Small plates are not intended for those with small appetites. To the contrary, they’re best enjoyed by voracious gourmands who absolutely must sample the beef, chicken, pork, duck and sea urchins. These savvy restaurants make such a tour worthwhile.
Usual Suspects
What’s the big deal about peanut butter and jelly? A combo that most world dwellers can’t stomach seems an inadequate symbol for the perfect partnership. But figs and goat cheese ... that’s another story. This sleek north-side bar makes the most of the pairing in a terrific appetizer, which—along with lemongrass scallops and flash-fried tofu in ginger sauce—elevates the bar-snack genre.
791 Merrimon Ave., Asheville/350-8181
Zambra
With its zippy candlelit Moorish-ish dining room and celebratory vibe, Zambra has become a choice destination for girls’ nights out. Its selection of tapas changes nightly, but olives and cheeses are a constant; lamb and scallops almost always show up in imaginative garb.
85 W. Walnut St., Asheville/232-1060
Rezaz Enoteca
Three words: walnut pomegranate dip. The wooden-tabled café—an offshoot of Reza Seytash’s tremendously popular Rezaz—shares its progenitor’s Mediterranean slant, but eschews sophistication for simplicity. Follow its lead when it comes to ordering: Bypass the tempting panini and salads for a platter of cheeses, roasted vegetables and dips, accompanied by a glass of Southern Italian wine. You’ll never again curse a rainy day in Asheville.
28 Hendersonville Road, Asheville/277-1510
Café on the Square
Credit owner Tracy Adler with prioritizing quality over quantity, even though her willingness to plate smaller portions could have sucker punched her upscale restaurant’s bottom line. Adler, who does a successful side business in portion-control bowls, offers shrunken versions of a dozen popular dishes, including mountain trout and beef tenderloin. They’re not geared toward grazers, but a creative orderer could easily have some fun with this menu section.
1 Biltmore Ave., Asheville/251-5565
Flying Frog Wine Bar & Café
This bustling global cuisine restaurant and bar has become a small-plate destination by default: Its cocktails are so good that customers began pillaging its appetizer menu for complementary light meals. Fortunately, the Flying Frog has an admirable selection of starters, including spicy samosas and crispy papdums.
1 Battery Park Ave., Asheville/254-9411
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