— is a hit with diners and drinkers alike.
2. Sky Bar
18 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, 225-6998
3. TIE Frog Bar
1 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, 225-4857
3. TIE Usual Suspects
791 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 350-8181
3. TIE Santé
1 Page Ave., Suite 305, Asheville, 254-8188
Bartender 1. Kathy Taylor at Usual Suspects See description under “Best Server.”
2. Jackson Zoeller at Bier Garden 3. TIE The Cliff at BoBo Gallery 3. TIE Chris Towe at The Admiral Barista 1. Margaret Gibbs at Dynamite Roasting Company
4HANKS FOR VOTING US # !LTERNATIVE (EALING #ENTER Nancy Hyton, Acupuncturist and Herbalist
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There’s a lot more to being a great barista than just knowing how to brew java: For starters, there’s finessing the finicky espresso machine and remembering customer orders (all Cheers-like). Margaret Gibbs (wife of Dynamite’s co-owner, Josh Gibbs) is known for making a good coffee drink every time, but also for her smile and her interest in the community. And, says Josh, the iced vanilla “Marga-Latte” (named for the barista) “drives people crazy.”
2. Ross Gentry at Izzy’s 3. Amber Arthur at Izzy’s Beer selection 1. Barley’s Taproom
located between Orbit DVD & Westville Pub
See description under “Best Upscale Bar.”
2. Frog Bar
1 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, 225-4857
3. Usual Suspects
791 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 350-8181
Coffee shop 1. Izzy’s Coffee Den/Izzy’s Coffee House
74 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 258-2004 and 373 Haywood Road, Asheville, 258-2004 The style and intimacy of both Izzy’s locations — not to mention the coffee — draw an artistic crowd that keeps coming back for refills.
42 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 255-0504 Barley’s massive beer selection (on two floors, 2. Dripolator Coffeehouse no less) keeps this downtown pub a perennial 190 Broadway #102, Asheville, 398-0209 and 221 W. State St., Black Mountain, 669-0999 favorite.
2. Thirsty Monk
92 Patton Ave., Asheville, 254-5470 and 1836 Hendersonville Road, Gerber Village, Asheville, 505-4564
3. Bier Garden
46 Haywood St., Asheville, 285-0002
779 Haywood Road • West Asheville 828-505-3174 • CenterHolistic.com
pisgah brewing best local brewery
Cocktails 1. Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge
7 Rankin Ave., Asheville, 254-4993
3. Starbucks
Various locations (www.starbucks.com)
Locally brewed beer
3. Wedge Iron Rail IPA Local brewery 1. Pisgah Brewing Company Black Mountain-based Pisgah Brewing remains at the top of the heap among local breweries. The undeniable winner: WNC’s beer lovers. www.pisgahbrewing.com
2. Wedge Brewing Company www.wedgebrewing.com
3. Highland Brewing Company www.highlandbrewing.com
Wine selection 1. Santé
1 Page Ave., Suite 305, Asheville, 254-8188 A self-described mid-life crisis project by several California émigrés and wine lovers, Santé’s everchanging, ever-refined wine selection makes it a local favorite.
1. Pisgah Pale Ale
2. Hops and Vines
Beer competition in Asheville remains tight — this is Beer City, USA, after all — but this year’s local favorite is Pisgah Brewing Company’s Pale Ale.
3. Zambra
2. Highland Gaelic Ale
797 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-5275 85 W. Walnut St., Asheville, 232-1060 — D.F.
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OCTOBER 21 - OCTOBER 27, 2009 • BEST OF WNC • mountainx.com
BEST OF WNC HALL OF FAME: winners who have won 4 or more years in a row