two downtown Asheville restaurants revisited...
Mela--better than I remembered. Wonderful Samosas appetizer with two yummy dipping sauces (one raisin-based, the other some creamy basil concoction--sorry, I'm not up to snuff on my Indian food names!), a lamb dish that was a tad overcooked but flavorful, a scallop dish that was brimming with bold, fresh flavor, the spinach and goat cheese Naan is what a grilled cheese sandwhich in heaven must be like. Service was attentive but unobtrusive. We didn't get a chance to try any of the wonderful-sounding original cocktails, but others have reported they are among the best in Asheville. Total, including three beers and tip: $60.50, an excellent value.
Chorizo--in decline, I'm sad to report. The House Margaritas are good but small for $8 each and full of ice. The "Tableside Guacamole" was brought to our table readmade and swimming in liquid from the whole tomato slices that were plopped carelessly on top. (How hard is it to chop and seed a tomato?) The Cuban Coffee-Rubbed Pork Loin was excellent but nearly ruined by sloppy (and wet) presentation. The shrimp on the shrimp and chorizo skewers was rubbery and tasted like the walk-in freezer it no doubt came from. The chorizo was coated in a film of orange grease. (The fruit salsa served in a tiny bowl with it was also floating in about an inch of something orange and greasy.) The dish was also served on a plated piled high with various wet and messy produce so that everything was starting to run together before we even touched it. Our server, bless him, was a nice, helpful guy who did his best to take care of us without much help from the kitchen. (Does Hector still own this place? Does eat his own food anymore?) Total, including two cocktails, the $9 "appetizer," and tip: $68.99.
