652466 Tue Sep 15 06:07:08 -0700 2009 35 11 South 0 5030849 When mark and others talked about how good The Admiral was, I thought they meant it was quirky and fun and had surprisingly good food for a dive bar. I totally did not understand they meant it's the best damn food in Asheville. By a mile. We made the drive from Greenville last night. We got the last inside table around 7:30. With some help from our waitress, we had: The cheese plate, the arugula salad w/ Humbolt Fog, the Trigger Fish w/ squash purree and apple/bacon chutney, the lamb chop w/ bacon/pistachio brittle, the fried quail w/ blue corn grits and a fried egg. Jeff had a Wedge IPA and I had a glass of garnacha. Holy Cow! Everything was fantastic. The cheeses were very good (especially the aged goat) and my super-picky husband loved the bressola. The arugula was lovely, nice dressing which went so well w/ the Humbolt fog I actually liked it more than I usually do. The Triggerfish was just ridiculously beautiful, with a firm but not tough, almost lobster-like texture. The fried quail was very nice but the grits and egg were what really stood out to me on that dish. But the lamb...oh my lord, the lamb. We were sitting right next to the open kitchen, so we watched the chef build the plate, starting with cubes of pickled feta, topped w/ a bit of pistachio bacon brittle. Then a little pile of arugula to display the gorgeous lamb chops (2) which were rare as they could be, just the way we like them (interesting they didn't ask first, but more power to them!) They were excellent quality meat, no hint of mutton which I note a lot these days. They were smoked before grilled. Fab. But let's back up to the PISTACHIO BACON BRITTLE. Did you hear that ? I swore at that moment I would figure out how to make that. Divine. And they weren't chinzy with it, there was a lot on the plate. At that point we were agog. It's been a long time since I've had a meal I liked that much. We compared the lovely cheese on our cheese plate to the "artisinal" cheese that came w/ our salad at Table last Saturday. Table's cheese according to the husband was "like if your sales rep from Sysco offered you the slightly upgraded industrial cheese." I compared the triggerfish to Charleston's FIG...it was just as good. I compared the salad to those one gets in Greenville...not only better, but at $6...cheaper. So I thanked our waitress for steering us toward the Triggerfish and the Lamb, and asked her what she thought of the cake (Short Street). "I like the cake, but I like the pot de creme better." So we got the pot de creme, and you guessed it, it was very nice, and was sprinkled w/ Maldon sea salt, which pretty-much guarantees i'm gonna love it. I feel compelled to think of SOMETHING negative to say (it's in my nature.) My wine, chosen from an interesting list, was fine but not special($7), the glass was what people considered a nice glass 6-8 years ago, before we were all spoiled by oversized pricey stemware. There...that's the best I can do. I loved the place. I'm in love w/ the chefs. I want them to open on Saturday for lunch. Barring that, I'm going to have to start planning longer rides, so we finish up around 5, when they open. Thanks, Chowhounds, for the recommendation. Tue Sep 15 06:07:09 -0700 2009 10471 danna 1 5030879 Thanks for the detailed and lovely review, Danna. Glad you enjoyed it. I'm just sorry they no longer serve Sunday brunch. It was wonderful. P.S. Did you check out the tres cool jukebox? Tue Sep 15 06:25:29 -0700 2009 5030849 24277 Jeff C. 1 5031073 Thanks for the great review! It has just moved up on our list.... Tue Sep 15 07:44:06 -0700 2009 5030849 141672 Scirocco 2 5031597 It truly possibly is the best restaurant in town. Tue Sep 15 10:25:20 -0700 2009 5031073 212969 JKidd 3 5031957 Now that Nova is gone I have to agree. Tue Sep 15 12:27:07 -0700 2009 5031597 24277 Jeff C. 1 5033362 I can not find a website - what are the prices like? Wed Sep 16 01:06:27 -0700 2009 5030849 14034 mustardgirl 2 5033444 I think they're on MySpace. As for prices, it depends on what you get. The small plates are anywhere from $6-$8. The larger ones usually run from $12-$18. Very reasonable for the quality of the food. Wed Sep 16 04:55:55 -0700 2009 5033362 24277 Jeff C. 2 5033495 The meal I described above cost $69 before tip. I considered it a major bargain. I think our apps were $10...but let me again say the apps were as big as many entrees. Wed Sep 16 05:38:36 -0700 2009 5033362 10471 danna 3 5036652 Thanks, Danna, for the great review. Like you, I didn't get it until just now. Can't wait to try it as soon as we get back! Thu Sep 17 08:14:51 -0700 2009 5033495 18795 pilches 3 5038257 I like it as well but husband does not. He finds it claustrophobic - I think it's the dark interior and low ceilings. Thu Sep 17 17:21:18 -0700 2009 5033495 11596 leahinsc 1 5036875 glad you liked it. like you (as it's my nature as well), i've had to work hard to find concerns; and even when i do, they're well trumped by the overall experience. great food & (yes, this is mr. "everything's too expensive" writing this) a good value to boot. Thu Sep 17 09:20:58 -0700 2009 5030849 12583 mark 1 5043543 Ate at The Admiral again last night and had some of the items Danna mentions above. It is a tribute to the consistency of the Admiral kitchen that all were just as wonderful as she says. Let me also add that if they are serving the sweet potato creme brulee with bacon brittle and bourbon whipped cream, you should order one for every member of your party, because it is THE BEST DAMN DESSERT EVER, and there might be a fork fight if you try to share one! The best restaurant in Asheville. Period. And a helluva bargain. ($53.98--before tip--for two cocktails, a beer, the arugula salad, the triggerfish, the lambchops, and the aforementioned dessert.) Sun Sep 20 07:45:08 -0700 2009 5030849 24277 Jeff C. 2 5045636 We went back on Saturday. Arugula salad again, lamb chops (this time w/ fennel), piquillo hummos (I'm counting down to noon so I can eat the leftovers), oysters w/ cucumber mignonette, and the scallops entree. Damn, those scallops were fantastic. Just barely cooked, perfect amount of salt in the fine crust. I liked the 3 Brooms Sauv Blanc, enough that I had 2 and ran the bill up to $72. Still a bargain at this food quality. I feel bad that I skipped the dessert. I was jonesin' for some Ultimate Ice Cream mocha stout. Mon Sep 21 07:35:56 -0700 2009 5043543 10471 danna 1 5058632 We went this week and I cannot agree more with your opinion. Everything we had was beyond fantastic and it was a bargain for the quality AND quantity of food. The pork belly small plate was crispy and pretty out of hand, with local mushrooms and a pecorino crouton that was perfect, with a beautiful local egg. Short rib small plate was not that small and extremely yummy. Halibut, grits and collards with chorizo saffron broth ... I could go on and on, but I will just say I am so glad we tried it and we will be going back. I agree that the chefs at this place are amazing. Our waitress was attentive and good with the advice regarding the menu. This is my new favorite! Fri Sep 25 13:58:22 -0700 2009 5030849 23668 atruebluedevil 2 5059131 Can you make reservations or do you just show up and wait? Fri Sep 25 18:44:29 -0700 2009 5058632 116128 LGD 3 5059237 We made reservations, and I highly recommend that. We called for one night, and they were booked already, although I am sure you could just show up, but it looked like a long wait for some people when we were there .. you can eat at the bar which is good for the drop in crowd. It was just so good! Fri Sep 25 19:55:27 -0700 2009 5059131 23668 atruebluedevil 4 5063346 Wow... Does that mean the outside tables were full too? Or was it just a wait for inside? Or do they not serve dinner outside? I'm so glad you had a great dinner! We went to two places in G'ville on Sat night (apps at each), both sucked, we should have made the drive to the Admiral. Mon Sep 28 05:44:41 -0700 2009 5059237 10471 danna 5 5064439 Dinner can be eaten outside, but orders have to be made at the bar. And obviously, it's the designated smoking area. Mon Sep 28 11:57:18 -0700 2009 5063346 212969 JKidd 5 5076307 I'm not sure - we had called the night before and were told they were full, so we went ahead and made one. I think folks were eating outside too, although there was a wait. Sat Oct 03 08:24:12 -0700 2009 5063346 23668 atruebluedevil 3 5068313 definitely make reservations, even on a weeknight. They also now have a late-night menu featuring homemade specialty hot dogs made by a friend of the owner (can't remember the name, but he was a vendor at LAAFF)... Also, every now and then (one Sunday a month-ish) they do a cookout/bbq-type meal at the Admiral, in lieu of brunch... they don't advertise, you just have to know... ask about it next time you're there. don't know if it will last through winter since it's been outside the last 2 times... Tue Sep 29 20:02:27 -0700 2009 5059131 89995 sarahyla 4 5068756 Oh, yummy! Two more excuses to go back soon! Wed Sep 30 04:48:20 -0700 2009 5068313 24277 Jeff C. 5 5068836 I don't think there would be anything wrong with telling your fellow Chowhounds if you found out about a Sunday brunch..hint ..hint. Wed Sep 30 05:50:44 -0700 2009 5068756 10471 danna 6 5069170 Haven't heard anything about them bringing it back, but will let you know if I do. Howzat? Wed Sep 30 07:46:34 -0700 2009 5068836 24277 Jeff C. 4 5069242 hardcastle (as in jeremy from table) hot dogs. also, i believe, available at tod's tasties (sp?), although i can't recommend going there. Wed Sep 30 08:12:19 -0700 2009 5068313 12583 mark 5 5071015 Where/what is Tod's Tasties? Wed Sep 30 19:09:17 -0700 2009 5069242 168697 Leepa 6 5071267 resto in viva europa's old location on montford. primarily sandwiches, to my recollection, which is what i've had there. unfortunately, meagre, mediocre & overpriced are the most fitting descriptors, imo. i've avoided writing a review as the only positive thing i can say is that it fills an otherwise empty niche in the montford area. but i believe one can get hardcastle hot dogs there if so inclined and unwilling to wait for an admiral cookout. Wed Sep 30 21:51:06 -0700 2009 5071015 12583 mark 7 5077807 Was there again last night and had the braised shortribs of my dreams--topped with the most amazing crispy shallots! Word to the wise, however: Seating is limited, and given The Admiral's sudden popularity here and elsewhere, reservations are now a MUST. Sun Oct 04 06:50:08 -0700 2009 5071267 24277 Jeff C. 8 5086941 We had the shortribs when I was there too, and I agree ... dreamy. And those crispy shallots! Wed Oct 07 17:21:22 -0700 2009 5077807 23668 atruebluedevil 3 5089218 Yes, reservations are necessary. And boy, is it hopping on Saturdays... When my husband and I went a few weeks ago with an 8 PM reservation (yes, it was Saturday night...but we were weekend tourists), we had an hour wait. To be fair, something had gone wrong (there were other reservation-holders waiting). I'm from NYC, so I'm used to waiting (for pretty much everything), but the complication was that my husband had taken medicine that requires him to eat something within the hour. That, combined with the fact we were from out of town and had no idea what restaurants were close by, made things sticky. However, they comped our drinks and gave us a free slice of cake (we hadn't asked for either...I never assume comps) and were all in all very nice (and the cake was delicious, as was everything we ate). So I don't know whether Saturdays are just insane, we fell on a bad night, or someone messed up in the reservation book, but you may have a wait. Waiting at the bar is no hardship, and the drinks are reasonably priced. But...wow, is that place popular! Thu Oct 08 14:07:02 -0700 2009 5059131 48540 merrymc 1 5084059 Have chosen this as my one place for dinner in Asheville and have reservations for Saturday night. Can't wait Tue Oct 06 17:37:54 -0700 2009 5030849 116128 LGD 1 5098010 My dinner companion is not a foodie or a chowhound reader so her eyes got big as saucers when we entered The Admiral. She wasn't sure where I was taking here eventhough I had tried to give her a heads up. But she soon relaxed and realized she was in for a dining experience. only wish there were more than 2 of us so we could have sampled more dishes. She had the scallops and I had the pork chop. My collards were just right. The sweet potato creme brulee was good enough to lick the dish and her chocolate cake (even though it came from a bakery in the area) was spectacular. Place was really busy but once our server took our order, he gave us great attention. Would definitely go back and take more people. Had lunch on Sunday at Early Girl on Wall Street, downtown, and it was also delicious (local trout, squash casserole and stone ground grits.) Love to visit Asheville. Mon Oct 12 15:53:27 -0700 2009 5030849 116128 LGD 1 5172482 Thank you, Asheville Chowhounds, THANK YOU SO MUCH for ranting about this place. I'm located currently in Michigan, but my husband and I travel to the ASheville area semi-regularly and i always check the boards for fresh info before heading down. All the rants put THE ADMIRAL on the "gotta" list for this trip. The first time we made it in was after 10 pm, with our stomachs growling from some loosey goosey planning that had us going to see a 7:15 showing of a movie that turned out to be nearly 3 hours long...anyway, long story short, I was ravenous, it was a weeknight, it was after 10. We had no idea what might still be open. We happened to find ourselves on Haywood and we figured it might be worth checking to see if the kitchen was still open at the Admiral. As luck would have it, they were just shifting to the late night menu. Man. There is nothing like stumbling into food heaven when you're insanely hungry. We got the bone marrow and toast, triggerfish, and a grilled cheese. And my mind exploded. AMAZING. So amazing. I am still having fond, daydreamy moments thinking about that piece of fish and her little pool of lemony brown butter and capers and aowm aowm aowm. Wound up getting reservations two more times during our week in the area, and there wasn't a disappointment among them. (tried the celeriac soup, the grilled romaine hearts, bangers and mash, lamb shank, flatiron steak, veal gnocchi.) Seriously. What's not to love? Friendly, funny staff, relaxed atmosphere, totally amazing food, constantly changing, always surprising menu, decent prices. I'm in love. I'm so impressed that the Asheville public totally supports places like this, and that the attitude of the establishment is so welcoming and friendly. If anybody tried to open a "gatropub" in my home city, the public would scorn the place (despite being cheaper than stinkin' OUTBACK) out of suspicion and fear of "hoity toity" foods. Sad, sad, sad but true. Wed Nov 11 07:35:56 -0800 2009 5030849 156941 dingey 2 5172656 Thanks for the splendid review...and for reminding Asheville-area Hounds that we have MUCH to be thankful for! FYI: Was back last Friday and the place was as packed as I've seen it. It would now be INSANE not to make reservatioins. (They had to turn away a party of ten while we were there.) Wed Nov 11 08:33:35 -0800 2009 5172482 24277 Jeff C. 1 5174775 Danna, thanks for your post. I too had seen mention of the Admiral, but until you explained the menu I had not gotten it either. I finally got to try them on this visit back home - WOW! It was very hard to decide what to order since most of the menu appealed to me. My friend and I tried 2 small plates and one large plate and a dessert. The food was delicious, prepared perfectly, nicely plated. Portions were generous. Quality was first rate. This is now on my must visit list when I am in town. Perfect day -Sunny Point for breakfast, The Admiral for dinner and being with good friends to boot! Oh, and a quick visit to Amazing Savings for goodies to bring home. Wed Nov 11 21:52:24 -0800 2009 5030849 111267 meatn3 2 5175050 wow, that WAS a perfect day! i love Amazing Savings when I'm in the right mood. Treasure hunting for food! Thu Nov 12 05:18:27 -0800 2009 5174775 10471 danna 3 5175242 They had Dinosaur BBQ sauce and Baconaise!!! Thu Nov 12 07:01:12 -0800 2009 5175050 111267 meatn3