Best Asheville Dinner of the Year... So Far!

The other evening, we went to Mother and Son Bistro and Bakery on the Northside of Asheville in the Woodfin Township. The 4 course meal and wine was simply incredible. Chef Ryan came out and explained each course in detail. We were loving it!

The first course was Rosemary Pasta, Lemon Pepper Shrimp, and Garlic Olive Oil.

The second course was Butternut Squash Ravioli, Sage Butter, Parmesan, with Bittersweet Chocolate.

The third course was Strip Steak, Java Crust, and it was Black Mocha Stout Glazed with Highland Brewing's Beer!

The fourth course was a Strawberry Macaroon Pistachio Cookie. The wine topped the night off just right. Thank you Mother and Son!!


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Asheville Restaurant - Curras Dom - only 17 days to live

Starting a business and making it work in this current economy in Asheville is difficult. Money affects everyone. When people are getting laid off and jobs are being lost, people cut back on their spending. It starts with the consumer, then hurts businesses, then the employees are left without a job. Here is some sad news in Asheville: Curras Dom on the North side of town, Woodfin area, may be closing their doors on January 3rd if a miracle does not happen. This is devasting to us as we have seen the labor Marco and his wife have put into this place. This is one of our top 3 restaurants when going from North Asheville's Ingles on Merrimon Ave through Woodfin to Weaverville NC.

Curras Dom is a great restaurant about 1 minute past Beaver Lake on the left hand side in North Asheville. Many of us remember when it used to be HB's Drive In and you could order your food from your car while parked in front. Marco Garcia and his wife Amy have put a tremendous amount of effort into establishing their business in the area. They have been in operation for 2 years and guests love the dining options. Reynolds Mountain is just up the hill and lots of development is planned in the area. YMCA also just recently opened nearby. Altura Asheville is also starting on their development and planning on bringing in the new year with some large construction projects. Big area expansion is expected to take place in the next year and a half.

I don't know if you frequent the North Asheville Woodfin area, but as you pass Beaver Lake you should be aware of the restaurants in the area. Frazier's Steakhouse is on your right, Nicks Sandwiches and Subs on the right, Curras Dom on the left, Franks Pizza on the right, Bellagio Bistro on the right, Fireplace Restaurant on the right, Mother & Son Bistro on the left (in the shopping plaza where Thai Citrus is about to also open,) and finally the Bavarian Lodge restaurant on the left.

Curras Dom offers modern authentic Mexican cuisine. I have personally eaten there several times and every meal has been wonderful. The staff is friendly, the wine list is great, and sometimes music is playing outside on the patio that Marco had built from recycled materials that were going to be wasted. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful. A tremendous amount of effort was put into this dream.

Marco says "We love the Mountains, People, and Culture of Asheville North Carolina and have the most supportive people in the World. I love taking care of guests, busy or not, at the end of the day is very rewarding to know everybody loved it."

Several Asheville businesses have been very supportive of their work at Curras Dom. Vivid Image does all their printing and also trade with them. Get Roasted is a local coffee roaster where they buy their coffee, and they send lots of people to Curras. Marco provides some of the best Mexican food in the area, an awesome Margarita and a top notch Wine list. They are members of A.S.A.P so they buy a lot or most of our produce from local farms, and also buy local free range meats. They do not sell bottled water and recycle everything they can.

I spoke to the owners of Mother & Son Bistro and they are not very happy about this news at all. I also spoke to Angelo at Bellagio Bistro and he said "that stinks" and that he is very supportive, not competitive, of other businesses in the area and hope that they somehow pull through. That is the spirit of this community. Marco has lowered many of their prices to cater to the current economy, but without an outside investor and an answered prayer, the doors will be closing on January 3, 2010 and a great Asheville business will be lost. Maybe you can help or support Curras?

Curras Dom - Modern Mexican Cuisine
72 Weaverville Hwy
Asheville NC 28804
Website: http://www.currasdom.com/
Email: marcog@currasdom.com
Phone: (828) 253-2111


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Asheville Restaurant Spotlight - Mother & Son Bistro and Bakery

Where North Asheville and Woodfin collide in a struggle for identity, lies a quiet little jewel called Mother & Son Bistro and Bakery. Their roadside banner says "dining on the hill" and indeed that is where they are located, on the hillside center called Stone Ridge Business Park located next to Citizens Hardware. Some of you long time residents will remember this location as the former skating rink run by the Powers family, who continue their community involvement with the development of the business park.


If this is your first visit, the minute you step through the doors your senses are assaulted with the overflowing bakery cases of cakes, pies, muffins and Danishes. As you stand there gawking a friendly voice from behind the counter greets you then inquires if you'd like to continue on into the dining room and perhaps enjoy a meal or choose from any of 5 daily hot soups. In to the dining room you go. The decor is whimsical and relaxing, the music from the big band era. The menu includes breakfast, lunch and a separate dinner menu is available after 5:00 PM. Sunday's are an extra treat as they offer a buffet brunch that includes breakfast, salad and fruit bar as well as rotating dinner items and dessert cart.

Sometime during your visit, the kitchen doors swing open and out comes "Mom," who makes it a personal goal to check on all customers to make sure their dining experience is a good one and to welcome you as a new member of the family. She remembers everybody by name. Family is what this place is all about. After having planned and searched several areas for more than 2 years- the Izon Family made Asheville their new home relocating from Florida. Picking the current location of Mother & Son Bistro involved much renovation and improvements to the building in order to bring things up to Moms standards. During the course of construction- 2 tragedies befell the family. Mom's father died and she returned to Florida to be with her mother for the funeral. Within days of returning from Florida and preparing for the Grand Opening- Ryan (son) became critically ill and was rushed into Mission hospital where he remained for the next 6 weeks battling for his life. During all this- Mother & Son Bistro opened their doors for business, not in a grand flourish as was planned, but under extreme duress having lost 1/2 of the dynamic duo in the kitchen.

"Our goal at Mother & Son is to give you great food at a competitive price and make your visit with us feel like a trip to a friends home. I recently heard an interview with a local restaurant owner who claimed his place is the "neighbor meeting spot". That is the atmosphere we want to provide. We treat people like we want to be treated," so says the Mom. I have been in food service and hospitality for more years than I care to remember and Ryan and his sister Christina grew up in the industry as well. Christina has a background in corporate hospitality having been a manager for both Wendy's chain and T.G.I. Friday. She knows operations in the front of the house as well as back of the house. Ryan made a goal of training in the newer techniques of cake decorating and chocolate making as well as art with sugar. He still dreams of the day when his health will permit him to create wonderful confections for the Bistro. He has a love of food and a zeal for fresh ideas.

What are the future plans? Well, we are trying to move forward in a stagnant economy. We have obtained our wine permit and offer a nice but modest selection. Next we would like to offer beer including local breweries and right now we have started the arduous task of putting together investors to expand our square footage to include a full service bar and bar side dining. We outfitted the restaurant without any outside financial assistance but feel we need partners to achieve future goals. But what is the saying? "If you are not moving forward- you're actually moving backwards"? We will follow the example of the Salmon and continue to struggle up stream.

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Asheville Italian & Greek Restaurant - Bellagio Bistro

I stopped by Bellagio Bistro in North Asheville the other day and the food, staff, and service was wonderful, like always. The owners Chris and Angelo are always anticipating making another satisfied client out of you. I love Italian food, and Asheville is happy to have Bellagio in the area! If you are in the Woodfin area, stop by and check them out.

Green Tea Sushi in Asheville NC - Japanese Food!

Sushi Bar Chefs at Green Tea Sushi off of Patton Avenue in Asheville NC.

I love to watch these guys at work. The place was packed and they were on the move laying out food that made me want to pull my camera out and start taking pics... and I did!

Love the food at Savoy Restaurant in Asheville!

The Kitchen at Savoy. It was all I could do to keep from grabbing those plates ready for pick up!

The dining area at Savoy. Owner, Eric Scheffer, sits with guests on a table to the right.

View of Savoy Restaurant from Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville.

Magnolia's Restaurant & Nightlife in Asheville

Asheville's Magnolia's Restaurant and Dance Club has been around for many many years and is probably the most common place where anyone can blend, fit in, and feel comfortable. Great mixture of music from Reggae to Jazz to Rock and more. Magnolia's is connected to Cinjades by entrance in the rear of the club, so people can pass back and forth from one club to another. The manager tonight was Chris, and he was very helpful and accomodating. Actually walked in on a situation and he was handling it right, and then I saw him deal with a couple more things in my mere 30 minutes there. Chris Peterson (Asheville Investor) is the owner of this establishment.

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.

Bellagio Bistro in North Asheville

One of best places to eat on the North end of town is Bellagio Bistro in Woodfin NC. Passed by for a minute and saw some Sheriff's eating an early dinner/late lunch to accomodate their schedule. Great food, service, and waitstaff.

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

Asheville Restaurants - Bistro 1896 Lunch, Dinner, Dining

Had such a great lunch in Asheville North Carolina in the Bistro 1896 restaurant today. Everything was great, drinks made perfectly, food beyond awesome, Stephanie (out waitress) balanced with great service and attitude, Sarah (another waitress) stepped in to help our waitress as needed, and everything was just so nice. Thank you Bistro! Talked to the Manager Chris Sizemore for a moment and he worked his role perfectly whether dealing with me, dealing with the customers as they were coming in, or dealing with the staff. Great food and great team over here.

North Asheville's Bellagio Bistro in Woodfin NC

Asheville's Bellagio Bistro is one of the best restaurants on the North End of Buncombe County. There is normally a waiting line for you to get in, but once you do... everything is awesome. Angelo, the owner, makes sure your every need is met and that the food is wonderful. He walks around, frequents the tables, and cares about his people... whether staff or clients. Local Law Enforcement love this Greek/Italian Restaurant in Asheville NC. The Food is Great!!!

Picnic's Restaurant & Home Cooking in Asheville

We stopped in Asheville Picnic's tonight for a quick bite and got much more than we bargained for. They had live music, great home cooking, a wonderful staff, and a very comfortable atmosphere. If you are in Downtown Asheville, head North on Merrimon about 2 minutes and Picnics in on the right, right after Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church and before Dunkin Donuts and the Corner Pocket Bar.

Stoney Knob Cafe in North Asheville Weaverville NC

Stoney Knob Cafe is one of several restaurants around Asheville that has never let us down. They tranformed this small diner into a great restaurant in the Weaverville area of Buncombe County North Carolina.

Asheville's River Ridge Marketplace

I have been shopping at the River Ridge Marketplace in Asheville North Carolina regularly for many years. Great stores including Kitchen & Company, Hallmark, Dress Barn, Rugged Wearhouse, AC Moore, a new CVS, and several more. Kind of mad when Laser Tag left awhile back, but getting over it.

Food establishments include J&S Cafeteria, Fat Buddies Ribs and Barbeque, McDonald's, and KFC. There is also a shopping establishment across the street that features Babies R Us, Golf USA of Asheville, Bilo, Advance Auto Parts, Subway, and Burger King.

All of these stores are only 5 minutes away from the Asheville Mall and 2 minutes away from the Asheville Wal-Mart.

Asheville Nightlife at Magnolia's

Magnolia's has been one of the main nightlife scenes in downtown Asheville North Carolina for some time now. We used to go, hang out, eat, and dance at Mag's. Then we would crash Cynjades, hip hop for a few, and afterwards we would wind down back at Magnolia's. I remember on one occasion when I went with a friend to eat at Magnolia's and somehow got drafted as one of the test dummies in this bachlorette party for this nice lady who used to work at Old Europe. I guess one of her "orders" at this party was to pick a man in the building and kiss him. They were about 20 of them and they were having an awesome time. I was embarrased, but could not resist.

Sometimes when it used to get about 1am at Magnolia's, there would be an apache line of "Jocks" standing firm from the front door to the dance floor. I just raced through it with my crowd to the dance floor and danced like mad. They had a bouncer named "Big John" and when the clock hit 2am, he was no longer your friend. "Time To Leave, Get Out Now" was his last words, lol. I believe this establishment is owned by Chris Peterson and it a great place to unwind and have a good time. Big age variety in this Asheville club, from 21 to 45 and even to 60 yrs old or so, and everyone just got along great. We had a limo driver with us one time and he ate that floor up with every dance you can think of with one of our private investors. http://www.magnoliasasheville.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/

Asheville's Texas Roadhouse, Restaurant & Great Entertainment (check out the dancing!)

Asheville has plenty of restaurants and food options, but none is as fun as this one is sometimes. Here is some nice footage of the Texas Roadhouse on Hendersonville Road in Asheville North Carolina (a stones throw from Biltmore Village). You can tell the vibe of the people behind the scenes by the way the restaurant is run and the tone they pass on and keep alive. A bunch of friendly comfortable staff that does not even look for a minute like they need to be there. I love it. Bartender (Kristie) was very cool, inviting, and pro... so 100% there (and I did not even have a drink)... Bam! But the dancing in this video is very entertaining. The waitress with the antlers was trying to sell those Texas Roadhouse gift cards like mad. Nice pitch. Thanks. I will be back. www.TexasRoadhouse.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/