joler

Oh, I forgot to mention, you should also stop in at "Compliments to the Chef". It is this great cookware/tableware shop on Merrimon Ave. (Biltmore Avenue is Henderson Rd/Biltmore Ave/Merrimon Ave.) it's in a large house and every nook is filled with gadgets, cookbooks, table linens, china, etc. I always spend at least an hour in there! (and lots of dinero)

If you are planning on a picnic, stop in at Laurey's which is on Biltmore Avenue - she does some nice gourmet-to-go. Asheville really has some great restaurants - I can't wait to go back and explore some more!

Thanks for the suggestions! I did not get your post before leaving, but we did end up at Doc Chey's on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed it. The cabbage wraps were my favorite. mmm. I could eat Asian every day - I wish they'd open one of those here in Greensboro. We talked about Zambra but never made it in...however, we did have dinner at Cafe Soliel on Friday and it was great also. A French creperie with lots of Spanish influence - they've only been open 6 weeks, so they have a few kinks in service to work out, but it was great atmosphere and the food was delicious. In case anyone is interested...Tressa's was great for cocktails and New Orleans Jazz. It was a really fun weekend.

I was hoping for some more suggestions based on personal experience, not merely a listing of restaurants. The Bridgestreet Cafe looks cute, but it is 32 miles from Asheville and I doubt we will want to drive that far seeing as we will have been hiking all day.

Turns out I'm spending Labor Day weekend in Asheville, NC with some friends from out of town. What's the latest on the dining scene there. We will be looking for somewhere with really good food, and a hip, fun atmosphere (maybe I should clarify "hip as in enjoyable for over 40 crowd - but we're a YOUNG over 40 crowd) Seems somebody mentioned a place called Salsa downtown? Anyone know anything about that? Don't want anything too fancy - we'll be hiking all day and probably want to be very casual. Thanks for your expertise!

The staff is unfriendly, the prices are outrageous, the produce is inferior, and the selection is limited . I do like the fact that they don't carry any products that use hydrogenated oils and you can get some nice organic, hormone-free meats there. Still, it is no Whole Foods. Then there is the Elivira-wanna be that runs the cosmetics counter which is a little bit creepy.

So sorry I was too late to help out w/anniversary plans - i had been on vaca in the Outer Banks for a few days. Don't know anything about 1703, but I do hope you will try Fabian's another time. Also, if you are in the Greensboro area, please try Bistro Sofia. I've eaten at Noble's many times (not W-S, but the one in HP and in Greensboro) - I always have mixed results, they can never seem to pull the whole thing off for me. It sounds like you had a nice evening tho' and that's the important thing. If you and your spouse want to hook up at the Camel Cafe sometime let me know by PM and we'll try to arrange it.

oops! I mean Happy Anniversary!

Make reservations for Fabian's. It is fantastic. Price fix menu with several options for entrees (including some exotic meets like Elk or Ostrich, fresh seafood, etc.) eclectic, romantic atmosphere. I think you will really like it. I've also heard good things about the Camel Cafe, but I haven't gotten over there yet. Happy birthday~

I've heard lots of good things about Ukrops. Mostly, I shop the Teeter (as in Harris Teeter) because it is convenient. We have a Lowe's Foods though that is also very nice and I think they have better produce specials (of course, I shop the Farmer's Market during the summer months). Fresh Market used to have great meats, seafood and produce, but it's not so impressive anymore. I will drive the 30 minutes to Winston Salem to go to Whole Foods about once a month - their seafood counter is very nice and I love the salad bar (I always have lunch while I'm there). As for the 365 brand, I think their veggie burgers are good (and a lot less expensive than Boca). When I'm at the beach, the only convenient grocery is Food Lion, and it's not too bad, much better than the one here in Greensboro, but I never buy meat or seafood there. yech. And if I have time, I'll just make the drive to Shallotte to go to the Lowe's Foods there. Food Lion does have a good selection of Mexican foods, but I'd just as soon go to the Hispanic Market. I really enjoy our Asian market called "Dynasty". We just had an African market open too and I've got to get over and check that out. Earthfare sux. I don't go there anymore.

I wish I'd known you were going to be in town, I could have steered you toward some pretty good places. Even tho' at first glance it seems Olive Garden is as good as it gets, there are some decent places tucked away (particularly the ethnic restaurants) - you just have to know where to go. Keep me in mind if you ever plan another visit - I'll make sure you get better than BBQ.

Some great teas available on the internet at www.teavana.com and www.mightlyleaf.com I recommend Mighty Leaf's Green Tea Tropical - in such a beautiful little bag, you might be tempted to slip it in your lingerie drawer! Teavana's Yerba Mate also a favorite.

I never met a bacon I didn't like. Small Minds discuss people, Average Minds discuss events, Great minds discuss bacon. Life is uncertain, eat bacon first. If it ain't bacon, don't fix it.

Yikes. That's terrible.

ooh yea, nothing worse than burnt popcorn. Altho' someone here was on a cabbage diet at one point that was pretty gruesome... Forgot to mention the ever-present bottle of Texas Pete on my desk. What would I do without it?!?

Instant Grits in my cubicle. A true Southern Girl.

It's not necessarily the Restaurant industry's "Kid's Menus" that are dictating what kids will or will not eat - the parents can have plenty of influence on that as well. Egullet Readership excluded I'm sure, but I've heard countless times mother's say to their kids "oh, you won't like that". I was brought up on the philosophy "try anything once". I used to pig out with my mom on weird dishes like "Hungarian Spinach served on French Toast" and Sardine sandwiches while my sisters ate hot dogs. Those are some of my fondest childhood memories.

What's it take to be one of the "few lucky ones"? I can be there Friday night to help "baste the bod" if needed. I'm also probably going to bring along my Cheif Executive Blender Drink Maker (included in current count).

Avoid Tchoup Tchoup. I hate to say that, but it hasn't been that long ago that I had a not so great experience there. Do try the restaurant at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Also, I heard that Roy's (as in Yamaguchi) is very good, but I didn't get there myself. Have fun!

Varmint, any chance I could up my count to 4? Seems everyone I know wants to party wid' choo. If you're max count has been exceeded, I will certainly understand.

There is a really nice B&B called "The First Colony Inn" in Nags Head. It is very "English". I think you'd enjoy it. www.firstcolonyinn.com Also, in Manteo, The Tranquil House Inn. www.1587.com very nice.

I don't eat BBQ that often, but like you, I love it when the cracklin's are chopped in with the rest of the meat. Mashed Rutabega's are a favorite of mine also. I'll put this place on my "list". Meanwhile, for those headed down in October, if you are coming through Reidsville, there is a place called "Short Sugars" that is very popular and has great BBQ. Also Lexington is famous for BBQ, I think Steve Raichlen even mentioned "Lexington BBQ" in his book the BBQ Bible.

Good Call Zeb, it's nice to know someone out there is thinkin'

That is, until October 11th.

squeal!