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Best Restaurants 2016 - The Bull and Beggar - Asheville

The Bull and Beggar
37 Paynes Way #007
Asheville, NC 28801

Last February, my traveling companion, Mr. Plow, and I took advantage of an incredible offer ($99/night!) at the Grand Bohemian in the Biltmore Village of Asheville, a city that we love because it's only a short three-hour drive from home and it's filled with beautiful scenery, unique art and architecture, and great restaurants.

On an icy Monday evening we accidentally found ourselves at The Bull and Beggar in the up-and-coming River Arts District after reservations at several other restaurants were canceled by the restaurants themselves.

The Bull and Beggar bills itself as serving "European Inspired Appalachian Cuisine," but we had arrived on Burger Night we learned, so we followed the recommendation of our server, forewent the Appalachia-via-Europe standard menu, and opted for The Burger, a double-decker steal at only $9.99.

What a burger! (And we know from burgers, having sampled many #trendy burgers over the years.) This burger is near perfection - two tasty patties dripping with American cheese and served on a toasty-yet-soft bun, a scrumptious addition to our many satisfying Asheville dining experiences. The burger is available all night on Mondays for $9.99 and in limited quantities after 9pm Tuesdays-Saturdays for $12.

[Three sides of note: 1) Mr. Plow started his meal with fresh oysters that arrived on a platter with little labels so that he could clearly distinguish the Ichabod Flats from the French Kisses; 2) I began with a crock of piping-hot hush puppies served with whipped maple butter; and 3) we were enticed - with only the most gentle arm-twisting - to finish our meal with a divine sticky toffee pudding topped with warm cream, a bowl of sweet comfort to wrap up an unexpectedly satisfying Monday night supper.]

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