Le Plate Crawl était sur trois jour, mais avec le travail je n'ai vraiment pu en profiter que le dernier jour. Du coup je suis allée manger mon repas de midi en ville.
The advantage or working in the tourism field is that I have to keep up with what's going on. Which means that I often hear about interesting events taking place in town. It was the case last week. Asheville Independent Restaurants (also known as AIR) had decided to organize a Plate Crawl. The idea isn't new, the nearby town of Hendersonville has had one for years. The idea is simple: small plates at low prices ($3-8) available in several restaurants. So it was a bit like doing the tapas bar crawl except to eat. The Plate Crawl was over three days, but with my job I could only really enjoy it on the last one. So I decide to start by going out for lunch.
J'ai commence par Fiore, un restaurant Toscan qui depuis a ferme ses portes (problèmes de famille) mais devrait re-ouvrir ailleurs sous un autre nom. J’espère qu'ils y serviront le plat que j'ai goute car c’était une tuerie. Des figues fourrées au fromage de chèvre et aux herbes, entourées de prosciutto le tout servit sur une salade de roquette avec une réduction au chianti.
I went to Fiore's first, a Toscan restaurant which actually closed since (family issues) but should reopen somwhere else under another name. I sure hope they'll still have the dish I tried because it was amazing. Figs stuffed with an herb goat cheese, wrapped in prosciutto and served on a bed of arugula with a Chianti reduction.
![Asheville Small Plate Crawl Asheville Small Plate Crawl](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/536/5362059/asheville-small-plate-crawl-L-2zFAl9.jpeg)
To finish my meal I went to Mela, an Indian restaurant, and ordered the fried spicy calamari. It was good but I think it was too much calamari for me, it would have been better to share. I however loved the Mango Lassi, a drink made out of yogurt, mango and cardamom. It's like an Indian smoothie and makes a great dessert. I want to learn how to make it.
![Asheville Small Plate Crawl Asheville Small Plate Crawl](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/536/5362059/asheville-small-plate-crawl-L-tg6Q7y.jpeg)
The evening I went back but with Hubby this time for our dinner. We made a great choice with the Corner Kitchen. While we had to wait a little longer than expected (at least for a Thursday), it was delicious and well worth it. The restaurant offers a modern take on Southern cuisine. They had a unique menu for the Plate Crawl, different from the regular one. Hubby went for the Scallops with snow peas salad. As for me I had the fried quail with a sweet potato salad. Forget Chicken McNuggets, I'll take quail anytime!
![Asheville Small Plate Crawl Asheville Small Plate Crawl](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/536/5362059/asheville-small-plate-crawl-L-R_JPvn.jpeg)
Then we went to Boca, a Latino inspired restaurant that we didn't know. We tried the gambas brushetta. There was in fact only one brushetta, hard to share but tasty. We also tried the churros with cheddar sauce. It was good, but again, not hugely impressed.
![Asheville Small Plate Crawl Asheville Small Plate Crawl](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/536/5362059/asheville-small-plate-crawl-L-t2EY9E.jpeg)
Hubby a prit l'option bière et chocolat avec deux Sout et deux chocolats: un caramel et un chocolat d'origine unique.
Moi j'ai prit l'option trois chocolats. Comme ils étaient a court des noisettes aux chocolat (nooooon!), ils m'ont laisse choisir un chocolat, n'ayant pas fait attention a ceux d'Hubby j'ai prit le même caramel. J'avais aussi un mini cupcake au chocolat, mais la vrai tuerie de ce choix c’était la truffe liquide. Il s'agissait de celui au sirop d’érable et sel fume. J'ose le dire, c’était jouissif, riche, chocolaté, parfume et crémeux. J'aime vraiment l'alliance du sel et du chocolat et c’était vraiment réussi.
I wanted to eat at the Lobster Trap, but while we arrived right at 9pm and that the restaurant was obviously busy, the hostess told us in a contempt manner that the kitchen was closed once I asked if we were too late for the Plate Crawl. Too bad, they just lost clients, it's definitely not a place I would recommend to clients with such an attitude at the hostess stand. We decided to drown our sorrow in chocolate instead at the French Broach Chocolate Lounge. No regrets there! Hubby went for the Beer and Chocolate option which came with two stouts and two chocolates: a caramel and a single origin. I picked the Trio of Chocolates. They were out of the chocolate hazelnuts (nooooooo!), but let me pick a truffle instead. Unfortunately I had not paid attention to Hubby's and ended up getting the same salted caramel he had. I also had a miniature cupcake, but the highlight was the liquid truffle. Mine was the maple syrup and smoked salt flavored one. I was like heaven in my mouth, rich, chocolatey, flavorful, creamy. I'm a big fan of salted chocolates and this one was a true masterpiece.
![Asheville Small Plate Crawl Asheville Small Plate Crawl](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/536/5362059/asheville-small-plate-crawl-L-NtAnnv.jpeg)
I couldn't lick the (charming) cup, but didn't loose one drop of the precious liquid non the less. I shall be back soon for more!
![Asheville Small Plate Crawl Asheville Small Plate Crawl](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/536/5362059/asheville-small-plate-crawl-L-2YfPuh.jpeg)
Prise la main dans le sac! Caught in the act!
Au final, le plate crawl est un concept réussi, une bonne façon de découvrir ou redécouvrir des restaurants sans se ruiner. La prochaine fois je pense qu'on commencera plus tot par contre car ca prends quand meme du temps d'aller d'un endroit a l'autre et d'obtenir une table. J’espère qu'il y en aura d'autres.
In the end I would say that the Plate Crawl is a great concept, a wonderful way to discover or rediscover restaurants without spending a fortune. I think next time I would start earlier in the evening because it does take time to go from place to place and be seated. I hope there will be more.