biltmore park town square news

One Farmers' Market Enthusiast Reflects on City Market South

As autumnal weather continues to become more frequent in Western North Carolina, some of our favorite outdoor activities are drawing to a close. One farmers' market enthusiast, however, is still taking advantage of the City Market South, which runs through October. Paul Szurek shares his observations about why the market should not be missed:

"Almost every father I know in Asheville wants to create inspiring and instructive memories for his family. Our beautiful mountains, lakes and rivers provide choice settings. But one can still be surprised by an opportunity that is simple but still deeply authentic. One of those opportunities lies in the local farmers' market.

I love cooking for the family. We like food, and we always have great conversations around the table. And with competitive cooking shows like "Top Chef" and "Iron Chef" around, even my three sons and I find something edgy and exciting about pushing the envelope and moving beyond the standard "Dad fare" of steak and potatoes.

But there's only so much time in the day. How can one stretch the menu--and the imagination--under the time constraints most of us encouter? Here's a suggestion: go to one of the local ASAP-sponsored farmers' markets, like the City Market held every Wednesday afternoon in Biltmore Park Town Square, and buy something totally different and random to bring home and cook for the wife and kids.

In less time than it takes for a normal coffee break, or whatever it is you do when you lift your head up briefly from the mess on your desk, you can pick up all the fixings for a memorable meal. I've grilled naturally grown and processed steaks, pork chops, kielbasa and bratwurst (Hickory Nut Gap Farms has a great selection), and fresh trout from Sunburst Farms. I've even butterflied and broiled some incredibly tasty French heirloom chickens. That particular meal may have stretched me a bit far into Julia Child territory, but the results were worth it.

As for accompaniments, it is almost confounding how many different potatoes there are, each with its unique taste and all with more taste than you are used to from potatoes that are shipped from far away. Ditto for beets, which have become a family favorite. And I could go on and on about the more than thirty varieties of vegetable--many of which are not available at the grocery store--that I seem to see every week. I've also a weakness for the incredible locally-handcrafted cheeses from Three Graces Dairy and Spinning Spider that I usually pair with chopped fresh fig and the freshly baked artisan bread for dessert. The possibilities are endless!"

--Paul Szurek

Newly-Founded Echo Gallery Opens in Town Square

It's undeniable that Asheville is inundated with talent, and the arts are the heart and soul of the city. From Appalachian crafts that have been carried down through generations to contemporary and novel creations, the galleries in the area host world-class offerings with a unique hometown twist. Biltmore Park Town Square is now adding to the mix as host of the newly-founded cooperative Echo Gallery, which opens on Friday, September 18th.

Founded by six artists whose studios are currently headquartered in the River Arts District, Echo Gallery is a welcome expansion into South Asheville. While each artist is different in medium and style, each piece complements the other by showcasing skill, perspective, and method. Whether eager to observe a sample of what makes Western North Carolina such an appealing destination or shopping for your home, the quality of the paintings, ceramics, sculptures, textiles, and photography are sure to inspire.

The artists are excited about gaining more visibility in their new location, and Town Square couldn't be more excited about their contributions to the area. Asheville is one of the Southeast's most popular arts destinations, and Biltmore Park is glad to feature local culture and talent among its unique mix of national and local tenants. The founding artists of the Echo Gallery include Anna Koloseike, Barbara Fisher, Susan Webb Lee, Genie Maples, Laurie McCarrier, and Lori Therault.

Echo Gallery is located in Suite 160 at Eight Town Square Boulevard across from the newly opened Barnes & Noble. The hours are Thursday-Saturday from 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., making it a wonderful destination for restaurant and movie-goers in Biltmore Park. Learn more at www.echoasheville.com

Barnes & Noble Opens With Success

If you're an overly caffeinated bookworm like me, you know that the opening of a new Barnes & Noble is about as close to a holiday as you can get without the paid vacation days. And last night, we celebrated the occasion during the Friends and Family Preview Night at the newly opened store in Biltmore Park Town Square.

Clifford The Big Red Dog was the first in line to greet event attendees, and he even offered hugs and dances to the youngest customers. Children were equally thrilled with the Balloon Fairy, Hobey Ford and His Golden Rod Puppets, and, of course, the extensive children's section--where they explored storybooks, toys, and more to their hearts' content. Older customers enjoyed lounging in the store's armchairs with the latest bestsellers, and they even sampled some of Starbucks'® unique drink creations and indulgent treats. Boasting 28,000 square feet of music, DVD, book, and magazine titles, the new Barnes & Noble offers hours of perusing opportunities and promises to continue the entertainment after you take your purchases home.

The evening was a hit and drew a large turnout of book enthusiasts. If you missed last night's festivities, be sure to stop into Barnes & Noble in the coming days, and be one of the first to explore their latest offerings. Catch up on your favorite authors, or just relax with a magazine and a scone. The new store is now open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

New Restaurant Roux Steps up to the Plate

As many of you may have noticed, Biltmore Park Town Square has been extra busy over the past several weeks in anticipation of the opening of the new Hilton Asheville. With furniture being moved in, construction winding down, and phones ringing with reservation requests, we are all getting to enjoy seeing the hard-earned fruits of our labor.

Having officially opened on Wednesday night, I was eager to be one of the first to explore the culinary stylings of the Hilton's on-site restaurant, Roux. Elegantly decorated with simple yet sophisticated pieces, the restaurant features an open floorplan that is adjacent to the lobby, yet is also maintains an intimate dining atmosphere. The dynamic space is well-suited to a range of occasions; from a business meeting over lunch to a romantic evening, the possibilities are endless.

As are the possibilities on the menu. While the furnishings and environment are impressive, the food is what truly stands out. Roux features a unique selection of blue plate cuisine with a gourmet flare. For lunch, I tried the small plates (which work particularly well if treated like tapas) of macaroni and cheese, meatloaf sliders, and handcut potato frites in a truffle scallion aioli. Large plates and sandwiches are also available for lunch. While it sounds like these menu items could be found in a diner, everything about them is upscale. From the presentation to the decadent taste, Roux is definitely going to make its mark on the Asheville restaurant scene.

Roux is also unique to Asheville in regards to location. With the soon-to-open Sparrow Spa in the same building and the movie theater within sight of the entrance, the restaurant is a perfect destination for an all-in-one outing. From shopping at REI or Barnes & Noble to enjoying an afternoon latte at Perk's before dinner at Roux and a movie at the Regal Biltmore Grande Stadium, Biltmore Park Town Square offers hours of inviting activities.