Amazing Dinner by Chef Justin Burdette at Local Provisions

By: AskAsheville about 7 years ago

Foreword: When we first heard about Local Provisions opening in downtown Asheville, we were not that quick to try it out. They did not initiate a giant marketing campaign, and the buzz was not that heavy. But after eating there recently, we now want to change that. We finally got the chance to stop in and we are so glad we did. We went in unannounced because we like to experience places just like everyone else does, impartial, and see how it really is. And it was great! After dinner, we were walking past Curate and one of the people that was with us said that Local Provisions was just as good, but that not many people know about it. I definitely agreed.

Another one of our writers, Karin, ate at Local Provisions a short time ago and wrote this fantastic blog. Please read:

Food has always been important to me. My dad worked at the famous Luchows in NYC and it was there, eating hasenpfeffer in front of their glorious Christmas tree listening to um pah music, that my love affair with food began.

One of my favorite places to eat in Highlands used to be Ruka’s Table. Although it’s no longer open, I spent many evenings there sampling eclectic entrées like bone marrow and pork belly with pickled something or other.

Justin Burdett was the chef there at the time and I remember finding out from the waitress that he was a Chopped Champion (Food Channel must see). Fast forward two horrible years in Highlands without Justin’s delectable creations and I read on Twitter that he has bought the old Seven Sows in Asheville and was opening his own place, Local Provisions.

Let me explain to you that we planned our arrival to Asheville, our visit to the Biltmore, and the check in to our cabin, all around when Local Provisions was open. Yep…he’s that good.

77 Biltmore Ave. is where Justin hangs his apron now and works his magic. A small yet elegant restaurant with a patio on the side for dining outside when the weather cooperates!

Now, down to the nitty gritty…the FOOD! There are five main categories to order from on the menu: Taste, Small, Preserved, Large, and Sweet. We ordered something from each section. Seriously. Well, we were having Justin withdrawals!

Some of the delicacies we sampled were things like Buttermilk Curds and Whey and Local Radishes from the Taste section. The delicate curds burst in your mouth and the creamy taste of ricotta glides over your tongue. My husband had the Local Radishes which had buttermilk whipped Lardo (don’t get me started, that stuff is heavenly) and radish greens. Who knew radishes could be so delicious?

From the Small section we both devoured the Sorghum Pork Belly. We had fallen in love with this at Ruka’s and just had to experience it again.

Now, the Preserved column each have a pickled element. I had the Chicken Terrine with pepper jelly and farm and sparrow seeded bread. At this point Justin came out to our table, recognizing us from Highlands. “I concoct these plates based on what I like to eat, ” he shared with us. He must have amazing taste buds! David tried the Rabbit Summer Sausage and couldn’t wait for me to sample it.

Here comes the Large…we feasted on quail and braised rabbit leg and loin.

The cocktails are as unique as the food…we each tried two different potions each and loved them all.

You would think we were full, but there were still desserts on the menu calling my name, so we made a plan.

Right next door is the Wicked Weed, a marvelous Asheville brewery. We paid and strolled over to nose around, had a delicious brew then went back to Local Provisions and got dessert to take back to the hotel.

Snuggled in at the Holiday Inn on Tunnel Road we munched on caramelized Banana Bread and Sweet Potato Panna Cotta…HEAVENLY!!!

Local Provisions *77 Biltmore Ave.* 828-424-7815

Tell’em Chef Knut Meg sent you!!
You can thank me later!

Muah!!! Till next time!
Karin – adventurer and story teller!!
Follow me on Twitter @karin13773564

Grabbing a bite to eat at Mayfel’s in downtown Asheville

By: AskAsheville about 8 years ago

Since we live in Asheville, we find ourselves complaining sometimes that there is no place to eat. Of course we live in a land of plentiful eateries, but after living here for awhile, we are always on the lookout for new places to try. And that is sometimes a gamble. When you visit a new restaurant, you never know what to expect. Even some places that evolve to great restaurants are rough around the edges when they first open. You can wait a few months for the TripAdvisor and Facebook ratings to accumulate before trying them, or you can give them a try and experience it yourself, making your own determination.

Mayfel’s has become one our our sure-shots in the downtown Asheville area, right across the street from Pritchard Park and the Drum Circle. When we want to know that we are going to have a good meal and experience, we can count on them. We stopped by there recently to have some dinner after listening to the buskers outside. One of the plates was Grilled Shrimp, and the other was the Jambalaya with a boneless chicken breast on top. So delish! If you find yourself in downtown Asheville; Mayfel’s is a fine spot for breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner.

Asheville is just one BIG Hippie Festival!

By: AskAsheville about 8 years ago

It doesn’t take long for someone to walk around downtown Asheville and notice just how many hippies are out and about around town. And it is not just your average hippie either. As we had mentioned in our Asheville Hippie article years ago, there are many types of hippies around town. We have just touched the tip of the iceberg. Even though many thought that hippies and hipsters were at variance somewhat; we can now say that out of Asheville has evolved a new breed.. the Hipster Hippie. Our friend Susu edited these photos with her own funky artistic style, and has shared them with us:

Best Places in Asheville for Late Autumn Portraits

By: Adrian Etheridge about 10 years ago

Fallen leaves, colorful streets, and beautiful views: Asheville in the late fall is a beautiful city for portraiture. From brilliantly-colored leafy woodlands to creatively-painted graffiti backgrounds, a photographer only has to step out her front door to find a good backdrop for a photo shoot. This year, as you dust off your camera for for solo photos, family portraits, Christmas cards, or just a fun afternoon with a camera, keep a few of the best locations around Asheville in mind.

UNC Asheville Botanical Gardens

If you’re looking for a nature setting, look no further than UNCA’s campus in North Asheville. The university’s botanical gardens offer a beautiful natural backdrop complete with fall colors and soft lighting filtering through the tree branches. On a warm day (because weather in Asheville can fluctuate from 20 to 60 degree days in the same week) the creek is a wonderful place for reflections.

The saturated fall colors of the leaves and dying foliage make for a very colorful background. With a wide open space to run around, you can create lively portraits playing in the leaves or skipping through the field.

The garden’s gazebo is one of my personal favorite places for portraits. Hidden in the corner entrance, the gazebo only gets the last soft rays of sunshine, so it is a perfect location for softly-lit close-ups.

Wall Street, Downtown

After a day of window shopping and gorging in any one (or more!) of Asheville’s famously fantastic restaurants, Downtown is a great location for artsy portraits. Architectural ranging from the 1800s to now, statues both fun and iconic, streets lined with lights and leaves, and art at every turn create a perfect atmosphere for city portraiture. Wall Street’s green light poles, yellow leaves, and colorful building fronts pair well with a great leather jacket and a pretty smile.

Chicken Alley, Downtown

Chicken Alley is famous for the enormous painted chicken, and this unconventionally decorated backstreet provides a beautiful brick backdrop for photos. Commandeer a nice renter’s back porch and you can make portraits fit for any coffee-drinking city-goer.

Graffiti by the Hatchery Studios, River Arts District

The River Arts District is a great place for more than just buying artists’ work. The giant graffiti-ed wall and silo create an edgier setting. Looking for a place for band photos or artist portraits? Posing in front of Asheville’s underground muralists’ work is the perfect location.

Looking for a professional photographer to take your portraits? Check out ASE Photography by Adrian Etheridge: ASEphotography.pixpasites.com OR ASEartistry10@gmail.com

Looking for a model to try out these locations? Contact Erin Dalton: inspiringdalton@gmail.com