Holy cow! I've been here a couple of times while visiting Asheville. I come here every single time now. Plan ahead. This place is busy, because it is awesome! Make a reservation. I love Spanish food and tapas. Curate delivers like no other place I have been. I love the open kitchen - it's awesome to see them prepare the delicious food! Ask for kitchen seating for an extra treat! One of the advantages of the smaller plates is they allow you to sample from a wide range of delights! We always get the boquerones - I love the way they prepare the fresh anchovies! We also had a cheese plate, with a selection of dry, ripe, and blue Spanish cheeses - all of which were excellent and presented with very complimentary sides - the pear and apricot compote with the blue cheese was a personal favorite! We also had the patatas bravas (fried potatoes), lamb skewers, oysters, grilled shrimp, and stuffed piquillo peppers. EVERYTHING was a delight. The wine list is also exceptional. I had a delicious albarino, and a txacolina rose that was outstanding. We finished with the Tarta de Queso - which was delicious. Tangy, and lightly sweet. A perfect end to a great meal! Not just one of my favorite restaurants in Asheville, but one of my favorites period. I love Curate! read more

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I wanted to really love the place - especially after the hype from my friends, but this was our least favorite lunch/dinner we had in Asheville this week. For drinks - we got the sangria - which wasn't all that great. I paid a lot for ice. Next time - just get the wine. My husband also got a glass of vermouth - which he did like. For our meal - we got 1/2 order of the ham croquettes, 1/2 order of Chistorra & Chips José's Way, Gambas Al Ajillo, Patatas Bravas, and Pulpo a La Gallega. Our least fave was the gambas / shrimp. They were overcooked and had very little garlic. Dissapointed in the Chistorra b/c it was litearlly fried chorizo w/ maybe some chips in there? We enjoyed the potatoes and the ham croquettes. But sadly - nothing stood out to us that we "wanted" to go back. read more

Service: The service, while adequate, lacked the attentiveness and warmth one would expect given the dining room was operating well below capacity. Staff appeared disengaged and mechanical in their interactions, suggesting a lack of motivation or enthusiasm on the part of the front-of-house team that evening. Ambiance: The atmosphere was generally pleasant. Being seated adjacent to the food preparation area and bar provided an entertaining vantage point, as the kitchen staff appeared energetic and genuinely invested in their work -- a stark contrast to the front-of-house experience. Food: Unfortunately, the cuisine fell well short of what the price point would lead one to expect. The lamb arrived overcooked, dry, and at an unacceptably cool temperature. The grilled green onions were similarly served cold and at a level of toughness that necessitated a separate knife -- a presentation choice that speaks to a broader indifference toward the guest experience. Most dishes were further compromised by an excessive use of a noticeably low-grade olive oil. A recurring concern throughout the meal was the strong impression that dishes had been prepared in advance and merely reheated, with grill marks applied for appearance. There was little evidence of attention to serving temperature, ingredient quality, or culinary detail. Overall: This establishment appears to be past its prime. While it may satisfy a more casual diner, those seeking an authentic and well-executed southern European dining experience are likely to find it lacking. For the price charged, the overall value proposition is difficult to justify. read more

Super excited to try this place after watching America's culinary cup featuring Chef Katie Button. We made a reservation at the bar and got to see them in action behind the kitchen. Our server Kelsey was so awesome. Very knowledgeable, friendly and walked us through the menu and made some great suggestions. We ordered some drinks and a handful of tapas to share. Some of my favorites was the toasted bread with tomato, so simple but so freakin delicious. Crispy soft airy bread with a tomato spread that was spot on. Gambas is always a go to for me, the fried eggplant with honey was simple but also tasty. The octopus was on point! So tender and delicious. We could've eaten more but didn't wanna over do it. We loved the vibes and it was a great first stop for us in Asheville! read more

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Delicious tapas! We came by for a Saturday lunch - note if you order paella it does take some extra time to wait for it. We ordered the eggplant, shrimp in garlic sauce, seafood paella, burger, and brioche dessert. The fried eggplant with honey was delicious and unique! I loved the shrimp - super flavorful and the sauce was perfect to dip bread in. Burger was juicy but a bit to salty and saucy for me. The paella was the winner - it didn't look like much but the flavor was amazing and went great with a garlicky sauce. Not fishy but you could taste the seafood taste. We were pretty full but I couldn't help but order dessert. The soaked brioche was more firm than expected but I didn't mind. Enjoyed the carmelized top and the gelato on top was refreshing! read more

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Great Spanish tapas bar. We were recommended by family to sit at the chef's counter. We enjoyed watching the food come together. Cocktails were excellent, though service could've been more attentive and personable. We did the "Spanish Experience," which was a great deal and a good way to try highlights. Pan con tomate was delicious (would add cheese next time), and the paleta de bellota was fresh and high quality. The Josper-grilled veggies were smoky and flavorful. Octopus was just okay--too soft and thinly sliced. Lamb skewers were tender and surprisingly mild. We were still hungry after, so we ordered the mac & cheese--smoky but oddly tangy. Their dessert is quite creative. I had the pan con chocolate but didn't quite fit my palate. Overall, a spot worth trying, especially for the chef's counter. read more

Decided to go here after seeing Chef Katie on the Culinary Cookoff. Good variety of menu items since it is a tapas place. Everything was good but very inconsistent value for some items. Shrimp plate was a great deal but the cheese bread was a terrible value. I would have a better idea of what to order next time but I think the pricing could be better aligned to the value of the dish. Inside was a bit crowded and noisy, but overall we enjoyed it. read more

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A really nice restaurant whose chef is friends with Jose Andreas so you know it will be meat forward!! Busy but got our table quickly with our reservations. Grabbed some cocktails. All were unique and made well. For food we started with chistorra & chips jose's way. curate chorizo wrapped in potato chips. Really tasty. Needed a dipping sauce though. Next we had some macarrones del cardenal. spanish mac and cheese, chorizo sofrito, ibérico pork and breadcrumbs. Pretty tasty and not too heavy. Also grabbed some mushrooms. Very tasty. Service was great. Didn't wait long for anything. Nice and relaxing dinner. read more

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The place looks really good from the decor, paintings etc. Very friendly and attentive staff no complaints on service. Now for us the food wasn't all that. I had the lamb skewers and for $24 only two with some seasonings. It was pretty bland and needed to more flavorful for how little you are given & its price. As an appetizer we had the ham fritters and it was luke warm, tasted ok but not much to write about. The potatoes (patatas bravas) wasn't bad it could have been cooked a little longer for a better crisp. My date liked her mussels but said the baguette & the pickles that came with my lamb was the best things out of an overall bland and not flavorful meal. For the price point I did not find it worth it. The portions should have been more but try for yourself. Once again staff & place great. Food and price points were a thumbs down. read more

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The service was good and everything tasted good. I know everything is expensive these days, but $12 for the pan con tomatoes seemed a bit high. Basically four slices of baguette with a smear of warm cooked tomatoes. Yet the gambas al ajillo was a decent price for this dish. The pimientos de piquillo rellenos were delicious and also a good value. read more

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Absolutely incredible through and through. There is not one thing about our experience that we would change. Food- you can't go wrong with anything you order. We wanted to order everything on the menu and just chose what suited us at the time. I would say 4 dishes for two people is perfect. Service - impeccable service. Attentive, informative and kind through and through. Ambiance- interior was spacious but quaint and warm at the same time. People may hype this place for good reason, it's worth it. Those that tell you to skip this place don't listen to them. Worth every penny! read more

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We drove all the way from Winston-Salem to come to Asheville yesterday and stopped here first. The reviews led me here and this restaurant was pretty good. We had a nice table for six and we ordered a lot! The mussels were average. The octopus was disappointing because it was too bland but we didn't want spicy. The shrimp were pretty good especially the garlic that accompanied it. I think the stand out dish of the day was the butternut squash soup with trout. We have two bowls of it because it was so small. The portions are definitely not large here so you have to order two of everything. Overall, I would say 3 1/2 stars read more

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Heard a lot of good things about Curate and can confirm they were all true. First off the service was top notch. Our waitress was super helpful, answered all questions and provided suggestions. We went with chistorra chips Jose's Way. These were excellent. Very crispy and delicious. We then tried the pulpo a la gallega. The octopus was well seasoned and cooked to perfection. From there we tried gambas al ajillo. The shrimp were well seasoned and the sauce was delicious. We then went with the macarrones del cardenal. This was also very flavorful and delicious. Lastly we tried the croquetas de jamon. The crispy outside and the warm inside were a hit. No complaints about Curate and can't wait to visit again. read more

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If you're craving tapas, Cúrate is the place to go. Katie Button and Felix Meana built Cúrate around the Spanish meaning of its name, "heal yourself." The restaurant also offers some unique concepts, including its own wine club and an online market to help you "curate at home." I highly recommend making reservations, as the dining room was completely packed over the weekend. The restaurant itself is spacious, with about 75 seats in the main dining area and around 20 at the bar. The space feels inviting and casual, with a touch of sophistication thanks to its colorful décor. FOOD: I recommend ordering 2-3 tapas dishes per person. The menu features around 40 items spanning small bites, charcuterie and cheeses, soups and salads, sandwiches, grilled options, sautéed dishes, and desserts. 1. Croquetas de Jamón (Creamy ham fritters, 3/5): I've had better ham fritters. These were just okay. 2. Jamón Ibérico de Bellota (Back leg cut of Iberian pig, 4/5): Simple and delicious. I would definitely order more charcuterie next time. 3. Berenjenas con Miel (Fried eggplant with honey, 4/5): Five pieces of fried eggplant with a light drizzle of honey. The sweetness didn't overpower the dish. 4. Setas al Jerez (Mushroom variety, 3/5): A mix of mushrooms cooked with sherry. It was fine, didn't leave anything memorable though. 5. Bomba de Pulpo (Spicy octopus and potato croquette, 5/5): My second favorite dish of the night. Only two pieces, but the ratio of octopus to potato was perfect. It didn't register as spicy to us. 6. Gambas al Ajillo (Sautéed shrimp with sherry broth, 4/5): Five shrimp served in a sherry broth with chili, garlic, and bay leaf. Very good. 7. Mejillones a la Marinera (PEI mussels, 5/5): My favorite of the night. The buttered seafood and chicken broth was outstanding. Easily shareable among three people. 8. Rossejat Negro (Paella-style squid ink dish, 3/5): Plenty of squid pieces, but the dish felt like it was missing something. It's a simple thin pasta cooked with squid ink and served with squid and a small side of aioli. Shareable among three people. Our server explained the dishes included in the Spanish Experience ($70 per person), an alternative to ordering à la carte. Service was excellent. Our drinks and water glasses were always refilled. There was, however, a delay with one dish, so we ended up canceling it. Would I come back? Yes. read more

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Food was amazing. Drinks were great. And the service was excellent. Small restaurant, but would highly recommend. Decor was great - ambience read more

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3*A ok We came about 30 minutes before the kitchen closed, so we ordered quickly. This place was lively and the open kitchen hummed away getting out Tapas. Our server made good reccomdations. My Paper Plane drink was not balanced at all. This drink is made with equal parts of all of the ingredients, yet the lemon over powered everything! I told my server and she quickly took it away. I did not order another drink. My mussels were tasty. I wish there were more for the price. I will add this place to my Asheville rotation. Check it out! read more

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Excellent. From flavors to service. I can totally see why people pack themselves in here. For starters, we ate what we could barely comprehend (but was recommended) and absolutely loved it! Then moved onto butternut squash soup with trout and the macaroni dish... perfection! The wine selection is fantastic and I loved the rosè. Definitely worth the visit if you can snag a reservation. Cheers! read more

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On this trip to Asheville, I managed to knock one high-priority place off my list, and I couldn't be more elated. I was temporarily living in Asheville when Cúrate opened and could never secure a reservation. I haven't been back often since then, but when I decided to do a weekend trip, making a resy here was a top priority. I made a late lunch time resy so I could stuff myself and then walk it off. Turns out that was a perfect plan. When I walked in, the place was buzzing. The ambiance is Spanish fused with restaurant chic. Very tastefully done. My server was Melissa, and she was fabulous. She went through the menu, answered my questions, and gave me some awesome suggestions, including doing some half orders since I was dining alone. I really wanted to do the chef's choice, but it wasn't possible with one person, so she curated something similar with some dishes not featured on the chef's choice. She did a fantastic job of putting this all together, which speaks to her knowledge of the menu. To drink, I ordered the red sangria, which was delicious and chock-full of fresh fruit. To eat, I ordered a half order of pan con tomate with manchego, a half order of patatas bravas, the pulpo a la gallega, and a half order of croquetas de setas. Everything was delicious. The pan con tomate was doused with good-quality olive oil, which really elevated the dish. The patatas bravas and croquetas were piping hot. The croquetas were crispy on the outside and gooey and bursting with flavor on the inside, just like proper croquetas should be. My favorite dish was the pulpo a la gallega. The octopus was perfectly cooked and seasoned, served with the creamiest potato puree and doused with more delicious olive oil. It was divine. I left just on the brink of being stuffed, but I certainly would have stayed for more if I could have. Overall, this restaurant is certainly worth the hype in terms of food and service. I can't wait to come back and try more! read more

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Everything we ordered was delicious. Grilled eggplant with honey and rosemary, seasonal greens with pistachios and pickled blueberries, mushroom medley sautéed in olive oil, and more. Service and hospitality were top notch. read more

We found it to be underwhelming....we tried multiple dishes. 3 stars food 4 stars service 5 stars ambience read more

Such a lovely authentic tapas restaurant in the heart of Asheville! Book ahead to get a reservation, as this place gets crowded! Beautiful ambiance, super friendly service and an extensive wine list. Standout dishes - The pan con tomate was absolutely delicious, chefs kiss. Definitely order this! I also enjoyed the peppers stuffed with goat cheese. A must visit and one of the highlights of our vacation! read more

Cúrate - Pan con Tomate, - Tapas Bars Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

It's been over 10 years and half a dozen or more visits since my original 5-star review, and despite the challenge of maintaining high standards and the effects of COVID and Hurricane Helene, Curate never ceases to disappoint. Despite the many great dining options in Asheville, we always eat at Curate when we're in town. Sometimes -- as was the case most recently -- we had BOTH lunch AND dinner here on the same day. And didn't have to repeat a single dish. My only wish: Bring back the ensalada rusa. read more

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Came here for late lunch on a weekday and was seated quickly, with the restaurant being less than half full. Great food and atmosphere! For appetizer I had the octopus which tastes very tender in texture, with light seasoning and I thought it was a good start to a meal. For main, I had the paella of the week which I thought was very flavorful and filling. The crema catalana for dessert is my favorite. The custard was super creamy and the caramelized sugar and sea salt add a nice touch of complexity in flavor, with a hint of rosemary for a fresh taste. Service was courteous and fast. read more

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Catalan Bocadilla (5/5): Phenomenal sandwich. The bread was perfect (crispy and chewy), the sauce was delicious, and I loved the peppers. I only wish the sausage had a stronger flavor (it was like a very mild bratwurst). Patatas Bravas (5/5): Very good sauce that was sweet, tangy, and just a bit spicy. The potatoes could've been crispier and there was maybe a bit too much sauce. Berenjenas con Miel (4/5): Lightly fried eggplant with honey. I don't like eggplant usually, but I really enjoyed this. Light and airy. Bomba de Pulpo (4/5): Octopus croquet with a nice outer crisp and creamy inner filling. I wish the octopus pieces were bigger because the flavor was definitely there, but the texture wasn't. RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this) read more

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This place was hopping on a Tuesday night. We got counter seats with a great view of the kitchen. Cocktails were nice and the octopus was good but pretty small portion. The gammas al ajillo were really good and a good size. We also had the Spanish Mac + Cheese / nice and creamy. read more

Came here a few months ago with a large group. We really enjoyed the food and most of the service (started off great but as the restaurant got progressively busier, things kinda went off the curb) but it was fine. I love Spanish food and ever since our fave tapas place closed in SF, we haven't had anything solid. My favorites: boquerones, Jamón Ibérico, pan con tomate, mushrooms, but was disappointed by the gambas al ajillo. I tried other items that the table ordered, which I also enjoyed, especially trucha al horno (whole grilled fish). Overall a great experience. read more

This was probably one of the best meals I have ever experienced. My husband and I were on a weekend trip and wanted some delicious food - I am so happy we chose the right place. We unfortunately did not make a reservation but quickly found a spot in the bar where they did serve the full menu. We both had never had Spanish food before and ultimately chose " the Spanish Experience". It was $70 a person and included several courses. It was worth every single penny. Despite being at the bar the service was also excellent! My absolute favorites were the pan de tomate, the pimientos de piquillo rellenos and the lamb skewers. Everything was so well portioned and it definitely was exquisite. The flavors were so different than I am used to but were absolutely delicious. The cocktails were also well balanced and it made for one of the most intimate and unique date nights i've had. This spot is a GEM!! read more

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Wonderful tapas and very knowledgeable server. The non-alcoholic drinks were creative and very tasty. The bruschetta with manchego cheese was crisp on the outside and soft on top - wonderful. The charcuterie with the spreadable sausage and goat cheese was a treat with the difference in textures and tastes. The potatoes had a lovely blend of mildly hot sauces on top served in easy to eat cubes. The eggplant was so hot and delicately crisp. Our chocolate ganache dessert with sherry cubes and shredded cake with banana ice cream - how many flavors can you get on one plate? It was amazing. The room was comfortable, gently lit, very well maintained. read more

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The food was incredible. The service was excellent. The atmosphere was impressive. I regret that we do not live in Asheville!

Stopped in with friends during restaurant week. We were sat at a cute long sturdy wooden table. I really liked the table! Restaurant week was basically 1/2 a ham sandwich and not impressive so we ordered from the menu. Out of all the food the mushroom soup was the best thing I ate. The macaroni & cheese with chorizo was very bland and over priced. I felt in general the restaurant was overpriced for what we had. The side of mushrooms and shrimp both were smothered in Sherry. Too much it was difficult to eat. My friend ordered the lamb chips she said it was good but she had better. The fried potatoes were good too but seriously I think $12 for a side of potatoes with ketchup. Service was nice he was great. Just was not impressed by the food and won't be back. Sorry, I wanted to love it. read more

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What a lovely experience we had here. This is a place I would take friends and family every time we visit the area! Top notch service and food, with a great atmosphere. The menu of the day is so fun. You get to try a TON of options. Their cocktails are delicious as well and contain fresh ingredients only. Our server recommended them and he even made one of the ones on the menu. It was his signature drink. It's the pink one in the picture. I really wish I remembered the names of the ones we got as I would absolutely get them every time especially his! You have to try this place and their cocktails! read more

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Wonderful meal here! Great vibe, great servers. We started with excellent cocktails and then a small parade of excellent tapas. Favorites were the thick, creamy butternut squash soup with a surprising - and delicious - dollop of smoked trout, the goat cheese stuffed piquillo peppers, and the amazing lamb skewers. We could have eaten 4 servings each of the lamb. Only negative: Ambience was ruined by babies at the next table. Why on earth would people bring a toddler to a place like this? Toddler was bad enough and then woman with a yowling newborn came and sat down with the group. If children can't be banned outright Curate could have at least put them in a corner somewhere where they could have been less disruptive. And yes, we wouls have asked to be seated elsewhere had there been another empty table available. read more

We grabbed a reservation through the Amex program and are so thrilled we did. This place was fantastic. We may have ordered so much food between 2 of us that the waiter questioned us a few times, but please consider that compliments to the chef! Favorites: jamon iberico (when in Spain), patatas bravas (BANGING), pulp (octopus), wine, kale dish, croquetas , pan con tomate with mancdessert. Choices that we were underwhelmed with: oxtails (tough or undercooked), shrimp (it was meh), mac and cheese was just olive oil and cheese. read more

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One of the best meals we have ever had! Great space, amazing wine list and fabulous tapas. Staff was very nice and worked super well as a team. The eggplant starter, butternut squash soup and charcuterie board were our favorites. read more

Cúrate - Eggplant starter - Tapas Bars Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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Had a group of four for a walk in on a Saturday night and the staff was accommodating and nice. We were stoked to have a seat and try the highly recommended food. We are familiar with Spanish food and were a little let down by some items, but pleased with others. The pulpo, pinchos, and tortilla were well liked! The croquets and patatas were not so much with the classic flavor we liked. But I still appreciated the unique flavor. read more

There is a wide variety of seating options including high top, bar seating, and group tables. The service was excellent, and our plates were always removed before the next dish was brought out to make for easy sharing and a clean table. The lamb skewers were cooked perfectly and came with house made pickle slices which were a delightful surprise. I would probably pass on the gambas next time, but the pan con tomate and patatas bravas were absolutely incredible and cannot be skipped! read more

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Secured a late dinner reservation at Curate and decided to go with the Chefs choice. Each plate was portioned perfectly for the both of us to share, and we were able to try a variety of items on the menu. Our favorites were the octopus, mushrooms, and prosciutto! Our server gave us in depth explanations of each dish, and even brought us free dessert at the end. The atmosphere at 9pm was still very lively and the restaurant was bustling. A very nice tapas experience indeed. read more

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This was my first time trying Iberico pork. It was a disappointment. It was very chewy. The mushrooms and the Mac and cheese were very good. But, these are not why I came to Cúrate. The restaurant was a cool vibe. The service was great. I was just really disappointed with our large plate. read more

Cúrate - Maccarones del cardenal - Tapas Bars Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Do you know how long I've wanted to come here? Like 3 years. Super random how I even came to learn about Curate. I was eating at a restaurant in midtown Manhattan and the bartender was going on about it. I still remember looking it up and being like ok bet let me add it to the places to go. Well... 3 years later. Was so excited. I took my mom, who lived in Spain for a period of time, and notoriously picky eater, and she rated it 5 stars. But since this is my yelp, I'm giving it 4. Maybe I'm just spoiled from being a Washingtonian and can have Jose Andres at any moments notice (I felt like I was cheating on him with the patatas bravas) Don't get me wrong, I thought it was great but... I wasn't like *wow* -- we had to wait a considerable time for our table to be available despite a reservation, and our waitress was giving weird vibes where I got the feeling she didn't want to be there. But overall I'm glad after a several year build up I am able to say I went and overall had a good experience. read more

Delicious food, great service but a bit pricey. We ordered the: -pan com tomate with manchego -gambas al ajillo -croquetas de setas -patatas bravas. which was enough for 2 people. The croquetas de setas and the shrimp were my favorite. We were hoping they'd have chicken croquetas as an option but the mushroom ones were delicious. The shrimp was well seasoned,, super flavorful and the sherry broth with garlic was fantastic (also great to dip your bread in). We were also celebrating a birthday and they gave us a complimentary chocolate cake with a candle. Service was a 10 out of 10. I didn't give it 5 stars because the pan com tomate came out a bit cold and the restaurant is pricey. But overall, I would definitely come back next time I'm in Asheville. read more

Cúrate - Tapas Bars Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina