This soup + sandwich combo is the perfect cold weather lunch. | Photo by Kat at @reginaswestside
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 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.
Regina’s | $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.
Gobi 65 and the Maharaja Lamb Burger are on the special menu.
Photo by Tim Robison, courtesy of Botiwalla
Botiwalla | Pick three for $23
Try a bit of everything with a drink, chaat, and main dish from the Indian grill.
Rye Knot | 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.
Free Scoop Day | 1-9 p.m. | The Hop Ice Cream | Free | The local business is thanking customers for their support by offering a free scoop of ice cream at all locations during regular business hours.
Wine By the Vines: Argentina | 6-8:30 p.m. | Gemelli | $75 | Reserve a seat to dine on five courses, each paired with an Argentinian wine.
Friday, Jan. 17
Divine’s Karaoke Kiki | 8-11 p.m. | Dalton Distillery | Free | Step into the spotlight for singalongs, props, and plenty of surprises hosted by comedy drag queen extraordinaire, Divine Holeburn.
Foreign Film Fridays | 7 p.m. | Flood Gallery Fine Art Center | Free | Bring snacks and drinks to this specially curated, weekly movie night — this week’s flick is Pedro Almodovar’s 1999 Spanish film, “All About My Mother.”
Saturday, Jan. 18
The Art of Yoga Series | 10-11 a.m. | Asheville Art Museum | $10 | Grab your mat and head to the museum’s atrium for an art-inspired flow — then explore the galleries afterward.
National Geographic: The Greatest Wildlife Photographs | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | The North Carolina Arboretum | $20+ | Catch the opening day of the exhibit, featuring stunning shots from the pages of National Geographic magazine.
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration issued $352.6 million in emergency relief funds to the NC Department of Transportation, TN Department of Transportation, US Forest Service, and National Park Service to repair local infrastructure. Repair efforts include work on I-40, Blue Ridge Parkway cleanup, and roadway repairs in National Forests.
Number
10,180. That’s the record-breaking number of acres the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy protected in 2024, from conservation projects in Balsam Gap to Big Roan Ridge. Learn how to get involved with the conservancy or join one of the upcoming hikes, tours, and workshops.
Cause
BeLoved Asheville announced it purchased 8 acres of land in Swannanoa to create another BeLoved Village similar to its East Asheville project, where 12 tiny homes will soon be occupied by residents and families making 15-50 percent AMI. The Swannanoa village will host small two- to three-bedroom homes, with a tentative construction timeline beginning in spring. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Civic
Several accessibility upgrades are complete in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center, Rankin Avenue, and Wall Street garages, making accessible parking spaces and paths more compliant with the ADA. These upgrades complete the second phase of the Parking Garage Capital Improvements project, with the third phase, high-priority repairs, set to begin in mid-2025.
Opening
After months of hard work rebuilding the taproom, French Broad River Brewery will soon reopen, potentially in February — although owner Paul Casey said it’s still a “moving target.” See the latest update from the brewery on Instagram.
Plan Ahead
The Tropiliachia Club returns to Little Jumbo on Thursday, Jan. 30. Through the end of February, the cocktail bar will transform into a tropical paradise with special drinks and decor. There’s also a special collab beer to look forward to. Little Jumbo and Cellarest Beer Project have created the Tropilager, a sippable, low-ABV brew.
Listen
Arts nonprofit Asheville Theater Alliance is taking you behind the scenes with “Behind the Curtain,” a new weekly podcast spotlighting WNC performing artists, hosted by Janet Kopenhaver. Find the podcast (and other local shows) on Spotify.
Real Estate
Um, wow. Sitting atop 56 private acres in Newland, with a wraparound deck, open kitchen, and floor-to-ceiling windows with uninterrupted mountain views, this stunningly crafted log cabin is a true million-dollar masterpiece.*
Home
Dreaming of owning an affordable and energy-efficient home close to your favorite local businesses? See if Habitat for Humanity’s Homeownership Program is right for you through online resources or attend an in-person information session on Saturday, Jan. 25.*
Wellness
It’s never too late to kickstart a new health journey. The YMCA of Western North Carolina offers flexible options, including group fitness classes, personal training, access to a CrossFit gym, youth programs, child care, and more. Sign up before Wednesday, Jan. 29, to join for just $5.*
Job
Ready to get connected with the best local talent in 2025? We created our community job board just for you. Give it a try by posting your first listing for free.
The Buy
The Buy
Bananagrams. The award-winning family game is travel-friendly + perfect for all ages. Bonus: Add a little chaos to family game night when you try the party edition features 14 new tiles with challenges and hijinks.
Ivory Road is hosting a special Valentine’s afternoon tea on Saturday, Feb. 15. If you’re feeling the love, grab tickets for the 11:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. seatings to sip on tea and snack on shortbread, scones, finger sandwiches, and desserts.
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