The former Asheville Sandwich Co. building at 794 Haywood Road is now home to Finest, a fresh take on sandwich shops that’s built on co-owner/founder Mike Bean’s deep appreciation for Italian American and Northeast deli traditions, as well as co-owner and director of beverage, events and front of house Gab Bonfiglio’s Certified Cicerone Level 2 beverage experience.
A popular pop-up at local farmers markets, Finest seeks to be an affordable spot for Asheville residents to hang out on a daily basis. Open Wednesdays-Sundays, the business will serve breakfast and lunch daily, plus brunch on weekends. Additional offerings include a walk-up “egg window,” where customers may order a bodega egg sandwich, vegan fritter sandwich and hot broths; grab-and-go sandwiches and salads; pickles, olives and deli salads; and a deli case and grocery.
The beverage program curated by Bonfiglio includes local draft beers; low-ABV, nationally distributed brews (e.g., Miller High Life, Narragansett and Peroni), niche wines; Vermouth-based cocktails; elevated nonalcoholic options; and a custom house drip coffee blend roasted by Underground Baking Co. and Independent Roasters.
The interior design aspires to transport guests to a midcentury Italian delicatessen, using red tiles sourced from 1970s Genoa, Italy, a collection of vintage furniture, baby photos of the staff and food-themed children’s toys.
To learn more, visit avl.mx/prz0.
Pawpaws are back — and with them, pawpaw ice cream at all four The Hop locations. The flavor debuts Friday, Oct. 3, in dairy and vegan editions. The release event at the shop’s Merrimon Avenue spot, 3-6 p.m., will partner with Asheville GreenWorks, which will have representatives on-site to offer information and pawpaw seedlings for purchase.
“Pawpaws are truly magical — with a flavor that’s a delightful mix of mango, banana, vanilla and pineapple,” says Ashley Garrison, co-owner of The Hop, in a press release. “We’re so fortunate to collaborate with local growers to bring this extraordinary ice cream to more people.”
To learn more, visit avl.mx/f3x.
Asheville’s own chef J Chong (of HBO Max’s “The Big Brunch” and the North Asheville Tailgate Market) teams up with Hickory Nut Gap Farm for Fall to Table, an intimate supper in the property’s Big Barn, on Thursday, Oct. 23, 5-8 p.m. Chef Chong’s seasonal menu combines her Cantonese roots, North Carolina culinary traditions and autumn’s bounty while also celebrating her reputation for bold flavors and a creative spirit.
The evening includes a starting bite with beverage pairing by Haw River Wine Man; three family-style courses, highlighting fall produce and Hickory Nut Gap’s regeneratively raised meats; and dessert by pastry chef Austin Whitty of Mount Patisserie, made with ingredients sourced within the state.
Tickets are $125. To learn more, visit avl.mx/f3z.
Who says tea can’t be a little macabre? Waynesville’s Crown & Thistle Tea gets in on the Halloween fun with its Hocus Pocus Children’s Tea on Sunday, Oct. 19, 3-5 p.m. Designed for families and suitable for children ages 5-12, the event is inspired by the 1993 film Hocus Pocus. Attendees are invited to dress in their most bewitching costumes and enjoy bubbling brews and treats to match the holiday. The afternoon also includes a potion-making station craft project. Adults will be served the regular October Classic Afternoon Tea menu.
Tickets are $30 for children and $40 for adults. To learn more, visit avl.mx/f3y.
Local spice producer Spicewalla hosts a Diwali celebration at its Grove Arcade location on Saturday, Oct. 25, noon-4 p.m. Also known as the Hindu Festival of Lights, Diwali is one of India’s most widely celebrated holidays and coincides with other harvest rituals and festivals.
The Spicewalla event features such fellow Desi-owned makers as Doosra, Chutni Punch, Keya’s Snacks, Masala Gossip and Botiwalla. Free to attend.
To learn more, visit avl.mx/f40.
Brevard-based restaurant Homeslyce on King is growing. In addition to adding alcohol to the menu, the pizza parlor now has big-screen TVs on the patio and expanded weekend hours.
“We want to be the perfect place to bring your family or unwind with friends after a long bike ride,” proprietor Jackson Wine says in a news release. “We’re glad to be part of this community and want to feed, serve and invite them to have a good time with us while enjoying all that Transylvania County has to offer.”
Located in the city’s Lumberyard Arts District, Homeslyce on King opened in April 2024 and is known for giant gourmet pizzas and individual slices, plus minidoughnuts.
