Café Violette is pure culinary perfection in the heart of vibrant and spunky Blowing Rock. My wife…read moreand I came up for a quick getaway, and this spot turned out to be the highlight of our trip. We lucked out with a table on the cozy patio sitting on Main Street, where the town buzzes with life. The interior is beautiful and refined, but the outdoor setting, with the fresh mountain air and the hum of the town, created the perfect backdrop for a special evening. Service was impeccable. Gracious, attentive, and perfectly timed throughout the night. We began with a chilled French Chenin Blanc that paired beautifully with our appetizers. The escargot, bathed in a garlic cream and Gruyère sauce, was rich and mouth meltingly tasty. The braised and seared octopus was incredibly tender, deeply flavorful, and quite honestly, one of the best we've had anywhere. For mains, we shared the heirloom tomato burger, which was juicy, perfectly cooked, and packed with flavor. Alongside that, we split the mushroom burrata orecchiette, pillowy pasta coated in a creamy lemon pistachio pesto with locally sourced mushrooms. It was rich, bright, and beautifully composed. When dessert rolled around, we switched things up with cocktails. I had the old fashioned with a pistachio twist, complex and not overly sweet. My wife enjoyed a smooth and flavorful espresso martini. Both paired wonderfully with the finale: a creamy, light tiramisu and a house-made French éclair with fresh peaches. Each bite was the perfect ending to an already stunning meal. From start to finish, Café Violette delivered. The food, the service, the atmosphere, and the view all came together in the best possible way. This is French fine dining with soul, nestled in one of North Carolina's most charming towns. An absolute must-visit in Blowing Rock.

We had Stephanie she is the best waitress. This was the second time she was our server the fist…read morewas Mothers Day. Stephanie was chipper and it was the end of a long day for here. There were three of us and we had a lovely meal My daughter and I had amazing salmon so favourable it came with a bed of rice so creamy. I asked for bread it was hot and smelled so heavenly. We also had a small dinner salad I had Caesar and my daughter had regular small salad with ranch. Michael had steak and scallops cooked to perfection. The ladies had wine and Michael had his brown sugar old fashioned with extra cherries . Then we ordered two deserts a coconut cream brûlée and a pichstasio cake. We all liked the crème brûlée best. Stephanie was extremely attentive and we wanted for nothing. We will ask for her next time as well. Thank you chef and Stephanie for a lovely evening.

First night in blowing rock we got a rez here. Such a beautiful inn and restaurant and great…read moreservice. I had the halibut and chose acorn squash (all entrees come with mashed potatoes too). Delicious! One got steak au poivre and it was highly peppered but so tasty. One got steak and crab cake. One got Parmesan crusted chicken. Everything was so good! We brought home their signature banana cream pie and a peanut butter pie. Both great!

Make reservations months in advance for this gem! Located in an old stone manor, the Best Cellar is…read morethe best restaurant in Blowing Rock! The rack of lamb and buttermilk chicken are some of my favorites. The staff are very professional and seem to continue working there for years. The renovated the gathering area to make a rustic, yet upscale bar. Parking is not a problem because they offer valet.

Limited German/french inspired menu but great food, wine/beer selection, service, and atmosphere…read more Outside patio overlooking the creek provides a great area to sit and enjoy this beautiful location and food. Only downside is if you have any food restrictions you best checkout the menu beforehand.

the pizza here was mid as hell dough was too chewy and they put way too much sauce on it not worth…read morethe hype honestly

We went to this other French-American restaurant (Isa's Bistro), and they didn't have Creme…read moreBrulee...so, we ended up here afterward to order JUST the Creme Brulee. First of all, the place was very small, with this caved-in feel...a very grungy, dive-like ambiance. I felt quite claustrophic. Also, they didn't have the A/C on, so it was quite humid in there. Sadly, things didn't get any better. One of the best thing about the brulee is the glazed crust...and well, their version was just slack, in that only about a third of the top was glazed! HUH?!? Plus, they used this thin slab of Orange instead of the usual Blueberries or Strawberries...making the dessert have this Yellow on Yellow type presentation. Not appealing at all...at least to me. Initially, I thought we'd wait...and get our waitress-bartender to send it back to the kitchen to get it glazed fully. However, we just couldn't get her attention...so we just ended up eating it. I did, however, decide to bring up this issue...after getting the hostess to literally grab our server! I just felt that something this slack should be pointed out. Since we did eat some of it, I didn't ask for a redo or anything like that...but simply telling her that I wanted my feedback to go to the kitchen and the manager. In any case, she didn't bill us for the dessert. I thought that was the right call. From the grungy ambiance (with no A/C), to their botched dessert, I just can't say this was a worthy experience in the least. I totally regretted not going to Crave dessert bar instead. Lesson learned!

Bouchon French Bistro is a solid spot for French food in the Asheville area. If you're looking for…read moresome classic, French bistro fare then Bouchon likely has it. I've never had a bad meal here. In my most recent visit to Bouchon, we had a reservation for the three of us on a Sunday evening for dinner. In fact, I recommend making a reservation if you're planning to dine here as Bouchon gets busy. Even for a Sunday, nearly every table was taken. The place is dark and romantic, but bustling and lively. As mentioned previously, Bouchon has classic, French plates that are timeless. From French onion soup to start with, to steak frites for your main, and profiteroles for dessert, there's something you're likely familiar with if you've had French food before. Plus, the large wine menu, including Bordeaux style reds are something to rave about. I ordered the Canard a L'Orange Chocolate for my entrée and we wanted to start with the escargots, but it never came. We had to remind our server that we ordered escargots, which we later received and was taken off the bill. That was nice. I did enjoy my canard/duck entrée, which was prepared with a rub from cocoa nibs and an orange glaze with broccolini and potato au gratin on the side. The duck was also a good portion, as it was half the size and cooked perfectly. Overall, if you like French food then Bouchon has some traditional dishes that you'll enjoy. Service was a little spotty, but not terrible. It's not my first choice for dining out in Asheville where the competition is fierce, but if I'm visiting on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, then you best believe I'm down for the AYCE moules frites, which yes, I've totally done and definitely got my money's worth.

I have been visiting Black Mountain for years but haven't tried this interesting restaurant yet…read more Today was the day for me/us and marked the day the train returned on its route through Black Mountain. We were impressed by the interest and fanfare this post-Helene event created for the locals. Parking on the street, across the street or a short way up the street is town free parking. Shannon and Rain were our friendly and helpful servers. There are many seating options. We chose the sun room which was comfortable. Others were seated outside on the side porch and several people were inside. We shared a bowl of the delicious French onion soup. Eat it while it's hot for the best experience. The buckwheat crepes were the perfect consistency to handle the savory entrees. My Market crepe was packed full of goodies including the sausage add-on. Each ingredient stood well on its own. The pesto was a standout. My partner got the mushroom crepe with chicken. She enjoyed immensely. Both entrees came with a fresh greens and balsamic dressing. The servings were generous enough to bring two halves home for dinner. Sharing soup and a savory crepe is a reasonable strategy if leaving leftovers in your vehicle during the summer heat is a concern. We joined the servers on the patio to watch the return of the train through a nicely recovering town.

That Catalan omelette was immaculate! Made me proud to be Spanish! It's a cute shop with good food,…read moredon't know what else to say to meet the 85 letter requirement. Great food!

Absolutely loved it. Service , food , ambiance , excellent…read more I look forward to going again.

We started with a wonderful tomato and goat cheese appetizer, and the vegetables and fries served…read morewith dinner were also very good. Unfortunately, my steak had an odd flavor, so I didn't finish it. I didn't want to make a fuss or disrupt dinner, so when I saw our server away from the table, I quietly mentioned it. I said I wasn't sure what caused the unusual taste--it reminded me somewhat of freezer burn, although I also wondered if it might have been the pesto butter. I wasn't making an accusation or claiming to know the cause. I was simply trying to describe the flavor. Our server apologized, and I thanked her. The manager then came to our table and challenged my feedback, explaining that the meat had just been butchered and that they don't freeze it. I repeated that I didn't know the cause, only that something tasted off. The exchange was uncomfortable enough that everyone at our table was taken aback. Our server later returned and apologized for the interaction. We explained that I had spoken to her privately for a reason. The server then offered us a $5 coupon toward a future visit. Needless to say, we left it behind. I rarely post negative reviews, but the manager's defensive response turned a minor food issue into an unnecessarily uncomfortable experience. A simple acknowledgment would have been appreciated.

Tiny place that can appear deceiving! Food is amazing. I've eaten here three times - breakfast and…read morelunch - and its always great!

I don't get it. This place is great. Great food for a great price. It amazes me when people eat…read moreelsewhere and the food is subpar and expensive. This little place is wonderful. Wake up Abingdon to a gem.

My husband and I have been to Vidalia a few times in the past few years and enjoyed it. We went for…read moredinner last night, the food and service was incredible but the my husband and I noticed kitchen cooks/staff speaking rather disrespectfully to the waiter and waitresses at our table in the dining room. It was rather busy due to the concert, but our server was working very hard and we hope to see a more positive environment!

Food tasted freshly cooked. Good quality flavor was on point…read more Attentive service. Quiet ambience, good for dates.

Terrific dinner here Sunday night. My wife and I were looking for a special occasion-type dinner,…read moreeven though we didn't have one pending...Anyway, we are both francophiles, having both lived in France for a year (separate adventures - before we met). We both love French culture, and French cuisine, and the way it is presented and prepared. Coquette did not disappoint on either dimension. The food was delicious, meticulously prepared. Onion soup was just right, as was a cold shrimp appetizer. Scallops for main course were exquisite - done just right, beautiful presentation. Portions were just right, no doggie-bag needed, but fully satisfied when we left. The service was professional, just what you would expect in an authentically French restaurant. Prices were more than reasonable for the quality. Coquette does it right. Highly recommended, we'll be back many times! As a point of reference - we had dinner at a very high end French restaurant in DC last weekend while visiting. Coquette was every bit as good.

Coquette made my birthday dinner absolutely unforgettable…read more From the moment we arrived, the hosts made us feel genuinely welcome, and every interaction throughout the evening was warm, friendly, and attentive. Don't let the location fool you - despite being in the middle of bustling Uptown Charlotte, Coquette feels like a cozy, delicious escape. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between elegant and comfortable, making it the ideal place to celebrate a special occasion. Our server, Francesca, was phenomenal. She was knowledgeable, personable, and somehow always there exactly when we needed her without ever making us feel rushed. To help celebrate my birthday, she surprised us with a complimentary glass of champagne for a toast - a thoughtful touch that made an already special evening even more memorable. We started with the charcuterie board and the foie gras crostini, and both were incredible. The charcuterie was beautifully curated with delicious cheeses, prosciutto, olives, cornichons, and thoughtful accompaniments. The foie gras was rich, buttery, and perfectly paired with caramelized onions on crisp crostini. My Black Rose cocktail was one of the best cocktails I've had in a long time. The combination of gin, thyme, blackberry, and botanicals was perfectly balanced - complex, flavorful, and refreshingly not overly sweet. We also enjoyed a bottle of Bezel Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles by the Cakebread family, and wow... what a fantastic wine. It paired beautifully with dinner. For our entrées, Shane had the perfectly cooked duck confit, served over a pesto of summer squash and eggplant that complemented the duck beautifully. He also enjoyed a side of garlic butter mushrooms... all by himself, because mushrooms and I have a lifelong disagreement. I had the lamb frites with eggplant caviar and eggplant fries - absolutely phenomenal. Everything was cooked perfectly and packed with flavor. And yes... I actually ate a vegetable. Of course, we couldn't pass up dessert (we had to finish the wine, after all ). Shane ordered the apple tarte Tatin, which was absolutely fabulous. The apples were exactly what they should be - the star of the dish - and somehow made the buttery pastry feel almost guilt-free. I had the chocolate pot de crème... Magic. Rich, silky, decadent, and the perfect ending to an incredible birthday dinner. From the food and cocktails to the wine, service, and atmosphere, Coquette exceeded every expectation. Thank you, Francesca, and the entire Coquette team for making my birthday so special. We will absolutely be back.

Came to La Belle Helene for a birthday dinner with some friends, and we had such a great…read moreexperience! The restaurant is so beautiful and elegant, and the hospitality was amazing. They were so patient with our table of 8, and even let us take pictures before and during dinner, which we really appreciated! I would definitely recommend the duck entrées and rotisserie chicken. Both were so flavorful and tender! The potatoes that came with the duck were sooo good and had the perfect little touch of saltiness. And the french green beans ?? So good! Everything we had was honestly a 10/10. It's a really beautiful place for a birthday, date night, or really any special occasion. We had a great time and would definitely come back!

Had a lovely solo night out at La Belle Helene! Had reservations in advance and was waited on…read morequickly and very attentively. I ordered the arugula salad which was incredibly delicious. Flavorful, with both very savory and yet light ingredients which made it perfect for an entree. Not too dense but also filling enough for the wait until dinner. Then the salmon a la plancha. The salmon was cooked to perfection and not overdone, which is unfortunately often the case. The perfect portion along with the tomatoes and kale to keep it rich, but still somehow light. Ended the night with their signature (and recommended) le citron lemon dessert which was to die for. The waitress also brought me some madelines with an adorable little personalized message to complement my little mom's solo night out. 10 out of 10 and certainly can't wait to come again!