The podcast above features just me this time, because Chef Tom and I could not make our schedules mesh. I hope you enjoy it anyways!
Podcast Contents
00:00 - 01:35 INTRO - Solo Stu
01:36 - 17:10 SNACKS - Shrankflation and Growflation
17:11 - 17:56 MANNA SPOT - Please Donate to MANNA Foodbank Here
17:57 - 29:23 CONTROVERSY: If True, Horrible
29:24 - 38:10 WHERE’D YA EAT? - Tupelo Honey, Jack of the Wood, Times Bar, Pollen Cafe, Pon’s Thai Cuisine, Carmel’s and… Brown Cafe?
38:20 - 43:35 THE PIZZA GUY IS HERE! w/ Asheville Pizza South
43:36 - 56:06 FOOD EVENTS - AVL Food Series & Outside the Tin
56:07 - 58:00 OUTRO - Let’s Be Less Lonely Next Time!
NOODLE SHOP: The most recent stop on my Legacy Restaurant Tour was the Noodle Shop in Pack Square in downtown Asheville. They don't have a Facebook page, or an Instagram account, or even a website! But they've been around for 25 years, and they have some of the best prices in downtown Asheville. I went with my friend Henco Billy, and we both CLEANED our plates. Like, scraped them down to the atomic particles. I loved my thick egg noodle stir fried with chicken! It was insanely satisfying, and met every single expectation I had for it.
Yes, it was basic, and not fancy, but this food took me back to a simpler time in my life, and I found that very comforting in the moment. I can't wait to go back. 🙂
BRUNCH AT SOVEREIGN REMEDIES: Dawn & I stopped into Sovereign Remedies for a really lovely brunch. We sat upstairs, which has been redone, so that's bigger and more comfortable than ever. Dawn got salmon cakes Benedict and I got shrimp ‘n’ grits. Both were excellent!
Dawn does not like hollandaise sauce, so she asked for it on the side, and I dipped my shrimps in it! Awesome! Dawn also had a very nice low alcohol cocktail, and I had some great coffee!
We've loved Sovereign Remedies since it first opened and we still do! It was a perfect Saturday morning in Downtown Asheville, WNC!
MERA BROTHERS OYSTER POP-UP AT BOTANIST & BARREL: Botanist & Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop Asheville recently hosted another pop-up, this time featuring Mera Brothers Oysters, LLC. I got 3 raw oysters , and 3 prepared oysters. The raw oysters were excellent, prepared oysters were fanfuckingtastic!!! Gah.
The Mera Brothers deliver oysters & do pop-ups state-wide, but they told me they love Asheville, so follow them on social! And of course, follow Botanist & Barrel to keep up with all the cool stuff they’ve got going on!
POP-UP DINNER w/ CHEF BAILEY: Dawn and I were fortunate enough to attend a special pop up dinner last week, prepared by Chef Michelle Bailey, presented by Shay & Company & hosted by Devil's Foot Beverage Co.
Everything was very tasty! I especially liked the shrimp, but of course the pork shoulder with gravy and taters was my favorite. So perfect and comforting! Dawn had a cocktail & I had an N/A drink. Both were great!
Thanks, Chef! And thank you Shay and Devil's Foot! 🙏
JACK OF THE WOOD: Dawn & I were invited to a St. Patrick's Day-themed dinner at Jack of the Wood co-hosted by Jameson Irish Whiskey, and it was great! First course was a super tasty oyster, deep fried in risotto with creamy Swiss chard. I loved it!
Next came some very nice house-cured salmon w/ dill chèvre & shaved horseradish & 1/2 of one of their famous Scotch eggs w/ Lusty Monk mustard. The main course was a super-deep, dank, delicious dish of slow cooked Guinness short ribs in mushroom gravy, served with Brussels sprouts, roasted carrots & mashed potatoes. It was sooooo goooooood! Pure comfort.
For dessert there was a reasonably-sized piece of Guinness chocolate cake with bourbon brown butter frosting! Ooftah! I was stoofed! There was a whiskey pairing with each course, plus live Irish music & the guy from Jamison's told stories & stuff. It was a great night at another "legacy” restaurant! Jack of the Wood was the 1st restaurant I ate at when I moved to Asheville in 2005. Thanks to the Eckerts for inviting us & thanks to Chef Earl Moe, who laid out a great spread! 🙏🍀💚
ASHEVILLE FOOD TOURS: I had a group of 7 firefighters from Jacksonville, FL on one of my Asheville Food Tours a little while back, and they were awesome! They seemed to really enjoy our city, and the tour, and of course the FOOD!
Come take a Food Tour of Asheville with me, or with our other awesome food tour guide, Sarah Ray!
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