Flights of Fancy
Flights of Fancy: A flight is a great way to try multiple flavors. Beyond the standard beer and liquor offerings, these WNC eateries serve up some extraordinary samplers
SWEET AS PIE
Known for its array of homemade pies, which include more than 100 rotating flavors like peanut butter-oreo cream, chocolate-bourbon pecan, and blueberry crumb, Baked Pie Company in Arden and Woodfin offers pie flights, so you don’t have to choose just one flavor. Patrons select three slices, which are complimented with vanilla bean or salted caramel ice cream. 4 Long Shoals Rd., Arden, (828) 333-4366; 50 N. Merrimon Ave., Woodfin, (828) 210-9544; bakedpiecompany.com
ICE CREAM DREAM
Elsewhere on 10th, a farm-to-table restaurant in downtown North Wilkesboro, offers a seasonally driven, rotating menu, and when temperatures start to rise, multiple flavors of house-made gelato appear. Made with fresh milk from neighboring Ashe County, a flight of four small scoops includes options like brown sugar-pecan, blueberry-lemon, and peach. 211 10th St., N. Wilkesboro; (336) 990-0538; elsewhereon10th.com
GOOD GRAVY
When it comes to breakfast, biscuits and gravy are pretty much perfect. With his gravy flights, which include sawmill, tomato, tasso ham, and chipped beef, Chef John Dean of The New Public House in Blowing Rock has done the seemingly impossible—improved upon such a beloved staple. Choose three of four flavors to pair with a cathead biscuit. 239 Sunset Dr., Blowing Rock; (828) 295-3487; thenewpublichouse.com
TAKE A DIP
Tupelo Honey’s South Asheville location offers both sweet and savory flights. Available individually or as a trio sampler, the Chef’s Mason Jar Dips serve up black-eyed pea hummus, pimento cheese, Creole roasted eggplant, and blue cheese and bacon spreads with tricolor carrots and potato chips. The Mini Mason Jar Desserts include banana pudding, peanut butter mousse with chocolate ganache and salted pretzel crumbles, hummingbird cake, and Atlantic Beach lemon custard. If you can’t decide, then you can opt to enjoy them as a flight. 1829 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville; (828) 505-7676; tupelohoneycafe.com
KOMBUCHA CENTRAL
Long recognized among alternative health aficionados, kombucha, a nonalcoholic fermented tea drink originating in Asia, continues to grow in popularity. The Buchi Bar in downtown Asheville offers six flavors of Buchi, one of the region’s most popular brands of kombucha, on tap. Sample all six varieties of this fizzy, nutrient-dense beverage in a flight for a delightful, easy way to boost your health. 116 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville; (828) 232-0738; rosettaskitchen.com/buchi-bar
COMPLIMENTS TO COLESLAW
A food truck-turned-brick and mortar establishment, Doc Brown’s BBQ in Candler offers coleslaw flights. Customers can sample four of six flavors of slaw that include creamy, Eastern-style vinegar, ketchup-based Lexington-style, blue cheese, and hot, which is popular in Alabama and dressed with a heated (not spicy) dressing. 1320 Smokey Park Hwy., Candler; (828) 633-6901; docbrownbbq.com