News

DISH ON DINING: REL Caffe, wine shop rebrand, Moe's on the move, Black Rose becomes Deluxe

By Lightning Reports, Published: May 24, 2024

High-end French and Italian, a wine shop rebrand and a barbecue spot moving from Main Street to Asheville Highway are among the changes diners and sippers can expect downtown. Here’s a roundup:

Caffe REL to open in 400 block

Think the only thing missing in the Hendersonville is French cuisine? Think again.

Caffe REL is coming to 425 N. Main St. in the spot last occupied by D9 Brewing Co. The name comes from the initials of a former chef. Katie and Tracy Passmore, the new owners, also own the popular Caffe’ REL in Franklin west of here.

That location, a “French Bistro in a Gas Station,” gets high ratings on social media sites. It boasts an extensive menu that includes everything from New York deli-style sandwiches, plus flounder, meatball and filet mignon sandwiches ($13.95-14.95) and some entrees you won’t find elsewhere on Main Street, including crawfish cognac & cream ($23.95), French pot roast ($21.95), six pasta dishes ($14.95-17.95), plus four signature homemade triple-layer cakes ($9.95) and other desserts including Southern Bourbon Pecan Deep Dish Torte, classic carrot cake, Granny Smith Apple Deep Dish Torte and crème brulee cheesecake ($9.50). Look for that some time down the road.

“We have to build a whole kitchen, which will take some time,” Katie said. “We’re not in a big rush.”

Wine Sage wise to market trends

Calling her newest chapter the result of a “seven-year itch,” owner Merit Wolff last week announced a big remodel, rebrand and refurbishing  of her Wine Sage Merchant and Wine Bar, the shop at 416 N. Main St. she has owned since 2017.

“Wine Sage, like the wine industry itself, is always evolving,” Wolff says. “After seven years, we just knew it was time to freshen up our image and space.”

Wolff gradually phased out the gourmet food/kitchen gadget part of the business as shoppers’ habits changed.

“Amazon is a mighty competitor,” she says. “We simply cannot beat their prices or availability of stock. But they don’t sell wine! We offer an unparalleled wine selection, paired with personal customer service.”

Wine Sage offers around 400 labels of wines from around the world, specializing in small family vineyards that practice sustainable, biodynamic winegrowing practices. Its knowledgeable staff of wine consultants delivers a unique buying opportunity for customers.

“We have approximately 16 wine distributor representatives that we deal with, many on a weekly basis,” says Seán Patrick Smith, the shop’s chief wine consultant. “We personally learn about, taste and rank wines. When we introduce a wine to our selection, we must love it. In turn, we can share this information and love of a certain varietal with our customers.”

Wolff echoed Smith’s point.

“We could never be Total Wine or Target, and we don’t want to be,” she says. “What we are is a local wine merchant that is part of the Hendersonville community. We are locals helping locals discover and enjoy wine.”

The renovation also adds more space for Wine Sage’s cooking classes and wine dinners, which feature partnerships with such local chefs as Laura Tierney of Homemade Pasta Noodles, and the culinary duo of Erin O’Keefe and David Toporek that make up Friends & Neighbors.

For more information call 828-595-2236 or visit winesageandgourmet.com.

Black Rose to become Deluxe

Black Rose restaurant, which has been closed for months, will reopen in late June after a major makeover.

“We gutted the entire interior,” says owner Rob Conroy. He is opening Deluxe in the 200 block with an upscale, totally different look. Deluxe’s menu will include Black Rose favorites plus small bites, tacos, mac & cheese and strip steaks. “We will have a full service bar with craft cocktails plus an extensive wine list,” Conroy adds. 

Moe’s on the move

   Moe’s Original Barbecue is relocating from the 100 block of North Main to the former location of ZenHen at 1794 Asheville Highway sometime in June. Moe’s move would have meant that Main Street loses its only franchise restaurant (and only barbecue specialist). Moe’s, which boasts 50 locations, was founded in 1988 by three guys at the University of Alabama. Tipsy Taco, which is coming to the 100 block of South Main, is a smaller (and more local) chain,  so we’re back to one.