THE PODCAST
The podcast above features me & my co-host (an exhausted) Chef Tom LaFauci from Twisted Laurel Downtown Asheville mostly talking about how RJK Jr wanted to eat some roadkill in the form of a bear cub, plus an episode of Where’d Ya Eat?
00:00 - 03:42 INTRO: Chef Tom Likes His Children
03:43 - 09:20 DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS? RFK Jr & The Baby Bear
09:21 - 18:57 ON EATING BEARS: Can You? Should You?
19:59 - 20:37 MANNA SPOT: Please Donate to MANNA Foodbank.
20:38 - 32:23 ON EATING ROAD KILL: Can You? Should You?
32:33 - 53:48 WHERE’D YA EAT: Wing Stop Hard Pivot, and Luminosa, Little Amsterdam, Old Europe, Pollen, Bold Rock, Twisted, Times Bar, French Broad Chocolates, Capella on 9, More Moddish, High Climate Tea, Farewell Coffee, Mother
53:49 - 55:28 OUTRO: Good Bye!
THE NEWSLETTER
HIGH CLIMATE TEA: I stopped into High Climate Tea Company not long ago and got one of their delicious Chinese tea eggs, along with a very delicate, beautiful block of tofu in ponzu sauce, and some mochi. The egg is definitely a contender for a Stoobie Award, I just have to figure out what category to put in! 😂
The tofu was very enjoyable and might become one of my go-to light bites in downtown.
Thanks, High Climate! You provide a valuable service to downtown with your clean, mellow atmosphere, extensive collection of and knowledge about tea, and creative Asian-inspired bites!
HAPPY BELLY FOOD TRUCK: So, my good friend Dave is about to launch his brand new Happy Belly food truck, and the other day he called me and said, "I'm making some practice burgers, can I bring you a couple?" And I was, like, "Uhhh... YEAH!" LOL 😂 Dawn and I were hanging out on the front porch with our friend Ursula, so the when Dave arrived, the four of us shared two of his "slap burgers," and wow. So. Fricking. Yummy!!!
I'll let Dave describe them...
"The first burger, is called The Happy Belly Deluxe Slapburger, it has a seasoned 4 oz ground chuck patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, Happy Belly burger sauce, Happy Belly vinaigrette, toasted brioche bun.
The burger with the onions is called The Happy Belly OG slapburger. It has the 4 oz seasoned patty, American cheese, grilled onions, and Happy Belly burger sauce on a toasted brioche bun."
Both burgers were flavor bombs, and while I was happy to share a meal with friends and fam, I wanted to selfishly eat them both all by myself!
I can't wait to try Dave's burgers again, as well as his shrimp 'n' grits, breakfast sandwich and more! Gonna make my belly happy!
The grand opening will be August 31st at Burton Street Center. Try to be there if you can!
LUMINOSA: Gah. I popped into Luminosa before my Sunday food tour to have coffee and a "little" something to eat. I ordered the zeppole with strawberry jam, and when they arrived, my eyes nearly jumped out of my head. The were huge. And there were five of them. And only one of me. I tucked in, and wow.
They were piping hot in the middle, and super fluffy and delicious, and went great with the jam. Each zeppole was about the size of a golf ball, so I broke them in half, and spread the jam on the warm interior. I wish I'd had someone to share them with! I ate three, and left two for Jenny Craig. I couldn't take them with because I was about to do my tour, so if you get them, keep in mind that it's a shareable portion. Unless you're super hungry in which case, go for it! Thanks, Luminosa, you're knocking it out the park with me.
MORE MODDISH: Y'allz, I was walking home from my food tour one evening, and decided to see if Dizzys Glizzys was open in the Imperial cocktail bar, but instead of awesome hot dogs, I found an awesome soul food pop-up happening! I ordered chicken on a stick and yellow rice with a side of mac n cheese, and it was awesome!!!
It’s made by Chef Shelby Moore, a very nice person, who owns a food truck and does pop-ups called More Moddish! She told me that she'll be there at Dizzys every Tuesday, so I can’t wait to go try more!
MOTHER: I've been to Mother Bakery on the South Slope a bunch for breakfast and lunch, but Dawn and I went with our nephew for dinner the other night and wow! It was ever frickin' bit as awesome as every and and instant contender for Dinner of the Year as well as Meal of the Year! We started with an epic cheese plate with three kinds of wonderful house made bread, two kinds of local cheese, plus fruit, jam, honey and pickles. We crushed every speck of food on the board. For our entrees, my nephew got soy braised ribs, and loved them.
Dawn got hamachi wraps and likewise loved them, and I got the sour dough tagliatelle carbonara and it was truly one of the best and most enjoyable dishes I've had all year.
It was fantastically delicious, super comforting, and very filling, though I crushed it all, and was not dying. For dessert we got the the chocolate espresso cremeux and it was to die for. This meal ruled. Thank to Chef Nick and the kitchen crew, as well as our server Christine for making this meal special. Mother is awesome, but DON'T GO! 😂😂😂 It's tiny, and gets crowded, so if you do go, save me a seat! 🪑
ASHEVILLE FOOD TOURS: Whether you’re local, regional, or just visiting Asheville, Asheville Food Tours are a super fun way to spend an afternoon, eating, drinking, walking, talking, learning about our extensive food scene, and just enjoying ourselves in beautiful downtown Asheville!
Please sign up for a food tour with me, or my fellow tour guide Sarah! We run them seven days a week, with two on Saturdays!
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Episode 162: Bears - Eat or Be Eaten?