American

Battery Park Bistro (22 Battery Park, 828-253-2158) - Slightly upscale Asheville favorite with Intercontinental menu featuring pasta of the day, marinated grilled chicken, vegetarian dishes, Louisiana Cajun catfish, szechuan & vegetable stir-fry, and always fresh fish. Special Sunday Brunch till 2:30.

Bier Garden (46 Haywood St., 828-258-3005) - Non-pretentious combination of fine dining room and downtown pub w/an American/Continental menu and premier beer (over 200 to choose from), malt and wine selection. Features daily specials, a freshly stocked salad bar and live music.


Westside Grill (1190 Patton Ave., 828-252-9605) - 1950's diner-style restaurant with all-time favorite menu items such as meat-loaf and fried chicken as well as continental favorites such as pasta and sandwiches. Enjoy Westside's breakfast featuring "huge" homemade biscuits, pancakes and more.

Continental

Flying Frog Restaurant (1 Battery Park, 828-252-3685) - The most elegant restaurant in Asheville, in the lower level of the Haywood Park Hotel, a knowledgeable and pleasant wait staff and an excellent continental menu. The Flying Frog a lovely and relaxing evening. Dinner nightly from 5:30.

The Greenery (48 Tunnel Rd., 828-253-2809) - Unique restaurant & lounge with European flair. House specialties include Maryland Crab cakes and Confit au Canard; offering fresh seafood, steaks, veal and lamb dishes and one of the finest wine selections in Asheville. Reservations recommended.

Pati's Restaurant at the Blake House Inn (150 Royal Pines Dr., Arden, 828-684-1847) - Feast on prime rib, seafood, pasta and specialty desserts in a restored 1883 Gothic Inn. All foods cooked to order. Offering a complete catering service and a Sunday Brunch. Reservations recommended.

Deerpark Restaurant (Biltmore Estate, 828-274-6260) - Located on the Biltmore Estate, this open-air restaurant was designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt in the 1890's. Serving lunch with the freshest ingredients and an array of estate wines to complement your entree. Open March - Dec.

Sunset Terrace at Grove Park Inn (290 Macon Avenue, 828-252-2711) - One of the South's most famous and popular outdoor dining verandas with majestic views and sunsets over the city skyline and mountains beyond. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily. A la carte menu & lavish buffets.

Horizons at Grove Park Inn (290 Macon Ave., 828-252-2711) - Formal dining room with sweeping views, elegant decor and "innovative classic cuisine." Lajos Pagony featured nightly on the grand piano. Coat and tie required. Dinner served from 6:30 to 10 pm. Reservations recommended.

Southside Cafe (Hwy. 25, Hendersonville Rd., 828-274-4413) - Quiet elegance and excellent food in a small cafe atmosphere featuring two of the most innovative chefs in Asheville. Try a daily special such as Swordfish w/jerked seasoning and enjoy soft music, wine and candlelight while you dine.

Cafe on the Square (1 Biltmore Ave., Pack Square, 828-251-5565) - Streetside bistro looking onto historic Pack Square in downtown Asheville. Offers a variety of fresh seafood, poultry, meat and pasta dishes as well as vegetarian fare. "One of the most unique dining spots of Asheville."

Gabrielle's at Richmond Hill Inn (87 Richmond Hill Dr., 828-252-7313) - Exquisite dining in the elegant dining room of the historic Mansion.

Early Girl Eatery(8 Wall St., 828-259-9592)- Unique cooking serving breakfast in a relaxed atmosphere. Located on Wall Street in downtown Asheville, overlooking Battery Park. Serving lunch and dinner.

International

Flying Frog Restaurant (1 Battery Park, 828-252-3685) - The most elegant restaurant in Asheville, in the lower level of the Haywood Park Hotel, a knowledgeable and pleasant wait staff and an excellent continental menu. The Flying Frog a lovely and relaxing evening. Dinner nightly from 5:30.

Vegetarian

Laughing Seed Cafe (40 Wall St., Downtown, 828-252-3445) - International vegetarian cuisine using organic ingredients and newly harvested, locally grown produce; serving organic coffees and teas as well as organic wines; selection of micro-brewed and imported beers. Lunch & dinner 7 days.

Cafe Max & Rosie's (52 N. Lexington Ave., Downtown, 828-254-5342) - Good food and atmosphere with healthy lunch & dinner specials. Scrumptious sandwiches, salads, rice and temper dishes, New York bagels, and fruit salads. Offering a full juice bar and the best veggie burger in town!

Earth Fare (Westgate Shopping Center, West Asheville, 828-253-7656) - A giant health food grocery store, but inside is a healthy buffet style lunch/dinner fare with tables both inside and outside- plus nutritious take out by the pound lunch and dinner goodies. Open 7 days a week from 9 am to 9 PM.

Seafood

Magnolias Raw Bar & Grille (26 Walnut St., Downtown, 828-251-5211) - Located in the historic district of downtown Asheville, Magnolias is known for its fresh seafood and lively atmosphere. Three dining rooms, a full service bar, and a year-round outdoor patio. Lunch & dinner.

Savoy Restaurant (641 Merrimon Ave., 828-253-1077) - Voted 1995 People's Choice Award, Savoy offers unique fresh pasta and seafood in a casually elegant atmosphere. The pastel decorum and local art that lines the walls adds a refreshing note to the dining experience. Serving lunch & dinner.

Italian/Pizza

Vincenzo's (10 N. Market St., Downtown, 828-254-4698) - Known as Asheville's finest Northern Italian restaurant, Vincenzo's has a formal dining room upstairs, and a full service bar & casual dining room downstairs with piano music. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.


Barley's Brew Pub/ Universal Pizza Company (42 Biltmore Ave., 828-255-0504) - Best pizza and beer in town, Barley's has a lively and friendly atmosphere. Pizza by the pie or by the slice. Vegetarian-friendly. 24 Beers on tap. Located in Downtown Asheville near Pack Square.

Oriental

China Palace (4 S. Tunnel Rd., 828-298-7098) - An Asheville favorite for many years, China Palace offers an extensive menu, efficient service & an atmosphere not too formal, but casual & friendly. Kids menus, family dinner combinations and vegetarian entrees available. Lunch & dinner.

YOSHIDA Japanese Steak House (4 Regent Park Blvd., 828-252-5903) - Hibachi Style cooking at your table by experienced chefs . Offering a variety of healthy steak and seafood dishes, plus entertainment. Early bird specials 4:30-6:30, plus nightly specials. Kids menu available.

Mexican

Cafe/Coffee Houses

Vincent's Ear (63 B N. Lexington Ave., Downtown, 828-259-9119) - Downtown's hippest coffee house & bar. Features local art, live music and conversation. Offering a wide selection of coffees, beers, and lite snacks (bagels, burittos, etc.). Open 7 Days. 18 and over only.

The New French Bar ( One Battery Park Ave., Downtown, 828-252-3685) - An Asheville favorite, the French Bar is a downtown bistro with a selection of wines, coffees, and baguettes. Its elegant interior and street-side setting make it the perfect place for an afternoon or evening rendezvous.

Malaprop's (61 Haywood St., Downtown, 828-254-6734) - An incredible and diverse bookstore w/ a downstairs cafe offering lots of interesting baked goods, coffee, and smoothes. Poetry, live music and other performances are all common occurrences at Malaprop's Cafe. Rotating art exhibit. 7 Days.


Gold Hill Espresso & Fine Teas (64 Haywood St., across from Public Library, 828-254-3800) - An intimate coffee house serving espresso, cappuccino, coffee and 40 varieties of tea; bagels, baked goods and sandwiches. Downtown location.

World Coffee Cafe (Full Liquor license) (Flatiron Bldg., 18 Battery Park Ave., Downtown, 828-258-1058) - Coffee, tea, and an overwhelming selection of gourmet sweets including pastries, cookies, croissants, sandwiches, soup, etc.

Deli/Sandwich/Bakery

Superette (78 Patton Ave., Downtown, 828-254-0255) - A family-owned restaurant and deli offering a variety of middle Eastern dishes including Jordanian, Lebanese and Egyptian "deli style" appetizers, salads and sandwiches from hummus to rice pilaf. Gourmet coffee and desserts. Lunch all day.

Max's Celebrity Deli Grill & Bar (130 College St., 828-258-1162) - Movie stars, spectacular food, and a casual dining experience with a Greek influence, at Max's Deli "where the food is famous and every customer's a star!" Sandwiches, subs and Mediterranean entrees in the heart of downtown.

All Good Things (7 Pack Square, Downtown, 828-255-8197) - A menu offering tasty, healthy foods, in a pleasant indoor or outdoor setting. All Good Things also specializes in catering for business luncheons or intimate parties. Open for Late Breakfast and Lunch and Friday & Saturday evenings.

Blue Moon Bakery (60 Biltmore Ave., 828-252-6063) - Blue Moon is a traditional-style bakery, restaurant and gourmet store. Buy a fresh loaf of bread baked in a French stone-deck hearth oven, and have a sandwich or an Italian sweet while you're there. A bistro setting in downtown Asheville.