Best Romantic Restaurants: Asheville, NC

Are you searching for a romantic restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina offering great food and wine, in a charming atmosphere? Asheville has a variety of dining options to satisfy any appetite, with each providing excellent service, in the midst of an elegant environment. Three of the best romantic restaurants in the city are listed here, each presenting delicious cuisine, with serious visual appeal.

The Market Place Restaurant

Located in the vibrant downtown area, The Market Place is a restaurant that features farm-to-table cuisine highlighting the best in mountain dining, and has been around since 1979. The chefs here focus entirely on using fresh, local organic ingredients from within 100 miles of the city, to create their unique dishes. Offering a one of a kind seasonal menu, highlighted by an extensive wine list. A sampling of the appetizers on the dinner menu includes roasted asparagus soup, or the pan fried oysters with a green apple and thyme vinaigrette, sea salt and vinegar potato crisps. Two of the entrees are wood grilled rack of lamb, herb crust, asparagus and wild mushroom risotto, red wine demi, aleppo e.v.o.o. or the option of sunburst farms trout, green garlic puree, caramelized fennel spoonbread, with crispy carrots to name a few. If you are craving dessert while you are there, the strawberry shortcake with rhubarb, and local honey lemon sauce should hit the spot. A top Asheville restaurant, it has been recommended by numerous resources like The Food Network, The New York Times, USA Today, and Southern Living. The Market Place is a delightful restaurant, with food that comes from a place of true inspiration.

20 Wall Street
Asheville, NC 28801
www.marketplace-restaurant.com

Table

At Table, they refer to the food as "seasonal new American" which they define as "food based on locality, farms, season, and every culture represented in America." A restaurant that focuses on capturing the essence of the best local ingredients, and bringing their culinary creations to your table when you dine there. Accolades include being nominated by the "James Beard Foundation for best chef of the Southeast in WNC." In terms of the ambiance the restaurant has a contemporary vibe, which is a breath of fresh air in the mountain city. Two of the Sunday brunch features are fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy or a bowl of grits with mushrooms, sauteed greens and fried egg. A sampling of appetizers on the dinner menu includes rock shrimp and hominy chowder with smoked bacon or the choice of seared foie gras, parsnip-gianduja layer cake and toasted hazelnut. For entrees, consider the red wine and shallot gnocchi with mushroom, porcini cream and gremolata or savor the grilled North Carolina striped bass with fennel, sunchoke, potato, & salsa rossa. A stylish local restaurant, where great food is accompanied by friendly service, it is an ideal place for a romantic dinner for two.

48 College St.
Asheville, NC 28801
www.tableasheville.com

Steak & Wine

A beautifully restored art deco landmark, Steak & Wine offers excellent food and service, in the downtown area of Asheville. Depending on where you are seated, you may have the added bonus of the magnificent view of Battery Park. If you are seeking a romantic candlelight dinner, and an extensive wine list, Steak & Wine offers both in a unique atmosphere with great service. It represents a stand out for diners in the city. Appetizers on the menu here include a sesame crusted tuna served with tempura salad, and a delicious Thai chili sauce, or you can ponder having the beef carpaccio which is a raw filet with caper relish, aioli, Romano cheese, and a blend of herbs. The name of the restaurant is Steak & Wine, so if you love meat you will find yourself in heaven here. With entrees like a slow roasted prime rib with garlic and rosemary crust, or the cowboy steak, a tender melt in your mouth rib eye, you will have plenty of items to choose from here, on a menu dedicated to real meat aficionados. Of course the bourbon glazed cornish hen, oven roasted to perfection with herbs and spices, makes a good showing as well. The flourless chocolate torte finishes things off nicely.

56 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
www.swsteakandwine.com

Tip: Menu items mentioned here, may only be offered seasonally.

Sources:

The Market Place Restaurant
Table
Steak & Wine