Not many people know that I once lived in Asheville, North Carolina. I had just left the West Coast after my first year of Graduate School and I thought a new city where I did not know anyone would be a fun adventure. While I instantly fell in love with this charming little town, at the end of the day it was just too small for me and I ended up moving to New York City by the end of the year. Nonetheless, I have very fond memories of my brief time there and I make an effort to return often, since it is less than a three hours drive from where I live now. My most recent trip to Asheville was on behalf of both Explore Asheville and The Omni Grove Park Inn, as they had invited my husband and I there for a midweek getaway.
What can be said about Asheville that has not already been said a million times? This bohemian enclave has an incredibly vibrant art, music, and culinary scene, as well as having an interesting mix of locals who consider themselves progressive thinkers, yet still hold traditional Southern values. Its downtown area is best explored by foot and without a map.
Our dinner for the evening was at Strada Italiano, which is located in a gorgeously renovated building from the 1880’s. The restaurant resembles the ambiance of a storied neighborhood trattoria in Italy with rich woods, warm reds and ochres, low-lit chandeliers, and custom copper architectural elements that strike a welcoming tone right in the heart of downtown Asheville.
The menu consists of authentic Italian cuisine representing all of the regions of Italy and many of owner Chef Anthony Cerrato’s traditional family recipes. Strada sets itself apart from other restaurants in several ways: it uses all gluten-free flours in an effort to cater to the health conscious and those with food allergies, it boasts a full bakery and produces homemade artisan loaves, cakes, and pies, and it is a 3-Star Green Certified Restaurant. Recycling, composting, and utilizing green cleaning supplies and sustainable building materials are a few of the ways the restaurant adheres to an eco-friendly ideology.
After dinner we made our way to Strada’s rooftop bar Social Lounge for some handcrafted cocktails while we digested our unforgettable meal.
Life really is better in the mountains!
Hi Andi,
It seems like a nice midweek getaway. Eagerly looking forward to your blog on your trip to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos!
Warm Regards,
Rekha
I promise the posts are coming up soon! 🙂
Asheville is such an awesome city!
It really is!!!
You always go to the most amazing places!
So sweet to say!
We head up to Asheville every fall for a weekend getaway. It’s easily one of our favorite places in the world. The food alone is SO worth it!
Asheville is prettiest in the fall, there is no doubt about it. Oh the food!!!
Great pics Andi!
Thanks!
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I’ve been dying to visit more of the south and Asheville sounds like a lovely place! Thanks for sharing and beautiful pictures, like always.
Happy travels 🙂
I hope you can make it down here soon! The South is such an awesome place to visit. You’d love Asheville!!!
Uuh, that cheesecake looks delish! Sounds like you had a great trip
Best cheesecake I’ve ever had! It was truly incredible.
Great photos, Andi! I love all the little glimpses you’ve captured. 🙂
Thank you so much sweetie!!! XO
Asheville is completely awesome, isn’t it? When I was at Clemson for undergrad, we all used to pile in the car on the weekends for something to do. Asheville was always a popular destination because there’s always something new to do there. (And the Grove Park Inn is SO PRETTY!)
Yes, so awesome! I went to CofC btw, so close to Clemson!!! GPI is spectacular. 🙂
Such a fun town. Wish I’d gone more when I lived in NC!
I wish you still lived in NC! 🙁
A few years ago, my family took a trip out to see the Biltmore estate and we were able to spend a day exploring Asheville. It’s so cute & quirky! <3
I looove the Biltmore!!! Yes, Asheville is definitely cute and quirky!!!
this town looks like it has so much character and you always capture it so well with your photos!
It has sooo much character! And thank you X a million!!!
Looks like a fun little town!