Foodie Holiday: Restaurant Week!

While we were watching The Food Network this weekend, they kept airing commercials for the Crystal Coast's Restaurant Week and I was totally jealous. And then I found out this morning that it is Biltmore Village Restaurant Week!

For those non-locals, Biltmore Village is the posh area of Asheville that houses the Biltmore Estate (America's largest privately owned home), some area landmarks from Biltmore patriarch George Vanderbilt's expansion, frou frou shops (think Williams-Sonoma and Talbots) and wonderful dining opportunities.

However, like the Le Crueset dishes at W-S, these restaurants are often incredibly expensive. But, again like Le Crueset, you're paying for quality - many restaurants feature locally sourced produce and proteins, creative flavors and fanciful preparation.

Which makes Restaurant Week all the more exciting. The food which is often out of our financial reach is suddenly affordable. For seven days, restaurants in Biltmore Village will be featuring three courses for $30 deals.

This year, RW is featuring six restaurants featuring cuisine varying from traditional Mexican to classic French to Mediterranean fare. We were hard pressed to find a restaurant we didn't want to try, but decided that this weekend we will be visiting Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Yes, Ruth's Chris is a chain restaurant, however, it is what us online reviewers would label a "$$$" restaurant. Meaning, there is no way we would normally be able to afford it...ever. The others ranged from $ to $$; which is either commonly doable or a manageable splurge. I hope to someday try the remaining five restaurants and seeing as Asheville Restaurant Week is during our mini-moon (our short local honeymoon) I'm confident this goal is within reach.

We will certainly give an update of the wonders of Ruth's Chris Steakhouse - as mentioned in this gem.

For more information on Biltmore Village Restaurant Week visit their website here.