Okay, my Tricities posts are expanding.  There’s just so much I want to share with you about this wonderful area in the heart of the Appalachia Mountains!   This past weekend, we visited Asheville, NC to attend the Yo Gabba Gabba show.  We arrived a bit early and had some time to spare after we picked up our tickets.   Eat at the concession stand while we had the heart of Asheville to ourselves?!  No way!

We decided to take a stroll downtown to see what we could muster up for supper.  We started out at a wonderful crepe place, but my kids weren’t interested. How they could pass up Nutella-and-strawberry crepes, I’ll never know.  We passed a multitude of chocolate shops and bakeries before we finally found Mayfel’s on College Street.

Alright, disclaimer time.  I feel that I must tell you, when you go to Mayfel’s, you’d better show up hungry. Because they are very generous with the portions.  But if you don’t have much of an appetite, don’t let it stop you….just grab a dessert instead.  The beignets looked AMAZING.  There was a layer cake (such an understatement) in the case when we walked in that literally called out my name.  It did!!   But alas we were in a hurry and I knew I didn’t have time to linger over a delicious dessert.

We were seated right away in the most charming dining room.  It was a blend of shabby chic meets the French Quarter.  There were gorgeous chandeliers, lights, frames, and mirrors all over the entryway and dining area.  It was such a fun, eclectic mix of design.  Everywhere I looked, I saw something interesting.  There was a porch with tables (I see on the website that it’s “K-9 friendly”) and a few people were sitting out there, but it was a bit chilly that night so most of us appreciated the warm indoors.  I’m anxious to head back and see the courtyard.

My kids weren’t very adventurous, they both ordered the kids’ hamburger meal and french fries.  But they weren’t disappointed!  My daughter reported that the burger was delicious.  I sampled some of their fries and YUM, they were the perfect blend of spicy and salty.   As for me, I ordered the crab cakes meal.  Yes, I probably got a bit ambitious for a quick dinner but I couldn’t pass it up.   I was so surprised when our meal arrived in just a few minutes; I expected it to take much longer.  I love a restaurant that doesn’t make you sit until Christmas for your meal.  Anyway, I totally meant to take a picture for you, dear readers, but once it arrived, I just tucked in.  They gave me THREE extremely big crab cakes that tasted like they were completely made from scratch.  Add sides of cole slaw and broccoli…..sounds like heaven, right?  It really was.  I also enjoyed the homemade remoulade with the crab cakes. It was spicy and delicious.  I couldn’t possibly finish my meal, but I did eat most of the crab cakes.

I’m ready to go back to Mayfel’s and try some of their other specialties.  Like, today. Or tomorrow. Or every day.  My kids also loved it and asked if we could go back to Asheville and eat at Mayfel’s again.  Yes, dear.  Absolutely.

I asked Mayfel’s to send me some pictures that I could share with you, so you could live vicariously through the computer screen.  Enjoy!

Image credit: Wesley Photography, used with permission from Mayfel’s

Have you been to Asheville, NC?

(I received no compensation at the time of posting. However, Mayfel’s did send me a gift certificate after the post.)