In a rush? Plan your cozy and romantic dinner. Or, warm up with some pho.

Good Morning,

Thank you all so, so much for the kind emails in response to my first newsletter of the year. Since then, I have seen the endocrinologist and am officially on my 4th GI doctor since moving to Asheville. What are ya going to do... still waiting on Duke to make it #5. 🤞🏻

It looks like I have Graves' Disease as well as Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), so if you see me out and about, my eyes are a little Kermit the Frog-esque and bloodshot. I'm waiting to see a TED Specialist - another Duke referral - and am on meds for hyperthyroidism.

Thankfully, though, I am feeling better to enjoy Asheville while it's chilly and quiet. Just a few places we've been recently (all food because 1. hiking in the cold with hyperthyroidism makes my heart want to explode 2. I'm hungry 24/7 until my metabolism chills):

• Mr. Tea at the Asheville Mall - sushi; those red booths!
• Pad Thai Asheville - near Apollo Flame (and my endo); kitschy great Thai.
• Mizu Noodle - curry, soup, and noodle takeout.
• Nose Dive - our Greenville, SC go-to after a GI visit. Mocktails, cocktails, and American. Hummus plate!
• Haywood Common - did you see Tom's double order of tater tots on FB? Love their cocktails & chill American cuisine.
• The Smokin' Onion Restaurant - vegan; OMG that sweet potato waffle and cookie the size of my face.
• Plant - vegan; it's a love story... cheese plate, ravioli, beets, that cheesecake... always.
• White Labs - known for their pizza, try the burger...
• Leo's House of Thirst - wine and tapas.
• Allgood Coffee - Weaverville coffee shop with owners that everyone loves.
• Maggie B's - Weaverville's chill wine shop serving sandwiches and soups
• Cousins Cuban - Black Mountain's delicious Cuban cafe.
• China Wok - Chinese takeout. Get the pork lo mein.
• Oak & Grist - the best cocktails around; a Black Mountain distillery.

During our fall vacation in Sonoma, California, we wine tasted at Rochioli Winery (go!! I loved them). Because we don't live there, we can't access their wine otherwise, so we shipped half a case home. It's been a dry fall with the health battles, but my endo told me to have that glass of wine: I cracked into their gorgeous Chardonnay. Saving the Pinot Noir... I already want to go back to Sonoma.

Warm Up With These Soup Spots in Asheville

If you are looking to warm up on these chilly Asheville days, don't miss just a few of these great places for soup:

Pho from Wild Ginger (Tom's pork chop in the back) and ramen from Mizu

🥄 Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse - Delicious ramen; also try the meat skewers, shrimp cocktail, and salmon sashimi; they are located in Downtown Asheville. My photo above is from their brunch menu. Of course, I love their cocktails too.

🥄 Mizu Noodle - I love both Mizu's pho and ramen. They have dumplings, curries, and poke. Find them in West Asheville with counter service. We love to get delivery from here. Stop by the Asian grocery store next door.

🥄 WILD Ginger PHO Restaurant - Our go-to for pho in Asheville. We also enjoy their bubble tea, vermicelli noodle salad, and pork chop. We've been eating at this South Asheville restaurant before we lived here.

🥄 Bone & Broth - This North Asheville restaurant is best known for its meats, but I love the bone broth soup. Bone broth is especially great for me when I'm in a UC flare. I also devour their mussels, salmon over salad, and burgers. It's a cozy neighborhood tavern great for low-key date nights.

Cozy and Romantic Restaurants In Asheville We Love

Updated for 2025 - just in time for Valentine's Day - cozy up or celebrate at our favorite romantic restaurants; some of these are great for a get-together with friends.

Cheers at North Asheville's Little D's & Plant's vegan cheese plate & cheesecake

❤️ Little D's - A North Asheville restaurant from the same owners as Asheville Proper. I love their beets and scallops. It's more of a local joint that's fairly casual with just slightly $$ prices. I'm owl-obsessed so I love the feathery designs along with the green and blue colors.

❤️ Zambra - This gorgeous Downtown Asheville wine bar really sets the mood with Moorish & Spanish accents paired with delicious Western Mediterranean tapas. I especially love their wine list, charcuterie, and risotto.

❤️ Leo's of Thirst - Leo's just received a James Beard nomination for "Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program." They've always been one of our favorite spots in Asheville for wine and tapas. I'll eat anything raw paired with a bowl of olives. Tom recently enjoyed their half-roasted chicken. Don't miss Tap Tuesdays.

❤️ The Pure & Proper - I'm cheating with this Black Mountain recommendation, but this is such a cozy and unique restaurant. I love hiding in the nook in their dining room or eating in the wine cellar. An all-day eatery, find seasonal fresh vegetables with meat and seafood entrees.

Also on our list, find Neng Jr.'s, Plant, and Tall John's. I kept Bull & Beggar as they are anticipating re-opening soon. We'll be there!

Upcoming Asheville Events

These are just a few major events and festivals around Asheville, NC:

• Through January 27: Asheville Restaurant Week (January & February dates)
• January 25: Asheville Hot Chocolate Races​
• January 30 - February 2: Visit Haywood Ice Fest Weekend in Haywood County
• February 15: The Great Outhouse Races in Sapphire, NC
• February 16: Frostbite Races (10K, 5K, 1 Mile) in Fletcher, NC
• February 18 - 24: Asheville Restaurant Week (January & February dates)

Lady Whistledown of Asheville

• The Citizen Times posted a list of parks that are still closed, including Carrier, French Broad River, and Riverside Cemetery (yes, Riverside is managed by Parks & Rec...).
• First seen from AshVegas/Jason Sandford, Downtown Asheville's Wall Street is getting a grocery store called Asheville Forager. The website boasts a deli, in-house bakery, and grocery.
• Bouchon has officially transitioned to Crêperie Bouchon.
• Weaverville's Glass Onion sold the restaurant to new owners, as announced across their social media channels.
• A new Downtown cocktail lounge, Färməsē, recently opened.
• North Asheville's ELDR officially closed, as announced on social media.
• In Spring 2025, Finest Deli is coming to West AVL.

Upcoming

We have Hamilton tickets at Greenville's Peace Center. I cannot wait.

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