A sneak peek at Gemelli, Asheville NC’s new Italian eatery
Gemelli is Chef Anthony Cerrato’s latest venture. | Photo by AVLtoday
A coffee shop by day and wine bar by night. That’s what folks can expect from Italian eatery Gemelli, which will open Mon., Sept. 12 at the Westgate Shopping Center in the space formerly occupied by Green Sage (70 Westgate Pkwy.). We got a sneak peek at the space + menu and just had to share it with y’all.
Gemelli is the latest venture from Anthony Cerrato, the chef + owner of downtown’s Strada Italiano and Social Lounge. It will offer counter service during the day from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and full service from 3-8 p.m. Folks can enjoy sweet and savory breakfasts like maritozziand frittatas. And speaking of sweets, there’s also bombolini (fried Italian doughnuts), cannoli, granita + tiramisu, all based on Anthony’s family’s recipe.
The foligame with roasted vegetables looks positively divine. I
Photo via Gemelli
The rest of the menu features “authentic, Northern Italian vegetable-forward dishes” like ribolita(a white bean soup thickened with day-old bread), truffle mushroom risotto, Sicilian style pizza, pasta dishes (like ravioli and the eponymous gemelli), salads with housemade dressings, and entrees like foligame with seasonal roasted vegetables.
And to wash it all down?Coffee beans imported from Italy for an elevated espresso experience, draft cocktails, a 12 bottle self-serve wine machine, local bottled beers, and teas available with housemade syrups like lemon basil and hazelnut.
Just want to run in and out? There’s also a small retail area with wines, Italian pastas, sauces, and gelato from Sugar & Snow — basically, everything you need to make a stellar meal at home.
Make plans to get your grub on with your friends by sharing this newsletter using the links below.
Swing Dance (and Lesson) | Tues., Sept. 6 | 7-10 p.m. | Cork & Keg Bar, 86 Patton Ave. | $5 for lesson, $7 for dancing | Join for a cozy evening of dancing at the wine bar.
Wednesday
Music to Your Ears: Magical Mystery Tour | Wed., Sept. 7 | 7 p.m. | Asheville Guitar Bar | $10 | Local music journalist + author Bill Kopp will lead a discussion about The Beatles with bassist and songwriter Steve Stoeckel of The Spongetones.
Thursday
The Big Easy Wine Dinner | Thurs., Sept. 8 | 6 p.m. | Ivory Road, 1854 Brevard Rd., Arden | $58 | Gorge on a New Orleans-inspired five-course meal with an optional wine pairing. 🍽️
Business After Hours | Thurs., Sept. 8 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Asheville Design District, 121 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Network with local business folks over drinks and snacks.
Friday
Silent Disco | Fri., Sept. 9 | 8 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit | $5+ | Erik Mattox will lead you through a headphone dance party.
Mountain Song Festival | Fri., Sept. 9-Sat., Sept. 10 | 12-10 p.m. | $44.50+ | Brevard | Jam to legends including the Steep Canyon Rangers, Gibson Brothers + Amethyst Kiah at this bluegrass and mountain music-themed festival.
Saturday
Rockin’ for Rescue | Sat., Sept. 10 | 1-9 p.m. | Blue Ghost Brewing Company, 125 Underwood Rd. | Free entry | This fundraiser for the Asheville Humane Society features a slew of food and other vendors, plus live entertainment. 🐾
Virgo Season Party | Sat., Sept. 10 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28 Broadway St. | Free entry | Celebrate Virgo season with music from DJ LC Tamagotchi, drinks, and late night eats. ♍
We have amonthly 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.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
The Lobster Trap and local hot sauce maker, Firewalker, created the perfect companion for your favorite seafood. | Photo provided by The Lobster Trap
It’s time to get fired up, Asheville.The Lobster Trap and Firewalker teamed up to create a spicy, tastebud-tingling collab.
Enter: The Lobster Trap’s new specialty hot sauce, bringing a deliciouscayenne kick to any crab, lobster, oyster, or shrimp dish.
Take your meal to the next level by trying the new signature sauce for yourself: Book a reservation for dine-in or add a bottle to your nextcurbside order. 🔥 *
79º | Scattered thunderstorms | 58% chance of rain
Civic
The Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods will host a candidate forum on Thurs., Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. to help locals learn about candidates for Mayor, Asheville City Council, and Buncombe County Commission. Topics up for discussion include: homelessness, development, crime, and climate. 🏡 (Mountain Xpress)
Arts
Make Noise, a music technology designer + retailer, is hosting pop-up eventsthrough September, with the first one scheduled for Fri., Sept. 9,6-9 p.m. The evening will feature demos of the company’s new stereo oscillator, workshops, and artist mini-residences. Sign up to attend. 🎶
Attention adventure-seekers. Check out America’s highest suspension footbridge at WNC’s Grandfather Mountain. The bridge is at an elevation of 5,300-ft and stretches across an 80-ft gap, giving visitors a breathtaking view of the Blueridge Mountains. 🏔 (Atlas Obscura)
Cause
The NC Mountain State Fair is offering free admission to anyone who brings five cans of Laura Lynn brand foods on Wed., Sept. 14 for Ingles Day. All collected items will be donated to MANNA Food Bank, which provides food for the 16 western-most counties in North Carolina. View all promotions + discount days. 🎡 (ABC 13 News)
Outdoors
Environmentalists have proposed that Craggy Dam be removed to help endangered species + habitat restoration — other possible benefits include the addition of recreation areas. No official decisions have been made since the district has yet to sign off, but we’ll keep you updated. 💦 (Mountain Xpress)
Number
$705,000. That’s how much grant money was distributed to 78 animal welfare groups by the Grey Muzzle Organization to help at-risk senior dogs. Our very own Brother Wolf Animal Rescue was among the recipients. See all grantees. 🐶
Community
Take your love for AVLtoday to the next level by joining our new membership program. Support local journalism while enjoying perks like: exclusive birthday deals, shoutouts on our member wall, discounts from our online shop (Six & Main) + more. 🎉
Learn
Mycology enthusiasts, this is the class for you. This month, naturalist Luke Cannon will teach “Marvelous Mushrooms of the Appalachians,” a two-session, hands-on class at the North Carolina Arboretum where attendees will hike, examine specimens, andhave a great time. Learn more + register. 🍄 *
Stat
A structure catches fire in the US every 64 seconds. The local pros at MB HAYNES share three ways to help prevent your home or business from joining that statistic. 🔥 *
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Arts
Down(town) to a fine art
Fall lineup announced for Pack Square Plaza’s “Art in the Heart”
Downtown’s Pack Square Park. | Photo by Camille Nevarez-Hernandez
Starting this month — and through early 2023 — Pack Square Plaza will come alive with performances, film screenings, photo exhibits + other temporary public art installations as part of the City of Asheville + Buncombe County’s Art in the Heart program.
Now that the lineup has been announced for the next two months, let’s take a look at the highlight reel:
Performances
Leah and the Rabbit: A Puppet Show
Sat., Sept. 10, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
This puppet show will highlight the story of Leah Erwin, one of 27 known enslaved people owned by and living with the Vance family.
Our Careful Tending
Sat., Oct. 15, 3-6 p.m.
This roaming performance will include three people wearing black robes + large paper masks, who will read poetic words of healing.
Exhibits
The Faces of Change
Sat., Sept. 10-Sat., Sept. 17
This photography exhibit will feature large, weatherproof images by youth artists, along with a 3×5 ft. collage. There will also be a special screening of a digital short film created by filmmaker and student Cielo Vera on Sat., Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.
Room in the Sky
Sat., Sept. 17-Sun., Oct. 30
This sculpture installation will include 12 solid-colored, nylon flags plus another healing-focused statue in the heart of Pack Square Plaza.
Haus of Hues
Sun., Sept. 18-Fri., Sept. 30
This temporary art installation will work with the park’s natural features to create an atmosphere that celebrates all colors of the spectrum with prisms, mirrors, and multicolored lights.
THE WRAP
Today’s edition was written by Brook.
Editor’s pick: Are y’all as excited as I am that fall is nearly here? It’s the most wonderful time of the year, especially here in these gorgeous mountains.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here are the local spots you can go to grill out and chill out.
Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
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