Rhubarb

Reviews 9

CH

Christopher Latta

Wanted to love this place. Weather was perfect. We sat outside and even on a Sunday Asheville had quite a vibe. Great street musicians, some church group (I think) having a public revival, people in costumes, etc. Had lots of expectations given Fleers resume but wondered why there werent more raves about in the reviews I read. Well I found out. The honest truth is it just isnt great. Nothing was bad. Ingredients were clearly fresh and high quality but nothing was elevated. Not one thing excelled. Service was pleasant and engaging when we asked but far from attentive. It is basically served tapas style but it isnt really a tapas feeling menu. Thus no typical flow to the meal. Wreckfish was the best thing we had and it was good but not special: B+. Everything else was C at best in my mind. Lamb rib was good but it was an overpowering sauce that I initially thought was very good but soon felt overwrought. The greens on the plate had so much vinegar as to barely be edible. Both shisitos and squash were undercooked and under seasoned which didnt ruin them but certainly left them wanting. Literally didnt like one thing on the cheese plate we chose for dessert which is unheard of. Again everything very high quality but just not transformed.

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TI

Tiffany Warnell

First of all, Id like to thank Rhubarb because I greatly appreciate the flavor of their cuisine and the fact that they create their menu on a Farm to Table basis. However, I must say that I was sorely disappointed in the portion size of their entrees. Not so much the protein, but the portion size of the accompaniments. I ordered the Duck Confit and it was delicious! It came with some sauteed swiss chard and a sweet potato cake, both of which were just wonderful, but I received maybe two tablespoons of swiss chard and the sweet potato cake was just tiny! I couldnt believe it! Im not sure who has started this trend, but it is certainly recurring. Many of the restaurants I have visited lately have been serving portions about the same, and it doesnt make any sense. When a restaurant demands $25-30 per plate, I expect a meal! Not a tasting. The same goes with everything else we had that evening, from the appetizers to every entree, we felt the dishes were grossly over-priced for their sizes. Which is such a shame because everything was so yummy! But if Im not walking away from the table satisfied, after spending $200, then we have a problem...just give me more veggies! Thats all I ask! :)

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TR

Travis Lowe

Rhubarb has replaced Chestnut as my favorite farm to table restaurant in town. Just to get it out of the way, their burger is the best in Asheville; hand ground, perfectly seasoned, excellent bun, and perfectly balanced. That said, the rest of the menu is bursting with focused flavors and a passion for simple, ingredient-driven, good food. The pates, rilletes, and meat/cheese plates are excellent starters for groups or meals in themselves. While the menu can seem heavy on local meats, they also have an excellent way with fish.Contrary to some previous reviews, Ive never had a rubbery octopus here although I will grant that Bull and Beggars is better. Lastly they treat all their vegetables/dirt candy with reverence worthy of the delicious pedestal theyre placed on. Tip: If you can get a seat at the back kitchen bar/table, youll have a fun time. On sunny days, the patio offers the best people and busker watching in Asheville. Friendly service here, too.

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SO

Sonia Kim

This place is a joke. Underwhelming. I feel like I went to a different restaurant than the one the other reviewers experienced. Every dish we ordered was lacking. The lamb ribs consisted of 4 miniscule " ribs" that were both tough, yet super fatty and slimy. The kale "kimchee" was kale cooked to a mushy consistency with so much salt in it, that a salt lick is what comes to mind. The octopus was rubbery... Imagine rubber bands. Oh did I mention there were maybe 4 small rubber band pieces on the plate. My miniscule grilled watermelon and heirloom tomatoes salad was decent, but for $10:00, I would expect it to be excellent. The drinks were good, but, lets be real, they couldnt screw up wine. The mussels were adequate. All in all, miniscule portions, over inflated prices, and over-hyped. The biggest problem however is the mediocre food. Its been a long time since we had such a sad dining experience. The build out/decor was nice...

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KE

Kevin Hackett

Excellent dining experience. Perfectly boisterous atmosphere in a quintessential old graceful Asheville building. Old brick facade interiors and original factory tile floors relax in concert with the ease of the meal. The fare is simple but wonderful. Uncomplicated but exquisite from first bite to last. Have been in four times now for both lunch and dinner. Excellent each time. Only the quality of the service comes close to matching the wonderful eats. Will be back many times to come. Lunch is particularly good and a great value as well. Must try the specialty cucumber infused Gin and Tonics (yes, plural, youll want more than one!) Got to meet the Chef as well, wonderful guy, down to earth, and really into his craft!

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Everitt Gill

This is one of the most memorable restaurants I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. The atmosphere is warm and inviting without smothering you with clutter. It is very clear that everything on the walls and plates is there because someone had a very clear vision of their version of excellence. The food is deeply rooted in southern cooking but has been elevated to something more modern and elegant. Their sophisticated menu is filled with a selection of plates that provide something for all tastes so long as you enjoy good food. Many of the dishes include local ingredients and the entire menu feels like a reflection of the city. This is a prime example of what a restaurant can and should strive to be.

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SA

Samantha Lewis

Very disappointed in Rhubarb. We were very excited to try this place after reading all of the great reviews, but sadly it did not live up to the hype. We started with appetizers & ordered the lobster corndogs, which were good, and the Mongolian ribs, which were okay. For entrees, 2 of us ordered the Gnudi, 1 ordered the Bass, and 1 ordered steak. While the flavors were good, the portion sizes were ridiculously small. We are no stranger to eating in restaurants of this sort, and did not expect large plates. However, after paying $100 for 2 people for food alone, no drinks, we left hungry & seriously debated stopping somewhere else to pick up food! Go elsewhere if you want a meal...

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TR

Travis Stevenson

Trendy spot that looks like it would be very nice. I made the mistake of going in between lunch and dinner. During that time only the afternoon snack menu is available. I was fine with this but I was seated at the bar and waited for over 30 mins without the bartender taking my order. He was more concerned preparing a large batch of drinks for the dinner menu. He was friendly but just keep putting me off, so I became tired of waiting and left before getting a chance to order any of the food. Im sure my next experience will be better as even the snack menu looked great. Just wish I wouldve been able to actually try anything from it.

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JOHN WIGODSKY

My wife and I have eaten both lunch and dinner at Rhubarb and will keep coming back. The food is very innovative and highlights many local ingredients. There are a wide range of appetizers, but the lobster corn dog is not to be missed. Many entrees are cooked in the wood fired oven that is prominently displayed in the back of the dining room. What sets Rhubarb apart is not only the way the entrees are prepared but also the unique seasonings and side complements. The desserts are a mandatory with a changing menu and a variety of tempting choices. After our first visit, I told my wife "Dont even think about sharing."

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