Originally posted here: http://static.villagesoup.com/Mountaineer/Beacon/Beacon%20619.pdf
The Biltmore Beacon
Published weekly | Asheville, NC
Thursday, June 19, 2014
[email protected]
Biltmore Village Offers Charm And Fun
The Quaint Village Has
Become A Vibrant Destination
By Carol Viau | The Biltmore Beacon
Above:
DINING OPTIONS GALORE — Dining options abound in Biltmore Village, from casual
to well known, such as Ruth’s Chris Steak House, pictured here./ Donated Photo
Bottom photos, from left:
DINE, SHOP, RELAX — There is a lot going on in Biltmore Village. While it is historic,
it’s also brimming with dining and shopping fun/ Photo by Carol Viau
ART FROM THE MOUNTAINS — Several galleries showcase area artists, including the
Southern Highland Craft Gallery./ Donated Photo
PARK, WALK, AND EXPLORE — Shops, galleries and restaurants are within walking
distance in a unique cluster of historic buildings and new venues./ Photo by Carol Viau
4a
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Biltmore Village is much more than a group of historic buildings.
George Vanderbilt wanted the area outside the Biltmore Estate to
be a “company town” for estate workers. But the resulting quaint
village has grown into a vibrant cluster of unique shops, high-end
clothiers, acclaimed restaurants and casual brewery tasting rooms.
“It’s a great mix of something for everyone, from high-end fashion
stores, to a tourist destination outside the Biltmore gate, to having
lunch with the kids at a historic train station,” said Robert Foster,
chairman of the Historic Biltmore Village Partnership advisory
board.
The charm of the old English country cottage architecture and treelined streets make Biltmore Village a unique, relaxing shopping and
dining experience.
The area is dripping with history — so much so that the History
@ Hand group is starting a walking tour of the village, giving
interesting tidbits about the Richard Morris Hunt and Richard Sharp
Smith-designed cottages, plus stories shared by shop owners. For
example, the Vanderbilts’ daughter, Cornelia, used to have fun in a
bowling alley — which is now the Cantina restaurant.
“The village is a place to park and wander,” said Gail Dowell,
director of marketing for the Biltmore Property Group.
Visitors enjoy the many one-of-a kind shops, like Blue for master
goldsmith Susan West’s jewelry, and national chains, including
Williams Sonoma, Chico’s, J. Crew, Talbots, J. Jill, Brooks Brothers
and Fresh Produce. There are garden shops, art galleries and
the Southern Highland Craft Gallery, showcasing artisans of the
mountains. New additions to the village include Katuah Market,
Catawba Brewing, Tervis, Origami Ink, Turner & Scott salon and
Well-Bred Bakery and Café.
The village has restaurants to fit every taste, from Moe’s Original Bar B
Que to Rezaz, with its Mediterranean flair.
See Biltmore Village, 4A
The BilTmore Beacon
Biltmore Village
continued from 1A
Fig bistro is getting
rave reviews for its
New American and
French-influenced
cuisine. And, the Corner
Kitchen, housed in a 118
year-old house, boasts
cuisine that President
Obama has enjoyed.
Enjoy summer dining
on patios at the Corner
Kitchen,
Well-Bred
Bakery and Café, Village
Wayside, housed in the
historic train station,
or the Cantina for a
‘fresh Mex’ twist. Most
of the restaurants offer
catering, too.
The Historic Biltmore
Village Partnership, in
its first year, is working
to bring back excitement
to the village.
Biltmore Village is in
step with the craft beer
explosion in WNC and
the country. Catawba
Brewing
added
a
tasting room, just steps
from the shops of Ten
Brook Street and across
the street from Fig bistro.
French Broad Brewery
is a short walk along
Fairview Road.
Events are adding to
the reinvigoration of the
village.
“The recent Beer Bites
and Bands event, held
at French Broad and
Catawba breweries was
a great success,” said
Dowell. “It sold out both
nights and we’ll repeat it
next year.”
The annual Village
Art & Craft Fair, on the
grounds of the historic
All Souls Cathedral, is
one of the best art fairs
in the mountains. With
120 exhibitors and free
admission, it draws a
big crowd of visitors and
locals the first weekend
of August, this year Aug.
2 – 3. While at the art fair,
take a look into the All
Souls Cathedral, which
was built in 1896 as a
place for the Vanderbilts
and estate workers to
worship.
“We’re also planning a
new event, a free concert
Sept. 6, featuring the
tastes and sounds of the
village,” Dowell said.
“Details will be released
soon.”
There is so much to
see and do in Biltmore
Village, “stay-cations” are
popular at the village’s
hotels.
Choose from options
including the Doubletree
by Hilton, the Posh
Boutique Hotel and the
Grand Bohemian Hotel,
built in the stucco, brick
and timber style of the
village. Everything in the
village is a short walk
from lodging.
“Biltmore
Village
is a great little gift of a
neighborhood,” Foster
said. “You can dine, shop
and relax here.”
For
more
information, visit www.
historicbiltmorevillage.
com.
A SHOPPING DESTINATION — Biltmore Village has clothing shops including designer
fashions and more casual clothes. Pictured is
Fresh Produce in the village. / Donated photo