Asheville Scene

01/05/2022

The only way to get a ticket to the Smokies firefly show is a lottery. Hurry up, lottery closes May 3!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park just announced its firefly viewing dates for spring 2022.

20/09/2021

This event could lead to a brick and mortar restaurant in 2022.

An exclusive look inside Asheville's new Peruvian-Japanese dining experience, Mikasa Nikkei.

20/07/2021

These new hot sauces are as good as you'd expect from a Nine Mile line.

The hot sauce includes peppers from Smoking J’s Fiery Foods in Candler, also one of the largest growers of specialty peppers on the East Coast

16/07/2021

For subscribers: How much should you tip? With post-pandemic customs in flux, the answer may not be simple

Even as mask mandates and capacity rules ease, tipping during the current staffing crisis continues to generate its fair share of confusion.

08/07/2021

We're into this idea. What do you think?

Starting July 8, you'll need to be a local, or know someone who is, to dine at Smoky Park Supper Club

08/07/2021

Chow Chow is happening throughout the summer! Here's what you can do in July.

Chow Chow, a culinary event series, kicked off June 27 with a bang and a sold-out drag brunch in celebration of Appalachian Pride.

07/07/2021

Crab du Jour: Really, truly opening soon!

What's new in the Westgate Park shopping center, plus where you can get a killer picnic spread before heading on a hike.

29/06/2021

At King James Public House, Steve Goff created a following, and customers got tattoos of the restaurant's logo. Food & Wine magazine showed up. Goff turned into a harsh critic of himself, and a harsher critic in the kitchen too, he said. Now he's at Jargon. Here's what he's learned along the way: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2021/06/29/chef-profile-steve-goff-jargon-west-asheville-talks-upside-failure/5310805001/

The trajectory of Steve Goff's career — from homeless dishwasher to lauded executive chef — is as unlikely as it is a great story.

07/06/2021

So much good news today. Fireworks are back!

After a year of dark July 4th skies, the city of Asheville will again launch a fireworks display in honor of Independence Day.

07/06/2021

Cheers!

The flagship River Arts District brewery and nearby Foundation Studios facility and taproom will remain unchanged.

02/06/2021

Bottoms up on a mountain top. Here are some WNC wine experiences to try https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2021/06/02/wineries-henderson-county-asheville-western-nc-north-carolina-wine-tours/7488774002/

From urban wineries to expansive vineyards with sweeping mountain views, Western North Carolina has a lot, including its own AVA.

24/05/2021

Burgers you can get a taste of this week, plus something to look forward to this summer.

Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse is getting ready to open in summer, and is hiring for most positions. Meanwhile, a new burger restaurant is open in the RAD

24/05/2021

For Citizen Times subscribers: What's happening at the Grove Arcade's "Restaurant Row."

Restaurants with longtime staying power and new faces are gathering together to make the Grove Arcade a dining destination in its own right

06/05/2021

Food donations are down dramatically at MANNA, even as the need for food is at the same level as it was in the beginning of the pandemic.

MANNA FoodBank's cost of purchasing food has doubled. Meanwhile, donations from retail food sources are down as a result of the pandemic

05/05/2021

Have you heard of The Madness yet?

Aaron Cheng, at just 29, has an entire portfolio of restaurants to his name. He opened The Madness mid-pandemic and already plans to expand.

30/04/2021

Get ready for the Great Smokies synchronous firefly lottery! It opens at 10 a.m.!

The vehicle pass lottery for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to watch the natural phenomenon of synchronous fireflies in June opens on April 30.

27/04/2021

Herb Fest is back! This year you'll find it at the Ag Center.

The Asheville Spring Herb Festival, held the first weekend in May since 1990, returns for its 31st year after going dark for 2020.

22/04/2021

Meherwan and Molly Irani were looking for a fun, liberal spot to call home in the mountains. What they didn't expect was how much the city they chose would change them.

Meherwan and Molly Irani were looking for a liberal city in the mountains. They didn't expect how much the city would change them and vice versa.

22/04/2021

Spatula dance!

Through April 28, you can see local chefs do their dance things to local musician Ryan RnB Barber's song 'AVL Funk,' all to raise cash for the cause.

20/04/2021

Chow Chow is back for a summer-long festival with a thoughtful approach.

After shutdowns and a reckoning with deep divisions came a period of introspection. This year's reimagined Chow Chow is accordingly changed.

13/04/2021

The beverage business is booming!

Bold Rock, Botanist & Barrel, others announce moves to expand in downtown Asheville

30/03/2021

How is it almost Easter already??

Easter brunch options in Asheville run the gamut from spicy poke bowls to semi-traditional brunch dishes. Make your reservations early.

25/03/2021

As the country marks one year since the pandemic began, five USA Today Network writers from across the South tell the stories of restaurants that, despite the difficulties, continue to feed their communities.

An estimated 110,000 restaurants closed during the coronavirus pandemic. The year has taken a toll even on those that survived.

23/03/2021

Support WNCAP this (and every) year!

18/03/2021

"Independent restaurants finally feel seen and heard after a year of screaming that this pandemic has hurt us more than it has any other industry, and it's fantastic." -Katie Button



https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2021/03/16/american-rescue-plan-funnels-billions-relief-restaurants-including-asheville-businesses/4700886001/

Restaurant owners celebrate the passage of the American Rescue Plan, which directs $28.6 billion in relief to restaurants and bars.

18/03/2021

"When everyone was shutting down, I knew right then that we could not fall into that trap — the loss of momentum of closing the doors," said Patrick O'Cain, the owner of Gan Shan West.



https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2021/03/18/asheville-restaurant-owner-harnesses-momentum-thrive-pandemic/4628280001/

When Gov. Roy Cooper announced the mandatory closure of in-house dining, Patrick O'Cain was not about to close another one of his restaurants

11/03/2021

Important event tonight, March 11. If you're unfamiliar with Chanel Miller, you probably, and unfortunately, know the name Brock Turner, the man who r***d her. Help raise money and awareness for Our Voice.

Join us this Thursday, March 11, at 7:00pm for a fireside chat with Chanel Miller, survivor, author, and artist. Tickets available at: https://www.ourvoicenc.org/bts

24/02/2021

Ashleigh Shanti on a staff-first approach to her eventual new restaurant, as yet unnamed:

"People always ask me when I'm opening, and I say, 'Give me a minute. I'm reconstructing an entire system right now."

Since leaving Benne on Eagle, the chef has learned more about life balance, that work doesn't have to be done on your feet and how to put staff first

23/02/2021

"I want to see a robust economy, where Black businesses are interacting and engaging with white businesses, and I think that if we do it well, then Asheville will not only attract the groups it's already attracting, but more Black business owners and entrepreneurs." --J. Hackett

Instead of landing top-10 lists for the best place to retire, community leaders hope Asheville can rank among the best places for Black entrepreneurs.

15/02/2021

"It can turn your worst day to your best day. I've seen it time and time again — you see people frustrated with how long the food is taking, with endless other problems, and a good plate of food can change your attitude."

In Asheville, restaurant owners are finding comfort food to be a strong customer pull in pandemic times.