This Week's WNC Chefs Challenge: Fig Bistro VS 12 Bones Smokehouse

April 3  WNC Chefs Challenge  Fig Bistro vs. 12 Bones Smokehouse Food and sport combine for the ultimate food fight. The Challenge brings together 14 leading chefs from the region and one secret ingredient in weekly battles each Tuesday from March 20 - May 22.

Diners enjoy six plated culinary creations (three from each team) that incorporate the secret ingredient and score each dish. The votes from the audience and a panel of professional chefs, journalists, and culinary experts are tallied. A winner is announced at the end of the night and continues to the next round of competition.

WNC Chefs Challenge for 3-27-12

March 27   WNC Chefs Challenge - Boca vs. Season’s Restaurant Food and sport combine for the ultimate food fight. The Challenge brings together 14 leading chefs from the region and one secret ingredient in weekly battles each Tuesday from March 20 - May 22.

Diners enjoy six plated culinary creations (three from each team) that incorporate the secret ingredient and score each dish. The votes from the audience and a panel of professional chefs, journalists, and culinary experts are tallied. A winner is announced at the end of the night and continues to the next round of competition.
The Century Room on the Park, located above Pack’s Tavern on 20 South Spruce Street in Asheville, will serve as host for the dinners each Tuesday, March 20 through May 22.  Reservations are $49 per individual, and can be made by calling (828) 225-6944. Beverages, sales tax, and gratuity are not included.

Taste of Asheville Fund Raiser includes 37 Restaurants

November 17, 7 PM - 9 PM - Asheville’s premier food event, the Taste of Asheville, will be held at The Venue at 21 North Market Street. This highly anticipated annual fund raising event, held by the members of Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR), will feature food from 37 restaurants as well as wine tasting and beer tasting from local breweries.

The 2012 AIR passport will also be kicked off as a part of the evening's events. The AIR Passport program offers discounts at many of Asheville’s top restaurants while encouraging passport holders to try new restaurants. A portion of the proceeds from the evening and the sale of the Passports will go to benefit AIR’s “Chefs of Tomorrow” scholarship at AB Tech. Tickets for the event are $70 for a single ticket and $125 for a pair.

Get a link for Taste of Asheville and other
Asheville NC events, lodging and information HERE

November Music Schedule at The Purple Onion

November 3 - Scoot Pitman -

Music to satisfy that sweet spot in your brain.

November 5 - The Stereofidelics

Incredible musicianship from this young duo.

November 10 - Michael Reno Harrell

Our favorite singer/songwriter/storyteller.

November 12 - The Lonesome Road Band

Fabulous bluegrass band from Hendersonville.

November 17 - Galen Kipar Project

Folk, blues, jazz group from Asheville.

November 19 - Aaron Burdett

No other info needed about Saluda's own troubadour.

November 24 - Thanksgiving - No Music

Have a great day with family and/or friends.

November 26 - Gigi Dover & Big Love

A blend of rock, r&b, country & jazz - with a southern, soulful vein consistently running thru the middle.

Every Friday Night - Fred Whiskin at the piano playing Blues to Brubeck

The Purple Onion is located at 16 Main Street in Saluda NC. Get a link for the Purple Onion and other Saluda NC attractions, lodging and information HERE

Hendersonville's Blue Note Grille offers a full week of music

The Blue Note Grille is a favorite historic downtown Hendersonville restaurant. The dining and entertainment venue is known for it's excellent food and vast selection of wine and beer, and The Blue Note is also home to some of the area's best local and regional musicians. This week's schedule includes:

September 6, 2011 8:30 PM - . Marc Yaxley

September 7, 2011, 9:00 PM - Open Mic

September 8, 2011 9:00 PM  - The Naughty Pillows, a Western NC based musical group, deliver an assortment of harmonies ranging from their own original works, to traditional and folk fare inspired by our mountains, to Celtic ballads, and even to a sampling of highly recognizable tunes from the past and present day. Tana Alfrey, Carrie Morrison Arrowood, and Marian O'Neil all arrange and sing, sometimes a capella, sometimes accompanied by piano, and Jason Alfrey keeps it all together with his original percussion performed on the conga, snare drum, and Irish bodhran. Over the last few years, the NP's have played special events and several local venues, enjoying a close-knit, devoted following. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/thepillows.

September 9, 2011 9:00 PM -  The Eric Congdon Quartet.  Eric Congdon has assembled a new, out of this world Blues lineup featuring the best musicians he could find. Garry Segal on harmonica, Michael Fillipone on Upright Bass, and Micah Thomas on drums. You will be blown away by the musicianship and excitement these four can generate. This is a band not to miss!

September 10, 2011, 9:00 PM - . Trade Routes World music, fusion, eclectic… best describes the sounds of Nathan and Brandon Dyke.

The Blue Note Grille is located at 114 N. Main Street in Hendersonville, NC  - 828-697-7550

Labor Day Weekend event: FREE Symphony Conerts in Asheville

September 5 - FREE Labor Day Concert in Pack Square - Asheville Symphony Orchestra performs a fee concert from 7 PM - 10 PM. Bring a lawn chair for free lawn seating or VIP and reserved seating available for purchase. Pack Square is in the center of downtown Asheville.

Four AIR restaurants will be preparing gourmet fare available to purchase in the park, as well as wine and Highland Brewery beer after 5:00 PM. Asheville NC.

Appalachian Evening Dinner and Concert August Schedule

There are only a few shows remaining in the 2011 Appalachian Evening Dinner and Concert Series at The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center - you won't want to miss any of them: 

Balsam Range, August 6, 2011 - this show will sell out.

Dehlia Low, August 13, 2011

The Jeff Little Trio, August 20, 2011 - another potential sell out

Blue Eyed Girl, August 27, 2011

Individual ticket prices are $15 for adults and $5 for students K-12.    All shows start at 7:30. Call us at 828-479-3364 or visit the website to purchase. The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center  is located at 121 Schoolhouse Road in Robbinsville, NC.

Dinner is served by reservation only at 5:00 and 6:15.  The price is $15.95 for adults and $9.95 children age 12 and under.  Price includes family style dinner and drink.  Desserts are $2.50

Early Bird Special for the 5:00 seating.  Buy one adult meal and receive the second adult meal at 1/2 price.  Mention "e-news coupon" when making your dinner reservation.

3rd Annual Taste of Downtown Sylva this weekend

June 25   3rd Annual Taste of Downtown Sylva  takes place from 2 PM - 5 PM.   Enjoy a stroll through Downtown Sylva tasting delectable samples of food from Sylva's great restaurants and drinking great wine from Papou's and Ales from Heinzelmannchen.  Tickets can be pre-purchased for $15 (adults) and $7 (youth ages 12 and under) at above listed participating merchants starting June 3rd. Cash or check only please. A limited number of tickets are available so reserve your ticket today.

Hendersonville's Blue Note Grille Restaurant begins new menu this week

 Blue Note Grille Restaurant located at 114 N. Main Street in Hendersonville NC has announced a new menu for the Flavors of The Blue Note. The Historic Downtown Hendersonville  restaurant serves lunch and dinner plus special wine dinners and wine tastings. "After", the dessert lounge, is the perfect night spot for after dinner coffee, after dinner cocktails and decadent desserts and cheeses.

The Blue Note Grille offers the best wine and beer selection in the area and live music featuring regional and national acts and a popular open mic night. At the Blue Note, you can indulge in the extensive beer list, wines by the glass, or choose from our over 600 wines in the Shoppe and enjoy while listening to the music and enjoying the new menu:

Lunch Menu / Late Night

Soups
♪ Our own traditional Louisiana Style Gumbo. Available as Chicken and Sausage or Seafood
3.95 cup 4.75 bowl
♪ Soup du Jour. 3.25 cup 4.00 bowl

Salads
♪ Simple Salad: Organic field greens, fresh carrot, local tomatoes with a choice of Citrus Vinaigrette or Creamy Vidalia Onion Dressing. $3.95
♪ Traditional Caesar Salad: Small $3.95 Large $5.95
Add Chicken: $3.00    Add Shrimp: $4.50    Blackened Chicken: $ .25 extra
♪ Fresh Organic Baby Spinach Salad with dates, Greek feta cheese crumbles
finished with Balsamic Vinegar reduction and organic local honey. $7.95

Starters
♪ Three-Bean Hummus with roasted garlic and fresh herbs. Served with fresh bread. $4.95
♪ Warm Gouda and Pimento Cheese Dip with fresh bread. $5.95

Entrees
♪ Basic Burger. Local freshly ground beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, on a multi-grain bun. $ 9.00
♪ Dave’s Way Burger. Local freshly ground beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion,
smoked country bacon on a multi-grain roll. $ 10.00
♪ Traditional Fish and Chips. Fresh beer battered flounder filet, fried crispy
and served with homemade steak fries. $7.95
♪ Classic B.L.T. Smoked country bacon, lettuce, tomatoon freshly baked bread
with a touch of mayonnaise. $6.95
♪ Blue Note Chicken Walnut Salad: Served on freshly baked bread
or available as a salad. $ 6.50
♪ Ooey Gooey. Homemade pimiento cheese, baked on freshly baked bread
$6.00 Add bacon. $ 1.50
♪ Veggie Flat Bread Wrap. Greek Flat Bread filled with seasoned pan seared
vegetables and our own home made three bean hummus. $ 6.50
**All sandwiches are served with pasta salad or sweet potato home fries
(home fries $.25 extra)

Desserts $5.00
♪ Granny’s Cobbler of the Day
♪ Southern caramel custard
♪ Bread Pudding with spiced Rum Sauce
♪ Shot in the Dark Chocolate Mousse

Dinner Menu

Soups
♪ Our own traditional Louisiana Style Gumbo. Available as Chicken
and Sausage or Seafood  3.95 cup   4.75 bowl

♪ Soup du Jour    3.25 cup   4.00 bowl

Salads
♪ Simple Salad: Organic field greens, fresh carrot, local tomatoes with a choice of Citrus
Vinaigrette or Creamy Vidalia Onion Dressing. $3.95

♪ Traditional Caesar Salad: Small $3.95 Large $5.95
Add Chicken: $3.00   Add Shrimp: $4.50    Blackened Chicken: $ .25 extra
♪ Fresh Organic Baby Spinach Salad with dates, Greek feta cheese crumbles
finished with Balsamic Vinegar reduction and organic local honey. $7.95

Starters
♪ Pan-fried Béchamel Shrimp Cakes served with field greens finished with scallion
and white wine sauce. $3.25 cup   $4.00 bowl
♪ Three-Bean Hummus with roasted garlic and fresh herbs. Served with fresh bread. $4.95
♪ Pan-seared Beef Tips, mushrooms, peppers and onions. $6.95
♪ Grilled marinated N.C. Shrimp on Fresh Rosemary Skewers. Served with Blue Note
Layered potatoes with citrus butter sauce. $6.95
♪ Warm Gouda and Pimento Cheese Dip with fresh bread. $5.95

Entrees
♪ Chicken Picatta. Pan sautéed chicken breast with a lemon caper butter sauce. Served with
garlic herb an gel hair pasta and sautéed vegetables. $13.95
♪ Chicken Marsala. Pan sautéed chicken breast, fresh garlic and mushrooms, flamed with
Marsala wine and a touch of cream. Served with garlic and herb angel hair pasta
and sautéed vegetables. $14.95
♪ Flounder Almandine with a browned butter sauce. Served with aromatic
wild rice and vegetables. $14.95
♪ Grilled Fresh Vegetable Medley. Served over a mélange of quinoa, freshly shucked corn
and black-eyed peas. Finished with a basil infused olive oil. $10.95
♪ Grilled N.Y. Strip Steak topped with crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese. Served with
Blue Note Layered Pota toes and sautéed vegetables. $17.50
♪ Surf & Turf. Grilled petit filet mignon and grilled fresh shrimp on a rosemary skewer.
Served with Blue Note Layered Potatoes and fresh vegetables. $21.95
♪ Grilled Molasses Pork Medallions with Blue Note Layered Potatoes over
wilted spinach and caramelized onion. $10.95

Desserts $5.00
♪ Granny’s Cobbler of the Day
♪ Southern caramel custard
♪ Bread Pudding with spiced Rum Sauce
♪ Shot in the Dark Chocolate Mousse

Father's Day Weekend Events: Lake Lure Fireworks and Summer Celebration

June 18 - Summer activities kickoff at Lake Lure with the Begin the  Summer Celebration and Fireworks on the Beach in Lake Lure. The fun-filled evening begins with a delicious Beachside Cookout offering a variety of favorites including:Low Country Boil, Roasted Chicken or Grilled Steak with hot dogs for the kids. The Tiki Bar will be serving cold drinks, beer and wine.

Music with a DJ, dancing and family games happen continuously from 5 PM - 9PM. Enjoy an old-fashioned drive-in style movie with popcorn and hand-scooped ice cream and a bonfire marshmallow roast. The spectacular fireworks display  over Lake Lure begins at 9:20 PM. The event is open to the public and includes free parking.Treat Dad to a special night of fun!

Father's Day Brunch or Beach in Lake Lure

June 19 Treat Dad to a LAVISH Sunday Brunch at The Veranda Restaurant located just inside The 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa. The Inn is famous for its Sunday Brunch featuring breakfast items, entrees, sides, salads, appetizers, fresh-baked breads and desserts. Brunch is served every Sunday from 10:30am until 2:30pm and also features a Bloody Mary Bar from 12:00pm until 2:30pm.  The 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa is located at 2771 Memorial Highway in Lake Lure| NC.

If the Beach is more Dad's style,  spend the day at The Beach at Lake Lure and relax under the sun, float on the water, build sand castles with your children, or picnic with friends and family. Enjoy a day of simple pleasures on the Beach at Lake Lure. For a soaking good time visit the water park, a place which can bring out the kid in all of us with soaking games, a water slid, and the water wars. Admission to the water park is included in the admission price of the beach.
Adults - $8
Seniors - $7
Children (4-12) - $6
Children under 4 - no charge when accompanied by an adult. Open seven days a week from 10:00am until 6:00pm (weather permitting).

What's better than Dinner and a Movie?

The answer is: An Appalachian Evening and an Appalachian Dinner.  And you can get both at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center. The Center's Appalachian Evening series begins for the season on June 25. The popular  summer concert series offers an ever-changing schedule of bluegrass, folk and old-time mountain music by award-winning artists - quality entertainment for the entire family in the historic Stecoah auditorium, rich in cultural heritage.

Enjoy an Appalachian Dinner prior to the show with omplete dinners served family style at two seatings — 5:00 and 6:15 pm — in the Stecoah dining room. Dinner features the down-home goodness of traditional Southern Appalachian mountain cuisine, using the freshest local produce available. Reservations required. Lighter fare is also available in the main building.
An Appalachian Evening  and Dinner continues to be a favorite with locals and visitors alike. For more information on 2011 performers, check out the calendar of events. Printable AAE schedule.  Tickets are on sale now. Purchase at the Center, by phone or order online. Tickets for individual performaces can be purchased here. For season tickets, go here.

Pirates of the Caribbean AND a FREE Hot Dog - Life is Good!

June 3 - 9 The Flat Rock Cinema presents Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Johnny Depp and company are back as Jack Sparrow and Barbossa embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too.  Weekdays 3:00, 7:00; Sat-Sun 12 (noon), 3:30, 7:00 PM. PG-13, Action Adventure, Comedy, Sequel, 136 Minutes - Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane. Official Movie Website.

Click on coupon to print.

"Your neighborhood clean and friendly bistro cinema featuring great food, cocktails and local brews."  Reservations are encouraged, but not required, by calling  (828) 697-2463 during our normal box office hours. The box office opens one hour prior to our first show each day. We make every effort to answer our phones so keep trying if you don't get through on the first try, especially if it's around show time. 2700 Greenville Highway in  Flat Rock, NC

Italian Wine Dinner at the Blue Note Grille

April 26 - The Blue Note Grille in Historic Downtown Hendersonville will be offering an Italian Wine Dinner. The meet and Greet begins at 6:30 PM and includes Robert Brazewell of Tryon Distributing. Dinner begins at 7 PM with:

1^st Course:                     Insalata di Mare

2^nd Course:       Proscuitto Wrapped Melon

3^rd Course:                Italian Peasant Soup

4^th Course:         Francesco’s Veal Marsalla

5^th Course:            Candied Orange Cannoli

Reservations required - please call  828.697.7550

Downtown Hendersonville is undergoing road construction, but don't let that slow you down! Everything is open for business as usual including the Blue Note Grille. Stop the new "After" for an exciting after dinner, after theatre, after cinema, after... Great desserts, After dinner drinks.


Sunday Brunch is served from 10 AM - 2:30 PM and includes french toast, omelets, eggs Benedict, smoked salmon, fresh fruits and more.  The Blue Note Grill is located at 114 N Main Street in downtown Hendersonville NC.

Hendersonville's Small Plate Crawl features 29 Restaurants

April 5-6. The Small Plate Crawl is back for 2011and bigger and better than ever! Hendersonville and Flat Rock have joined together with restaurants, stores, galleries, bakeries, historic Inns and Bed and Breakfasts. The event celebrates local dining, shopping and memorable accommodations with unique Small Plate Menus, free parking in all city lots, specials and giveaways. Small Plate crawl is a 2 day event Tuesday, April 5th and Wednesday, April 6th, 2011.

Twenty nine restaurants will be serving "Small Plates", priced from $2 to $8, showing off their cuisine and Chef’s talent. Restaurants participate both days during one of three blocks of time: 11:30AM to 9:00PM, 11:30AM to 3:00PM OR 5:00PM to 9:00PM. See hours for each participating restaurant on the Small Plate Crawl Passport. 

The Next WNC Chefs Challenge at Cusina 24

March 14   WNC Chefs Challenge  Western North Carolina’s popular culinary competition for 2011. The region’s top chefs compete in weekly match-ups that will determine who wins the title of Best Chef in WNC. The competitions will be held each Monday at Cucina24. Diners eat, judge and enjoy! This week:  Pomodoros Greek & Italian Café  VS. Tomato Jam Café.  Asheville NC

Who wil be King of the Mountain?

March 5   Highlands NC hosts the King of the Mountain Chef's Challenge.  Award-Winning Chefs face off in "Iron Chef" style competition.  Using mystery ingredients, the chefs will race against the clock to create the winning culinary dish and be crowned "King of the Mountain."

Romantic Valentine's Day Dinner in the NC Mountains

Hendersonville NC -  Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner at The Blue Note Grille
Boonville NC -  Valentine's Lunch at RagApple Lassie Vineyards

Dobson NC   Special Valentine's Dinner at The Harvest Grille

Lake Lure NC   Dinner Specials at Rumbling Bald

Saluda NC     Valentine's Dinner at The Orchard Inn

Tryon NC    Pinecrest Inn and Restaurant

Asheville NC   The Sunset Terrace at the Grove Park Inn

Banner Elk NC   Zuzdad's Valentine's Night

Blowing Rock  Valentine's Day Dinner at Crippen's Restaurant

Blowing Rock  Valetine's Day Dinner with FREE Desert at Canyons

Blowing Rock Special Additional Valentine's Menu Items at The Storie Street Grille

Boone NC   Romantic Valentine Dinner at Char - Modern American Restaurant

Bryson City   Thirteen Moons Restaurant Valentine's Dinner

Sapphire NC  Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company Valentine's Special

Flat Rock NC   Season's Restaurant Valentine's 3-course Dinner

Franklin NC   Fatz Cafe' I Love Fatz Special Valentine's Menu

Murphy NC    Murphy's Chop House Valentine Dinner

Lake Lure   Larkins on the Lake Special Romantic Valentine's Dinner

Special Events at the Blue Note Grille in Hendersonville NC

Shake off the wintertime blues at the Blue Note Grille with great entertainment and award winning food. Downtown Hendersonville is undergoing construction , but the Blue Note is open, and parking has  not been a problem. Use the convenient 1st avenue spaces or parking lots, after local business hours.

January 25 at 6:30 PM - Italian Wine Dinner:
1st Course: Insalata di Mare
2nd Course: Proscuitto Wrapped Melon
3rd Course: Italian Peasant Soup
4th Course: Francesco’s Veal Marsalla
5th Course: Candied Orange Cannoli
$60.00 per person (including gratuity)  Call for Reservations  ((828)697-6828)

Opening on Monday, February 14th, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
for A Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner

The dinner includes:

1 bottle of Champagne or Red Wine (per couple)
Your Choice of:
Brie and Crab Stuffed Oysters
Exotic Cheese Plate
House Salad
Francesco's Chicken Marsalla with Angle Hair Pasta
or
Filet Medallions
The Blue Note signature Espresso Shot-in-the-Dark Chocolate Mousse
or
Fruit Parfait
For your listening and dancing pleasure: Ellen Trnka
$45.00 per person (excluding tax and gratuity)
Call today for reservations 828.697.6828
 
NEW - Open for Sunday Brunch
on February 6th, from 10:30 until 2:30

Chef John has been working on a special menu, that will offer some regular menu items and new and tempting ones that will soon become your favorites. Check out this new adventure in dining on Sundays in downtown Hendersonville. The Blue Note Grille is located at 114 N Main Street in Historic Downtown Hendersonville.

Saluda Grade Cafe' Winter Warm-ups

Saluda Grade Café is open all winter long so if it snows call ahead to make sure, but we usually open just for fun!  We have warm cozy specials to draw you in out of the cold!  No need to get cabin fever!  

Don't forget Super Bowl Sunday is February 6.  We are having our 2^nd Annual Football Celebration!  We will have the Big Game on more than one television and there will be loads of yummy food too!  No cover charge but plenty of ice cold beverage and spicy hot wings! Call us for more info or email us for a copy of the menu!  saludagrade@hotmail.com

Saluda Grade Café is now also taking reservations for Valentines Weekend!  We have special menus for all weekend...Friday thru Monday!  Last year's Valentines Weekend was so romantic and incredible (you should see how romantic candlelight and snow make the restaurant!) we decided to expand it and Open on Monday evening for Dinner too!  There will be a Special Dessert Menu all weekend!  Yummy Molten Lava Cakes, Chocolate filled Cream Puffs dipped in Dark Chocolate, Champagne with Fresh Raspberries, Strawberries with Zabaglione, and so very much more!  Make reservations now to treat your loved ones!  Last year, we even had several large parties of friends getting together just to celebrate! (They treated each other to Champagne and Raspberries and the Chef added in some Chocolate dipped Strawberries!)  Valentine's Day is for everyone...Married, Dating, Single, Mom, Dad, Son or Daughter, Best Friend or Coworker!  On Monday night each couple will receive a special Valentines Surprise!  Book your reservations now!  Call 828-749-5854 or email saludagrade@hotmail.com. Visit our website at saludagradecafe.com.   Slauda Grade Cafe' is located at 40 Main Street, Saluda NC.