THE PODCAST
The podcast above was originally recorded on 11/07/2024 and features me, flying solo without my usual co-host Chef Tom LaFauci from Twisted Laurel Downtown Asheville.
00:00 - 02:57 INTRO: Solo Stu Not Doing Voices
02:58 - 16:25 CURRENT EVENTS: And How They Affect The Food Biz
16:26 - 17:08 MANNA SPOT: Please Donate to MANNA Foodbank
17:09 - 35:28 HEROES OR HEELS? Restaurants vs Eaters
35:38 - 52:09 WHERE’D YA EAT? El Centro, Posana, Black Bird, Botiwalla, and The Lobster Trap
52:10 - 55:13 LET’S GET HIPPY: A Stranger’s Just A Friend You Haven’t Met
55:14 - 58:05 BYE! Thanks, Deb!
THE NEWSLETTER
SOUTH SLOPE CHEESE SHOP: Oh hell yes! One of my favorites, South Slope Cheese Co. is back open and rocking the cheese, wine, cured meats, crackers, etc., etc.! Everything you need for your holiday parties coming up! 🎉
SAKSHI: One of the sure signs that the holiday season is off to a good start is when Asheville's own Chestnut Roaster, Sakshi, can be seen in front of the French Broad Food Co-op!
LOBSTER TRAP: My mother and I had the most wonderful experience at The Lobster Trap not long ago. We ordered cioppino and a lobster roll to share. Both were excellent! The first thing we did was dip some of the grilled baguette into the cioppino broth. The next thing we did was just stare at each other like "this is frickin' good!" Before tearing in with reckless abandon. It was deep, dank, flavorful AF, a little messy and totally glorious. The lobster roll was equally delicious and came with a ramekin of house made tartar sauce and a ramekin of drawn butter. I just poured that butter all over my half of the roll and it was the greatest thing ever.
Our server asked if we had room for dessert, and we said "no," until she mentioned key lime pie, then the answer was "yes." My mom loves key lime pie. She's 84 years old. She has eaten a LOT of key lime pie. She straight-up said this was THE best key lime pie she'd ever had. House made, of course.
So, the food was amazing, but what made this meal truly special was seeing my friends at The Trap for the first time since the storm, and introducing them to my mom. Chef Mike McCarty was in the house, and stopped by the table to say hi, and took the time to have a nice chat with my mom and I. He's one of the kindest & most sincere people you'll ever meet. So, they're open, downtown is beautiful, so go see him and his crew soon if you can! They have a limited, but growing menu featuring many of Asheville's most favorite dishes from this long time standard bearer in our local, independent food scene. Chef Mike even made sure to tell me that the lobster mac ‘n’ cheese will be back on the menu soon. He knows me pretty good! 😂😂😂
BLACK BIRD: I treated my acute anxiety on election day with an extreme calorie infusion! 😂😂😂 After I voted, I walked downtown and since it was still pretty early, I discovered that not a lot of places had opened yet. Then I spied the spark of life inside of The Blackbird restaurant on Biltmore Ave, and remembered how ding dang good it was the last time Paddy and I ate there, so I went inside, saw a friend for the first time since the storm, which is always nice, then sat down and ordered the corned beef hash with two eggs, over medium. It was 100% perfect and just what I needed right then.
The eggs were just right, the taters were crispy and soft, without being mealy or mushy, and the corned beef was super duper savory, flavorful, meaty, and like the taters, crispy on the edges. Also, my server was awesome. Thanks, Blackbird! I'll never forget that in the days & weeks following the storm, y’all gave away tons free hot meals and supplies to whoever needed them, and now I’ll never forget this corned beef hash! ❤️❤️❤️
EL CENTRO: One day, I took a walk down my street to the United Way parking lot on South French Broad Avenue, where Hatch Coworking has been booking food trucks every week day! That day there was a catering tent set up by and being run by two people from El Centro 828, who’s food I had never tried, so I got three Birria tacos, and they were excellent! Huge, delicious, decadent, super savory.
More than enough for a satifying lunch! They’ve been back a couple times, so I hope they keep comign so I can try their other tacos, and pupusa!
COOKIES FOR A CAUSE: Oh hell yes. I just got invited to judge the upcoming Cookies for a Cause event at Lexington Glassworks on December 20th!
“Experience the creativity and heart of local bakers as they showcase their favorite classic bakes and share their cherished family recipes.
Let us do your holiday baking while supporting recovery efforts.
100% of ticket sales support the WNC Long Haul Fund.
One ticket gets you one box of gourmet cookies from 12 local bakers, and access to the pick-up event with raffles, live music and refreshments.”
I'll share more deets as the date approaches!
GIVE THE GIFT OF FOOD TOURS! Gift certificates from Asheville Food Tours and Asheville Cannabis Tours make a great holiday gift! They are available at Asheville Food Tours , in fixed amounts or any amount you want!
Taking a tour with us not only supports our small local business, but it supports all of the local businesses that we visit! And you have a great time!
— end —
Share this post