Limone's in Asheville

[gbailey75]

Heading back to Asheville this weekend and planning on Limone's for Friday night. Any Asheville Chowhounds have a favorite menu item there??

[north2south]

I was at Limone's last summer. Great place. There was a chocolate bread pudding dessert that fantastic, and I am not a bread pudding fan.

[gbailey75]

Thanks for the input. I can only hope they're "on" Friday night. This is probably an entire different topic for discussion, but there's nothing tougher in the restaurant business than maintaining consistency -- servers come and go, chefs come and go -- and now, in uncertain economic times -- cash flow isn't what it used to be and there's probably a lot of weeknights where there's empty tables. Trying times in the restaurant business. Those that are able to remain at the top of their game through these down cycles are the survivors; those that cannot rarely get back to their former selves.

[leahinsc]

I agree wholeheartedly....maybe we're just hitting the "survivors" lately but we haven't had any problems at Sante, Asheville Pizza, Stoney Knob, Market Place, Tomato/Cucina Latina, Curras Dom, French Broad Taqueria - in fact all have been very busy, even on a weeknight

[Jeff C.]

Good observations. I haven't been to Limones since March but have been at least a half dozen times prior to that, and the food quality and service have always been consistently good. Let's hope the Bush II recession hasn't hit them too hard. (I did notice that they have now stopped serving what was one of the best Sunday brunches in town--not a good sign.)

[leahinsc]

I know the servers used to hate Sunday brunch.... a late Saturday nite and then having to turn around and get up early Sunday...maybe that's why.

[Jeff C.]

More likely they were losing money on it, esp. since they now serve Sunday dinner instead.

[leahinsc]

everytime we were there Sunday brunch was packed.

[Jeff C.]

Us, too. It's just that I suspect the profit margin is less on brunch items than the more expensive dinner entrees. Your wait-staff theory makes just as much sense, though. (Maybe it was both.)

[Spreadhead]

Belle Chere Friday night might not be the best time to eat anywhere Downtown and expect "up to usual standards" service. JMO

[Jeff C.]

Good point, Spreadhead. I forgot about it being Bele Chere weekend. Caveat emptor, y'all.

[brentk]

We went about a month ago on a Friday night and while the food was excellent (particularly memorable was a watermelon, arugula and blue cheese salad), the service was somewhat lacking - not overly attentive and a little too casual and familiar in approach (particularly when the bill was presented), to try to make up for the lack of attentiveness. We chalked that up to the type of servers a restaurant is able to hire in Asheville. (No offense intended, just an outsider's assessment of the labor market.)

[leahinsc]

For the first couple of years I was so impressed w/ the wait staff at Limones. Even the occasionally cloyingly patronizing Joaquin did an efficient job. However, the last time we were there many of the wait staff who had been there for a few years had moved on to other ventures and we were struck as well by the inattentive service.

[Jeff C.]

I just remember we used to always get one of two female servers, both very helpful without being smarmy. Wish I could remember names...Roberta, maybe?

[gbailey75]

Thanks to all for your insight but I, too, realized last night that this is Bele Chere weekend. I'll cancel my reservation and avoid the heart of downtown on Friday night.

[Jeff C.]

I understand, believe me. Do try them again sometime when downtown is less crazy, and let us know what you thought.

[Jeff C.]

The ceviche is usually good, and churrros and chocolate are a must for dessert. Also, the Bloody Marys and Margaritas are overpriced but delicioso. As far the entrees are concerned, some things are better than others (particularly dishes with a mole sauce), but I've never had anything bad.

[jbyoga]

If they have their raviolis try them as they can be great. I will say the last time I went is wasn't fantastic but the 3 previous times were. Please let us know how it goes...

[leahinsc]

I'll see if others chime in. The last time we went we weren't so thrilled. We had been diehard Limones fans since they opened and often went for brunch and dinner. Seemed like service had slipped, portions had gotten smaller and cost had gone up and a few of the things we ordered were just so-so.