A week of restaurants
This past week I had the opportunity to experience many of Asheville’s restaurants for breakfast and dinner. I had family in town who enjoy eating out and eat out we did. The one bit of context I would add is that, due to health issues of one of my guests, we were not able to stay for dessert or casually linger but other than that, we had very good experiences.
The list (duplicates included)
Breakfast
- Rise ‘n Shine Cafe
- Over Easy
- Early Girl
- Denny’s (Only thing open on Christmas Day)
- Moose Cafe
- Early Girl
Dinner
- Early Girl
- Mayfel’s
- Bouchon
- Vincenzo’s
- Grove Park Inn
- Black Forest Inn
- Marcos Italian
Some impressions
Rise ‘n Shine Cafe - 640 Merrimon Avenue
This was a great neighborhood breakfast place. They are in N. Asheville a bit in shopping center shared with Circle on the Square, Urban Burrito and The Hop (Ice Cream). Because they are out of downtown, parking is easy in the large lot. They promote the use of organic ingredients and I believe it. Highly recommended if you are looking for standard breakfast fare in N. Asheville.
Early Girl - 8 Wall St
Early Girl is perhaps my favorite restaurant in all of Asheville. Early Girl has a diverse, creative menu all day. You can order breakfast all day and their preparation and ingredients are outstanding. From the warm banana bread, to the sweet potato scramble, to the warm biscuits, it is all good.
Over Easy Cafe - 32 Broadway St
Over Easy is a breakfast only cafe in the heart of downtown Asheville. A small place off Broadway, Over Easy has a loud, diner atmosphere with GREAT food and service. Their home fry bowls, eggs, sausage, and smoothies are wonderful. This place is highly recommended if you are in downtown for breakfast anytime before 2pm or so.
The Moose Cafe - 570 Brevard Rd
This was my first time at the Moose Cafe. I had heard good things about it and was looking forward to the visit. The Moose Cafe is a bit out of downtown so parking is easy. The Moose Cafe is right next to a Farmers Market so their ingredients are about as local as you can get. This meal was awesome. The Moose Cafe experience is truly southern and wonderful. When we sat down, we were immediately given a batch of hot biscuits and homemade apple butter. My meal was equally good.. eggs, potatoes, ham and a Moosecake ( large pancake). All of it was outstanding.
Mayfel’s – 22 College St
Mayfel’s is a Louisiana bistro serving local, wholesome ingredients. This restaurant has great atmosphere and even better food. I could come back here for the Gumbo and Jambalaya every day. As Jimmy Buffet says, “I will play for Gumbo…”. Love this food. My guests had seafood etouffee and loved it. On an earlier occasion, I took my 8 year old son Michael to Mayfel’s and he loved the triple cheese grilled cheese sandwich and the chocolate cake dessert.
Bouchon – 62 North Lexington Avenue
Bouchon is truly a french bistro. It is situated in a long, narrow pad that makes for a more intimate atmosphere. The bar is well stocked and extremely inviting for whatever you like. The wine list is deep with French wines ( as you would guess). The food was rich in the French tradition and good.
Vincenzo’s Italian – 10 N Market St
Vincenzo’s is a northern Italian restaurant in downtown Asheville. Vincenzo’s was a good restaurant with an upscale feel. The food was excellent as was the service. They were open on Christmas Eve and provided a very good menu.
Grove Park Inn, Sunset Terrace – 290 Macon Ave
It is impossible to talk about the Sunset Terrace restaurant without first commenting on the Grove Park Inn as a whole. The Grove Park Inn is a magnificent structure with a huge lobby atrium area when you first enter. The main lobby is a site with very tall ceilings and awe inspiring fireplaces. The view is spectacular. The Sunset Terrace restaurant is a traditional chophouse with a Steak and Seafood focus. We were there on Christmas Night so there were a few extra items on the menu as well. The service was very good as was the food. I had a NY Strip while others at my table had Prime Rib and Salmon. The side dishes were served family style and we had Asparagus and Mashed Potatoes…both were excellent. We were seated with a few minutes left before final Sunset and the view was breathtaking.
Black Forest Inn -2155 Hendersonville Rd, Arden, NC
The Black Forest Inn is located just outside of Asheville but still only about 20 minutes from my house in N. Asheville. They serve German and Italian dishes. The food was great, my guests ordered Veal Jaeger schnitzel it came with German potato salad, sauerkraut, red cabbage and German noodles everything was delicious. I ordered an Italian dish that was very good also. The servings were very substantial.
Marcos – 946 Merrimon Avenue
Marcos is a great family Italian & Pizzeria restaurant. It is my favorite pizza in Asheville but I do not often get a chance to sit in their dining room and eat a full meal. Their pizza and Stromboli are excellent – without peer in Asheville. On this night, however, me and my guests stayed in the dinning room and ordered some Italian entrees. The menu is family Italian to the core. Pastas, sauces and meatballs. You can go with a Lasagna or a Chicken Parmesan if you like. Me and my guests all went with the Pasta and Meatballs after enjoying a good antipasto. I would put the Marcos antipasto on peer with the one we had a Vincenzo’s. The food was great. The service was quick and attentive.