Head up to Soprana for a three-course feast. | Photo via Soprana
Asheville Restaurant Week is almost here, running Tuesday, Jan. 20 through Monday, Jan. 26. More than 40 local restaurants will be joining the culinary celebration with special deals and menus — so we’re serving up a taste of what’s to come, from oysters to fully-loaded subs.
Bonus: Come back for seconds when Asheville Restaurant Week returns Tuesday, Feb. 17, through Monday, Feb. 23.
Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse | $40 per person
Dine family-style on dishes like salmon crispy rice, smoked pork shoulder with Kyoto-Carolina barbecue sauce, and coveted coconut cake baked from a family recipe.
Maine Lobster Roll, compliments of Chef Mike McCarty. | Photo by The Lobster Trap
The Lobster Trap, 35 Patton Ave. | $50 per person
This three-course menu is a seafood lover’s dream — begin with fresh, coldwater oysters before making some tough decisions between dishes like scallops and a lobster roll. Pro tip: Every Tuesday is $1 oyster day.
Soprana | $33 per person
Head up to the rooftop restaurant for your choice of starter, personal pizza, and dessert (and great views, of course). Our picks would be the whipped ricotta, artichoke pizzette, and cannolis.
The $4.8 million Woodfin Wave is cresting completion, set to open this summer. The intricately engineered surfing and kayaking wave anchors the $35 million Woodfin Greenway and Blueway project, backed by county and tourism funding, which will connect to the River Arts District. (Blue Ridge Public Radio)
Cause
The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care is seeking volunteers for its annual point-in-time count, held Tuesday, Jan. 27-Wednesday, Jan. 28. Volunteers will work in small teams to survey people experiencing homelessness. The information helps direct federal funding, inform local strategy, and identify missing resources within the homeless service system.
Regional
Franklin, NC’s city council voted to return the Noquisiyi Mound to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The mound is spiritually significant to the Cherokee people and has been controlled by private owners or the town for 200 years. The site will remain open to the public, with plans for an educational center nearby. (Associated Press)
Active
Fitness studio franchise barre3 has landed in Biltmore Park Town Square. The low-impact, high-intensity workouts will have you feeling the burn, blending ballet barre, Pilates, yoga, and strength training. Bonus: New members can snag a discounted rate.
Eat
Pizzerias aren’t ruling the restaurant world like they used to. After hitting a record high in 2019, the number of pizza restaurants in the US has steadily declined, with coffee shops and Mexican restaurants now outnumbering them. Slice lovers, consider this your cue to support local pizza purveyors. (Wall Street Journal)
Listen
Podcasters Jonathan and Sara Mayo have released a four-part series, “Something Worth Saving: Asheville Stories of Resilience,” featuring 35+ interviews with artists and business owners after Helene. Launched in September, it’s part of a nationwide project on resilience in small cities.
Real Estate
A museum that looks like the Death Star, Africa’s tallest building, and the end of a 144-year project. Those are three architectural marvels on the radar heading into 2026. Here in Asheville, this recently listed hillside home is a marvel of its own. (CNN)
Announced
Meet The Brief: local business news, announcements, jobs, events, company blogs, podcasts, and deals — all in one tidy weekly newsletter. Think: AVLtoday, but strictly business content. Take this quick survey to share your thoughts and help us craft it. Only five industry-exclusive launch spots exist; email rjohnston@6amcity.com to snag one.
Jobs
Kick off 2026 by growing your team the smart way. Whether you’re a small business ready to expand or a large company filling a critical role, our Job Board connects you with engaged, qualified local talent ready to work. Post your open roles for free and start the new year with strong applications rolling in.
Editor’s Pick
“I am Batman!”
Take a look at some of Murphy Anderson’s work. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
On January 12, 1966, the first-ever TV episode of “Batman” aired. Since then, Bruce Wayne’s adventures have become commonplace in popular media. In honor of the 60-year anniversary, let’s dive into Asheville’s little-known contributions to the Batman universe.
Plus, AVL native and Asheville High alum Chris Chalk played Lucius Fox in the drama series “Gotham.” More recently, Chalk has portrayed Dick Hallorann in the HBO horror series “It: Welcome to Derry.”
The Buy
Our favorite car accessory: a portable air pump and power bank. Never worry about low tire pressure again with this lightweight device that inflates tires while providing a real-time pressure display. Plus, it features a flashlight + flashing SOS mode for added peace of mind during a breakdown or emergency.
Speaking of Batman, there’s one iconic mural in Asheville depicting the hero. Take your guesses on where it is, and I’ll share the answer here tomorrow.
}})
