DEAR STU: Where Should I Eat for My Birthday?

“People are trying to make me pick where to go for my birthday dinner… and I have no idea.”

My friend Conner recently wrote me a note through FB asking me where she should let her friends take her for a birthday celebration. I asked her a couple of Q’s and gave her a few options based on her responses. You guys really seem to like listy-type posts, so I figured I’d share this with you here on my blog.

Below please find our actual conversation, unedited except to delete Conner’s last name. I didn’t provide links, or street addresses, or any other info about the places that I recommend, because… that’s what Google is for.

Conner
Mar 11th, 2:43pm
Stu! People are trying to make me pick where to go for my birthday dinner on Monday and I have no idea. One of them recommended I ask you. Any recommendations for a semi special occasion?

Stu Helm: Food Fan

Mar 11th, 3:09pm

Yes! I’m full of recommendations, Conner! Tell me this: how fancy? How pricey? How cocktail-y do you want it to be? And how many people in your party?

Conner

Mar 11th, 4:58pm

I’m a pretty casual person but that just means I don’t want to feel like a jerk wearing chucks. Price isn’t an issue. People may or may not drink but they certainly aren’t big drinkers by any means. 4 people – small group.

Stu Helm: Food Fan

Mar 11th, 5:39pm

Okay, that helps. If you can get a reservation at Bull and Beggar do it. Great atmosphere, great food, good cocktails and wine if people want ’em. Monday is cheeseburger night, so it tends to get crowded. The burger is well worth suffering the crowds though. Even I do it.

If price is truly not an issue then go straight to the top with Nightbell. Super-high quality ingredients, and execution, aaand the high prices to go with it. Great atmosphere, but chucks are totally cool… hey they let me in the door, sooo… The portions can be small, so order early, and then order more. Fancy cocktails at fancy prices as well.

If you just wanna eat yourselves silly, and some of you want a beer or two, and you all want an awesome decadent meal and a good time, for not an arm-and-a-leg, I recommend my guys at the Barleycorn. Kick ass wings, best mac n cheese in town. Nice people working there!

A couple other places that are fun and filling are Ambrozia in North Asheville, Smoky Park Supper Club in the RAD, Edison at the Grove Park Inn, and again, if money is no issue, then Vue 1913. You might have to wear your best chucks to that last one. Is that helpful, Conner?

Conner

Mar 11th, 5:40pm

So helpful!!!

One thing I forgot to mention to Conner is that no matter where she goes, her friends should make sure to let the house know ahead of time that it’s her birthday!

If you have questions for me, about where to eat, or what to eat, just PM me through my FaceBook page!

— END —

Stu Helm is an artist, writer, and podcaster living in Asheville, NC, and a frequent diner at local restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and the like. His tastes run from hot dogs and mac ‘n’ cheese, to haute cuisine, and his opinions are based on a lifetime of eating out. He began writing about food strictly to amuse his friends on Facebook.