In Chapter 2 of my birthday trip I would like to share a few more pictures with you and I will begin with our Walking Food Tour in Downtown Ashville, NC.
If you want to take a peek at Chapter 1 here's the link. I shared the Biltmore House, Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, the Cabin that we stayed in and more.
https://creationsbycindyphotography.blogspot.com/2019/03/im-back-birthday-pictures-to.html
First of all let me say that I have never been on a Food tour or as some call it, a Foodie Tour. I have family and friends that have and some has said...Yay, love food tours...and some has said Nay, not for me. But, I am a fan of Food Network and that is where I first learned of food tours so decided that a Food Tour was in store and why not in downtown Ashville.
First, let me say that we had a wonderful food tour guide. She was young, energetic, spunky and a cute little thing at that. She shared a wealth of history with us about Ashville as well as history of the area's that we dined in. We couldn't have been more pleased. There were quite a few food tours to choose from but since we had never been on one we chose a walking tour that covered about a mile round trip or a little more of walking. We also chose a mid day tour because you know...us mild-stone age people like to be home by dark. Two other ladies joined us and that was a treat itself. One of the ladies was also celebrating her birthday. These two ladies were born 4 months apart and their parents lived next door to one another. They have always remained the best of the friends. They both live in different areas but at least twice a year they meet and share a "Best Friend's Vacation" weekend. I thought that was really neat. One of the ladies said that on one of their two trips a year they always do a food tour.
So let's head out on the Food tour, shall we?
First stop was: Zambry: Pomegranate Braised Pork Spring Rolls with avocado and mango dipping sauce. Marty and I both enjoyed this very much. I am not a fan of avocado but I actually enjoyed this very much.
Third Stop: Aux bar. Pork & Porridge with crushed peanuts.
Well I am going to have to say NAY! Neither of us cared for this dish at all. I actually picked the nuts off the dish and ate them. But, the establishment was booming with music, laughter, and we met the chef who could not accommodate our party enough.
Fourth Stop: Strada: Grilled Florentine Ravioli. I personally liked this a lot. Marty...not so much. He is not a fan of anything tomato based.
Of course this beauty was sitting out front of Strada's and my man spent most of his time admiring this ride.
Fifth Stop: White duck taco shop : Bangkok Shrimp taco. We both enjoyed it but I think I enjoyed it a little more than Marty. But in all honesty, by the time we got to White Duck we both felt full. I was surprised at how large the portions seemed to be. Well, that's my opinion as I have heard some say...not enough food for them. But you have to remember, it's a food tour...not an "all you can eat buffet". LOL!
Last stop: French broad chocolate lounge
Fudge brownie with crunchy cacao nibs and salted caramel. YEP...probably our favorite! I actually carried my dessert back to the cabin to eat. LOVED this place. The funny thing was that I had read great reviews on this place so the day before we actually had stopped there.
My chosen dessert the day before was none other than the caramel creme brulee. This place was a "hangout" place for sure. Booming with people. Some talking, some reading, and lots of laughter. Our guide said that in the Spring and Summer months people are lined up as far as you can see. NOPE...glad we went when we did.
And last but not least while on the Food tour I was so inspired about the different spices that I learned about that after we left the food tour we stopped by Trader Joe's. They have the most unusual things there and tons of spices. YEP, came home with several things that I love!
First of all let me say that I have never been on a Food tour or as some call it, a Foodie Tour. I have family and friends that have and some has said...Yay, love food tours...and some has said Nay, not for me. But, I am a fan of Food Network and that is where I first learned of food tours so decided that a Food Tour was in store and why not in downtown Ashville.
First, let me say that we had a wonderful food tour guide. She was young, energetic, spunky and a cute little thing at that. She shared a wealth of history with us about Ashville as well as history of the area's that we dined in. We couldn't have been more pleased. There were quite a few food tours to choose from but since we had never been on one we chose a walking tour that covered about a mile round trip or a little more of walking. We also chose a mid day tour because you know...us mild-stone age people like to be home by dark. Two other ladies joined us and that was a treat itself. One of the ladies was also celebrating her birthday. These two ladies were born 4 months apart and their parents lived next door to one another. They have always remained the best of the friends. They both live in different areas but at least twice a year they meet and share a "Best Friend's Vacation" weekend. I thought that was really neat. One of the ladies said that on one of their two trips a year they always do a food tour.
So let's head out on the Food tour, shall we?
First stop was: Zambry: Pomegranate Braised Pork Spring Rolls with avocado and mango dipping sauce. Marty and I both enjoyed this very much. I am not a fan of avocado but I actually enjoyed this very much.
Second stop was: Mojo. We had Mojo’s Tostones (green plantain chips), fried, Citrus-cumin slaw, chimichurri & grilled NC catfish.
I honestly did not think I would care for this dish but was pleasantly surprised. Marty loved it but said, "Wished they had of fried the catfish". LOL!
Well I am going to have to say NAY! Neither of us cared for this dish at all. I actually picked the nuts off the dish and ate them. But, the establishment was booming with music, laughter, and we met the chef who could not accommodate our party enough.
Fourth Stop: Strada: Grilled Florentine Ravioli. I personally liked this a lot. Marty...not so much. He is not a fan of anything tomato based.
Of course this beauty was sitting out front of Strada's and my man spent most of his time admiring this ride.
Fifth Stop: White duck taco shop : Bangkok Shrimp taco. We both enjoyed it but I think I enjoyed it a little more than Marty. But in all honesty, by the time we got to White Duck we both felt full. I was surprised at how large the portions seemed to be. Well, that's my opinion as I have heard some say...not enough food for them. But you have to remember, it's a food tour...not an "all you can eat buffet". LOL!
Last stop: French broad chocolate lounge
My chosen dessert the day before was none other than the caramel creme brulee. This place was a "hangout" place for sure. Booming with people. Some talking, some reading, and lots of laughter. Our guide said that in the Spring and Summer months people are lined up as far as you can see. NOPE...glad we went when we did.
And last but not least while on the Food tour I was so inspired about the different spices that I learned about that after we left the food tour we stopped by Trader Joe's. They have the most unusual things there and tons of spices. YEP, came home with several things that I love!
I will sum up the food tour by saying that we are really glad that we went on a food tour. As my husband said, we probably would have never tried any of those foods had we not. Some food items were more enjoyable than others. The history alone was worth the food tour. To be totally honest with you....there's no food like my food. I am soul food lover at heart but I do enjoy trying different cuisines. A food tour is not something I would want to do every weekend but, will we go on another food tour? You betcha!
The Jerusalem Cafe' was not on the food tour but we stopped there one evening to eat. This was the first time we’ve had lamb. Not bad . It’s not our fried deer back strap either. He actually had the lamb and I had a starter dish of combination foods such as hummus, crackers, two different kinds of salads, fried chickpeas, and etc. Well, I am going to have be gut honest. NOT MY FAVORITE. Matter of fact, about all I did eat off that plate was the hummus as I love hummus. I did honestly taste the other items but NAY. Marty actually liked his food a lot. It was moderately priced which was great since I left almost a whole plate of food sitting on the table. YIKES! The atmosphere and decor was beyond gorgeous. I would have paid a fee just to experience the Jerusalem type decor. And, should I ever return I would be willing to try a different dish.
Marty was a good trooper trying out different foods with me throughout the week. But, needless to say the big hit was his bacon cheese burger and fries. LOL!
Best Tomato Bisque I've ever had too!
Since we have been on a food tour let's take in a couple of waterfalls. My husband's absolute favorite thing to do is look at Waterfalls.
The day of waterfalls began with an overcast day and almost gloomy. But, when you look at God's creations the gloom gets pushed to the back burner and all I could see was beauty created by the Master Designer Himself.
We've been to Sliding rock before but as always, it's breath taking to view.
The Sound of the waterfalls always has a calming effect doesn't it?
411 foot Fall.
This was probably my favorite of all. We went to several other falls as well. We made a full day riding through the mountains, stopping and sightseeing along the way. The gloomy day turned into a "Wonderstruck" moment.
Next week will be my final chapter of my Birthday Celebration week. Bet y'all are glad! I will end with the Billy Graham Library. Oh my! What a wonderful place to visit. They should have named it the Billy Graham Museum. It was truly a most humbling experience.
The day of waterfalls began with an overcast day and almost gloomy. But, when you look at God's creations the gloom gets pushed to the back burner and all I could see was beauty created by the Master Designer Himself.
We've been to Sliding rock before but as always, it's breath taking to view.
The Sound of the waterfalls always has a calming effect doesn't it?
This was probably my favorite of all. We went to several other falls as well. We made a full day riding through the mountains, stopping and sightseeing along the way. The gloomy day turned into a "Wonderstruck" moment.
Next week will be my final chapter of my Birthday Celebration week. Bet y'all are glad! I will end with the Billy Graham Library. Oh my! What a wonderful place to visit. They should have named it the Billy Graham Museum. It was truly a most humbling experience.
Til then....
Hugs and blessings, Cindy
