Cucina24

"A restaurant opened by chef Brian Canipelli in 2008, focusing on Italian cooking with local ingredients from the Southern mountain area." - Erin Perkins

"If you’re somebody who binge-watched Stanley Tucci trot around Italy, there’s a high probability you’ll love this spot. The dining room feels romantic, with warm orange lights, exposed brick walls, and intimate seating options. The menu focuses on multi-regional Italian food with Appalachian ingredients, combining Sicilian, anchovy-punched pasta dishes and heartier platters of roasted meats and ragu. But Cucina’s real star is the wood-fired oven, which churns out whole trout and roast chicken. Try the chef’s tasting menu if all of this sounds simply too good to pass up, and consider ending your evening with a nightcap at Contrada, which is only a quick stroll down the cobblestoned Wall Street." - laura hackett

"Pasta (any pasta) at Cucina 24: Meherwan Irani praises the pasta dishes at Cucina 24, highlighting the culinary talent of Brian Canipelli, chef and owner of Cucina, who is doing some of the most incredible Italian food." - Tykesha Burton

"For dinner, grab a woodfired pizza, antipasti, or handmade pasta at Italian spot Cucina 24." - Gina Smith

"High-end Italian fare meets southern Appalachian ingredients in chef Brian Canipelli’s gorgeous, Instagram-worthy offerings at Cucina 24. Featuring meats, cheeses, vegetables, edible flowers, fungi, and herbs sourced fresh from local farmers and foragers, the antipasti, house-made pasta, and wood-fired pizzas are consistently impressive. But for a truly memorable Asheville culinary adventure, opt for the chef’s tasting menu, which changes daily based on Canipelli’s market finds and inspiration." - Gina Smith