Buchi Kombucha is a locally brewed fermented-tea drink that can be found on tap in various locations around town, like Rosetta’s Kitchen. If you think of crumpets when we say “tea time,” we recommend that you head to Dobrá Tea on Lexington Avenue for a full-on tea experience. Owner Andrew Snavely travels the world to bring high-quality, wholeleaf teas to Asheville, as well as traditional tea accoutrements that make this tea house more like a temple. Sip the fragrant Lapsang Souchong, a Chinese black tea smoked over pine branches, for something truly unique. 78 N. Lexington Ave. 575-2424 dobratea.com. For a decadent and sexy treat, head to the French Broad Chocolate Lounge for one of the drinking chocolates. The hot liquid truffles are made with a ganache base in flavors like cayenne and cinnamon, Indian kulfi — or just deep, dark chocolate. Too steamy outside for a hot drink? Try the cold sipping chocolates, made with coconut milk and shaken with ice. The FBCL calls it pure, chilled decadence — and we’re inclined to agree. 10 S. Lexington Ave. 252-4181 frenchbroadchocolates.com. Looking for an alcohol-free, calming buzz — that’s totally legal? Try the Vanuatu Kava Bar on South Lexington Ave. Kava is said to relieve stress, and anxiety, reduce muscle tightness and more. And if that doesn’t take the edge off, head to the tiki-torch lit patio and enjoy some light fare to the sounds of the live music frequently featured at this unique watering hole. 151 S. Lexington Ave. 505-8118 vanuatukavabar.com. Are you a coffee purist? West Asheville’s Waking Life Espresso may be the place for you. When the coffee bar opened, the buzz about town was that owner Jared Rutledge had ruined many people for other espresso bars with his strictly controlled, expert pours and expansive knowledge of the bean. That hasn’t changed. What’s more, all of the flavored drinks are mixed with housemade syrups. Try Quetzalcoatl’s Tears, a mocha with cayenne, cinnamon, fresh ginger and sea salt. 976 Haywood Road 5053240 wakinglifeespresso.com.
34
A S H E V I L L E - A R E A E AT S & D R I N K S 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2