Greetings from Asheville, North Carolina!
Asheville has always been on my travel wishlist for America. Our family attempted to make the trip in the fall of 2022, but we had to cancel because COVID had other plans. A few months ago, I stumbled upon a listing on Airbnb for this adorable A-frame cabin that happened to be available in October. Without hesitation, I booked it as a surprise getaway for Megan’s birthday.
I already knew that Asheville had a reputation as one of the top culinary destinations in the USA. However, a few weeks before the trip, I came across an article in Travel and Leisure that ranked Asheville as one of the best food cities in the U.S.
Day 1:
Our journey began in Charlotte, where we rented a four-wheel drive pickup truck and started the two-hour trip to Asheville. For anyone who has not flown into Charlotte, I give their car rental experience an A+. The staff is friendly and efficient. It’s located right across the street from the gate, eliminating the need for a shuttle. Additionally, the facility is open, airy, and has a modern feel.
We arrived in Asheville around noon, and since check-in wasn’t until 3:00 pm, we decided to stop at All Day Darling for lunch. It seems that this spot is frequented by locals from the neighborhood. It was a walk-up counter service, but they had indoor seating, as well as an outdoor patio with a great vibe. When I mentioned that I had celiac disease, the person taking the order fully understood and responded by saying, “thank you so much for letting me know.” Megan and I both ordered the fried chicken sandwich on a gluten-free biscuit, and I ordered a cortado on the side. Everything cooked in their fryer is gluten-free. Everything tasted delicious, but my stomach felt a little off afterward. At such a busy establishment, there may have been cross-contamination, or just as likely, it may have been because I don’t eat fried food often and my stomach isn’t used to it. That said, I do believe that they understand what celiac disease is and take safety seriously. The staff and setting were A+.
After lunch, we hopped in the pickup and headed to Whole Foods for groceries, and then on to the cabin. The last few hundred yards before reaching the cabin required some maneuvering up a mountain on a dirt road, so it was fortunate that we had the 4-wheel drive truck. The cabin was small but perfect for a couple’s retreat. It was completely private, surrounded by nature, and featured an outdoor hot tub.
For dinner, we had reservations at Posana, a restaurant that I had been eagerly anticipating trying for a year. It didn’t disappoint! This may have been the best dining experience I’ve had since being diagnosed with celiac disease. It is a dedicated gluten-free kitchen that features a seasonal farm-to-table menu sourced from local ingredients. It’s hard to describe, but there was such a sense of normalcy in being able to order anything from a menu without having to explain my dietary restrictions or worry about cross contamination. It’s a feeling that I haven’t experienced in four years. We ordered the Grilled Hendersonville Apples and Crispy Fried Brussels Sprouts to start. For the main course, Megan ordered the Sunburst Trout Almondine, and I ordered the NY Strip. The NY Strip came with boxty potato, house onion rings, and broccolini. I would have definitely come back here the following night if i had been open. A++.
It was late, and we had been up since 4:00 am, so it was time to head back to the cabin.
Day 2:
The next morning, we had eggs and fresh berries at the cabin before heading out for the day. As I always do when traveling, I brought my own GreenPan and spatula.
After enjoying breakfast and relaxing dip in the hot tub, we headed to the River Arts District for some grab a cortado and chai latte at Summit Coffee on their outdoor patio. It is located at Foundy Street, an artistic business community that is also home to a BBQ restaurant, brewery, and several shops. All of the buildings were covered in graffiti. Before leaving, we walked through one of the markets called Marquee, which included vendors selling art, antiques, jewelry, crafts, antiques, and more.
Next, we rode along the Blue Ridge Parkway for some sightseeing and hiking. We stopped at the Graveyard Fields Loop for a quick hike and checked out Looking Glass Falls on the way back.
For dinner, we had reservations at Strada Italiano, an Italian restaurant with an extensive gluten-free menu. Although I read that the owner, or someone in his family, has celiac disease. Everything that goes into the fryer is made with rice flour, so there is no risk of cross-contamination. For an appetizer, we ordered the arancini, which was the first time I had one since being diagnosed with celiac disease. The chicken parm was as good as I’ve ever had, including the decade that I lived in Boston’s North End (which is known for its Italian cuisine) prior to my celiac diagnosis.
Day 3:
The next morning, we prepared the same breakfast, savored the scenery from the front porch, and checked out by 10am. We still hadn’t explored downtown Asheville yet, so we decided to explore the city on foot. Downtown Asheville has a vibrant artsy vibe, bustling with a variety of restaurants, cafes, and boutiques. We stopped for lunch at Early Girl Eatery. I knew that we would be sampling another restaurant before heading back to Charlotte, so I didn’t go crazy. There were several brunch items that looked great, but I ordered the Apple & Berry Salad with fried chicken. It was delicious, and I felt fantastic after eating it! There is a small outdoor patio in front of the restaurant, as well as two dining rooms inside. The first dining room, upon entering the restaurant, has a trendy brunch vibe that you would typically find in a big city. The dining room in the back exudes a nostalgic, old-school diner vibe.
After exploring downtown for a while, we returned to Foundy Street in the River Arts District to sample some BBQ at 12 Bones Smokehouse. We tried to grab lunch here the previous day, but the line was too long. You place your food order at the counter, and then it is brought to your table. All of the meats and sauces are gluten-free. In addition, their protocols and attention to detail made me feel very safe. When placing my order, I noticed that each item on the screen was labeled “gluten-free”. I also noticed that the person taking my order added an additional note for the kitchen staff to “change gloves,” without me even asking! We shared the ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken, and mashed sweet potatoes. Megan also ordered the “Damn Good Corn Puddin’” which wasn’t gluten-free, but she loved it.
Next, we hopped into the pickup truck and returned to the Blue Ridge Parkway for additional scenery and one last hike before making our way back to Charlotte. We drove in the opposite direction of the previous day, about 45 minutes out to the Craggy Pinnacle Hike. It was a short hike, only about a one-mile round trip, but the payoff was unparalleled views out into the Appalachian Mountains.
After the hike, we started our trek back to Charlotte. We arrived at the Hyatt House in downtown around 8:00pm, grabbed a salad at Stoke Charlotte, and turned in early, knowing that we had a 6am flight the next morning.
Conclusion:
If you enjoy restaurants, hiking, art, antiquing, or boutique shopping, Asheville is worth a visit for a long weekend. There is no shortage of restaurants for anyone who avoids gluten, and the experience of dining at Posana alone makes it well worth the trip for individuals with celiac disease.
Comments