Asheville Restaurant Week is almost here, running Tuesday, Jan. 21 through Monday, Jan. 27. More than 40 restaurants all over the city will be joining the culinary celebration with their special menus — so we’re serving up a taste of what’s to come, from oysters to burrata-topped pasta.
Bonus: You’ll have another chance to dine on these deals when Asheville Restaurant Week returns for round two: Tuesday, Feb. 18 through Monday, Feb. 24.
Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse, 121 Biltmore Ave. | $38 per person
Dine on family-style dishes like salmon sashimi with wasabi soy broth and smoked Carolina pork shoulder with yuzu pickles.
Regina’s, 1400 Patton Ave. | $19 lunch special
Infinitely better than a bagged lunch, this meal includes a kimchi + smoked gouda grilled cheese, creamy leek soup, and for the finale; French custard ice cream studded with fresh cherries.
Gemelli, 70 Westgate Pkwy. | Three courses for $40
There are plenty of choices on this tasting menu, but no wrong answers. Our dream lineup would be the arancini, burrata alla vodka, and tiramisu. Gemelli’s sister restaurant, Strada, also has a decadent three-course menu worth tasting.
Bonus: Beyond restaurant week, the Italian kitchen recently rolled out some stellar specials, like 828 burger night and half-off happy hour.
Botiwalla, 679 Haywood Rd. + 22 Battery Park Ave. | Pick three for $23
Try a bit of everything with a drink, chaat, and main dish from the Indian grill.
Rye Knot, 868 Merrimon Ave. | BOGO entree
The restaurant and distillery are bringing back this dynamite deal with hearty options like smoked meatloaf topped with truffle gravy + fried shallots, or lighter fare, including a Greek-style lemon mint orzo with your choice of protein.
The Lobster Trap, 35 Patton Ave. | Three courses for $50
This menu is a seafood lover’s dream — begin with fresh, coldwater oysters before making some tough decisions on courses two and three. We’d opt for the mussels and scallops.
The Hop, various locations
We’re always down for a sweet treat. Craft a custom ice cream flight featuring four mini scoops — one scoop of Rising Flame (with smoked cinnamon, cayenne caramel, and chocolate chunks), one collaboration flavor, one vegan option, and one more flavor of your choice.
This is only the start. Check out the rest of the participating restaurants + specials. Reservations are recommended for the restaurants that accept them.
