I was in town for a massive gathering of beer nerds for the homebrewers convention and needed a…read moresolid breakfast to reset my system after days of heavy tasting. I found Chestnut on Yelp and decided to wander in. The space has this elevated modern rustic vibe with a southern twist and a little bit of sass. They even sell shirts that say neither hoity nor toity, which cracked me up. Honestly, the atmosphere was great, but our waitress was the real star. She was absolutely phenomenal and looked after us perfectly. My palate was pretty fried, so I started with a Bloody Mary to wake up. Truth be told, it was just okay. The house mix had an odd flavor that nobody at the table could quite identify, and it seriously lacked spice. It was just kinda bland. I noticed a bottle of Firewalker hot sauce on the table, and splashing that in helped a little bit. After that, I transitioned to a mimosa. You really cannot mess up a mimosa too much, and it was a solid, reliable second drink. For the main event, I ordered the southern chicken and waffles. This came with a fried chicken breast sitting on golden malted waffles, smothered in sausage gravy, and drizzled with chipotle honey. It was a really great dish. The kitchen did a solid job with the fry on the chicken, and the gravy had a nice flavor. It leaned a little on the sweet side because of the honey, but it was not totally overdone. The real sleeper hit of the morning, though, was the side of cheesy grits. Those grits were absolute heaven. They were incredibly creamy and perfectly seasoned. If you go, you have to order them. Chestnut is in a great location, and despite the weak Bloody Mary, it was a stellar visit.

Worth Planning Your Asheville Trip Around…read more As a Bay Area foodie, navigating around San Francisco's incredible restaurant scene taught me to appreciate thoughtful cooking, quality ingredients, and genuine hospitality. Chestnut had been on my Asheville dining list long before I arrived, and after spending several days exploring Boone, Blowing Rock, and the Blue Ridge Mountains, I made it my dinner splurge before heading home. It absolutely delivered. A quick tip: skip the hunt for street parking and head straight to the garage across the street. The first hour is free, and downtown Asheville can be congested with both vehicle and foot traffic. I arrived around 5:30 without a reservation and was warmly greeted by the hostess, who offered me a table or a seat at the bar. Asheville was surprisingly hot and humid compared to the cool mountain weather I'd been enjoying, so the air-conditioned dining room was an easy choice over the sidewalk patio. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Fresh flowers, warm lighting, elegant stone countertops, comfortable booths, tables, and bar seating create an atmosphere that feels polished without being stuffy. What stood out most was the mix of guests. There were locals greeting staff by name, couples enjoying date night, families with children, and older guests gathering with friends. It felt welcoming and comfortable for everyone. As a solo diner, the bar was the perfect choice. I enjoyed all the energy of the restaurant while still having a peaceful dining experience. I started with a glass of Brut Rosé from Spain. Crisp, refreshing, and beautifully balanced, it was the perfect way to settle in after a warm afternoon. Then came the Lobster Bisque. As someone who has made lobster bisque from scratch, I know the work that goes into creating a great one. Chestnut's version, made with Oak & Grist Reserve Cream and finished with fresh chives, was outstanding. Rich, silky, velvety, and loaded with tender pieces of lobster. If I'm being incredibly picky, I would have enjoyed just a touch more sherry, but that's purely personal preference. The smaller serving vessel kept the bisque hot from first spoonful to last, which I appreciated. My only complaint was that I wanted a larger serving because it was that good. For my entrée, I ordered the 4-ounce Petite Filet. The steak arrived cooked a perfect medium rare with excellent flavor and texture. It was served with butter-whipped mashed potatoes, haricot verts, a crisp potato gaufrette, red wine demi-glace, and chive butter. Every component was thoughtfully prepared. The demi-glace added richness without overwhelming the beef, while the potato gaufrette provided a delicate crunch. My only minor critique was that the plate could have been served a bit hotter, but the quality of the food more than made up for it. One of the highlights of the evening was the service. Taylor, part of the management team, was personable, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. After my sparkling wine, he suggested a half-glass pour of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir since I was driving. Excellent recommendation. The wine was elegant, earthy, and beautifully balanced, pairing perfectly with the filet. As the evening progressed, the restaurant filled quickly. Watching the staff greet regulars by name and efficiently manage the growing crowd spoke volumes about how well-run the restaurant is. You could tell many guests were repeat customers, which is always a good sign. After dinner, I attempted to walk off my meal through downtown Asheville, but the summer heat quickly convinced me to head back to my hotel. I left full, happy, and already thinking about that lobster bisque. For a Bay Area foodie who plans entire trips around memorable meals, Chestnut exceeded expectations. Great food, thoughtful service, an inviting atmosphere, and a dining experience that felt special without trying too hard. If you're visiting Asheville, put Chestnut on your list. Life is too short for mediocre meals, and this one is worth making time for.

We have heard nothing about good things about Pack Tavern, so today we decided to give it a try…read more Let me just say Wow! With a family of 3, our son being 12, it is not always easy to find someplace that we can all enjoy and get why we want. But here, that is exactly y why happened. We each ordered something different, which ended up being 4 different things with the added soup, and everything was great. Not just good or ok, but great. Hot, fresh, and genuinely good. I can see why they have such a high rating, and with so many reviews. It is definitely going to be on our short list of preferred restaurants.

Nice. Kind of a classic bar with history, but also some modernization. I went on a Wednesday night,…read moreand the place was pretty full. The bar staff are very capable but a little crass. Very clearly professionals, but also busy. The food service at the bar was fine, but not ideal. I ordered a Thai Salad and a beer, and the Thai Salad was fine. I was glad they had an entree salad without any meat on it. It wasn't spectacular, but it was reasonably well presented with fresh and crisp vegetables. Overall a good experience. It might be better to go with a friend at get a table than a seat at the bar.

I had high hopes and expectations for this place. When scrolling on Yelp, this place had incredible…read morereviews. I made a reservation to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. The restaurant is small but cozy. I wouldn't say the atmosphere is bad but definitely could be better. Our waitress was kind. The food was good but I was looking for a little more of something. The only thing that wowed me was the focaccia bread. I would order this again and again. Glad we tried it out but wouldn't come back.

Great service. Great food. Great scene. The waiter was very attentive. The food was amazingly…read moretasty! The place was small but cozy and decor was perfect for the small space. I would go back!

In a word, stellar! Sat at the bar where we were greated by a friendly and highly competent…read morebartender. The Bar featured notable high end liquors but I was more impressed by the Rittenhouse Rye as their well Rye and the inclusion of Mellow Corn, a "bottom-shelf bourbon " that is strictly IYKYK... Croquettes were very nice but my wife's fava bean/asparagus with goat cheese gnudi was incredibly decadent and absolutely sublime. My steak with romesco sauce paired perfectly with a glass of Syrah. Highly recommend!

I really wanted to love Tall John's, and to be fair there were definitely some highlights, but…read moreoverall, it didn't quite live up to the price point. We tried a variety of dishes. The mussels were easily the standout - absolutely delicious and something I'd come back for. The lamb was also very tender, and both the salmon and chicken dishes were good. That said, the chicken felt pretty basic, especially considering it didn't come with any sides or additional elements to round out the plate. Service was a bit inconsistent. It may have just been an off night, but our server felt a little scattered. One of our guests was initially served a lukewarm, flat Coke in a very small bottle, which was surprising for a restaurant of this caliber. To her credit, she replaced it with a Mexican Coke and didn't charge us, which we appreciated. Still, overall guidance on the menu and pairings would have elevated the experience. At the end of the day, the biggest issue was the pricing. The food was good, but not nearly good enough to justify how expensive everything was. For that reason alone, I'd likely explore other options in Asheville before coming back.

Love, love the sloppy joe! Flavorful, mildly sweet, an elevated version of the dish! If you…read moredon't like the kind that has a tomato paste flavor, you will love this. The kids chicken tenders were a minced meat type, I wish it had been a real chunk of breaded chicken breast. But their meal came with ice cream and drink and lots of fries so they didn't complain. We sat outside to enjoy the afternoon sun. They have a large lively interior space too. Gluten free buns are available if you ask and they're tasty, which I so appreciate.

The food here is very good, and you'll definitely not be disappointed! The cost is good for the…read moreamount of food you get, and the service is outstanding. The atmosphere of the restaurant is welcoming and relaxing. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a nice lunch or dinner in North Asheville. Can't beat it!

This place was AMAZING. Went here for Mother's Day with my wife and kids. Service was top notch,…read morefood was perfect, and overall it's just an amazing experience all around. My daughter absolutely loved their "pasketti" as well. Will be back for sure.

My first night in town I was lucky enough to find Vinnie's. It seemed like it was an Asheville…read morestaple and nearby. I ordered the breaded flounder and tiramisu. The serving of flounder was so generous I had the second half the next night. The mashed potatoes and broccoli with capers was very good. What I will definitely get again is the tiramisu. It was delicious. I can't express that enough. It was enough for two servings but I gladly finished it off in one.

Best food in town. Clean and well prepared dishes that are obviously made with Love . I look…read moreforward to dinning here when ever in town!

There's something about our favorite unassuming gem in Asheville--HomeGrown--that just gets us. The…read morebuttermilk chicken breast smothered in mushroom gravy, the sesame greens that somehow taste both familiar and new... a little piece of the South with a twist. And honestly? Sometimes it all tastes better eaten in the car, seat warmers on, sharing bites with my best friend.

Outstanding meal - don't know why we have not tried Bone and Broth before now. Excellent table…read moreservice (hard to find in Asheville these days). The wine list was very good. I had the Skirt Steak special - excellent. She has the Pasta with beef tips, again excellent. Great to find another 5 star on the North side - we will definitely be back, and SOON.

The ambiance has quiet and relaxed and a great place to relax. I sat at the bar and the bartender…read morewas amazing, every drink had such fragrance to them, honestly it was one of the highlights of my night. Service was great never felt pressure to rush, appitizer and meal came out peefectly spaced in my opinion. Ibhad the filet, with frites and crispy brussel sprouts. I had the tallow butter as well. I ordered the steak medium and it was served a littlw under cooked for my liking but had good flavor. The brussel sprouts were great. The tallow butter, well lets just say i will leave that to my face creams. Overall very enjoyable meal.