This post may contain swears, as well as typos & exclusive content for paid subscribers.
Y’all…
I spent 2 days recently making a 9-hole bocce golf course in my yard. All 9 holes have super-cringe names like “Cabin In The Woods,” “Stump Town” and “Ramp Season.” Yeah yeah, I know I’m a little crazy, you don’t have to tell me! LOL 😜 But you know what? If it wasn’t for my MANIC days, I’d just be fucking depressed all the time, so let’s play Bolf! And talk about food…
NEW BRUNCH
Just in case you didn’t know, Xico Asheville, the Mexican-inspired live fire restaurant on the South Slope is now serving brunch! I love brunch, so when they invited me, I pounced! Upon arrival I received a friendly greeting, and was led to the seat I requested at the bar, where I ordered the Heuvos Rancheros.
The bartender was attentive and informative about the menu -- for one thing, he pointed out to my dumb ass that the brunch menu is printed on the back of the regular menu, so he saved me from ordering wrong. I’m a wrong-orderer from way back, which can result in meal regret, which in turn results in sadnesses. Not that I wouldn’t have enjoyed the enchiladas that I almost ordered, but I would have been sad to find out later that I missed the entire brunch menu, so thanks for saving me from myself, Mr. Bartender Man. Anyhoodles, the huevos rancheros were excellent! Very large, hardy and flavorful. It starts with crispy tortillas on the bottom, then some refried beans, a really thicc slab of country ham, two sunny side up eggs, queso mixto, salsa ranchero, sliced avocado, and pico de gallo. Everything was cooked just right and was packed with savory flavors. It was a goodly sized portion, and I thought I might not be able to finish, but it was so tasty, I kept on rollin’ until it was all gone and I was all stuffed! So, yeah, I recommend the huevos rancheros for brunch at Xico, and I’m looking forward to going back to try the rest of their brunch items! This is my second time dining with Xico (third if you count the press party) and I’ve had nothing but positive experiences so far!
For old timers, Xico is located in the little building where the Foam & Fabric was located forever and ever.
FREEDOM LUNCH!
Last weekend my family attended the epic No Kings rally in Pack Square and then we enjoyed some food from Buxton Chicken Palace, Zen Sushi and The Hop Ice Cream at the S&W Cafeteria Building in Pritchard Park. Freedom and fried chicken, Y’all! 🇺🇸 🎉
If it seems a little weird to be protesting against the horrors of war one minute, and then eating delicious foods in a beautiful setting the next, it was, but in addition to being there to express our opposition to... so many things... we were also rallying for, and celebrating together, the freedoms & abundance that we have in America, and then three generations of my family enjoyed some of it, while supporting three local independently owned businesses in our city.
We love you, Asheville! Thanks for turning out!
PS - Keep an eye out for Baba Nahm to take over one of the spaces in the S&W soon, and then rebrand and reopen their current space on Biltmore Ave as something new! Squeee!
3 THINGS…
…that I love about Sweets and Seats Cafe...
1) Tasty specialty espresso beverages!
2) The most Vaporwave vibe in Asheville.
3) The thermostat is set at 68 degrees at all times.
LOCATION: Sweets & Seats, 77 & 81 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
You can learn more about the Vaporwave esthetic HERE.
ODE TO MASHED POTATOES
Love me some mashed taters.
Add some caramelized onions and they’re just about the greatest thing on planet Earth.
When it comes to comfort, ain’t no match for the humble yet mighty potato.
When these taters from Rhubarb arrived at our table, there was some collective confusion among the people gathered to eat them.
“Why aren’t they white?” asked the youngest.
“I think those are onions,” answered his brother.
“What’s that green stuff?”
There was no reply.
I may haved asked that last question in my head.
The people were obviously skeptical but very game.
“I’ll eat whatever this chef puts on a plate.”
Even if the plate is a bowl.
And so we tucked in.
Goot lort, Y’all.
So tasty!
So comforting!
From youngest to oldest, the people all rejoiced, though many among them confessed to a covetousness in their hearts born of a desire to eat them all, no sharesies.
Are they recommended?
Oh hell yes.
They are highly recommended.
- end ode -
For real, these look kinda weird as fuck for mashed potatoes, but under that top layer of green and brown lurks the creamy lumpy good white stuff that we all love. They were some of the best I’ve had.
PS - The brown stuff was onion gravy, and the green stuff was finely chopped chives, which seemed like a LOT of chives at first, but we ate every scrap in that bowl, so I guess they weren’t too much!
PPS - Full disclosure: I work the host stand two nights a week at Rhubarb now, but this night I was just there eating with my family.
Please come see us at The Barb Thursday through Monday, to eat potatoes & other things!
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A MESSAGE FROM MEALS ON WHEELS
“April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and all month long we will be spotlighting our incredible volunteers. We are kicking things off with Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community! Each week, Deerfield residents deliver meals and ensure our neighbors never have to face the day without a meal and a friendly visit..”
Please volunteer for Meals On Wheels Of Asheville & Buncombe County if you are able. Thank you!
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