“Go...” listings
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The Chocolate Fetish
After 24 years, this shop keeps getting better. It recently expanded its retail space for all sorts of chocolate artistry, like truffles infused with unique flavors such as wasabi, maple, green tea and basil, various chocolate dipped fruits, colorful chocolate “designer shoes” as well as chocolate boxes recipients must break to get to the surprise inside. (09/2011)
36 Haywood St
828-258-2353
chocolatefetish.com -
Montford Park Players
The weather is perfect for Shakespeare in the Park. The heat is dissipating and there are no more threatening summer T-storms, so get thee to the amphitheater in the historic Montford neighborhood. The seasonal theater company has been going strong since 1973 and will be performing Julius Caesar (Aug. 12 - Sept. 4) and The Asheville Shakesperience III (Sept. 9 - Sept. 18). (09/2011)
100 Gay St
828-254-5146
montfordparkplayers.org -
White Duck Taco Shop
In the River Arts District with a gritty outdoor patio overlooking the French Broad River and railroad tracks, this new eatery promises authentic deeply herbed and spiced tacos like Bangkok shrimp or Jamaican jerk chicken from husband and wife team Ben Mixson and Laura Reuss. $ (09/2011)
1 Roberts St
828-258-1660
whiteducktacoshop.com -
Restaurant Solace
Chef and owner Bryan Kimmett, who is new to Asheville, but not NC, has opened what is likely to become one of the city’s top fine-dining restaurants. A two-story space with outdoor seating as well as an elegant white-linen dining room, Solace features locally-raised and beer-braised rabbit, quail, trout, pork and beef. Fresh farm produce and freshly baked bread are also available at the farm stand inside the main entrance.$$$$ (09/2011)
At Haywood Park Hotel 1 Battery Park Ave
828-505-8333
dineatsolace.com -
Bouchon Street Food
This dressed-down outpost of Bouchon—set on an open-air courtyard behind the main restaurant—is the perfect place to outfit your next picnic or al fresco dinner. Choose from crêpes-to-go, salads, baguette sandwiches, cheese and paté plates, French onion soup, authentic paper cones of “frites” and bistro glasses of wine served outside. There’s a small interior bar and booth area in case it rains. $ (08/2011)
62 N Lexington Ave
829-350-1140
ashevillebouchon.com -
Cúrate
Spanish for “cure yourself,” this new traditional tapas restaurant serves up creamy chicken fritters, stuffed piquillo peppers and other small plates, as well as tableside-made cocktails like the cava sangria and a gin and tonic with an edible flower. Chef/owner Katie Button is an alumna of Ferran Adria’s famed elBulli in Spain; with her family, she has created a hip dining/drinking/socializing venue downtown. $$$ (08/2011)
11 Biltmore Ave
828-239-2946
curatetapasbar.com -
Bele Chere
Over the past 33 years, this event has morphed from a small crafts gathering on a single street to a downtownwide celebration of arts, crafts, music, food, drink and general weirdness. The festivities—which transform much of downtown into a pedestrian zone—include restaurants serving “street” food, merchants selling handmade wares, and live music on multiple stages. July 29-31. (08/2011)
Downtown Asheville
828-259-5800
belecherefestival.com -
Antique Tobacco Barn
With more than 75 dealers and rows and rows of antiques skillfully set up in smart vignettes, this is the catchall for antiques from the North Carolina mountains. From old-timey butter churns to the odd Duncan-Fife cupboard, this is the place to find gently— or not-so-gently—used items from yesteryear, including jewelry, hats, books and kitchenware. (08/2011)
75 Swannanoa River Rd
828-252-7291
atbarn.com -
The Altamont
Another theater has opened its doors in Asheville—this one on a leafy side street with a full art gallery. The 120-seat black box theater is housed in a renovated LEED-certified building from 1895. Furnished short-term rental suites upstairs mean that visitors can experience local theater right downstairs. (08/2011)
18 Church St
828-274-8070
myaltamont.com -
Estes-Winn Car Museum
Established in 1965, this museum is home to several rare and vintage automobiles, as well as original horse-drawn carriages and Asheville's own 1922 American La France fire engine. After ogling cars—which have been mostly preserved to their original and running condition—it's always fun to check out the on-site Grovewood Gallery and stroll in the sculpture garden. (05/2011)
111 Grovewood Rd
828-253-7651
grovewood.com -
Sugar Beet Cafe
East of downtown Asheville, this diner opened up in a one-time Huddle House (a regional restaurant chain). Picture mile-high servings of homestyle corned beef hash, mountainous veggiefilled omelets, fluffy biscuits smothered in gravy and local sausage hidden beneath half-inch-thick banana-walnut pancakes. Order a mimosa (it comes in a jelly jar) and enjoy one of the best breakfasts you'll ever have. $ (05/2011)
1185 Charlotte Hwy
828-628-0094
sugarbeet-cafe.com -
Posana Cafe
This spot anchors a busy corner on Pack Square, a prime people-watching locale. Outdoor tables offer diners a front-row view of busy sidewalks, and a special menu features gluten-free meals all day. Innovative recipes like buttermilk-marinated Springer Mountain chicken and pumpkin seed-crusted pork tenderloin tempt the tastebuds. $$ (05/2011)
1 Biltmore Ave
828-505-3969
posanacafe.com
