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Battery Park Book Exchange Review: Books and Bubbles!
Many of the shops in the Grove Arcade have found ways to rise to the occasion of their ornate digs. From the beautiful Wake Foot Sanctuary spa to lovely jewelry and artisanal craft shops, the Grove Arcade is just so lovely to look at that it makes sense to put luxurious products into the shops inside. The name is famous for a reason: the same E.W. Grove who brought his tonic fortune to Asheville and created the Grove Park Inn commissioned this large building to begin construction in 1920. When Charles Parker first designed this opulent space, he envisioned a five-story base and a 14-story tower, a true testament to…
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Green Sage Cafe: Healthy, Delicious, and Sustainable!
I tried Green Sage Cafe back when they had only one location in 2010 (their original location opened in 2008). It’s impressive in the restaurant business when an independent restaurant, especially one with a strong commitment to sustainable and healthy practices, is successful 15 years after opening. Owner Randy Talley has clearly found a version of the breakfast and lunch cafe that works well for the unique ecosystem that is Asheville, as there are now three Green Sage Cafes, sharing their popular menu items with people all around the Asheville area. One complaint I have with a lot of restaurants is that I often walk in famished, and famished-Laura makes…
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12 Awesome Latino and Latina-Owned Businesses in Asheville
More than 40 million people living in the US today were born in a different country, and an estimated one million immigrants arrive in the US every year. People come from all walks of life and for diverse reasons. But one thing is for sure: ours is a nation of immigrants looking for new beginnings and working to make their dreams a reality. According to Pew Research, the US Hispanic population reached 62.5 million in 2021, up from 50.5 million in 2010. So, we are a powerful force, folks! Latino people bring so much to the fan of identities this country is made of. Excellent food, fun music and traditions,…
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La Bodega Restaurant Review: Like a Picnic in Spain
I’ll admit that I’m a biased one when it comes to writing about restaurants that have a Spanish influence. I spent two years living in Spain a while back, and even though I can’t remember every or even most of the meals I had there, the diet was supreme. Fresh fruits and vegetables were plentiful and affordable, and so much of the seasoning was light and bright: vinegars, lemon juice, and zesty piquillo peppers brought out the flavors of seafood and veggie dishes. I still remember my first bowl of salmorejo, a smooth and rich cold soup that is a little thicker and richer than gazpacho by virtue of (of…
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17 Incredible Women-Owned Businesses in Asheville
“I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.” (Extract of Maya Angelou’s poem Phenomenal Woman) Asheville is full of phenomenally phenomenal women. They are mothers, friends, lovers, employers, employees, stay-at-home moms, wizards, lovers, fairies, good witches, mischievous witches, dancers, teachers, scientists, spiritual leaders, cat ladies, healers, bird whisperers, volunteers, and amazing! They work with nonprofits and have imagined and manifested extraordinary women-owned Asheville businesses. They rock big time. From mobile bookstore, beauty salon, cat café, and donut shop owners to Queen Bees offering free honey tastings and a photographer who doesn’t take photos but makes visual poems, I’ve compiled a list of some great Asheville women-owned businesses and some fun…
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Cúrate Restaurant Review: Tapas are Meant to be Shared
My first-ever tapas experience was with five friends in college. At the time, it was the most expensive meal I’d ever had and was a birthday luxury, but it was also a chance to try nearly a dozen different foods – everyone ordered a couple things and we each took little nibbles of it all. It was so luxurious to try so many different items! I moved to Spain only a few months after that birthday, and I learned that tapas aren’t a fancy thing in Spain. I found my favorite local spot that put the Real Madrid soccer matches on their televisions and brought tapas for free when you…
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Where to Find the Best Tacos in Asheville: 13 Delicious Taco Spots
I wouldn’t call myself an expert on that much – I do love exploring Asheville, but I can’t claim true expertise in many categories. When it comes to the best tacos in Asheville, though, and the eating of delicious foods wrapped in tortillas in general, I am a bit of an aficionado. We’re blessed in the Asheville area that you can get a great traditional beef, pork, or chicken taco in almost any Mexican restaurant, but there are also some truly unique taco offerings that stand out for their great flavor combinations and high-quality ingredients. While I can’t be sure which trucks will be on the road during your stay…
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Moonshine and More: The Best Distilleries in Asheville, NC
Most people know Asheville as Beer City, and for good reason – there are literally dozens of micro and even nanobreweries in the area, creating a wide variety of incredible lagers, sour beers, IPAs, and every other imaginable variety. But when it comes to drinking local on the cocktail side, did you know that Asheville has a great craft distillery scene? Since many spirits spend time aging in barrels or in other kinds of time-consuming processes, many craft distilleries emerge on a small scale at first, only to grow rapidly as their products hit the market and people discover the delicious flavors. Whether you’d prefer your locally distilled whiskey on…
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Tea Time: The 9 Best Tea Shops in Asheville
I’ll be honest with you – I was not much of a tea fan until I started visiting tea houses in Asheville with a friend of mine. I’m a coffee drinker through and through, and she was only able to win me over because the atmosphere of Asheville’s tea shops is such a lovely and inviting one. Whether you’re looking to lounge on floor cushions while sipping a tasty oolong at Dobra Tea or want to learn about the complex and fascinating history of pu-erh teas at High Climate, the tea shops in Asheville offer a wide variety of teas for both on-site consumption and for taking home with you. …
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The 14 Best Things to do in Asheville’s River Arts District (RAD)
The Asheville River Arts District (aka RAD) by the French Broad River is a former industrial area that slowly became one of the coolest parts of town after being abandoned and run-down for decades. Spending a day walking around this area to appreciate the eclectic Asheville art studios and shops is one of the best things to do in Asheville! There are over 200 art studios and shops in 23 buildings and many wonderful restaurants – from family-friendly options to a James Beard award nominee to the Obamas’ favorite BBQ joint. You’ll also come across plenty of cafes, breweries, and music venues, as well as two skate parks and a…
