group of us shared 3 plates for lunch. everything was delicious. the pretzel bites were DELICIOUS. the waitress was super helpful and sweet. come here for a good lunch bite to eat.
Outstanding blend of southern favorites in a modern atmosphere. The staff was incredibly warm and treating from the moment we walked in, our waitress was both personable and professional we all were able to share a few laughs . Last but not least was the food I had the grilled cheese with a side of tomato bisque simple meal but the elevation of the sandwich using palmetto cheese, tomatoes, and bacon was a great move. Will be returning next time I'm in tell and will recommend to anyone doing a little walk about in the downtown area.
We came to Carmel's Kitchen & Bar on a Saturday morning for brunch and had a memorable experience, not just because of the food but also due to the resilience of the staff. Many restaurants in Asheville are still recovering from the recent rare hurricane that swept through the area, and Carmel's was no exception. We learned that much of the staff had to relocate or couldn't return to work, leaving only five dedicated team members to keep part of the restaurant running. Despite these challenges, they delivered an excellent dining experience. Our waitress was super friendly and attentive, making us feel welcome even during a busy morning. We started with the tomato soup, which was warm and flavorful--just the comfort we needed. For the main course, we had the waffle chicken sandwich, a special not listed on the menu, and it was absolutely fantastic. Even though the menu was limited due to staffing shortages, the quality of the food was impressive, and the effort put into each dish was clear. The atmosphere, as always, was charming and inviting, with the beautiful outdoor patio and cozy interiors of the historic Grove Arcade adding to the overall experience. It's clear that the remaining staff at Carmel's are working hard to keep things running smoothly and provide great service despite the challenges. Carmel's Kitchen & Bar is a shining example of dedication and resilience in Asheville's dining scene. The food, service, and ambiance made for a wonderful brunch, and we look forward to returning to support this fantastic restaurant again.
Chicken and waffles = amazing Deviled eggs = skip, you make better at home. Shouldn't even be on the menu. Desert was brownie / ice cream = amazing.
Stopped in for lunch while shopping downtown Asheville. They have both indoor and outdoor seating with a nice bar. Our server was very friendly and on top of things. I enjoyed their wine list as they had both American and no -American wines. I had a glass of the Italian Sangiovese and it was soooo good!! We ordered fried green tomatoes, truffle fries, cheese flatbread, and chicken pesto flatbread. It was all very good. The pesto tasted fresh. The fried green tomatoes had a good crunchy coating. We really liked the crust on the flatbread as well.
On our way out of Asheville we stumbled across Carmel's Kitchen & Bar and we thoroughly enjoyed it!!! This restaurant has put a twist on southern cuisine and they've done a good job!! My husband is a true meat and potatoes southern boy and he cleaned his plate (which he rarely does outside of eating my cooking). He ordered the fried chicken with collard greens and mashed potatoes. He first said..."this is pretty good"! And midway through he said "actually this is VERY good...how often do I say THAT???"!! Which is a TOTAL compliment coming from him. I ordered the grilled salmon, bacon cheddar grits and collard greens. The dish originally came with green beans but I swapped them out for the greens. My salmon was cooked to perfection!! It had the crispy edges!!! The grits and collard greens complemented the salmon perfectly. The only thing that was missing was some cornbread which we didn't know they had until midway through our meal when we saw that someone else ordered it. I told my husband that we've found our Asheville SPOT!!! Carmel's serves deliciously well priced food so we will definitely be back!!
Food came out so quick ! Really delicious too. Plus really great service. The Mac and cheese was so cheesy and creamy, absolutely delicious
Stopped in for just a drink, spent $20 and enjoyed the view. Andrew the bartender is good, very busy but attentive to everyone. The food looked amazing, but heading out to home. The host was great also. No worries about here. I will come back for food.
Although there isn't a Happy Hour in North Carolina, I must say the service was great thanks to Andrew. The ambiance was cool was a nice evening and right before my lash appointment. I opted for the Whiskey Wednesday and Truffle Fries which consisted of Parmesan Cheese, Fresh Herbs, Black Pepper, Toasted Garlic Aioli. I enjoyed the flavor of the fries but I would recommend using a lighter oil as the fries were pretty heavy with grease. Otherwise the flavor was on point. I do think I will try the restaurant again, perhaps for dinner. Until next time...Cheers!