Hendersonville Restaurant Buzz

Before getting to the nitty-gritty of the Hendersonville restaurant scene, I have to tell you about a conversation I overheard recently.

Sitting on and standing around a bench in front of Mast General Store, Main Street, were three older, well dressed, well spoken (lovely Southern accents) couples. One of the women was naming restaurant after restaurant as possible lunch destinations; great soup, wonderful sandwiches, salads like you've never had before. It was all I could do to keep quiet.

After some "Where do you want to go?", "I don't know, where do you want to go?", one of the men finally says, "Where I REALLY want to go is....Hot Dog World. I almost burst out laughing! Sometimes all you really want is a good hot dog!!

Three different Hendersonville eateries have had low-key or invitation-only "soft openings". This is a great way for restaurants to get the kinks out while serving friends, family, suppliers, etc.

Mezzaluna, at 226 N Main St, is now open for dinner from 6:00PM until "closing at kitchen's discretion" (e.g. too busy, not busy enough, problems) 7 days a week. Keeping in mind, menu's can change, here's Mezzaluna's current menu:

Picasso's, at 242 N Main St, began their soft opening by serving lunch yesterday. Their current lunch hours are Monday - Saturday 11:30AM to 3:00PM. Current menu offerings are; salads from $4.95 to $7.95 and sandwiches from $7.25 to $8.95 (most sandwiches at $7.25).

As luck would have it, I stumbled into Picasso's to get out of the heat and was able to have lunch. I'm not going to review the food, even though it was very good, because they just opened. But I do want to share this photo of the piece of art they served:

This is on the menu as "Chicken Salade" - "Our signature chicken salad with lettuce & tomato served on a flaky croissant or buttermilk currant bread. Includes you choice of side or tres petit house salade" ($7.25).

Sq 1 and Never Blue, on S Main St, have their sidewalk tables up and running. Doesn't this just look inviting?

Blue Water Seafood Company and Wine Market, 532 Kanuga St, Hendersonville, is having their "invitation only" (friends and family for dinner) soft opening Wednesday and Thursday of this week and should be open to the public for dinner beginning this weekend or next week.

Remember, if you do go to restaurants right after they open, cut them some slack - they're still working things out.

Check out "Raw Bar Night" every Wednesday from 5:00PM to 8:00PM (through the summer) at Inn on Church Street, 201 3rd Ave W (at Church and 3rd), Hendersonville. Eat on the covered porch, while serenaded by a guitarist. Seating is available inside if you prefer. Oysters and King Crab Legs are two of the a la carte items being served along with regular menu items.

Opening sometime this month (if all goes well) is Monte's Sub Shop, 3400 Asheville Hwy (US 25/Mountain Home area), Hendersonville. Work is in progress inside and outside the building, including the parking lot. They advertise hoagies as their specialty.