Cúrate
Catalonia Calling
Chef Katie Button brings expertise as an alum of Ferran Adrià’s acclaimed El Bulli on Spain’s Costa Brava to this authentic Spanish tapas bar that creatively blends local ingredients with traditional flair. Jamón ibérico (cured ham from the black-legged Iberian pigs) shares space on the extensive menu with locally grown items, such as fried eggplant drizzled with Wild Mountain Apiaries honey and rosemary. Try the sangria, made tableside with your choice of sparkling cava or red wine.
11 Biltmore Ave., (828) 239-2946, www.curatetapasbar.com
The Magnetic Field
Dinner & A Show
This trendy spot in the burgeoning River Arts District puts a new spin on dinner and a show. The Magnetic Field is a restaurant and bar, as well as the Southeast’s only black box theater presenting all-original works. Theatrical performances take place Thursday through Saturday evenings, while weeknights bring storytelling, poetry slams, comedy, and music. Throughout June, catch The Witches’ Quorum, a comedy set in 17th-century Jamestown that follows the mishaps of two witches trying to escape persecution.
372 Depot St., Ste. 50, (828) 257-4003, www.themagneticfield.com
Storm Rhum Bar & Bistro
Travellers’ Rest
If Papa Hemingway had lived in Asheville and opened a bar, this would be the place. From the mismatched furnishings and photographs of exotic locales to the vintage book cover-bound menus, you feel as if you’ve entered the cozy den of a worldly traveler. Dinner offerings are equally eclectic. Ceviches, charcuterie, and cheese platters and a host of entrées (none of which cost more than $17) complement an extensive list of fine rums, tequilas, and hand-crafted cocktails. 125 S. Lexington Ave., (828) 505-8560, www.stormrhumbar.com
Hotel Indigo
Urban Outfitter
From your mod room—vibrant with contemporary furnishings and décor from local artisans—you’ll have one of the best views over the mountain metropolis. This boutique hotel from InterContinental boasts a commanding presence, as well as sustainable building practices and rooms numbered with the Fibonacci sequence. Eccentric? You bet. Cool? Definitely. Rooms start at $144. 151 Haywood St., (877) 846-3446, www.hotelindigo.com
Navitat Canopy Adventures
Just Zipping Through
A 20-minute drive north is all it takes find big thrills. During this three-hour zip-line tour, you’ll fly through trees and above valleys, cross sky bridges, and rappel with expert guides. The year-old company recently announced Navitat at Night, offering an even more daring flight through the canopy.
$89. Barnardsville, (828) 626-3700, www.navitat.com
LaZoom Art Tours
Hot Wheels
A true Asheville experience, the big purple LaZOOM bus offers a rolling comedy tour of the city that’s equal parts historical and hysterical, featuring Vaudeville-style theatrics and musicians who hop on and off the bus. New this summer, LaZOOM infuses some “culture,” offering Asheville’s only art tour. Led by local artist Gabriel Shaffer, passengers will explore numerous studios downtown, in the River Arts District, and in West Asheville, gaining an intimate understanding of the city’s contemporary arts scene.
$23, $12 children. (828) 225-6932, www.lazoomtours.com
