Ashville is a foodie paradise Ashville, North Carolina – HER//Excursions ashville NC travel tips (cloudwaysapps.com). Period. That said, it’s only fair to discuss only a smidgen of Ashville eats on offer. I’m certain that I could try a new eatery daily, for weeks, and love every single one. I, unfortunately, was only there for a few days. Consequently, I made full use of those days and tried as much Ashville food as my belly could take.
BREAKFAST
I chose my first breakfast eatery randomly, and particularly for its convenience (you’ll notice I do this quite a bit, call it a vague blind test if you will…). Breakfast was a mere walk across the street to the City Bakery – Downtown Asheville Location | City Bakery I chose the Farmhouse sandwich, sausage, egg, and spinach sandwiched between 2 focaccia slices. It was as delicious as it was filling, and reasonably priced as well. There is no doubt that I would eat this sandwich regularly if I could. I returned to the bakery later to try their Scallion and Cheddar scone, a large decadent cinnamon roll, a very sticky (but not too sweet) sticky bun and a pepper, cream cheese and tomato pastry that was phenomenal. They also offer lunch from what I saw of the menu.
My second breakfast was at the Biscuit Head (biscuitheads.com) on Haywood Rd. Yes, the biscuits were indeed as big as my head. The fillings/toppings include the creative pulled pork, and the inspired mimosa-fried chicken. I tried the Southern Scramble, which featured scrambled egg, pimento cheese and caramelized onions. It absolutely loved it.
LUNCH
Lunch took me to the Home – Gourmet Chip Company | Gourmet Chips and Fresh Paninis | Best lunch in Asheville. They serve their very own home-made kettle-style chips with gourmet toppings that include sweet potatoes topped with chocolate (amongst other things), and salt and vinegar with a balsamic reduction variety. I had the former and paired it with their Pressed Truffle Parmesan (freshly roasted) Turkey panini. I shamelessly ate the entire sandwich AND every last chip. And by the way, you can also bring bags home to enjoy (flavored but sans toppings of course).
Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas | Order Online | Asheville, NC 28801 | Chinese (redgingerdimsumtapas.com) was my next lunch foray. I gouged myself on shumai, beef yakitori and a scallion pancake. The food came out quickly, but you couldn’t tell from how good it was. I happily paid the reasonably priced lunch at the end of the meal.
DINNER
My first dinner was another random choice. Chestnut Chestnut Restaurant and Bar in downtown Asheville, NC – Reservations accepted 7 days a week (chestnutasheville.com) is a fine-dining establishment located across the street from the Aloft hotel on Biltmore Ave, and typically requires reservations. I, however, was able to walk in at about 5:30PM and get a seat at the bar. A few tables were already occupied when I arrived. Most were then taken within the hour. I ordered and sipped on an absolutely divine, newly debuted cocktail (okay so it was 2!) that my phenomenal bartender recommended. Dinner (of locally courced ingredients) began with (shaved) brussels and beets, followed Bacon fried Pork Belly on a parsnip puree, apple slaw, celeriac and Pomegranate molasses, and finished with a Warm Pumpkin Cake that featured pepitas and spiced butternut squash, all topped with a delightful creme anglaise. I. Ate. Everything. The entire meal was perfect. I’m sorry to tell you though, dear reader, that the menu is updated monthly. I can’t imagine how the staff pulls this off, by the way. Still, while you won’t have what I had, you will still undoubtably still feast on an incredible meal.
Plant plant is food was my finaI dinner choice. As a confirmed carnivore who has been enjoying more meat-less dishes of late, I deliberately went vegan for the meal. And what a choice. According to the restaurant website, Zagat rates Plant as one of the best vegan restaurants in the country. Despite this being my first official foray into the vegan world, I believe it. I enjoyed a starter of Toast which featured turnips, pomegranate molasses and a sweet potato brioche on toasted bread, and an entree of Ramp and Hazelnut Crusted Tempeh over greens and a potato and cauliflower mash.
To be honest, I was skeptical that I’d enjoy the meal (where’s the meat?!). Boy, was I wrong. I would be enthusiastically vegan if the chef cooked for me daily. The food was that good, from the appearance, the textures to the flavors. It titillated then soothed the palate like it was supposed to. In the end, I had no room for dessert. That didn’t stop me from wishing for a second stomach when I saw the dessert brought to the adjacent table. The menu also features an appetizing charcuterie board that includes a selection of vegan cheeses and fruit. You’ll need a reservation, and the only way to obtain that is to call. They do not accept online reservations (at time of visit, Oct 2022).
