Michelin in the Making
Asheville, North Carolina
Cuisine Style: American, Carolina cuisine
Average Price: $$$
Overall Rating: 5/5
Dined in: April 2014
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Executive Chefs:
David Ryba
Sean Eckman
Proprietor / Manager:
William McNeill
Martin Schmed
The Biltmore Estate, “America’s Castle” as it has become known as a must-see for not only visitors to the United States, but for Americans as well. It is a glimpse into the past and the history of the Vanderbilt Family, and how they built the America that we know today. When you’re done touring the estate, make sure that you have made reservations at The Dining Room, located at the Biltmore Inn for a wonderful selection of North Carolina cuisine in a formal fine dining setting. Remember also, that you must have tickets to enter the park if you’re just going for dinner. Indulge in elegant dining specializing in regional cuisine at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. Serving dinner daily, with estate-raised beef and lamb plus fresh–picked ingredients from the kitchen gardens in a setting of white tablecloths, beautiful views, and upscale service. The Dining Room received the 2012 Open Table Diner's Choice Award.
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| The Biltmore Estate |
Menu:
- Heritage and Vanderbilt menus
- Cold Plates
- Hot Plates
- Steam and Oceans
- Naturally raised meats
- Desserts
- Three-course pre-fixe
- Five-course pre-fixe Degustation
- Five Course pre-fixe Farmers menu
- Breakfast
- Afternoon Tea
I made my reservations several weeks in advance just to be safe instead of sorry, as sometimes the restaurant is sold out, and during the low season, tables may be available, but I wasn’t taking any chances. The Dining Room is located on the lower level of the Biltmore Inn, through the lobby, going down a beautiful staircase surrounded by wood pillars overlooking the Library. As you walk down the steps the first glimpse is of the main dining room with a beautiful fireplace. There is also an elevator for those that cannot use the stairs. After checking in, it was a short wait, but I passed the time by in the bar, and waited to be called.
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| The Dining Room |
Upon seating, the table was set for white linen service, however, the Maître d saw that I was wearing navy blue pants, and offered me a black napkin instead. I dine in many places across the world, and enjoy it when the restaurant staff is so professional, and go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your experience. This is one such way to make sure that happens. Another such way was when the server approached the table she greeted me with my last name instead of just a plain hello. As I looked over the menu and enjoyed some water, a plate sampling of bread was delivered which included focaccia and vegetable roll amongst them.
As I looked over the menu and wine list, I noticed that besides the regular à la carte food menu, the chef also offered a five-course Farmers Tasting menu using seasonally prepared local vegetables and a five-course Chefs Degustation Menu inspired by sustainable agriculture to support small family farms in the area. With that, I chose the five courses from the Degustation Menu, and the pairing of five Biltmore Estate Wines to go with it. To begin the experience, an amuse of parsnip and apple soup was offered to excite my taste buds.
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| Amuse |
The full five courses consisted of a pork belly, beet salad, Atlantic halibut, Heritage Farms pork tenderloin, and then the carrot cake dessert. I did, however, modify the tasting menu slightly, and since the tasting had two pork’s, I substituted the pork belly with the lobster gnocchi, and the beet salad, which I really wasn’t in the mood for, since I had them for lunch, I went with the salmon Caesar, I know shoot me now, I know the chef wanted too lol. So the first course, now changed to the lobster gnocchi served over bacon, parmesan, and shellfish chowder was absolutely fantastic. I even ordered extra bread to soak up all the sauce from the plate. The dish was served with a glass of the Biltmore Blanc de Blanc sparkling, with hints of lemon, apple, and pear. Good acidity and balance. Other menu items of interest was a foie gras chiboust, which I would taste at a later time.
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| Lobster gnocchi |
As the plate was done, and they were ready to remove it, I noticed that they cleared from the right, and had remembered that they served the dish to my left, which is the proper way of French table service, so another added bonus to an already wonderful dining experience. The Biltmore Blanc de Noir was served with the second course which was carefully aged producing a crisp sparkling wine with a delightful light pink hue. Flavors of cherries and strawberries were present on the palate. The second course was a carpaccio of salmon with a Caesar salad, that was very lite but tasty, and not too thick with the dressing, just enough to give it that nice hint that went well with the salmon. During the course, I had to use the restroom in the middle of eating this course, and when I returned, my napkin was folded and placed on the table.
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| Carpaccio of salmon caesar |
The third course was a halibut entrée with black garlic puree and root vegetable garnie that hit the spot and was served with a glass of the Biltmore Reserve Chardonnay. It had subtle floral aromas, peach, and apricot hints, though smooth and balanced with crisp fruit flavors, and hints of oak. Following the third course, an intermezzo of lime fruit sorbet.
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| Halibut entrée |
The fourth course was served with a glass of the Biltmore Pinot Noir, which was from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma, with soft and elegant wild cherry aromas, and delicate raspberry flavors, and smooth tannins on the palate. The fourth course was the pork tenderloin, sliced into four medallions, served over a bed of barbecued collard greens, and was outstanding, beginning to rival the top spot of the entire meal, challenging the gnocchi I had earlier with the first course.
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| Pork tenderloin |
Dessert:
The dessert and final course were served with a glass of the Biltmore Malvasia, a sweet yet delicately balanced wine, vibrantly fruity with notes of mint and orange blossom. It went perfectly with the carrot cake which normally I take my time with considering the amount of food I had just eaten, but instead, I devoured it.
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| Carrot cake |
As the night came to a close and feeling a little tipsy, it was a perfect time for some coffee. As I enjoyed that, the petit fours were delivered with the check, which included a coconut cookie, almond meringue, and sponge candy.
Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:
United States:
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Other Noteworthy American Cuisine Articles & Restaurants:
91 Wood Fire Oven Refined rustic American fare in Canton, Ohio
725 South Casual American eats At The Westin Tampa Harbour Island, Tampa, Florida
Brandon’s Contemporary twist on American favorites in Palm Beach, Florida
Charleston’s Restaurant Casual American eatery; reviewed in Indianapolis, Indiana
Cypress Refined creative American fare in Charleston, South Carolina
Grace 17.20 Modern and contemporary American cuisine in Peachtree Corners, Georgia
Murder Mystery Train 5 course American meal with a show in Fort Myers, Florida
Parkshore Grill Sophisticated American fare in St. Petersburg, Florida
Periscope Restaurant American Cuisine in the Magnuson Hotel, Marina Cove, St Petersburg, Florida
Ruth Eckerd Hall A Star Trek Experience with dinner in Clearwater, Florida
Salt Rock Grill Fine-dining waterfront spot for grilled fish and steaks with a raw bar in Indian Shores, Florida
The Avenue Eat + Drink Rustic restaurant known for its burgers in St. Petersburg, Florida
The Cheesecake Factory American chain with 200+ locations, large menu; reviewed from Tampa, Florida
The Hangar Restaurant & Flight Lounge Relaxed eatery, & comfort foods in St. Petersburg, Florida
The Zink Kitchen + Bar Modern and sleek American cuisine in Centennial, Colorado
Yacht Starship Seasonal American cuisine dinner cruise in Tampa, Florida
Z Grille Colorfully inspired twists on American Classics in St. Petersburg, Florida
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other Asheville restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
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Local and California grapes
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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American chophouse at Omni Grove Park Inn
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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Classy farm to table eatery
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Visit other Asheville Restaurants sponsored by OpenTable
Final notes, review basics, observations and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings
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Max Points Possible:
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Total Points Awarded:
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Total Points deducted:
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Ambiance
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10
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10
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0
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Food quality
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10
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9
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1
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Plate presentation
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10
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9
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1
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Customer service
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9
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8
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1
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Alcohol and other beverages
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10
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8
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2
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Total regular points awarded
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49
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44
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5
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Total percentage Before Bonus
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0.897959183673469
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“Wow” factor BONUS
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5
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3
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0
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Total bonus percentage
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0.0612244897959184
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Total percentage with a bonus for the final star rating
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0.959183673469388
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Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
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5
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**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
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5 of 5 Stars:
96% Rating with a 3 point “wow” bonus
An Extraordinary Dining Experience
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Corkage fee’s:
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This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge
$25.00 per bottle
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Restaurant style:
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Semi-formal dining
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Cuisine Style:
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American, Carolinian, Fusion, Seafood, Southern American, Steak
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Farm to Fork, Gluten Free, Grass Fed, Local, Low Carb, Organic, Pescatarian, Sustainable, Vegetarian Options
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Reservations:
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Required
Walk-Ins:
Not accepted
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Dress code:
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Formal to Semi-formal attire
Gentleman – Dress Coats, Dinner Jackets, or Smart Business Attire
Ladies – Semi Formals, Cocktail Dresses, or Formal Gowns
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Child policy:
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The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
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Experiences:
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Place for foodies, Contemporary, Lounge, Business parties, Romantic, Great bar, Good for special occasions, Beautiful décor, Intimate, Upscale, and a Neighborhood Gem.
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Payments:
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Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
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Parking:
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Valet
$8.00 Charge
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Wifi
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The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
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Noise level:
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Low
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Smoking:
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Nonsmoking restaurant
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Patio or terrace:
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No
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Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
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Price
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United States Dollar (USD)
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$$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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££
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$$$
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
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€€
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Alcohol prices:
$46.00 USD
Biltmore Inn Dining Room:
1 Antler Hill Road
Asheville, NC
28803
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+ 1 828 255 1699
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Online reservations
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
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Dinner: Mon-Sun
5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
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Social Media
&
Accolades:
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****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
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Chain serving Chicago-style deep dish pizza & other Italian eats
Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Acclaimed upmarket classic & innovative Italian
Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE
|
Classic Mediterranean Cuisine
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Other Pictures:
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| The Inn at Biltmore |
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| The Inn at Biltmore |
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| Entering the dining room |
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| Bread starter |
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| Intermezzo |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
