Asheville Restaurants

After waiting YEARS to find a home-style, non-chain restaurant in the area that served Oysters Rockefeller, then waiting 'til they opened at 5:30 (after browsing Asheville all day) my oysters came to the table in under 8 min. Were they possibly nuked? FUGGETABOUTIT ! Too much shredded parm, not cooked enough. Real bummer, as it was supposed to be the Crowning Jewel on my birthday........

Favorite Dish: Husband had the lump crabmeat with rice and veggies. Pretty good, but I wouldn't go back.

After waiting YEARS to find a home-style, non-chain restaurant in the area that served Oysters Rockefeller, then waiting 'til they opened at 5:30 (after browsing Asheville all day) my oysters came to the table in under 8 min. Were they possibly nuked? FUGGETABOUTIT ! Too much shredded parm, not cooked enough. Real bummer, as it was supposed to be the Crowning Jewel on my birthday........we were downstairs in the "bistro" or whatever, and the atmosphere was a Lesbian show/CW that was bashing men on the TV at the bar! No thanks. I'll just go to the corner dive if I want to watch TV, or stay home.

Favorite Dish: Husband had the lump crabmeat with rice and veggies. Pretty good, but I wouldn't go back.

The food was the best I have had in a long time. It was delicios and the presentation was gorgeous. Our waitress was friendly and it felt like she was genuinely interested in us. The atmosphere was not what I initially expected, but it was very cool! The drinks were beautiful and were made from freshly squeezed fruits. All around, Amazing!

Favorite Dish: I had scallops and sundried tomatoe ravioli- Superb!

When I am away from home and dining alone, I have an "almost" random method for choosing picking restaurants. On my latest trip to the Asheville area, I "randomly" picked a real winner. From high school visits to Asheville for football games, I remembered narrow serpentine streets but in recent years with all of the freeways, I had forgotten those delightfully curvaceous adventures. Finding The Corner Kitchen fully restored my respect for the hills and curves of Asheville's residential streets. Upon leaving my Conference at The Cove, I punched 3 Boston Way into my GPS and succeeded in getting lost three different times (all due to road construction projects) but the detours were well worth the delays. Located in the heart of Biltmore Village, the externals were excellent (and had I known the Biltmore Village location instead of depending on the GPS, I could have taken a much more direct route). My first impression of the service, however, was negative. I arrived just a few minutes after opening and in spite of the fact that the restaurant was almost completely empty, the hostess forced me to dine at the bar. (My disappointment was reinforced by the fact that there were several deuce tables empty when I left.) All was fine, however, when my nut encrusted trout with mashed sweet potatoes arrived. That was one of the best meals that I have eaten in quite a long time, and I say that after having had a delightful lunch at The Cove. The next time I am in Asheville, I may have to abandon my random selection plan. Would any locals like to meet me for a meal so that I do not have to eat at the bar?
Reservations recommended.

This eatery in West Asheville is unique and delicious. Easy to get to, it is parking challenged but do not let that deter you. Walk a block or wait for a place nearby. They do not take reservations but take my word for it., put your name on the list and wait! In the summer you can sit outdoors in the yard. I last went there on New Years Day and it was cool and windy. They took my cell phone number to call me when our table was ready. There was hot coffee outside to sip while we waited and while some waited in their cars, the more hardy of us stood in the winter sun and braved the breeze while sipping our coffee. We waited about 30-45 minutes and then were seated at a somewhat cramped table. (Well, there were 8 of us!) The restaurant is small for the amount of customers but the service is so good and the ambiance so friendly that once you are seated you forget all discomfort. I have yet to taste the bakery items...this is something to look forward to if the quality of their biscuits is any indication. We had Mimosas to greet the New Year and everyone (yes everyone!!) was happy with their meal.

Favorite Dish: Breakfast salad. OMG!!! The food here is so good! The Breakfast Salad is really a spinach (or whatever green they have) salad wiith the most delicious, large chunks of the most wonderful bacon and 1 (or 2?) EGGS on it...however you like them...I have over medium. The dressing is...superlative. There are the best biscuits with it. I also like the huevos rancheros...lots of different flavors. The coffee is good, too.

Jerusalem Garden - Mediterranean food. Actually, this is my favorite. I am an absolute sucker for lamb. Some evenings, they feature belly dancing. This restaurant is on Patton Ave. but is further west than Salsa's. It is also fairly small. The proprietors are very nice folks.

Favorite Dish: Lamb Gyros

the havana restaurant is a great place to have lunch in downtown asheville. they serve very good cuban cuisine at moderate prices. on my recent visit to asheville i had their cuban sandwich which was just as good as ones i have ordered in miami and tampa. a nice inexpensive place to eat in downtown asheville.

the sunset terrace restaurant is located in the historic grove park inn hotel. obviously the sunset terrace is a great place to have an early dinner and watch the sunset. the sunset terrace offers a three course prixe fixe dinner for $ 30. you can also order off the menue if you so desire. the cuisine is new american and i thought the prixe fixe dinner was a good value. a very nice restaurant to visit when in the asheville area. reservations recommended.