Greetings fans of foodtopia, if you have been on one of our food tours and experienced Asheville’s best restaurants with us there is a good chance that you have been to Zambra, which is Asheville’s original tapas joint, opened way back in 2003.  These guys have consistently been one of Asheville’s best restaurants since that time, and this joint is a great example of a business that has continued to succeed with different chefs and different market forces at play.  Zambra has never really sought media attention, and this institution of Asheville’s best restaurants has been under the helm of restaurateur Peter Montague and executive chef Adam Bannasch for about a decade now, quietly producing great food and drinks as well as earning numerous awards for being the most romantic restaurant in Asheville. This sort of distinction has largely to do with the dining room concept, designed by artist Douglas Madaras. The cozy, Moorish/Spanish interior was entirely conceptualized and implemented by the artist almost 15 years ago and is a rarity in the modern restaurant world being a crafted space rather than an austere interior focusing on building elements. The space is a throwback to the times when restaurants focused on their environment as much as their menus, rather than using interior design to make the focus solely on the food. Valentine’s Day has passed(RIP until next year…)but this dining room is certainly unique and worth visiting for all occasions both romantic and otherwise.  Chef Bannasch along with sous chefs Brian Bennett and Ryan Kline are producing one of the most diverse and foodtopian daily menus that you’ll find at any of Asheville’s best restaurants.  And you get the romance.  Win. Win. Check out this recent feature which used Yelp.com user data to rate the most romantic restaurant in each state.  Zambra won NC. Suprise.

Study: The Carolina’s most romantic restaurants via USA Today & WCNC Charlotte