THE LOCAL TACO - DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE, NC

Had another fabulous evening in downtown Asheville. This time we went to 2 bookstores. Downtown Books and News is on Lexington and has lots of used books and a really funky atmosphere with old movie seats for reading. The other one was on Hayward and was Malaprop's. They have lots of author readings and one was going on when we were there. That store is like a small local Barnes and Noble.

Then we did a lot of walking around admiring the old Art Deco buildings. We ended up eating at this taco place and we sat outside. Most of the restaurants have a nice outdoor eating area; some on patio's and others on secret flower decorated courtyards.

I had the fried avocado taco with sweet chili sauce and zucchini slaw. The fried avocado, i know, sounds so strange but it was absolutely delicious. A great crunch around the soft interior. And the other taco was  southern fried chicken strips with chipotle mayo and lettuce and tomato. Incredibly good and amazing how much innards were put into the flour tortilla. The side i ordered was ham hock pinto beans; spicy but good.

Bill had a beef brisket taco and a smoked pork butt taco. The beef was in a mole sauce and was quite zippy. His side was rice which was just ok.

Then we were slowly going to walk back to the parking garage but i had a serious sweet tooth goin' on. So remembered one of the waitresses at another restaurant highly recommending the Chocolate Lounge! love that word. Lounging with chocolate; lovely. She recommended their melted truffle drink. You pick out the truffle or truffles of your choice and they are slowly melted and mixed with heavy cream for an out of this world drink. Afterwards i would imagine that i'd have the manic energy and sugar high to climb a mountain right before i was overcome with an intense urge to lounge.

Anyway, the place was jammed; very very busy. the line was almost out the door. I didn't want dessert that badly. and it was a very wise GI decision.

Tomorrow we are going to be downtown again at an arts festival with alicia and i think we'll stop  at one of the 2 artisan chocolate stores and pick up some treats for later on. when we are ready to Lounge!!