Catherine W.
Yelp
If there were 10 stars possible, this would be my only 10 star in Asheville. This West Asheville bar has an unassuming exterior, but walk inside and you're transported into a hipster dive-bar-chic oasis. I was intrigued by their house cocktail menu. Over the course of the evening, between two of us, we tried 5 different ones and they were all incredible. My faves were the Champagne El Camino, No Nonsense and the Golden Pineapple. Every signature cocktail here is pure delight in a glass. Well-balanced, just sweet enough and with a reliable boozy kick. (Keep in mind I'm from Los Angeles and experienced the whole craft cocktail movement yada-yada. Yes, I've been to The Imperial and yes, I've been to Sovereign Remedies and they both get high marks in my book.)
The real sleeper hit here is the FOOD. OMG, the food! I came here for the drinks, but DAMN, the food was mind-blowingly good! I honestly believe they have the best chicken wings in town. I don't even like chicken wings and never order them myself, but my hubby loves wings. We ordered 4 garlic fish sauce wings and 4 golden sriracha buffalo wings and they were scrumptious. I don't know how they do it, but these wings were cooked to perfection. With a slightly crispy exterior, yet tender and juicy inside, delicately sauced (not hiding flaws behind a ton of sauce) and such an explosion of savory flavors, it had our eyes rolling back in yum heaven. I know - garlic fish sauce flavored wings sounds weird, but people who know fish sauce, know it's a secret umami weapon. It's like truffle oil, a compact pungent hit of umami that can put some combinations over the top. Last, but not least, the Bodega Sandwich is a MUST. If you order it, be sure to add a curried hash brown, you'll thank me later. This sandwich with blistered pork, spicy mayo, fried egg in a soft ciabatta roll, along with that slight crunch of the hashbrown will have your bliss meter off the charts.
I'm not even being hyperbolic here, but kudos to the kitchen because each dish we had was "judges table" perfect. Perfectly cooked, carefully plated, gorgeous looking and even better tasting. My husband said Golden Pineapple is right up there, next to Jargon in his book. Even the side salad that accompanied the sandwich was dressed to perfection. And of course the drinks were amazing as well, as was our bartender, Sean.
Golden Pineapple fires on all cylinders. I'm not easily surprised and this place surprised the hell out of me. The thought and sophistication of the cocktails and food is frankly astonishing. How is this place not featured more as one of the lauded Asheville establishments? It's only a matter of time because between the service, ambiance, drinks and food, it's in a league of its own.