Asheville NC Vacation

What a delight to find the newly opened Picasso’s Café in the heart of Hendersonville’s Historic Main Street shopping district!  As best stated on their website:  “Picasso’s patisserie & coffee bar offers a variety of delicious made-from-scratch European pastries, whole or by the slice, to enjoy with our wonderful gourmet coffees, espresso, lattes and cappuccino, all in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by beautiful European art and music that soothes the soul.”  Not only that, their luncheon menu has a tasty selection of sandwiches, paninis (Italian grilled sandwiches), quiches, salads and soups you’re sure to enjoy.  Try the tuna sandwich made with albacore tuna, artichoke & kalamata olive Tapenade, lettuce, tomato & mayo served on kalamata rosemary bread!  If you are out and about early (they open at 8 AM), stop by for your breakfast coffee and pastries.

We felt like we were eating in a small Italian café with the charming tables and chairs (each a little different), and the gorgeous hand-painted Italian style oil paintings in beautiful carved frames–for sale if you see one you must take home!  The amiable owner was present to help with our selection and make sure we were pleased with our meal.  As long as you are there, be sure to wander through the other half of the store which is a wonderful boutique filled with unique treasures. 

·        Address:  240 North Main Street, Hendersonville NC 28792

·        Phone:  828-694-0907

·        Website:  www.picassospatisserie.com

·        Hours:  8 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Saturday  (Lunch starts at 11 AM)

This cafe is recommended to our guests at our Asheville & Hendersonville Vacation Rental Cabins, Cottages & Homes:  www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com  828-274-9777

Biltmore Estate Tickets available at a DISCOUNT and are good for 2 consecutive days instead of just 1 day!  828-274-9777  www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com 

Ginny is just about to be seated at one of the chaming tables and is entralled with all the gorgeous handpainted oil paintings on the wall.

Ginny discovers the newly opened Picasso's cafe in the charming downtown historic Hendersonville Main Street Shopping District.

Restaurant Recommendation for our guests at our vacation rental homes in Asheville & Hendersonville:  www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com 

You would never know passing by this bright blue little building on Highway 25 (3987 Hendersonville Rd) in Fletcher (half way between Asheville and Hendersonville NC) that the some of the tastiest food around is served here!  Let the full parking lot clue you in that locals know where to find really great food!  You immediately feel welcomed in the fun and relaxed atmosphere.  Sit inside with the blue sky ceiling filled with stars and planes or in the patio out back where there’s even a full size playhouse for your kids (they also have a great kid’s menu).

It’s not your ordinary fare of burgers or country food….the menu is filled with delightful food combinations that will have you coming back again and again!  We often order the “Trio Salad Plate” for a sampling of their dill chicken salad, pesto penne and hummus with pita & veggies.  Another of our favorites is their Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette & hot Grilled Chicken. There’s a selection of about 20 wonderful wraps made with sun dried tomato flour tortillas and tofu can be substituted for meats in you prefer.  Try their Blackened Chicken wrap or their Sesame Veggie wrap. They have Super-duper Sandwiches and “Bodacious Burgers” and delicious “Cosmic Chicken” choices.  Vegetarians will find a huge selection!  Of their delightful side dishes, served as part of your menu selection, their Sweet Potato Fries are the best we’ve ever, ever tasted! 

The Blue Sky Café is open for lunch and dinner from 11 AM – 8 PM and is closed on Sundays.  You can also order your meals “to go.”  Their phone number is 828-684-1247.  Located at 3987 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher, NC.  The full menu is on their website at www.ILoveBlueSkyCafe.com 

Reviewed by Stephanie Joy Johnson and Robert Bowles, owners of Asheville & Hendersonville luxury vacation rental cabins, chalets, cottages and homes where you deserve to be spoiled!  www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com   We have Discounted Biltmore Estate tickets that are good for 2 consecutive days instead of just 1 day.  No waiting in lines!

Ginny eyes her sweet potato fries....the best anywhere around! Robert & I are sharing the Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette & Grilled Chicken

Ginny decides where to sit....always enchanted by the playful atmosphere.

Ginny spots her favorite Blue Sky Cafe where she dines on a regular basis!

To our Asheville NC cabin vacation rental guests who are particular about the quality of foods you cook with and eat, I highly recommend shopping for your groceries at the beautiful new Earth Fare in South Asheville.  This is a full service grocery store and café devoted to the health conscious.  If you are gourmet cook, you’ll enjoy all the fine ingredients you can find here.  I especially appreciate that the store is well laid out and the friendly staff is extremely helpful whenever I’ve needed assistance. 

 I never thought I’d go into a grocery store just to admire how beautiful it is, but Earth Fare on Hendersonville Road changed my outlook forever (I love the floors)!  The elegant and sophisticated ambiance is a perfect setting for the vibrantly colored (and, of course, organic) fruits and vegetables, immense cheese and wine selection, countless isles (well, maybe you can count them, but this IS a large store!) of packaged foods, frozen foods, chemical-free meats, teas and coffees, bulk foods and spices, herbal remedies and supplements, chemical-free cosmetics, deli counter with delicious already prepared foods, decadent dessert counter (including the “World’s Best Carrot Cake” by our good friend Avi at www.WorldsBestCarrotCake.com) ….and not to forget the salad/hot foods bar where you can load up your plate (priced by the pound) and have it to go or eat it in their dining area.  As with all organic stores, the prices will be a bit higher than the conventional grocery store…and well worth it!

Ginny wheels her cart to the cheese deli and huge wine selection

Visit the Earth Fare website for more details: http://www.earthfare.com/storeinfo/1200/details/3111  Their address is 1856 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, North Carolina 28803  Phone:  828-210-010

Reviewed by Stephanie Joy Johnson of Asheville’s premier luxury vacation homes, cabins, cottages and chalets.  www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com 

Beautifully Presented Organic Produce, Earth Fare, Asheville NC

Earth Fare on Hendersonville Road for Healthy Groceries & Cafe