Potential New Boyfriend
Dessert restaurant · Asheville ·
Wine, coffee, ice cream sundaes, small plates, vinyl spins
Wine, coffee, ice cream sundaes, small plates, vinyl spins
"Coming out of Hurricane Helene, Potential New Boyfriend owner, Disco, wasn’t sure if he wanted to open his new bar while many Asheville establishments were struggling to reopen, but he was encouraged by the community to unlock the doors to his ice cream/wine/listening bar in West Asheville. Since then, Potential New Boyfriend has become a stop for locals to group and share conversations over masala chai sundaes and scoops of Vietnamese iced coffee ice cream (also earning it the title of “ Best Third Place ” by Eater). The space leans in nostalgia, between the desserts, music, and decor, which provides comfort to those who came of age in the ’90s — but you don’t need to be Gen X or a millennial to appreciate Potential New Boyfriend, you only need to be 21 and over." - Erin Perkins
"At first, I didn’t know what to expect at Potential New Boyfriend in Asheville, North Carolina: by day the space glows with a riot of pop art and sunlight on a mishmash of couches and midcentury chairs, visits kick off with amuse-bouches, and the wine list—plotted on a New York magazine–style matrix of flavors—skews casual; the food menu, dreamed up by owner Disco and chef Dana Amromin, mostly consists of desserts like earthy tahini cheesecake, masala chai ice cream sundaes, and the popular Dubai chocolate sundae, though the bar only serves customers 21 and over. At night guest DJs spin through high-end speakers, and while Disco envisioned a hi‑fi listening focus, the desserts have proven the main draw; having opened shortly after Hurricane Helene in 2024, the place quickly cemented itself as a community staple even as the team figures out how to balance a living-room–like experience with the practical need to turn tables on busy nights." - Nick Mancall-Bitel
"Part ice cream shop, wine bar, and listening room, this modern, inclusive hangout hosts record listening parties, sundae desserts, charcuterie boards, and an adventurous bottle and by-the-glass list (no commonplace cabs or chards). Opened toward the end of 2024 by owner Disco, it’s become a locals’ spot—and a find for visitors in the know—where you can safely sink into music, explore new wines, and relax with a scoop of very, very good ice cream. Think the Friends apartment reimagined for today (or early MTV revived): colorful, sumptuous furniture, dramatic art, a top-of-the-line sound system, and an immaculate vinyl collection, with friends gathered on couches and couples sharing bites at the edges. Desserts from chef Dana Amromin (also co-owner of Butter Punk) fuse nostalgia with the new, from a classic tiramisu to a twisted peach tea dessert with lapsang semifreddo, bruléed peach, mimosa gastrique, and honeycomb candy; seasonal sundaes arrive in classic fountainware, like blueberry mint with blueberry compote and lemon cake. Gospel Artisanal Ice Cream flavors are heavily featured—Vietnamese iced coffee, salted chocolate, and Biscoff stracciatella—served as scoops, bruléed, or as affogatos. Savory, snack-y plates include fancy onion dip, a panzanella with heirloom tomatoes, charcuterie boards, and whipped ricotta with roasted beets, chili crisp, and lemon-pepper crackers, and every item (even desserts) comes with a suggested wine pairing. The choose-your-own-adventure drink menu spans wines, vermouths, amaros, and aperitifs—start with a “Porch Pounder” or a “Slow Sipper,” go dry or sweet, herbal or fruity—with helpful staff guidance that makes the experience the opposite of wine snobbery. Pre-game your evening here with something sparkling, head out to dinner, then return for dessert and a digestif." - Erin Perkins
"A hot newcomer on Haywood Road where guests can end the evening with a nightcap and dessert while listening to vintage vinyl." - Gina Smith
"It’s wine, ice cream sundaes (try the Dubai chocolate bar version with chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce, pistachio ganache, and kataif crunch), tasty treats, small bites, and vinyl spins by the house DJ in an intimate (25 seats) listening room with cozy corners, comfy nooks, and David-Lynch-meets-Wes-Anderson vibe. It’s Potential New Boyfriend, the creative brainstorm of a man named Disco, who introduced himself to Asheville via his handcrafted Gospel Ice Cream that he sold at local tailgate markets. The wine list is supplemented with amaro and vermouth; espresso and ice cream make a wicked good affogato; a recent savory snack was whipped ricotta, pomegranate molasses, and za’atar crackers. Soundtrack, a ticketed monthly event, screens films with iconic soundtracks — popcorn and dessert are included." - Kay West
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