I am a foodie. I love to explore. It made sense to combine the two and make more Ashville food discoveries for my birthday Birthday Wishes – HER//Excursions Enjoying food and nature in Ashville (herexcursions.com).
Chestnut
I revisited Chestnut: Refined Dining, Brunch, and Libations in Downtown Asheville, NC (chestnutasheville.com) for my first meal. In my defense, the menu changes monthly, so it was like making a whole new food discovery.
Whilst I had made a reservation, I chose to sit at the bar. Coincidentally, the same great bartender waited on me. I started out with the Calamari Spanish Salad. This entree-sized kale-based salad was beyond impressive. From the soft kale to the crispy calamari and the phenomenal dressing. For my entree, I chose the special of the day, Smoked Duck with cremini mushrooms and succotash. It was a delight, and I ate every morsel.
Ukiah
I discovered Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse – Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse (ukiahrestaurant.com) while browsing for dinner options online. It turned out to be one of my best Ashville discoveries.
I found the restaurant gorgeous, and expansive. It effortlessly fuses elegance and a laidback vibe. This unhurried vibe is reflected in its beautiful partially covered outdoor terrace that also features a huge fireplace. This is where I opted to sit, where I could people watch. I ordered a signature cocktail – the One with Pear – while I waited for the first course.
This turned out to be melt-in-your-mouth sashimi. It was succulent, and fresh. Next up was the soft but lightly charred Grilled Shishito Peppers. Light and mild, they were a good palate cleanser for the next course; only the best calamari I’ve ever had. The crunch, salt and black pepper were sheer perfection. The delicious brothy Hot Duck Soup that followed helped making me feel less weighed down.
Waygu Tataki followed. These thinly sliced, cigarette-style rolls of beef were enhanced by a house-made kimchi, yuzu ponzu and a soy bath. I barely had to chew the beef. A salad followed the beef. Now, I am a not a fan of iceberg lettuce or a wedge salad. Yet this iceberg wedge changed my perspective. It was the epitome of East meets West, featuring a ginger-soy dressing and seaweed.
I had oysters next. I even managed to like them. Still, I enjoyed the next course more. I loved the seabass. From its crunchy charred skin to its silky soft meat. I loved every grilled tasty morsel of it. And then when I thought dinner couldn’t get any better, zucchini made an appearance. It was not just any old mundane zucchini, mind you. No, I was served a thick cut fellow topped with a sweet bacon mixture. It hit the spot. I could not fault the Grilled Prime Ribeye with shito chimichurri that followed either.
The next course was magical. Side dish or pre-dessert? I couldn’t decide. It was a baked Japanese Sweet Potato that was split and covered with caramelized sugar, miso butter and, wait for it, parmesan cheese. Friends. It tasted like creme brulee; one fortified by the cheese. It was a hosanna to the palate. Of course, that did not stop me digging into the last course, a towering coconut cake (the Chef’s grandfather’s recipe). And yes, it was absolutely divine and a fitting end to one of the more phenomenal meals I’ve ever had.
Ukiah hit it on all points for me. From the surroundings to the drinks to the absolutely insane take on the food to the phenomenal service. All this at an incredible price. Make sure to make a stop if you’re ever in the area.
La Bodega
La Bodega by Cúrate – CÚRATE (curatetapasbar.com) is a Spanish restaurant, bakery and market tucked away from the main drag on Lexington. I was treated to an amazing sandwich there. The Bocadillo De Jamon features serrano ham, manchengo, and tomate fresco on a baguette. The piece de resistance, in my humble opinion, is the generous drizzling of olive oil on the baguette. I realized that genius of this sandwich lies in its simplicity and fresh ingredients. I opted for the freshly made version instead of the one in the case. It was a wise choice. Suffice to say, La Bodega was a a great Ashville food discovery.
Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar
I took a reprieve from shopping. And I did it in the most fantastic way possible – a light lunch at a champagne bar in a bookshop (or is it vice versa?) Battery Park – Book Exchange & Champagne Bar (batteryparkbookexchange.com)? I, loved it. The heavy deep burg undy drapery, dark bar and unhurried atmosphere evoked a sense of the Continent. I like how low-slung leather chairs, settees and tables are artfully placed in and around the maze-like bookshelves. Here and there, patrons sipped on bubbly or wine, nibbled on sandwiches or chacuterrie fare before possibly even buying a limited edition and (or) signed copy of some book.
Well, I had a sparkling cocktail. My nibbles however, involved me dunking slices of fresh bread into the most amazing, melted Pimento cheese. I added a side of fresh fruit to keep me honest, but the pimento cheese!! Oh! Phenomenal. I was quite sad for the meal to end. But I made sure to end it on a high note. I tried one of the bar’s chocolate truffles – a Dark Chocolate mint truffle. This truffle was hands down, one of the best I have ever had. I loved this Bar so much that I also got a pistachio sandwich cookie and cardamon bun to go. They were, yes, you guessed it, outstanding as well. In the end, the Champagne Bar was another amazing Ashville food discovery.
Plant
Plant has been billed as one of the best vegan restaurants in the country. I thus felt it my duty to revisit this amazing place to make sure they were still in the offing. And because my first experience with plant is food left me hungry for more. I was heartened to discover that while part of the menu remained the same, there were some new menu items. I had the Crusted Seitan Marsala. It was my first-time eating seitan, and I assure you it won’t be my last. I can only hope that it will be as incredible as the one from Plant. And yes, I still recommend a visit.
