Lan S.
Yelp
Pure and Proper in Black Mountain serves the best $11 margarita and $8 bread and butter service I've ever had. Okay, so that doesn't alone make it an award-winning top-notch restaurant, but and it was a nice way to start the evening. The margarita was stiff and spicy and served, surprisingly, in a kind of a squat double old-fashioned glass with a kosher salted rim. The toasted bread, drenched in butter but crisp, came with a buttery sauce with what I think were Thai crisps.
We had dinner here, on the front patio, last night, and enjoyed every minute of it. The Flat Iron Steak with crispy potatoes (a bargain at $18) was a great idea but mine was served barely warm, so it lost some of its meaty, starchy charm. But the leak asparagus soup I had has an appetizer (maybe $8, not sure) was terrific. The seared scallops ($23) were fine with a tumeric sauce. My wife also enjoyed the Brussel sprouts appetizer, combining crispy well-done and soft. Mains run $14 to $37 (but most are under $20!), appetizers $8 to $14 and most craft cocktails $11 to $16. Overall, prices are lower than you'd pay for comparable quality such as Chestnut or Limones in Downtown Asheville. I gave it five stars, but if I had the choice I'd say it is just four and a half. It's off to a very good start but likely will get better.
There's some confusion about the size of the plates. One waitress called them somewhat like tapas, but our waiter said they were pretty large. I would go with the latter. Share an appetizer and have a main, and you'll probably be full. This is NOT a tapas, small plate place.
You've read about the renovation of the old Pure service station, so I won't discuss that, but Pure and Proper is a great addition to Black Mountain's restaurant scene. It's busy, it's popular and it's fun. In fact, even if you live in Asheville or Hendersonville you should drive here and try it. I think you'll enjoy it. Our dinner for two, with two entrées, two appetizers, bread service, one cocktail, one Pisgah draft beer and a non-alcoholic beer came to under $100 with tax but before tip. Well worth it. There's handy parking next door and on the street and behind the restaurant.