Attn. Asheville Hounds!

[Jeff C.]

Yours truly might be going to Stony Knob in Weaverville this Father's Day weekend, and I just had a few questions:

1. How far out Merrimon is it? (I only been just past Beaver Lake.)
2. Are reservations necessary?
3. What are some of the signature dishes?

[rick in asheville]

Ugh, I know it's too late but they have great crab cakes. The food here is always good and the service is quick too. They're right about the wine, if you order a glass you get a glass not something that looks like a shot.

[leahinsc]

Jeff - yeah, for you. Remember they aren't open on Sunday past brunch.
1. You can do Merrimon all the way out as if you are heading towards Weaverville. It is on the LEFT across from Asheville Mulch Yard about 3.5 miles past the lake. Alternatively take 19/23, get off at the New Stock exit, right and then left onto Merrimon and it is less than one mile on the LEFT.
2. YES - esp for Sat night. Ask to sit outside or in red room. Outside is covered and has ceiling fans and Red Room is just cool.
3. Anything on special, lamb shanks, there is only one pasta dish w/ carmelized walnuts that I'll never get again - everything else is usually very good.

[Jeff C.]

Thanks so much, Leah. If we can't make it Saturday night, how's the brunch? (And do they take reservations for IT?)

[leahinsc]

I haven't been to the brunch in a while. It is a pretty typical brunch-ish menu w/ things like waffles and eggs benedict thrown in. I don't know about reservations but I know when we drive to church people are already lining up.

[Jeff C.]

Would prefer dinner, of course.

[mark]

i've only been there for breakfast & lunch, and should note it's been awhile for breakfast. breakfast is fine, as leah says "pretty typical". brunch on sunday features a few fancier items in addition to the regular menu; not sure if this menu is offered any other day. execution is usually good. we stopped going when sunny point opened up as it is much closer to home, not because there was anything wrong with stony knob.

when the weather cooperates, sitting outside is really nice for breakfast.

hope you enjoy it.

[Jeff C.]

Is it called the Red Room for any reason other than the paint?

[leahinsc]

That's what we call it. Yes, the walls are painted red and it has a fireplace. It has high ceilings and is a cozy place at night in the winter. I think though I'd prefer to be outside in the summer.

[Jeff C.]

Me, too. But good to know for future reference. Thanks again.

[miss piggy]

If you go for dinner I highly recommend the tilapia (if you like fish). It is sauteed with lemon, capers, artichoke heats and olives, and is really, really good and fresh-tasting. It comes with three fried mushroom risotto ball-shaped cakes which are drizzled with a balsamic syrup...amazing. Also, if you care for wine, I have found that getting it by the glass there results in a VERY generous pour. The wine list is quite nice as well, as the owner also features these at his wine shop (Vino Vino) on Merrimon closer to Beaver Lake.

[Jeff C.]

I love all of those things, Miss Piggy. Thanks for the recommendations!

Hey, does anyone happen to have the phone number? (I don't currently have an Asheville phone book.)

[mark]

645.3309

[Jeff C.]

Thanks, man.

[Jeff C.]

A quick post-visit followup: Though it's in a rather nondescript (read:ugly) part of Weaverville, Stony Knob is an oasis of chic with fantastic food. Sitting outside on the covered deck it is possible to imagine one is at a hip roadside diner in Napa or Sonoma. And the fabled "red room" looks like the perfect place to cozy up for a warm meal during the colder months. Though the menu leans toward northern Meditarreanen dishes, a number of other world cuisines are also represented. (One salmon dish had an Indian touch with mango chutney and hints of cumin and cayenne.) Great list of wines by the glass, too. Oh, and that tilapia dish was wonderful, Miss Piggy.

Thanks to my fellow Asheville hounds for steering me to Stony Knob, which has now been added to my shortlist of WNC favorites.

[leahinsc]

yeah! Talked to one of the owners yesterday (he also owns Vino Vino closer to Beaverdam Lake on Merrimon - great Saturday afternoon wine tastings!). They have redone wine list at Stoney Knob and are in the process of doing the same w/ menu to feature fmenu items from around the world like Italian, Asian, Latin etc - to work with the way they have their wine list. We should see this soon.

[Jeff C.]

Good to know, Leah. And thanks also for reminding me that it's StonEy Knob, too!