Eating cheaply in Asheville

[bergerka]

Well, folks, once again I'm traveling for an audition. I hit Asheville late February 25, audition the 26th...but in order to get a stellar airline ticket price, I can't leave till early (like crack of ass early) Monday morning!

Where's a girl gonna EAT?

Has to be easy to get to (audition is on UNCA campus, I'll probably be staying near there) - I don't drive, so I'll be cabbing or walking.

Has to be cheap - I'm a starving singer!

Goes practically without saying that it has to be yummy.

Thanks in advance & PM me if anyone in the area wants to have lunch or coffee. Or a martini.

K

[Gifted Gourmet]

Where's a girl gonna EAT?

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Funny that you should mention this at this time! I will be in Asheville from the 21st-25th doing some food writing on places not to miss there .. there are a load of good places now .. many of which are downtown ... here is a site with many possibilities....

links to many places downtown

[kpurvis]

Anything in West Asheville, where the rents tend to be lower (and the people are more fun), the meat-and-three restaurant at the entrance to the Western N.C. farmers market (sorry, forgot the name -- has Moose in the name), and Rosetta's for cafeteria-style vegan with a good late-night crowd. I seem to recall a good peanut butter fried tofu at Rosetta's. Also, EarthFare, the whole-food style supermarket, has a cafe. Too bad you're not there in growing season. They have some very good tailgate markets.

[hazardnc]

I don't know that there is much to choose from within walking distance of UNCA, but here is a link that will be of some help Asheville Dining

I can say you should try the relative newcomer Early Girl Eatery downtown Early Girl Eatery as well as the tapas restaurant called Zambra (also downtown).

There's some fun shopping downtown as well - even if you're just window shopping. make sure to check out the Mast General Store.

We love Asheville - have a great trip.

[chefdg]

That side of town is kind of tuff, there is a good little mixican restaurant in the plaza next to the fresh market, I hate to say it but back yard burger is good and cheep, and the atlanta bread company will always satisfy. Savoy is an Italina restaurant that will be nice, but may be a little more expensive for your starving artist budget. I say for your best bet, take a cab to town, go to Rio Borrito on biltmore ave for lunch, walk around and then go to Barley's tap room for dinner. Have fun I wish I were there.

[DTBarton]

Don't know if you like barbecue, but when in NC, you know?

These barbecue reviewers really liked this Asheville place and barbecue joints usually aren't too pricy.

http://www.ibiblio.org/ch-scene/bbq/mountain.html

[Marcuscat]

For the Martini Savoy is your place, also in my opinion, we eat out here every weekend, the best food in Asheville.

You’re problem is going to be not having a car. Also, I’m not sure where you’re going to stay near UNCA. I think the solution would be to find a place downtown. The weather this time of the year can be bad and you don’t want to walk far in it. Downtown is only 5 minutes from UNCA and you can walk to maybe 20 places to eat and drink.

BTW, what kind of audition are you doing at UNCA?

Good luck, you’ll love it here

[wcmckinney]

Salsa is good and cheap, owned by the same feller who runs Zambra. Last time I was there I think the menu is written out by hand and then photocopied.

Tupelo Honey is also located downtown. It rocks, is veg friendly, and is one of the more comfortably chic places in comfortably chic Asheville.

Finally, ditto to Early Girl Eatery. It's a great place and has a sense of place that some other restaurants in the area miss out on.

[Alex]

An Asheville thread

Edited to add: I love Asheville! If time and weather allow, have a drink on the terrace of The Grove Park Inn.

Edited February 22, 2005 by Alex (log)

[Gifted Gourmet]

Just came back from Asheville food visit ... a bit of advice, if I might:

Zambra was fabulous! Spanish and Moroccan-inspired food and decor ... Tapas made with creativity and delightful array of great tastes in all of the dishes I ordered ... would go again in a shot!

Razaz is equally inspired and delightfully Mediterranean .. merguez lamb sausages in a port wine reduction ... bought the olive oil, OlivaVerde, at the shop connected to the restaurant ...

Yes, as well, to Tupelo Honey Cafe for a fabulously inventive breakfast which lasted for me all day until dinner ... cornmeal-crusted, cheddary grits cakes with a fiery red hot sauce and cold sour cream ... terrific!

Grove Park Inn? Went with high expectations .. but rather disappointed ... duck was possibly microwaved after being cooked and frozen .. came to the table cold ... returned to the kitchen, chef came out to apologize .... with all of the innovative and distinctive food now being offered in Asheville today, I would look elsewhere before choosing the GPI again ... .. a shame really ...

[bergerka]

Thanks so much, folks! As it turns out, a friend from a gig a couple of years ago is living in Asheville now, so she and I will be lunching together on Saturday (she suggested the Tupelo Honey cafe, glad it's yummy!).

I'm going to try to go standby and get back Saturday night or Sunday morning...wish me luck. It'll curtail my Asheville eating adventures, unfortunately, but it'll get me home for brunch à la slkinsey, too.

K