Hello Wednesday.
April 24 2024
While Asheville’s food scene is undeniably iconic, we love seeing (and tasting) different influences + getting inspiration from other cities. Recently, our friends at COLAtoday were talking about how Columbia, SC has a Pimento Cheese Passport, where you can go all over town trying different restaurants’ pimento cheese dishes. 🤯
We know that NC has a fried chicken map and a BBQ Trail + Asheville boasts an ale trail as well as AIR’s passport — but a food passport? Our first thought was, “We’re jealous! We wish we had something like that.” So, we decided to make one.
Columbia SC Pimento Cheese Passport in the wild. | Photo by 6AM City
But that’s where we need your help. Columbia loves their pimento cheese and claims to have 1 of the oldest recorded pimento cheese recipes from 1912. We might not have a claim to fame quite like that, but Asheville is full of tasty dishes all over town.
What food, dish, or ingredient would you be willing to travel around town trying different versions of? Maybe it’s sushi, or farm to table food, a dessert deep dive, or a trip to some Asheville staples, like Rocky’s Hot Chicken, Buxton Hall BBQ, and The Laughing Seed.
Let us know, and we’ll put together an unofficial food passport. We want it to be a way for newcomers to experience our restaurant scene or even for the most seasoned Asheville epicureans to step out of their normal dining routines.
Head down to the question box below to chime in. 👇
What should be the subject of Asheville's unofficial food passport?
We would love to hear your opinion on the topic.
Today
- TINDER LIVE with Lane Moore | Mon., Sept. 20 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. | $17+ | Check out this improvised, interactive comedy show. 💘
- Energy Efficiency for Businesses and Nonprofits | Mon., Sept. 20 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Virtual | Free | This informational session will cover practical and effective strategies for energy savings.⚡️
- Brian Felix Trio | Mon., Sept. 20 | 7-10 p.m. | The Little Jumbo, 241 Broadway St. | Free | Enjoy cocktails + a jazzy piano trio. 🎹
- Asheville City School Board Meeting | Mon., Sept. 20 | 5 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Listen to the latest on Asheville City Schools. 📚
- Field to Fork: You Are What You Eat | Mon., Sept. 20 | 7-8 p.m. | UNC Asheville Blue Ridge Room | Free | Keynote speaker Marc Williams presents this 1-hour talk as part of UNC Asheville’s traditional Greenfest, which will also be available via livestream. Ⓟ
Tuesday
- Stephen Day | Tues., Sept. 21 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. | $10 | Folk singer-songwriter. 🎤
- Visiting Writers Series | Tues., Sept. 21 | 7-8 p.m | Sherrill Center, Kimmel Arena, 227 Campus Dr. | Free | Celebrate the publication of Wiley Cash’s newest novel, “When Ghosts Come Home.”
Wednesday
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 71º | Showers | 60% chance of rain
Biz
- For those of y’all who have inquired about the state of West End Bakery, we’ve got an update. According to Ashevegas, the popular West Asheville eatery is closed for remodeling + rebranding. When it reopens, West End plans to expand upon its coffee and breakfast goods with some wine and charcuterie offerings. 🥐
Development
- The application for the 101 Charlotte St. mixed-use development has been withdrawn. The plan was slated to create 180 residential units and 50,000 sq ft of commercial space. Developers have cited lack of support from the city as its reason for pulling the plan. It’s likely that they’ll propose a new plan that doesn’t require a conditional zoning permit. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Region
- FEMA has approved almost $800,000 in housing + other assistance for flood victims in the Haywood County area, according to a report from Haywood County Emergency Services. Tropical Depression Fred caused $8.9 million worth of damage to state-owned bridges and roads. Those who are in need of FEMA assistance may apply online. (ABC13 News)
Community
- The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce will honor 2 dozen local humanitarians at tomorrow’s Chamber Family Get-Down by the River. Awards will go to individuals + organizations who have gone above and beyond to help community members during the pandemic. The celebration runs from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
- Although the WNC Bigfoot Festival was moved to May 2022 due to COVID safety concerns, you can still get an inside look at the event from cofounder Joneric Bruner. Check out Mountain Xpress’ interview with Joneric to learn about the inception of the festival + the family ties that have kept it going.
Film
- The 24th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival, a worldwide screening that spans 400 venues and 6 continents, returns to Asheville’s Grail Moviehouse from Fri., Sept. 24-Oct. 3. Attendees can see all 10 short film finalists at several showings throughout the week. Tickets are on sale now for $10. 🎥
History
- Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center will now offer tours of its historic campus in partnership with Lake Eden Preserve. Kicking off Sept. 24, the 1-hour tours will explore the lakeside grounds, which were the site of BMC from 1941-1957.
Active
- All Souls Counseling Center will host the 5th Annual Mental Wellness Walk on Sat., Oct. 2. The virtual event aims to spread the word about mental health challenges + community resources. Participants should register online and can walk at the location of their choosing. 👟(Mountain Xpress)
DYK
- There’s a giant smiley face that’s mowed into a large field on the east side of Sweeten Creek Rd. in Arden. According to Roadside America, the face has been mowed into the property for “many, many years.” Got information to add to this story? Send us tips. 🙂
Arts
- A new exhibit is coming to the Mark Bettis Studio & Gallery (123 Roberts St.). “Little Boxes Where We Dwell: Habitats, Spaces, and Reflections” will feature work from 11 artists using different mediums. The show will open Nov. 13 with an opening reception from 4-7 p.m. + will run through Nov. 27.
Featured
- Looking for opportunities for fun? Travel guide book publisher Lonely Planet has shared 17 things to add to your Asheville must-do list, and with activities ranging from exploring our dynamic food scene, unique museums, rich artistic traditions, breweries + more. We’re pretty sure there’s something for everyone.
Correction
- Last week, we reported that the restaurant Pomodoros Cafe - South has closed its doors. However, we accidentally linked to the Pomodoros Cafe’s east Asheville location, which remains open. To clarify, the Pomodoros Cafe on Long Shoals Rd. is reportedly closing, but the Pomodoros on Tunnel Rd. isn't going anywhere. Sorry about that y’all.
Edu
- Looking to learn a new trade? MB HAYNES’ Apprenticeship Program is one of the oldest active in-house programs in North Carolina. Here’s how it works. Ⓟ
Today marks the final few hours that “Wake,” Mel Chin’s giant animatronic sculpture, will grace Collier St. in Asheville’s South Slope. The traveling sculpture, which clocks in at 60 ft long, 34 ft wide + 24 ft tall, provides commentary on how the “tides of history” have shaped communities and the environment in complicated ways.
“Wake” was made possible through a collaboration between Chin —who won a MacArthur Fellowship in 2019 — and a team of UNC Asheville students, faculty, staff, and community artists. Learn more about the piece — and what it’s meant to evoke —via the Asheville Area Arts Council.
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