Flavor: American/Continental Ambiance: Elegant, with great views Service: Friendly and prompt The foundations of the Grove Park Inn are built from boulders weighing up to 10,000 pounds each, and the hotel’s 9,600-square-foot main lobby has fireplaces large enough to roast a mini-van. Suffice it to say that the GPI does nothing on a small scale. … Read more
Folkmoot USA, the two-week festival which unfurls across Western North Carolina every summer, has emerged as one of the world’s premier showplaces of folk music and dance. Just ask anyone. But make sure you’re armed with a good long-distance calling plan: Many of Folkmoot’s biggest boosters live far from the festival’s Waynesville headquarters. While Folkmoot … Read more
This is the story of twins raised separately, who, when reunited — unbeknownst to each other — dissolve all ensuing situations into hysteria. No one knows which twin is which, people get blamed for things they didn’t do, impish events take place, parents are reunited against their will … oh wait, that’s Disney’s The Parent … Read more
“I guess the movie was something a lot of people could put their finger on,” says Mark Kozelek, his voice a dispassionate Midwestern drawl. It’s hard to blame his lack of enthusiasm. He’s only been asked the same question in practically every interview he’s done since 1999. Forget that Kozelek is the founder of iconic … Read more
Skeletons in the jukebox “Skeletons” provides a forum for local musicians, artists, record-store owners, etc., to erase cool points by expressing their unseemly affection for an unhip album from their past. Smashing Pumpkins’ Gish, loved by Wayne Robbins of the Hellsayers “I was in a dorm room when I first heard Gish, the new album … Read more
Gold Hill’s new face: Traci Taylor, co-owner of the restaurant Fig and Everyday Gourmet catering company, is at it again. She recently opened a second location for Everyday Gourmet in the space formally occupied solely by Gold Hill Espresso and Fine Teas. Customers will still recognize the friendly faces behind the counter and be able … Read more
The sleepy village of Barnardsville in northeastern Buncombe County is a haven of rural rusticity. It is home to tobacco fields (turned to vegetables since the buyout), Douglas Falls (an oft-visited scenic locale), hundred-year-old cabins, a 13,000-volume library dedicated to the study of Mayan culture, a volunteer fire department and a recently reconstructed fire tower … Read more
The biggest plant growing in most gardens is invisible, though its roots underlie every inch of soil and its boughs overshade every other bean and blossom, boxwood and butternut. Being invisible, some gardeners don’t even realize it’s there; nonetheless, it is present — and ignored at considerable peril. Have you guessed it yet? I’m talking … Read more
Hey, where can I get my Mountain Xpress? Readers who are used to picking up a copy of Mountain Xpress at an Ingles supermarket may have discovered recently that the paper is no longer available at some of the chain’s stores. Mountain Xpress can still be found at some Ingles locations (Oteen, Long Shoals Road … Read more
