Tomato Jam Café in Asheville NC

"Connection is an essential vitamin. You can't live without it." ~ Edward Hallowell

Full disclosure: I love Twitter. I use the social media tool every day to share my sunrise blog and love-labor website dailycelebrations.com. I have spent many hours sharing ideas and reaching people throughout the world. They call it building my brand. I call it creating meaningful connections.

Building stronger relationships, Twitter introduced me to AskAsheville and gave me this unique forum to share my love of the Asheville community.

Rebecca & Charlie, Tomato Jam Café

Twitter also introduced me to the Tomato Jam Café, a Biltmore Avenue haven serving comfort food since 2005. Via regular tweets, the folks at Tomato Jam Café post food photos, and write Haiku. They share recipes and menu items. They praise their customers. They create online buzz and audience engagement... And with their clever tweets, they created a meaningful connection with me.

One day out of curiosity, I examined their online menu and discovered they made specially-prepared pot pies. “Could you make me a veggie pot pie?” I tweeted. They tweeted back “We WILL make you a pot pie. We will even pile it high. We will make it without meat. We will make it. Eat, eat, eat!”

I was hooked. By the time I called owners Charlie Widner and Rebecca Daun to place my order, they were like old friends. Shoot, thanks to the intimacy of Twitter, they were old friends. And trust me, the mile-high pot pie they made for me yesterday—they called it “Aloha-filled Veggie Pot Pie” in honor of my Hawaiian heritage—was the most delicious, satisfying meal I’ve had in a long time.

As I write this, I am finishing off one of their carrot cupcakes and remembering that decadently sinful brownie that I ate on the car ride home. With Twitter, Charlie and Rebecca posted a photo of my pie fresh from the oven. And now with the magic of Twitter I can tweet this story with the question, “Have you tried the delicious food at Tomato Jam Café?”

(@mscator welcomes your Twitter follow and posts Asheville sunrise photos daily off her blog http://mosway.blogspot.com/)

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Asheville McDonald's in Biltmore Village (Biltmore's Special McD's)

Quick Video Tour of the McDonalds in the Biltmore area of short South Asheville (about 5 minutes from the center of Downtown). Manager also gives us an update of how they are going to incorporate the new McCafe into the whole picture. McCafe's are going to start popping up everywhere in and around Asheville North Carolina. Some of them are new construction such as the one on Patton, well... demolition and then new construction; while locations such as Biltmore Village will get some major renovations with a nice McCafe area added.

Asheville's Jerusalem Garden Cafe... Dining & Bellydancing

Stopped by the Jerusalem Garden Cafe for a late lunch (breakfast for me). I wanted to go to Tupelo Honey Cafe first but for some reason they let the group in front of us in... and told us "they were closed", so I figured I must have gotten there a few seconds past the deadline and the hostess had to stop it somewhere.

I was actually saving the Jerusalem Garden Cafe in Asheville for their Friday night belly dancing. Going back to get some video soon. Here is a quick pic of their rear dining area, a little more private than their front area which faces Pritchard Park in Downtown Asheville.
www.jerusalemgardencafe.com

Many Asheville Restaurants - YouTube Video Player

We have had some great dining experiences in Asheville North Carolina. Here is some of the footage and reviews. Please comment on your experiences at these places as well, whether good or bad. Thank you. www.YouTube.com/AskAsheville

Applebee's on Hendersonville Rd. in South Asheville

We stop by this restaurant about once every 2 months, and were happy to see it open on New Years Day 2009. We got in, ordered our drinks, and looked over the menu. Once we got our drinks, I just happened to pick up the drink menu and read the descriptions when we realized that we were not served the drink we ordered. We called it to the waiters attention (Scott), and he came back saying that is was the wrong drink, buy he also charged $3 less than the price of the drink I had ordered. After that lame response, I knew something else was sure to happen. I told him not to worry about it. If you bring the customer the wrong drink or the bartender makes the wrong drink, you replace it with the right one at no charge. Service 101 guys. Applebee's knows this.

A few minutes later, an employee was standing there so I told her I had a bad experience with my last drink order and it got wronged somewhere between the waiter and the bar, and can she make sure it is right? Of course it did not, so I will not be by this Asheville restaurant for the next 6 months. When the new drink came, it had a minimum of double the alcohol. Another person at the table said to "take it as an apology or compliment", but I took it as another smack in that I could not drink it because of the harshness, and it was missing the little side shot again as the menu had said. Did not ask for another thing except the check, told a waiter to bring me $38 back (still gave a 10% tip), they brought me $30 back, I corrected them again, and they gave me my extra $8. The food was great, but service was less than 50%. Steak and Shrimp Parmesan and a Club Sandwich were on our order, and Margarita's that never did come out right.

Asheville's Buddha Lounge, Internet Cafe, Bookstore, & Great Food!

Stopped by the Buddha Lounge today on Merrimon Avenue to have lunch and do some work in their new Asheville Internet Cafe. Sitting here right now on my laptop and Blackberry, and there are several people working and relaxing. Nice environment here with some soothing music and a giant Mac available for guests.

Buddha Bagels, which recently changed names and owners from New York Bagels is better than ever before. You can order your lunch which is made usually of premium "Boars Head" meats and cheeses, visit Mystic Journeys through an inside entrance and find some inspiration, options, and direction while your sandwich is being custom built. My favorite is "The Monster" sub wth Muenster cheese.

But the lounge is really cool. I asked one of the owners for details and he mentioned the free wifi, getting some bands on the weekends, great seating, and awesome people! Very nice work guys! Thanks you for making a hot spot on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville North Carolina.

Hours are Fri & Sat till 11pm, other days till 10pm. Opens at 7am every morn. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, snack, quick bite... and with these hours... a great place to grab my midnight snack on the way home, lol.

www.BuddhaBagels.com

Asheville's Chick-Fil-A, inside the hut

Quick pic of workers in the Chik-Fil-A on Tunnel Road in Asheville North Carolina. This place always looks clean and workers at this establishment have always been great. I believe the same owners have the Chik-Fil-A in the Biltmore Square Mall and also on Hendersonville Road in South Asheville. www.chick-fil-a.com

Asheville Hardees in Biltmore Village, matching decor...

I eat at Hardees every once in awhile, and it has to be this one in Asheville North Carolina. This restaurant was designed to compliment the Biltmore Village area below downtown Asheville. I think it was a great effort. If it is something quick they give it to you at the counter, but if it is a meal, most of the time you have to sit down and wait for the "waitress" to bring it to you. This Hardees and the McDonalds about 1000 feet away are a little more of a restaurant instead of a fast food establishment. That is the Grand Bohemian Hotel to the right of this photo (currently under construction). http://www.hardees.com/

Savoy Restaurant in Asheville, no more... lunch

This is badddddd news to me, cause I love Asheville Savoy! As long as they stay open for their wonderful dinners and wine, I think I just may be fine. Here is what Eric (the owner) emailed me.

Dear Friends,
There’s a lot that I love about running Savoy, but one of the things that has always brought me the most pleasure is serving lunch. There’s something particularly rewarding about welcoming people in the middle of their busy day and giving them a chance to slow down, relax, laugh, maybe conduct a little business, all over a plate of great food and a glass of wine. But you know what they say about all good things...

These are tough times, and my midday business has slowed to the point that I can no longer justify the cost. As much as it pains me, as of December 15 Savoy will no longer serve lunch. Maybe Spring will bring better days. I hope so. Until then, I still think our dinner menu is the best in town, and I know Savoy will continue to be a favorite neighborhood place to end your day. I look forward to seeing you here soon. http://www.savoyasheville.com/

Asheville Pizza Company - fun for everyone

Stopped by the Asheville Pizza Company on Merrimon Avenue last night and shot some video of the place. Had a pepperoni pizza and some red light. See more videos around Asheville on www.YouTube.com/AskAsheville

5 McDonald's McCafés Coming To Asheville North Carolina

McCafé is a world of delicious coffees and drinks. They have a wide selection of exclusive expresso cofffee, gourmet cakes and muffins, and delicious snacks. Note that McDonalds is taking some "green" steps in making every McCafé coffee out of 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified Arabica coffee beans. This is big for Asheville.

There will be 5 new McCafés going up in the Asheville area. You can view the plan approvals by clicking HERE. Other nearby McCafés will be in Fletcher, Old Fort, Forest City, Columbus, and Marion North Carolina. This is big and fits in perfectly with the paced area growth that is sneaking in the area. Obama, Tiger Woods, and now McD's making a sustainable move in Western North Carolina. They need to put one in Weaverville to go along with the new Super Wal-Mart about to open.

To view McDonalds McCafé information, click HERE.

See the McDonalds on Patton being demolished to make way for the new McCafé by clicking HERE.

Photos above are some McCafés around the world including the dessert display in Paris, France

This was approved 3 days after the 2008 Election (Nov 7th, 2008) a few weeks ago.

Thai Food in Asheville is Plentiful; Not Equal

Back when I moved to Asheville (about seven years ago) there was only one Thai restaurant in the area: Wan Pen out in Arden. My first house was only a five minute drive from Wan Pen, so I ate there frequently. Wan Pen has an authentic, delicious menu, but once I moved into Asheville, it was too far away to visit with any regularity. Soon Doc Chey's Noodle House opened up downtown, with several Thai dishes on the menu, and while I like their menu and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, it's not truly a Thai restaurant. When you get down to it, this is an Asian fusion restaurant (or, as the chain's website states, "Pan Asian Cuisine"). This fact makes me and my friends wonder why Doc Chey's consistently gets in the top three Thai restaurants in the Best of WNC. We understand "Best Cheap Lunch", and even "Best Takeout" (although it's not really a takeout joint, either), but "Best Thai"?

Next in the Asheville area's quest for abundant Thai food came Thai Cuisine Express on Patton Avenue. And this, for me, at least, was the end of the quest. Thai Cuisine Express is now in its fourth year in business, and as far as I'm concerned, this is the best Thai food in Asheville. It also happens to be one of the cheapest.

Other Thai restaurants have opened since. Maybe too many, in fact. There's Thai Basil, Noi's Thai Kitchen, and a slew of other Thai places in the area. Most of them, in my opinion, rely on their swanky atmospheres more than their menus to draw patronage. In large part, they are overpriced and lack authenticity (read: Americanized). But Thai Cuisine Express continues to serve up spicy coconut curries and tangy stir-fries in large portions to satisfy your craving for the true taste of Thai. For a mere $8.95, you can get a heaping helping of the most delicious cashew chicken in town (maybe in the whole USA; owner Palm Thonesuwan brought Thai Cuisine's menu all the way from Hollywood, where he helped open a Thai restaurant/bar that has earned international acclaim for its menu). Also available are such Thai staples as Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, and Thai Basil. Anything on the menu can be made vegetarian or vegan (just remember to request it without fish sauce!), and I promise you won't find a better spring roll in these mountains.

This is a true family restaurant- and the customers tend to quickly become extended family members. Palm is always there (he's not only the owner, he's also the restaurant's only chef) to wave and say hi, or "Sa-ba-di-kah!", if you speak a little Thai. The atmosphere is snug and casual, and with only five tables, a diner often finds herself participating in the next table's conversation. Most of the business is done in takeout orders, and this is a great option if you don't have time to cook dinner, especially if you live on the west side. So if you're in the mood for incredible, delicious, authentic Thai food, but not in the mood to pay extra for a formal, fancy atmosphere, head on down to Thai Cuisine Express!

Thai Cuisine Express is located at 1438 Patton Ave. Phone: 225-6082.
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 3pm to 9pm.

Texas Roadhouse Asheville... always packed

Great food, environment, and entertainment (staff). I personally could not get in several times due to lack of parking. The Texas Roadhouse is located between Biltmore Village and I-40 on Hendersonville Road in South Asheville.

Ladies play Mahjong @ Atlanta Bread on Merrimon

Asheville's Atlanta Bread company is a haven for game players, internet users, and business luncheons. Great food, soup, pastries, and more.

Asheville's West End Bakery - Very Nice!

Stopped by the West End Bakery on Haywood Rd. in West Asheville for some breakfast and coffee. It was very busy as usual. Great place with lots of great food. This place is a favorite to many around Asheville. See some video on the West End Bakery by going to... www.youtube.com/askasheville. They also have a web page up on www.OnHaywood.com/westendbakery. Thank you to JB, who, with great energy, told us what West End was all about. It is awesome! Stop by and see for yourself.

Jersey Mike's Asheville North Carolina

The "Subway" craze did not last long with places like Quizno's and Jersey Mike's coming to the Asheville area. The JM's on Patton Avenue had no parking or seating at all the other day when we tried to get in. I though "these patrons are so commited to Jersey Mike's because of the food and service".

Here is a photo of the 11:59am lunch line just starting to develop at the Jersey Mike's on Merrimon Avenue (sometimes it is running out the door unto the sidewalk). Great sandwiches!

Downtown Asheville's Havana Cuban Cuisine

Hector & Boonie have been around for years. You may remember "Bonnie's Little Corner" on Pack Square not too long ago. Also, they tried to sort of revive the State Street West Asheville area when they built the H & B Grocery, restaurant, and laundromat. The neighborhood at the time did not understand their vision or support their dreams. The local housing project ate them alive with shoplifting, employee theft, and armed robberies. While trying to help and develop, they became the victims. With a gun pointed to his head, Hector almost lost his life several times trying to save an area in Asheville, maybe a couple of years "too early". They did end up losing their business in West Asheville as well as their personal home in Weaverville. But still they stand determined to thrive in Asheville.

They tested the mall scene, but the economy started dropping at that time, and it was not a good location for them. Better for downtown Asheville as they are now located on Battery Park Ave right behind the Grove Arcade and across the street. They occupied a place that had been vacant or limited for years and have made something beautiful out of it. We stopped by today to say hello and they were hard at work serving customers, and Hector running around the kitchen moderating and cooking.

Stop by sometime and ask for Hector or Bonnie. They are some of the nicest people in the neighborhood.