Friends and family celebrated Thanksgiving in Asheville, North Carolina this year.  It was a chance to check out a city that is attracting a lot of attention, feel a brief cold spell and to hike through falling leaves.

I have to say the restaurants we tried were fantastic. Cúrate, Rubarb and The Marketplace are not to be missed.  From the cocktails to the desserts, they offered very creative selections.

This trip we drove to Asheville.  It is always a challenge to find a non fast food lunch on the road driving north on Florida’s Rt. 301.  I found Call Street Cafe online before leaving home.  It’s in downtown Starke possibly best known as the home of The Florida State Prison.  Great menu, pleasant waitstaff and quick service.

We stopped in Savannah for the night choosing a retro motel, The Thunderbird Inn.   The room comes with moon pies and RC Cola in your room and a continental breakfast of fresh brewed coffee and Krispy Kreme donuts!  It’s great, inexpensive lodging in walking distance to most everything.  The downside is the lack of soundproofing between rooms and the road noise.

That evening we dined at Circa 1875.  It was our 2nd visit to the restaurant so we opted to try their bar for a casual dinner.  They have a signature burger that is excellent and we paired it with a bottle of The Custodian.

Also, so worth mentioning is a particularly wonderful wine store we stumbled upon on our way to Asheville.  It is just off Route 26 and I do mean just off.  It’s the Blue Ridge Wine & Spirits at 1884 SC-14, Landrum, SC 29356.  The selection and prices were terrific.  We departed with a bottle of Turley and more.  What a find at a truck stop!

Salud!

Debbe