Remember how I mentioned that I had a fun weekend planned? Well, I went to Asheville!
The reason for my trip was to practice ashtanga with David Williams at the Asheville Yoga Center but that was such an amazing experience that it deserves its own post. I was excited about my Asheville trip not only for the yoga but also for the food. Asheville has an amazing dining scene.
Here’s a look at what I ate during my quick trip to Asheville.
Friday night dinner at Curate. A relatively new Spanish tapas restaurant that has been receiving national recognition.
The director of front house operations, Felix Meana, actually spent five years working at elBulli before moving to Asheville to help develop the Curate concept. If you’re not familiar with elBulli the story of the restaurant is worth a read.
My favorite thing about Curate was the open kitchen. Most of the seating is at a long bar that overlooks the kitchen. I was entertained all night. This also creates tons of dialogue between the diner and the staff and I received so much great insight on food and wine selections.
Another feature of Curate is their attention to dietary restrictions and food allergies. Items on the menu are marked if they are vegan/nut-free/gluten-free/lactose-free.
Escalivada Con Anchoas – roasted red bell pepper, onion and eggplant drizzled in 30 year sherry vinegar dressing and topped with Spanish anchovies. The peppers, onion and eggplant were pureed and served with toast points.
Vieiras con Pimiento del Piquilo Maestro Julian – seared scallops with roasted red pepper sauce served over roasted piquillo peppers. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the roasted pepper was wonderful.
A slice of carrot cake from French Broad Chocolate Lounge. I think that I stated out loud “I love cake” at least three times while I was eating this.
Pre-yoga breakfast was a green smoothie from Earth Fare – bananas, strawberries, apple juice and spirulina (getting started on that green smoothie challenge early!).
Lunch today at Chai Pani, my favorite Indian restaurant in Asheville.
I had the Kathi Kabab Roll – chicken seared with tandoori spices in a griddled wrap with onions, cilantro, rice, roasted lentils and chutneys. I had a salad on the side with a cilantro lime vinaigrette.
Afternoon treat was a vegan oatmeal raisin cookie and a soy latte.
And now it’s back to Charlotte!
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten this weekend? I have to say it’s the cake although the scallops are giving it a serious run for them money! What can I say, sweets win every time! 😉
Oh, your restaurant eats look fantastic… and now I’m craving carrot cake. So far, the best thing I’ve had this weekend is a green smoothie from a farmers market in Hawaii, made with all local organic ingredients: kale, island bananas, pineapple, coconut, ginger, spirulina. It was my Saturday morning breakfast! 🙂
that smoothie sounds amazing! and i wish i was in hawaii!
I LOVE Asheville! My dad lives up in the mountains near there (I live in London) and I am going to visit in May! So excited. I think if you do food and yoga you pretty much get the best of it. Also can’t wait to take my sister to the Chocolate Lounge for her first time.
yes, asheville has a great food and yoga scene. it will be beautiful when you visit in may!
Asheville looks lovely! (Or, at least, the food does. Yum.)
Best thing I’ve eaten so far this weekend? The fruit salad I’m enjoying right now. Strawberries, grapes, pineapple. Mmmm.
asheville is a gorgeous town – it’s in the NC mountains! i love fresh fruit!
Oh I love French Broad Chocolates! Have you ever had their vanilla bourbon caramels? Holy Lord I could eat my weight in those suckers. Best thing I’ve eaten this weekend? grilled tuna steaks on the bge last night with a veggie quinoa pilaf & twice baked potatoes. Thanks for the review of Curate – bookmarking them for our next trip to Asheville!
i have not had the bourbon caramels but given my appreciate for bourbon, i’m sure i’d love them! 🙂
i am SO JEALOUS of your dinner last night.
I was at a fundraiser last night and had the most amazing dessert I’ve ever tasted. It was like tiramasu, but there were chocolate chips in it which gave it a delicious crunch. I devoured mine, and had to help my husband finish his off as well! 😉
I love Asheville! It’s beautiful and they have amazing food.
Currently drooling over those scallops!
Your post makes my Indian self happy. I love food.
I really want to visit Asheville. I hope my husband and I can make the trip there soon because I’ve only heard good things, plus we like hiking.
I made fudgey brownies last night and I’ve eaten way to many, but they are the best things I’ve eaten all weekend!
it is a really fun place to visit. the town is so cool and there is some great hiking in the pisgah national forest.
Just got back from a casual dinner with Mom and it was all about burgers and fries! Simple, delicious, loaded with flavor, and just the real deal. Nothing beats a good burger. I’ve been craving carrot cake lately and that slice looks delicious.
yes! when i’m in the mood for a burger then it tastes like the best thing in the world!
Looks so good!
Best thing I’ve eaten so far is the salad bar at Jason’s Deli…2 trips to the salad bar 🙂 Love that they have hummus now on the bar.
What a cute shirt you’re wearing!
would you mind if i ask is that carrot cake real cake or just gluten free vegan raw…etc substitution?
all real! butter, sugar, eggs…the works! 🙂
Best thing I’ve eaten this weekend… Has to be baked oysters topped with cheese and a fried shrimp! Ummm, amazing!
i love oysters and haven’t had them in forever. sounds amazing!
I haven’t eaten anything too note worthy this weekend so far, but I still have tomorrow so hopefully I can make something good for then! And can I add your shirt with the scarf if super cute together!! Where did you get it from?
shirt is from anthro but a couple of years ago and the scarf is from nordstrom juniors department. i got it about a month ago!
I wish I could reach through my screen and get a bite of that cake!! The best thing I had was a variation of hawaiian haystacks. Those will always remind me of my favorite lunch in Elementary school! =)
You are gorgeous! I second the above comment ^^… Where did you get your outfit in the first picture from? I love it! Can’t wait to hear how the yoga went!
the top is from anthro but i got it a couple of years ago and the scarf is from the junior’s department at nordstrom and i got it last month.
Curate is amazing! We have been there twice. The last time we did a quick trip to Asheville just to eat there. Love the scallops!! And do you know the story with Katie Button, Felix’s wife? My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting her the first time we were there. She interned at elBulli. She is a Cornell graduate and was pursuing a PHD in neuroscience when she then met Felix and fell in love with restaurants, cooking, etc. It’s quite a story.
i have not heard that story but it sounds like a good one. i really enjoy restaurants where the ownership and staff are so involved. it makes the experience so much cooler.
Hello! I wanted to introduce myself, as my friend, Allison Abbott, has just introduced me to your blog… raving! I, too, am a runner, Queen City blogger, lover of stylish pretty things and healthy foods… AND I am an Asheville native! SO, more than beyond thrilled to have connect with you. I look forward to following your blog and hope we can meet sometime as well!
Warmest Regards, Whitley Adkins Hamlin
ps- Do you have a button I may grab to put on my blog? If not, I will just link! Love PBR!!
hi whitley! thank you so much for checking out my blog. i’m so glad that your friend could connect us. i would love to get together sometime for a run/coffee/lunch.
no button, sorry! i should have one made! 🙂
You look gorgeous in that first photo! And the scallops look pretty gorgeous, too. What a fun weekend 🙂
thank you! 🙂
We went to Cafe Lily in Decatur…the bread they give you and grilled calamari appetizer is to die for!
What an amazing post! You couldn’t have picked a better time to post this. I just wrapped up weekend 5 of my yoga teacher training. I’m studying Baptiste Power Yoga, but you’ve definitely inspired me to give Astanga a chance. Sometimes in the midst of training I forget why I started – because I LOVE YOGA! I love “the feel good.” Ahh I could’ve had said it better myself.
Just tried Chai Pani, while in Asheville on business, after seeing your post. Loved it! Any recommendations for a good place for a short, flat soft run in Asheville?
i’m so glad you enjoyed chai pani! i’ve actually never run in asheville. i always just yoga or hike. i’m not sure where would be flat though!
adorable outfit!