Beer, Coffee & Food Sum Up The Day In Asheville

On Wednesday we decided to do a day trip across the mountain to Asheville. It was a day of coffee, beer, and food. For the coffee portion of the trip, I got my first cup in Tusculum at the Creamy Cup. This wasn't my first trip here but the first time I blogged about it. I got my favorite, the Shot in the Dark, which is a dark roast coffee with a shot of espresso. Yes, I like my coffee strong (and black). 

I had the same coffee, today, in Asheville at a place I passed before when Glen and I went to see Drive-By Truckers at the Orange Peel and that was Double D's Coffee and Desserts. The places are also known as the Coffee Bus because the cafe is in an old Double Decker English Bus (yeah it is pretty cool). Both coffees were very good. 

However, regular coffee wasn't the only drink on offer today. Also, on Biltmore Avenue next door to the Orange Peel is Wicked Weed Brewing. I have had a number of beers from this Asheville establishment, including one of my all-time favorites the Dark Age (a bourbon barrel aged Imperial Stout). So, since that wasn't on tap I went with the El Paraiso Imperial Coffee Stout. Let me just say it was a great choice and paired with the fire pit and the wonderful weather it was the highlight of the day.

I also stopped by my favorite Asheville beer store Bruisin' Ales where I picked up what else some Wicked Weed and some Oskar Blues. 

The day wasn't just about drinking but eating too. So, the restaurant we chose was HomeGrown on  Merrimon Avenue. I had read and heard a lot of great things about this place and in most ways, it lived up to the reputation. I had the Sunburst Trout, pan-fried, with Saffron Aioli and my sides were Cheesy Grits and cup of Winter Spiced Root Vegetable Soup. All three were great, but the best might have been the soup. While my meal was great, Deb's not so much. She got a Hamburger and instead of being cooked well done it was medium rare. They brought here another one, but when we got it she was ready to go. So, I was the one who ended up eating it and it was also yummy. 

While maybe not the best place in Asheville I will definitely go back. So, that was the culinary tour of Asheville for Wednesday I will have a photo blog of the rest of the day.