I was really craving German food. Since the closing of Haus Edleweiss in Greenville there has been no way to satisfy that craving locally. My sister, Glynda, and I decided to make a quick trip up to Arden, NC, to the Black Forest Cafe to celebrate Octoberfest in style. We also found a potential shopping mecca on the outskirts of Asheville.
Laura was away at a conference, so we were able to swipe the convertible for a drive up the mountain. The day was lovely, and I had to resist the urge to pull over and take photos in the late afternoon light.
The food at Black Forest was fantastic. We ordered a couple of beers and started in on the rye bread that came with them. They were having a special sampler plate that evening, so we both decided to try it. It had all of the following:
- Bratwurst
- sauteed onions
- sauerkraut
- potato salad
- spaetzle
- Weiner schnitzel with sauteed apples
- chicken schnitzel with cherry sauce reduction
- red cabbage
The food was fantastic, and certainly satisfied my cravings. If that weren’t decadent enough, we finished things off with apple strudel. At least we split that.
Since we were in the area, I wanted to check out an area I had spotted from the interstate when we came up this way a couple of weeks ago. At the Long Shoals exit there is a new mixed-use development which looks very appealing. There are condos on the upper levels, but the lower levels have been reserved for shops and restaurants. The entire area is laid out like a town square, or city block, as if the developers just decided to plop a town down right here.
So far the shopping is limited, and it looked like most of the condos are unoccupied. I’m guessing this opened just as the economy went south. However, there is potential. There is a large Hilton hotel and a Barnes & Noble book store. My favorite, however, was the new REI store. We had to go in.
As many times as I’ve driven past the flagship REI store in Seattle, we have never stopped in. I think Laura believes it to be a dangerous thing, and she’s probably right. Even this small foray into a little REI wasn’t without damage – I came away with a new bilge pump for my kayaks.
Regardless, the shopping area looks interesting, and a possible destination for Christmas shopping. I just hope it doesn’t get swallowed up in horrendous traffic for which Asheville is infamous.