Girl Meets City: Asheville
Almost exactly a year ago, a few of my friends moved away from me. *insert all the sad emojis*
But I finally got on the road recently to go and visit one of them!
I call Melanie “My Melanie” many times because I simply adore her. She is a past contributor here and basically just a fantastic person. All of a sudden one day I looked at my calendar and realized- I have no obligations this weekend. NONE!!! What am I going to do?!
Well I got my happy behind in the car and hit the road to see my girl. And I got in the car with just enough time to make it there to one of the best, highest acclaimed Spanish tapas spots in town. Chef Katie Button was a James Beard Semi-Finalist for Best Chefs in America in 2015, Semi-Finalist Rising Star Chef of the Year 2012 & 2013 and a Nominee in 2014. Basically, she’s a badass.
But a Google search brings me to this tidbit of information about her, according to A Spicy Perspective “Katie Button’s culinary journey started in a curious place. She finished her undergrad at Cornell, then moved to Paris to get her Masters in Biomedical Engineering. Although she excelled in math and science, Katie’s educational pursuit left a void in her life. Engineering offered her praise and potential prestige, but no real fulfillment.” Y’all. Jesus Lawd. This would lead her to a fascination with cooking and eventually to decline a PhD program and go work in restaurants, clawing her way to the kitchen. Really go read the original post at A Spicy Perspective to learn more.
This is a place where you can’t just make a reservation, I tried a few days beforehand and there were none to be had for a month. Melanie said if I got there in time we could go and chance walking in to the bar. We took an Uber and got there around 4:00 p.m.- afraid it would be too late.
BUT FATE WAS ON OUR SIDE!!!! We got one of the very last tables and it was so so so good. I’m writing this on an empty stomach and I’m practically crying thinking about it all.
Typing up #GirlMeetsAsheville & remembering going to @CurateTapasBar with @pmelogna– basically crying remember the goodness @chefkatiebutton
— Molly M. Wilkins (@MollyMWilkins) June 14, 2016
I let Melanie act as our culinary guide, making suggestions on how we would pace through the menu. You see, for those not familiar, tapas are a variety of snacks or small plates in Spanish culture. In some parts of Spain, tapas are served for free- included in the price of your drinks.
We started with the “pan con tomate”- which I don’t even know how one makes what is essentially just tomatoes, cheese, and bread so freaking good but I could legit eat plates of this for the rest of my life and be happy.
Next was the “esqueixada de montaña”- described as “a local version of this classic Catalan dish, Sunburst Farms trout served raw with tomato fresco, black olive, sweet onion, and lemon vinaigrette.
The “berenjenas la taberna” really blew my mind: fried eggplant drizzled in wild mountain honey, garnished with rosemary. And just a bit of rosemary was enough to completely round out the flavor. Sweet enough to be a desert but savory enough to eat mid-meal.
It appears I did not get a photo of the “chistorra con pure de patatas”- grilled chorizo with olive oil potato purée, but trust me, they were also incredible.
Hoy stars above – dessert to save your life at @curatetapasbar w/ @pmelogna #AVL #asheville
A photo posted by Molly @ Southern Bon Vivant (@mollymwilkins) on
Do not be put off by the squid ink of the “rossejat negro”- “similar to paella but made with thin noodles, squid in its ink, garnished with all i oli and salsa verde, the essence of the ocean”. And they plate it tableside.
The “sabores del mediterraneo”- apricot sorbet, sweet yogurt mousse, candied pine nuts and pine oil. THIS is not to be missed. I would have never thought about these items all working together, but they do. THEY DO! Again, hungry at my desk right now and tearing up a little bit remembering it all.
But bear in mind- this wasn’t dinner. This was just how we were starting off our day. Melanie even encouraged me to try a particular beer- the details are kind of hazy now to be honest- and you’re supposed to drink it…. well… I’ll show y’all my attempt:
I didn’t say it was graceful. But that’s how you’re supposed to do it! Anyways. It was from here that we made two shopping stops- before being serenaded by a young man who climbed a tree to “sing us our truths”. He doesn’t have social media pages or I would tag him. #sad But you can get a little glimpse here:
Our first shopping stop was in C & Co. Handcrafted Skincare, and they have all these amazing hand-made soaps and lotions and all kinds of fun bath stuff. I picked up a clay mask from them as well as some vanilla scented lotion.
Next was Desirant – a lovely boutique with everything one could want. Amazing clothes, jewelry, books, furniture- the choices were endless. I came out with a set of candles that I would usually never spend this much on, but they smelled and looked way too to pass up.
After that brief shopping stop was, maybe you guessed it? More food and drink! We stopped off in Sovereign Remedies. Melanie said she had been trying to come here for some time but they tend to get really busy, and I can see why.
This place reminds me of a stop I made in New York City once: small, without feeling crowded, lounge area up from and bar tables along the windows. And, of course, we sat at the bar. I got the Golden Rule Fizz: gin, lemon, Golden Honey, Montenegro, Falernum and egg white. A little bit sweet for my usual taste, but I account that to the honey- which is everywhere in Asheville.
Then there was the Duck terrine, mustard, spinach soubise, pickles and crostini.
I also believe there were some kind of cherry preserves on this plate, whatever it was, it was delish.
Now, I have to add a few notes about what I was wearing. I had on my new very favorite outfit from Rumor Boutique: an adorable romper. Super light and super cute. Initially I had on nude colored heels but I quickly learned that in Asheville there are a LOT of hills and not the easiest sidewalks. I quickly said to heck with it and put my flats on that I had in my bag. Always always always pack flats.
Anyways- I thought we did something in between Sovereign Remedies and our actual dinner at Storm Rhum Bar & Bistro, maybe it was just a whole lot of walking. I dunno it’s kind of fuzzy at this point. But my next noted spot was dinner at Storm Rhum Bar: so named because it’s a rum bar. Maybe you were able to figure that out.
Here I got the 3 Cheese Macaroni made with Benton’s Bacon, roasted jalapeno, and toasted panko. And then I was done. I think I ordered a cocktail but didn’t finish it? But the mac & cheese was so yummy and heavy and good and I was practically asleep. Three dinner stops in one night will do it to you!
But- logic and the promise of dessert prevailed. Melanie pressed me into making the short walk to Nightbell, also owned by Curate’s Katie Button, and I’m so damn glad.
Do y’all see this?! Do y’all SEE THIS BEAUTIFULNESS?! It’s the before of a very yummy in our tummies molten peanut butter and chocolate cake. I don’t remember the actual name. I just remember I want more. And more. And more.
Still didn’t finish my cocktail but damn sure finished that cake.
And then we got an Uber and dragged ourselves home.
Next morning the miracle of miracles occurred: I wasn’t hungover!!! Listen a hangover after 30 – maybe even after 25- is a creature all it’s own. It takes at least two days to recover and requires just laying in bed crying trying to remember the night before and desperately trying to rehydrate enough so you can function in time for work the next day.
It was as I was marvelling at my lack of hangover that I remembered the one little bit of pre-planning I had done: I made sure to drink two glasses of water to every cocktail. Sounds simple, but it’s easy to forget. Do it.
As we dragged ourselves up and out we headed to Vortex Doughnuts before brunch for doughnuts and coffee. Before brunch. Yes, I know. But let me tell y’all these doughnuts were damn good- and worth the line going out the door. My favorite was the raspberry filled one. I don’t even like filled doughnuts!!! I got a bunch to take home with the plan to share… but they didn’t make it home. They were a nice travel companion in the car, shall we say.
Then it was off to brunch at Bhramari Brewhouse. Friends who have been to Asheville know there’s a brewery practically on every corner, and many of them also serve food. This one is brand spanking new and at the time of my visit was only a few months old- so it had yet to be really discovered.
I did not get any beer, instead I opted for the Garden of Hesperides kombucha juice: “assam black and red robe oolong tea from Dobra tea, Tulsi grown by the Pre-K at Odyssey Community School, Lemon balm grown at the Willow Springs Herb Farm, 9 types of citrus, and fermented with organic sugar”. It was really good- so much so that I got a growler to go!
As for the food:
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm goodness y’all- I ate every last bite. Salami, picked veggies, and I’m not exactly sure what all was in the sauce but I’m not really one to eat a lot of sauce and I had every last drop of this.
After brunch is was a short walk to the Lexington Glassworks, then Malaprop’s Bookstore, Travelling Chic Boutique, Asheville Bee Charmer, and Woolworth Walk- where I saw so many paintings I wanted to buy!
Just outside of the Woolworth Walk we ran into this:
Asheville street music with Fly By Night Rounders & Abby the Spoon Lady
Posted by Southern Bon Vivant on Sunday, May 29, 2016
It was so much fun running across them!
Then it was time for more shopping, and more food with a stop into French Broad Chocolates for truffles and ice cream. There’s even a secret spot where you can avoid the lines- sign up for my email list and you’ll find out in our next email blast!
After that stop it was time to head home. It was a quick, whirlwind of a trip to Asheville and I can’t wait to do it again!
Love to all y’all,
Molly
