Asheville, NC's RHUBARB raises the bar and delivers deliciously(8-9-20)

 Our first night in Asheville we chose RHUBARB as we were joining two friends who lived locally and we need a place with variety and outdoor seating(covered) for 6. It was ideal and the large outdoor dining area had spaced tables so we had plenty of room as well as a bird's eye view of the main square downtown(Pack Square). The drummers were there on the square(where the "confederate" statue is wrapped in plastic with "Black Lives Matters" spray painted on the base. The noise from the drummers was a bit loud, but not really bad, and it was such a beautiful evening, we were all quite happy. Our server Vanessa worked hard and explained the long menu with it's many plates of different sizes. Fun drinks were ordered and Will chose the House Collins with Vodka, Bad Art Draft Strawberry- Rhubarb & Lemon which was more like a spritzer. Annette chose the Gin version with Chemist Gin, and then moved on to Gin & Tonic. I hit the jackpot with a Strawberry+Smoke which was Altos Blanco Tequila, Illegal Mezcal, Tawny Port, Domaine de Canton, Curacao and Strawberry Cordial with Lime. It sounded sweet but was not at all and had a gutsy kick from the alcohol mix with a smoky flair. The wine list had great variety for great prices as well.

Since our friend Wayne used to work for Austrian Airlines, we chose the Volker von Daonabaum Gruner Veltliner from Burgenland 2019 which was crisp, dry and full of apple hints and just perfect for an outdoor summer's eve. Our reds were a Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2018, a fine wine that I used to drink all the time but have not seen on menus for a while and then a Finca Decero Mini Ediciiones Petit Verdot, Remolinos Vineyard 2014 from Argelo, Argentina which was full bodied and nice with our heavier dishes.

We decided to try a bunch of shared plates to start as did the teens. We all chose the Goat Cheese Burrata with huge grilled toasts, red onion jam, blackberry sherry compote and crispy shallots which was one of the best ever burrata dishes. The goat burrata has a firmer outside and less of the softer filling, but it was dreamy nonetheless. South Carolina Scallop Crudo came with TM Watermelon & Purple Daikon Salad, Yellow Watermelon Vinaigrette and Black Earth Arugula. This was a nice crudo, but was also the least exciting of all the dishes we had. Remember plenty of photos on FB and you can see from the various farms and vendors, Rhubarb really uses locally sourced ingredients. Gaining Ground Squash Fritters were super with a Pinchito Yogurt Dip, but my favorite has to be the Royal Red Shrimp with Tasso Toast, Field Pea Humus, Spiced Green Tomatoes & Shrimp Cream. The tasso ham is cured in house and comes from Bear Creek Farms.

Gaining Ground Heirloom Tomato Salad was another hit for the teens with Shiso, Basil, Chevre, Shaved Gaining Ground Sweet Onions, Vincotto Vinaigrette & Duke's Croutons. We all adored the Ricotta Gnocchi with Sherry-Roasted Gaining Ground Beets, Tomato-Pecan Pesto, Chevre Fonduta and shaved beets. I also have to add that the beets and daikons and all were so beautifully thinly sliced and colorful.

The mains of Grilled Bear Creek Farms Bavette Steak with roasted new potatoes & Shitake mushrooms, red Russian Kale and charred Onion steak sauce were delish, and a number of us opted for the KIDDIE size Rhu-Burger & Fries, which is a Beef & Bacon patty(with Ashe County Cheddar(option for House made Pimento cheese instead), with B&B pickles and comeback sauce which was less exciting, but a deal at $6.50 as the adult size has TWO burger patties and goes for $14!

I had the Preserves & Cures which is a plate of house-cured meats(copa, culatello, smoked local trout rillettes & head cheese) and pickles(shishito peppers & shaved fennel), seltines(basically oyster crackers on steroids!) and a yummy Rhubarb Mostardo. Great fun and variety.

While we were all pretty full we agreed to share a piece of Coconut Cream Pie with White Chocolate Graham Crumble, whipped cream and Strawberry-Swirl Ice Cream which was as good as it sounds.

What a fun night for all and what a treat to see a dear friend from my travel business who I have missed for so long since he retired(and his fab new girl friend!)!

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