Jenny Kommit, the polymath culinarian behind Stovetrotters, has added regular dinner service to her culinary arts center’s roster of offerings. In addition to catering, cooking classes and culinary tours, the center, located in the former Polar Bar on Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville, will begin serving dinner this month. A preliminary menu showcases an array of mostly ocean-borne entrees priced from $16-$18, including wasabi pea-crusted Kona Kampachi, roasted monkfish with caramelized fennel and pan-seared scallops with Thai curry sauce. Fried chicken and flank steak are also available. For hours and more information, visit www.stovetrotters.com or call 277-0684.
In the spirit of the pilgrims’ remarkable culinary flexibility—remember, these are folks who made space in their New World diet for seal and eagle—consider thinking beyond turkey and cranberry sauce this year. The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association has helpfully published a list of member restaurants open this year on Thanksgiving Day, including Bavarian Lodge, Bier Garden, Fiore’s and Mamacitas. For more traditional T-day fare, try the eateries at Grove Park Inn, Richmond Hill Inn, Grovewood Café, the Boathouse or Southside Café. And if you’re set on staying home, but would rather someone else do the cooking, Laurey’s Catering is offering to-go feasts. Visit www.airasheville.org for more information.
Jason Sellers isn’t just the chef and kitchen manager at Laughing Seed, Asheville’s award-winning vegetarian restaurant: He’s also a volunteer at Animal Haven, a local animal sanctuary. As a benefit for the organization, Sellers is offering a four-course vegan Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The $25-per-person meal is almost completely organic and includes a take-home surprise. For reservations, call 252-3445.
