I have to be honest, moving from California I had my own reservations about how North Carolina would be. How will the people be like? How fun the place is going to be? And will I be able to call it my home? But every city, every town and even the countryside I have been to in the Carolinas has surprised me! And our recent trip to Asheville was no different. I had been hearing about this small town in North Carolina for ever! Every time I spoke with someone coming back from a trip to Asheville, they were gaga about the place and I and A would decide that we should go. We’ve been living in NC for more than two years now and Asheville is barely a couple of hours away from here and we still couldn’t plan a trip. This fall was no different – visiting Asheville had been on the top of my list and we finally did!
This Saturday we made this small trip and saw beautiful Asheville. Beautiful and colorful is what it is. As soon as we entered the town, it somehow reminded us of San Francisco. Lot of color, people with vibrant clothes, narrow downtown streets with small restaurants, musicians playing on the roadside and at this time of the year some gorgeous fall color! It was amazing to see all of that at one place.
This past weekend the town, just like a lot other towns all around the world, was celebrating Halloween so people were in a fun mood. The peak of fall and trees resplendent with color made the whole experience even more beautiful.
Now wherever a foodie goes, the first thing they look for is food! So being a loyal food lover I had to do my fair share of restaurant hopping. I was surprised to see that Asheville had some of the best restaurants I have been to. With best I definitely don’t mean fancy restaurants with shiny silverware and tough to pronounce menu, but I mean some really fun places to hang out with friends and taste some really good food. Recommended by my friend Julie, we tried this Indian restaurant called Chai Pani in downtown Asheville. If you like Indian food and if you are in Asheville or anywhere close, go to this place!
I promise you’ll love it. I did! Everything from the decor to management to food is fun. Special props to some awesome photographers whose work is showcased at the restaurant. Some of them made me want to go back to my country and capture some real beauty of India through my camera too!
This little bakery on the corner of the Pack Square street by the name of Sister’s McMullen was another treat! A couple was serving homemade cupcakes and brownies with some freshly brewed coffee and this was where we had one of the best Chocolate ganache and raspberry jam filled cupcakes.
Some interesting photo ops too!
Long story short.. With Asheville we got way more than what we had bargained for! I’d love to go again and bring back even more beauty back.
Hi Prema,
Just discovered your blog and were thrilled that you enjoyed your visit to Chai Pani. Thanks for the love and the great pics.
Next time you’re in Asheville please stop by and say hi!
Warm Regards,
Meherwan & Molly Irani
Chai Pani Owners
I, too, love when a new place I visit, meets all the expectations, and better yet, exceeds them. The shots are really lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Those Ginko trees are looking just like the ones in my neighborhood in San Francisco and the mountains like the sunset in my home state of Minas Gerais in Brazil. I have yet to visit NC and I feel I am going to like it. Your pics are fabulous as always. Thanks for sharing, Cheers!
Heguiberto
Love this post! And I LOVE Asheville – so much that I went twice last year! Did you try French Broad Chocolate Lounge? And my other favorite is Zambra. And The Laughing Seed.
I have heard such wondreful things about Asheville and your pictures are stunning! My friend just moved to NC and I am hoping visit after the New Year. Perhaps I can encourage her to make road trip?
Your photos are gorgeous, as always. I love the picture of the dog! I’m glad you finally got to go out and visit that town. I’m sure you will be returning often now that you know how great it is!
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Sommer (A Spicy Perspective sitting right above me in your comments) is the one that originally posted about it and had me convinced to try! You captured some really beautiful snaps as always. Glad you had such a nice time!
I LIVE IN ASHEVILLE!!! Glad you finally made it out! Chai Pani is owned by some a my close friends. Next time you’re in town, I can recommend a few more wonderful spots!
Looks like you had a great trip Prerna…Loved all your shots !!!!! xx
Hi Prerna – I just discovered your blog, have subscribed, and I’m really glad that I did! My brother and his daughters live in Asheville, which is a really beautiful town, and when I arrived in September to visit we went to Chai Pani for lunch. It was delicious. There are lots of other really good restaurants too…Take care, Michele
Beautiful, indeed! Looks like a great place to visit.
I’m from Ca. too but I love the South. Your pictures are so beautiful, makes me want to go there right now.
I’m from California myself 🙂
But Asheville looks like a beautiful place as well. And you guys have a real autumn!
The first pic has a breathtaking view. Love all the pics and the city. And chai pani will be in my mind if I visit Asheville.
Asheville has long been on my list of places to visit. Glad you had a great time.
Gorgeous pics! And, you even captured my favorite trees in Asheville in their full fall glory (the giant ginkos on Wall Street are amazing)! I am glad to see that you love our funky little city as much as we do. Happy travels!
Amazing post on beautiful Ashvilee..
lovely post Asheville is cool was there a few weeks ago
Beautiful as always but I.want.that.cupcake !!!
Saw this thru Shulie, caught my attention cause my sis lives in Asheville plus I love Indian food! You’ve done a nice job using Blogger! Hope to get some tips on Indian food.
Beautiful post 🙂 love all the clicks. You have taken us a tour along with you 🙂
Thanks for all the lovely comments you guys!
We used to live in Chapel Hill and we loved Asheville. What a great time of year to go.
I almost went to north Carolina for a job interview once… Such a lovely place. You have a great eye for details, Prerna.
Wooooooooooooooow is the only word I can say Prerna..eveything is sooo sooo beautiful.
What beautiful photos…it is great your trip turned out so well. Isn’t it lovely, when you get so much more than you expect?
A great trip! I love that first shot.
Cheers,
Rosa
What a great trip! That last pic with the dog is so funny! Looks like you had a wonderful day with A.
Lovely clicks as usual prerna. I really loved the chai pani snaps 🙂
Wow stunning and awesome clicks
Wow! That surely is a great visual treat. Love all the clicks, like the perspective view of the mountains, the dreamy yellow flowers…lovely.