ASHEVILLE - A new pizzeria's grand opening party with giveaways, music and all-ages fun; an Appalachian-based chef explores Adirondack Mountain food and culture in a new cookbook of family and other inspired recipes; a new leader is introduced to support local restaurant partners; food and beverage events, including a vegan beer dinner and tomato and pickle parties.
New restaurant: Ritrovo opens in West Asheville
On Aug. 22-23, after a soft opening, Ritrovo, a pizzeria, will host its grand opening celebration from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at 70 Westgate Parkway, in Gemelli's former space. Gemelli, an Italian fine dining restaurant, relocated to 28 Hendersonville, where diners can also find the new gelato cafe and espresso bar, Affogato.
Ritrovo is the latest concept from Chef Anthony Cerrato, joining
Strada Italiano, The Social Lounge, Gemelliand Affogato.
On Aug. 22, Ritrovo's big bash will feature giveaways, a shuffleboard competition, with two chances to win, and music by DJ Aoli (Juan Holladay).
Aug. 23 will be the kickoff for Sunday Supper, with family-friendly activities including face painting, balloons and crafts. Singer-songwriter Molly Rose Reed will perform.
Ritrovo's regular menu features appetizers such as aracini and meatballs, salads, stromboli, custom and signature pizzas (with gluten-sensitive crust and vegan mozzarella available), pastas and desserts.
Don't get deterred by the I-26 Connector construction detour when heading to the Westgate Shopping Center. NCDOT suggests motorists take Interstate 240 West when leaving Patton Avenue, then take Exit 2 onto Haywood Road. Motorists can then turn left at the light onto Haywood Road, then turn left again onto I-240 East to take the Westgate and Resort Drive exit toward the shopping center. Orange signs guide the way.
For more about Ritrovo ― which translates from Italian to mean "a gathering place" ― visit ritrovoavl.com and follow @ritrovoavl on Instagram.
New local cookbook: 'Adirondack Appetite'
Chef Susi Gott Séguret, a Madison County native and resident and author of "Appalachian Appetite: Recipes from the Heart of America," has written a new cookbook, this time inspired by the Adirondack Mountains in northeastern New York.
"Adirondack Appetite: 150 Recipes for Cabin, Camp & Beyond" will be released on Aug. 25. The hardcover is $25 and available for preorder online via publisher Penguin Random House at penguinrandomhouse.com, as well as through bookstores.
On Aug. 22, Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe will host a book signing and reading for Séguret from 2-4 p.m. at 55 Haywood St. downtown. The event is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
"Adirondack Appetite" is a collection of recipes that Séguret said is ideal for the hiker, biker, camper, skier, boater and explorer to prepare outdoors or in the cabin, as much as it is a guide for home cooks to try in their kitchens.
Séguret said her childhood in Madison County and summers spent camping with her family at her great-great-grandfather's cabin, built in the 1800s, were a great inspiration for the cookbook. The family continues to visit the cabin today.
"We lived in a very rudimentary fashion because we didn't have much money. As a family of four, our parents had a budget of just $200 a year, so we grew everything we ate, we went to town twice a year, we didn't have electricity, running water or modern conveniences, so life was kind of camping out as I was growing up," Séguret said.
She recalled fishing, foraging for mushrooms and eating campfire feasts that included Huckleberry Pancakes and deviled eggs ― recipes that are in the cookbook, along with wild mushroom risotto.
Appalachian and Adirondack ingredients, recipes and experiences share some overlaps, though Séguret said the Adirondacks have some different fish species in streams, and the shorter growing season in the northern mountains leads to recipes being more meat-focused than in the southern ranges.
"The Vanderbilts had a camp up there, so there is that link between the Adirondacks and the Vanderbilts down here in Asheville," Séguret said.
The chef designed the ingredients and recipes in "Adirondack Appetite" to be readily available and approachable, no matter the cook's location.
The cookbook goes beyond recipes to explore Adirondack living, including how food, nature and heritage intersect in meals. She also shares personal stories, tips on mushrooming, campfire songs, and the work of Adirondack artists inspired by the mountains.
Séguret said that Adirondack cuisine is poised for its heyday, building on the buzz around Nordic cooking, much like how Appalachian fare has finally started to see its due.
Séguret's other titles, which are available for purchase at Malaprops, include "Cooking with Truffles" and "Childhood of the Woods," a memoir about growing up in the woods of Madison County.
Séguret is also a skilled fiddler, a Certified Culinary Professional and Certified Specialist of Wine, with a diploma in Gastronomy and Taste from the Cordon Bleu and the Université de Reims. As the director of the Seasonal School of Culinary Arts for 22 years, Séguret hosts events and programs year-round that unites, teaches and encourages home chefs and professionals through the culinary arts.
Upcoming events include the Appalachian Culinary Experience, a foraging, cooking and dining event offered the last Saturday of each month. French Farmhouse Dinners are hosted on the first Saturday of each month and include a French meal, wine, conversation, and music. Speaking French is not required. View the complete event calendar and register online at quintessentialtable.com.
Asheville Independent Restaurant Association welcomes new director
The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association, a non-profit organization supporting more than 150 Asheville and Buncombe County independent restaurant members through education, advocacy and collaboration, will be headed by a new leader this fall.
The Board of Directors has announced Emily Glasgow as AIR's new executive director, beginning Sept. 7.
Glasgow's work experience has included commercial broker associate and marketing director at Dewey Property Advisors, and, most recently, development manager at the Asheville Downtown Association. According to AIR, Glasgow's skills, which include leadership, business development, operations, advocacy, and community engagement, will enable her to lead strategic planning, direct advocacy efforts, manage member education programs, and oversee major events, including the organization's major annual fundraiser, Taste of Asheville.
"Independent restaurants are the heartbeat of Asheville’s culture, identity, and local economy," Glasgow said in a news release. "I am deeply honored to step into this role and advocate for our vibrant culinary community. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated board, members, and regional partners to build on AIR’s strong legacy and support our local food community."
Upcoming food and beer events in Asheville
Taste more of Asheville's delicious offerings at these upcoming food and beverage events.:
- Vegan Beer Dinner. Diatribe Brewing, an award-winning brewery, will partner with Jolly Badger Thyme to host a Moroccan-inspired four-course Vegan Beer Dinner, with four beer pairings, at 6 p.m. Aug. 30 at the taproom, 1042 Haywood Road in West Asheville. Tickets for the age-21-and-older event are $70 per person. Purchase at diatribebrewing.com.
- Picklefest. The Whale, a craft beer collective, will host its annual celebration of all things pickled from 1-5 p.m. Aug. 22 at its West Asheville tasting room, 507 Haywood Road. The event will feature a curated lineup of pickle beers from regional and national breweries, pickle-themed artists and makers, pickle games and activities with prizes, and music from local DJs The Hot Bread Selectors. The local pickle makers and specialty food vendors will include DJ’s Small Batch Pickles, The Scullery and Uncle Bacon’s Salt Co. The event is free to attend and open to all ages, with beer available for purchase for guests 21 and older with valid ID. For more, visit thewhalecollective.com.
- The Tomato Jam. Celebrate tomatoes and Appalachian culture with farmers, growers, chefs, makers, musicians, gardeners and food enthusiasts over heirloom tomatoes, farm-fresh produce, tomato-inspired dishes, and handcrafted goods from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Road. Hosted by True Hospitality Creative, the event is free to attend and will feature live music, a market of handcrafted goods and more. For more, visit devilsfootbrew.com.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Co., covering the food and beverage industry, including the James Beard Awards, Michelin Awards, restaurant openings, closings and other hospitality industry news and events. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram. Sign up for AVL Bites and Brews, our weekly food and drink newsletter here.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Pizza party at Ritrovo, recipes for mountain camping, vegan beer dinner
