Asheville Food Bites: Pintxo, Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo, May the 4th, more events
ASHEVILLE - Special chef pintxo parties; a downtown restaurant's anniversary dinner; events for celebrating "May the Fourth," the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo.
Chef pintxo parties
La Bodega by Cúrate (32 South Lexington Ave.) is partnering with local, highly acclaimed chefs for its quarterly Pintxo Party series.
Felix Meana, co-owner and chief experience officer said pintxos ― derived from the Spanish word "pincho," denoting a cocktail stick ― are part of Spain’s dining culture. He described them as small dishes similar to shareable tapas ― served at its sister restaurant Cúrate Bar de Tapas ― but served as individual bites and may be served on toothpicks, skewers, a small piece of bread or a small dish.
“It’s meant to be eaten in one bite, two bites,” Meana said. “That’s the main difference between tapas and pintxos, but at the end of the day it has the same goal ― make sure we’re sharing and having fun and eating around. It’s a way to party in Spain.”
In March, La Bodega welcomed J Chong to the downtown restaurant to share Cantonese-inspired pintxos.
La Bodega will partner with chef-restaurateurs Brian Canipelli (Cucina 24) on May 16, Silver Iocovozzi (Neng Jr.’s) on Aug. 29 and Ashleigh Shanti (Good Hot Fish) on Dec. 5.
“We’re going to have so many different cultures integrated into pintxos. I think it’s awesome and people are going to love that,” Meana said.
Meana said the chefs are taken out of their comfort zone and challenged to create a dish style outside of what they may do at their restaurants.
“I think that’s the beauty of it. That’s the excitement,” Meana said. “They love it and it’s so fun and everyone’s like, ‘Yes, we’re there.’ They want to be a part of it and they have the opportunity to meet other folks they haven’t met before.”
The menu will feature four to five dishes by the guest chefs with more pintxos from the La Bodega culinary team led by Chef de Cuisine James Jeffries and will be served with wine pairings from the La Bodega Wine Club.
La Bodega, a full-service Spanish restaurant, Pintxo Happy Hour from 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Guests receive complimentary pintxos with the purchase of any beverage at the bar. For more, visit curatetapasbar.com/la-bodega-by-curate/.
Posana’s anniversary dinner party
Raise a glass to toast Posana on 15 years of business as a contemporary American restaurant at 1 Biltmore Ave. in downtown Asheville.
On May 16, Posana will commemorate the milestone by offering regular dinner service with guest favorites like lobster mac and cheese, the Zentini cocktail and the “legendary” kale salad. Guests may enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles, and a full bar will be available.
The event is no longer ticketed. RSVP at OpenTable. For more, visit posanarestaurant.com.
Weekend events May 4-5
It’s a jam-packed event weekend due to a few landmark occasions.
On May 4, “Star Wars” fans will exchange “May the 4th be with you” in reference to the famous movie line “May the force be with you.”
The Whale's team interprets the day differently and will celebrate the number four with four parties at its bar locations across the Carolinas, including 507 Haywood Road in West Asheville and 2 Beverly Road in Haw Creek. In honor of ranking No. 4 on USA TODAY’s 10Best poll for best beer bars in the U.S., The Whale will offer $4 Haus Pilz. Also, a special announcement will be made at 4 p.m. For more, visit thewhalecollective.com.
On May 4, gallop down to The Radical, the River Arts District’s new boutique hotel, to celebrate the 150th Kentucky Derby. The Radical’s Derby Bash, in partnership with Woodford, will be from 5-9 p.m. in the Living Room and After/Glow featuring music from DJ Lil Meow Meow and a screening of the horse races. A prize will be awarded to the guest with the best Derby-style outfit. For more, visit theradicalavl.com/happenings.
On May 5, celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Cantina Louie (2 Gerber Road) with $3.99 Margarita Louies (house margaritas) and $5 Jimador tequila shots. A deejay will be spinning tunes from 1-3:30 p.m. and the restaurant will be doling out swag and more freebies in giveaways and raffles. For more, visit facebook.com/CantinaLouie101.
More events:
May 4. Kentucky Derby May 4th Party at Urban Orchard Cider Company, 24 Buxton Ave., featuring drink specials, prizes and a screening of the races. Derby hats and light sabers are encouraged. For more, visit Facebook.
May 4. Kentucky Derby Party at Asheville Sports Club, 137 Coxe Ave., beginning at 2 p.m. featuring a build-your-own trucker hat bar, games and prizes. For more, visit Facebook.
May 4. Cinco de Mayo at Pillar Rooftop Bar. 4 p.m. to Midnight with live music by The Caribbean Cowboys from 6-10 p.m. Food and drink specials. Admission is $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Purchase tickets at Eventbrite.
May 5. Sunset Rooftop Cinco de Mayo at Capital Club from 5-9 p.m. featuring a sunset Latin dance party with food at 82 Patton Ave. For more, visit Facebook.
Stories you may have missed:
The family who turned Asheville into Beer City celebrates 30 years of business
Asheville breweries win in prestigious international beer competition, World Beer Cup
Better beer line flow, zero-proof drinks roll out at Asheville music venue
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo, May the 4th, pintxo parties, more
