Our Blog "A Local's Perspective"

Many visit Asheville intending to spend most of their time hiking the Blue Ridge , drinking up that invigorating mountain air like landbound trout. And I’m all for some hiking , or kayaking, (even some bivouacking, perhaps) but no visit to Asheville is complete without a tour of our thriving downtown. Chock-full of awesome restaurants, and stylin’ cafes, there’s always a lot going on downtown. But somehow it still retains some of that sleepy, relaxed small-town feel.

Sweets have been on my mind lately. I think it's post-holiday withdrawal. Where has all the hot cocoa gone? Where are my sugar plums and figgy Christmas puddings? In this long, cold stretch of January, those warm days of patisseries and steaming chocolate seem like nothing but a fantasy.  But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here in Asheville, we’ve got more awesome places for dessert than you can shake a peppermint stick out. And by golly, I’m in the mood for some confectio

Soon another fine year will wind its way to a close here in Asheville. For some, this is a time of reflection. Did I do everything I set out to accomplish this year? Did I hike enough? Get enough fresh mountain air? Eat at all my favorite restaurants ? Did I broaden my horizons, discover any new hidden gems ? But the fact is, when it strikes New Year’s Eve in Asheville, its not the end of things. You still got twenty-four hours to fit in all the excitement you didn’t think

As the years go by, I gain a greater and greater appreciation for just how much work goes into preparing a Christmas meal. Birds, hams, roasts, scalloped potatoes, mashed potatoes, the list goes on and on. I've started taking more notice as loved ones keep on giving me responsibility. First, you start at the potato-peeling station. Work your way up to casserole-prep, maybe desserts. Before you know it you’re fifty-seven years old, hacking a honeyed ham apart with a carving kn

Between the Biltmore Estate , the South Slope, and the timeless beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it's no wonder why Asheville NC’s long been a prime vacation destination for travelers across the southeast.  We’ve got luxury cabins, awesome spas , primo nature , and even award-winning restaurants. But in between all these high-profile locales, there are a few places off the beaten path. Places where locals like to hang. Small-town cafes and tearooms . Restaurants wh

As autumn draws on and the holidays draw near , I’ve had sweets on my mind. I've been baking. Reading recipes. Experimenting. Did you know you can make banana bread in a crockpot? That’s news to me. I think it's that epochs-old instinct to lay on some fat before hibernation. Indeed, how else are we supposed to survive the winter? Truthfully, top-rate desserts are getting me through the whole year. The promise of a masterful confection at the end of a day’s work does wonders f

Just five days ago I was doing a little last-minute Halloween shopping, when lo and behold, I found myself amidst a wealth of Christmas wreaths and porcelain Santas. What could I make of this? Had I stepped through a time-warp into late December? Was I subject to some sort of science-fiction, mad-scientist mischief? Indeed not. Many have remarked upon this so-called Christmas-creep. Year after year, holiday merchandising descends upon our storefronts earlier and earlier. Curr

Every so often I forget that I’ve written about fall in Asheville before. I go off researching, outlining, planning, putting pen to computer screen. Eventually, inevitably, I awaken from my amnesia, and I realize, horror-stricken, I’m re-doing an article. .. or am I? I compare notes. I cross-reference. I realize that I have, in fact, come up with five fall things to do in Asheville that I haven’t written about before. So vast is this great season, perhaps we’ll never run o

Located just five minutes down the road from Asheville Cottages , the NC Arboretum has long been one of my top spots for getting a little fresh mountain air, without a lengthy (if beautiful) drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Indeed, my family’s been coming to the NC Arboretum for so long, I often forget that many visitors may overlook this hidden natural oasis, and many more may be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of trails. What are the must-see sites, on this 434-acre stre

We’re coming to the end of that long summer stretch between July 4th and Halloween, when there’s hardly a holiday in sight, and let me tell you folks, I am feeling it. The metaphorical dogs are barking. My gas: spent. My bones? They're weary alright. If you too share my exhaustion, a trip to Asheville may just be the thing for you. Historically, those with the means and good sense to do so have sojourned to Asheville seeking the healing powers of the quiet life, and fresh mo

The inspiration for this week’s piece comes from a spirited conversation with some friends of mine friends, on whether Mexican food or Chinese was better. Let me tell you, things could’ve gotten hairy. People have strong opinions on this stuff.  Yours truly is more of a mediator. Whatever crosses my plate, I’m happy to have it. That said, in my culinary adventures through Asheville it has been a treat to find some excellent Chinese restaurants, representing a broad span of

With the year shifting towards the chillier months, I think it’s about time I cover one of my favorite subject: coffee, and where to drink it. Coffee truly is the beverage for every occasion. Just waking up? Coffee. Brunch? Coffee. Meeting friends for lunch? Coffee. It's headed towards midnight but by golly, the night is still young? Coffee. As a matter of fact, these blogposts would not be made possible without my continuous intake of coffee. Yes, I’m a coffee fan, a coffee

This summer I’ve had the pleasure of perusing some of Asheville’s finest shopping establishments, some already known to me, some not. Taken all together, I can promise that Asheville’s shopping scene is sure to knock off your socks. Or sandals. It's still warm enough for sandals. When it's not raining. Weather aside, shopping in Asheville’s a great way to get in touch with local makers, and an excellent excuse to check out the grooviest parts of town. So, if you want a break

These are confusing times. Yesterday, August first, I looked out my window to see a vagrant yellow blob, drifting across the lawn; turns...

West Asheville’s one of the most enticing parts of town, chock full of cafes, vintage shopping, and with Carrier Park and the River Arts...

Asheville’s South Slope brewing district is one of the most happening places in town, with a dozen local breweries all within walking...

It's the summer solstice. The sun’s shining, the breeze is blowing, and it’s as good a time as ever to visit Asheville, the Paris of the...

Asheville may be best known for its impeccable beer, but a savvy traveler knows that the wonders of fermentation doesn’t end there. The...

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the country, winding its way through the mountains in an inspiration marriage...

For my money, Asheville has some of the best restaurants in the entire Southeast. And from tapas to tacos , I’ve covered quite a few of...