Knoxville TN and Ashville NC

On 19 Oct 1995, Marc G. wrote:

> --
>     I'm going to be spending a few days in the Smokey Mountains and
> surrounding cities. Does anyone have any thoughts on good restaurants in
> either Ashville or Knoxville? Local cooking or Italian preferred.
>
>
We have *just* returned from a stay in the NC mountains, and that included a night in Asheville.  Highly recommended (through a friend, plus numerous write-ups in good magazines) was the "Market Place" on Wall St. We found the "space" to be very nice, the menu great, but we were incredibly disappointed.  Too many things to go on about, but suffice it to say that we would never go back.  And it is *very* expensive.  I post this because you probably will get recommendations for this restaurant and I just wanted to give another opinion; perhaps we just had an *off* night.  We did have lunch in Chelsea's, in Biltmore Village - a little cutsey and sort of a tea room, but the food was quite good and my husband did not feel uncomfortable in the setting. It too had been recommended. Sorry to be giving what amounts to a negative, but thought you might end up wanting an honest opinion. If you end up finding a great place, let me know!!

In Asheville, The Grove Park Inn is excellent. Can't beat the view, especially this time of year. Also, the shopping area across from the Biltmore House has several nice restaurants (but, of course, I can't think of the names!) One is a tea room and serves a lovely High Tea in the afternoon.