeeping, and packaged meals
  • Valet parking at the inn
  • Complimentary estate shuttle service

Vanderbilt Black-Tie Gala Package

Also Includes:

  • Reception with open premium bar
  • Five-course dinner with wine pairings
  • Live entertainment
  • Private post reception after midnight

Two-night package starts at $2,140 in a Grand King room, based on double occupancy.

The Dining Room New Year’s Eve Package

Also Includes:

  • Four-course a la carte dinner in The Dining Room
  • Desserts and Coffee served from 9:00p.m.

Asheville Awaits the 31st Annual 'Bele Chere' Festival, July 24-26th

July 24th will mark the start of Asheville’s 31st annual ‘Bele Chere’ Music and Art Festival and the influx of 350,000 estimated festival-goers. According to their website, “The festival features four stages of free- live music and an impressive array of arts and crafts; as well as entertainment and activities for children. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains of Western North Carolina- come join us for one of the Southeast’s largest free outdoor street festivals.”

Though still a couple of months away, here at AshevilleLive we are keeping this festival on our radar and plan on bringing you a series of reports ranging from exciting events to see and participate in, to some of the changes being made for 2009. One of the additions to this year’s festival will be a “battle of the bands-style contest” conducted in conjunction with WNC Magazine and the Asheville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department called “Last Band Standing: Road to Bele Chere 2009“.

Other events we’ll be keeping an eye on include the 30th Annual Bele Chere 5k, the Lexington Avenue Drumming Tent, and Rashad McCant’s “Shoot for the Cure“, in which one lucky festival-goer will have a chance to win $10,000 with proceeds benefiting breast cancer research.

So stay tuned to AshevilleLive for upcoming reports with more information on how to maximize your fun at the largest street festival in the southeastern United States.

Annual Montford Music & Arts Festival

Just around the corner and its time for the Montford Music & Arts Festival. Come out and witness Montford come to life. Bring the kids, comfy shoes and be ready to enjoy some great music and good times. There are going to be some great performers at this year