07.30.2024

Today’s Forecast

84º | 51% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:37 a.m. | Sunset 8:35 p.m.

Around the world in 80 plates

Eat around the globe without leaving Asheville

Admire this flavor-packed Indian fare. | Photo via @laila_asheville

One of the main attractions for international travel is tasting diverse cuisines, but you can do the same without leaving Asheville.

It’s time to embark on a culinary journey — these 15+ local restaurants offer global foods and experiences. Here’s how to travel the world with your taste buds.

El Salvador | Taste of El Salvador, 1565 Patton Ave. | Since 2015, Chef Canduchita Molina has been serving up pupusas, Salvadoran-style tamales, and more delicious traditional dishes.

Ethiopia | Addissae, 48 Commerce St. | The downtown spot boasts a flavorful menu of various meat and vegan options, cooked in unique spice blends with plenty of ginger and garlic. Pro tip: If you want a taste of everything, go for the vegetarian or meat platters, served with injera, a soft and spongy flatbread.

Addissae's meat platter — Addissae’s meat platter features two beef and one chicken dish.
|
Photo by AVLtoday

India | Laila, 77 Biltmore Ave. | If indecision gets the best of you, the daily lunch buffet is filled with everything from appetizers to desserts. But when it comes to Indian cuisine, we’re spoiled with choice — Chai Pani, Dilbar, Mehfil, Mela, and Big Tikka are all located downtown.

Korea | Stone Bowl, 1987 Hendersonville Rd., Ste. A | You can’t go wrong ordering the restaurant’s namesake dish, with rice, veggies, egg, and your choice of protein served (plus, a side of spicy sauce). You can also dine on other authentic favorites like kim bap and hot pot.

master bbq.png — Get your hands on this incredible spread from Master BBQ.
|
Photo by AVLtoday

Middle East | Baba Nahm, 60 Biltmore Ave. | Sample all kinds of Middle Eastern street food at this colorful joint, from Tabrizi meatballs to a Lebanese platter filled with fresh fare. Right now, the restaurant is closed, but for an exciting reason. Soon, it will move from its Grove Arcade location to a more spacious spot at 60 Biltmore Ave.

Philippines | Master BBQ, 870 Riverside Dr., Woodfin | The bright red food truck is parked at Zillicoah Beer Co. and serves up authentic, mouthwatering dishes, like crispy lumpia, pancit bihon topped with pork cracklings, garlicky chicken adobo, and its special grilled skewers.

10 more countries' cuisines

Events

Tuesday, July 30

Guided Trail Walk | Tuesday, July 30 | 1-3 p.m. | The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville | Free | Trained volunteer guides will take you on a one- to two-mile hike through woodland trails while discussing natural history.
Hoops and Flow Arts Jam | Tuesday, July 30 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Pritchard Park, 67 Patton Ave., Asheville | Free | Dance, spin, groove, and show off your hula hooping skills as a live DJ pumps up the jams.

Wednesday, July 31

Pop-Up Yoga & Coffee | Wednesday, July 31 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Cooperative Coffee Roasters, 210 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $10-$20 | Enjoy a morning flow on the deck, and stick around after for a coffee.
16th Annual Music Video Asheville Awards | Wednesday, July 31 | 5:30 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $12-$15 | Hit the red carpet before settling in for live music, an awards ceremony, and a screening of music videos from local bands.

Thursday, Aug. 1

Park Rhythms Summer Concert Series | Thursday, Aug. 1 | 7-9 p.m. | Veterans Park, 10 Veterans Park Dr., Black Mountain | Free | Bring a lawn chair and settle into the sounds of summer with music from Colby T. Helms and The Virginia Creepers.
Divine’s Karaoke Kiki | Thursday, Aug. 1 | 7-9 p.m. | Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Step into the spotlight for singalongs, props, and plenty of surprises hosted by comedy drag queen extraordinaire Divine Holeburn.

Friday, Aug. 2

Hammered Wide-Band Rings | Friday, Aug. 2 | 1:30-4 p.m. | Ignite Jewelry Studios, 191 Lyman St., Ste. 262, Asheville | $95 | Let instructors guide you in crafting a shiny, beautiful hammered sterling silver wide-band ring.

"Are you not entertained?"

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Community

Start perfecting your recipes and drafting your blueprints because entries for the Omni Grove Park Inn’s 32nd Annual National Gingerbread House Competition are now open. Bakers of all ages and skill levels can compete for prizes — submit the entry form by Monday, Nov. 11 to enter.

Featured

Ahem, we’d like to make a toast. The Crow & Quill was named as one of USA Today’s Bars of the Year, citing its intimate ambiance, jazzy live music, and vast spirit selection. We’ll raise an Old Fashioned to that. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Eat

If you’re still awaiting your Hogwarts letter, Well-Bred Bakery is delivering the next best thing — but it isn’t arriving by owl. Tomorrow, July 31, its Weaverville and Biltmore Village locations will be serving up a magical menu of themed treats, like Butterbeer lattes and pumpkin pasties with chocolate frogs.

Shop

If you’re looking for back-to-school savings, Wee Trade returns to the WNC Agricultural Center from Thursday, Aug. 2 to Sunday, Aug. 4 with consigned goods priced at 70-90% off retail, from strollers to clothing to toys. Bonus: New and expecting parents, foster families, teachers, and first responders can shop the ticketed presale on Thursday.

Try This

Gan Shan West is doubling down on delicious specials. A few weeks ago, the Asian-fusion restaurant introduced Noodle Wednesday, featuring rotating noodle dishes. Now, the restaurant has rolled out Sunday Supper, currently serving juicy five-spice smoked chicken with cucumber salad, Hui duck sauce, ginger scallion sauce, and rice on Sundays from 4-9 p.m.

Outdoors

On Saturday, Aug. 10, the Waterfall Keepers of NC won’t be chasing waterfalls — they’ll be chasing trash. Join the environmental organization at its quarterly cleanup of “Waterfall Highway,” an eight-mile stretch of NC 215 north of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sign up to help out.

Announced

Meet: AVLtoday’s Best. From pet-friendly places to fitness centers, we’re asking for your insight on the top-tier spots Asheville has to offer. Nominate your favorite businesses now through Friday, August 16.

Featured Home

This East Asheville home on Memory Lane offers bamboo flooring, wooded views, and a lower-level studio apartment with a separate entrance (Airbnb, anyone?). Plus, find coffee, drinks, and a newly renovated library + playground at the end of the street. See all 20+ pics.*

Shop

Ditch the men’s dress pants — the Dealmaker Pant is the ultimate pant for work or play, with an impeccable fit and feel. Save 15% with code READ15.*

The Buy

The Buy 7.30.24 (Affiliate)

These quick drying women’s water shoes — they’re perfect to slip on during any aquatic adventure, from summer beach trips to waterfall hiking.

Answered

If you could name an Asheville-inspired beer, what would you call it?

asheville-nc-beer-dictionary-local-recs — We’re raising a glass to your clever ideas.
|
Photo by Archetype Brewing

Last week, we shared some of our favorite beers named after our neck of the woods. So naturally, we asked you all to assume the role of Head Brewer and tell us what you’d put on the label of your own local brew. Y’all raised the bar with your suggestions — here are a few we loved:

“Liquid Poetry” — Nita W.
“Drum Circle Stout” — Butch G.
“Vanderbeert” — Joe C.
“Hoppy Hippy” — Rick J.
“Mountain Mist” — Charles F.

And a special shoutout to Sharon A. and Katherine C. who were on the same wavelength with “Hold My Beer.”

Of course, if any of our local breweries would like to turn these ideas into a reality, we’d cheers to that.

Share your brew-tiful idea

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

According to BetKansas, NC ranks No. 11 in the country for most coffee consumption. If you’re like me and think you may have single-handedly contributed to our ranking, you probably know all the spots around town for a pick-me-up. But if you need a refresher, you can always consult our guide to local coffee shops.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

›

Advertise with us to stand out.

›

Games | Crossword, Sudoku, and More

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY