What’s Clean
Plant sources locally whenever possible. 90% of the ingredients used are organic, the cuisine is vegan, and most of the menu is Gluten-free. They also use anti-inflammatory oils such as olive and coconut oils. Just about everything is made from scratch, in-house.
What’s Served
Gourmet vegan cuisine is served along with scratch-made desserts, local craft beers, biodynamic and organic wines, as well as a few specialty cocktails. The menu is small and changes daily but packs a punch. A sampling of typical options include Grilled Beets, Brussels Ramen, Ravioli, Masala Uttapam, Smoked Portobello, and Seitan Chile Con Queso
What I Ordered
I ordered the Actually Crispy Potatoes as an appetizer, and Something Nice & Grits as my entree. Who could have thunk smashed petit potatoes could taste so good? The skins did have a nice crisp to them with a salty crunch, perfect for dunking in the lovely salsa verde. The cream cheese Georgia grits were as creamy as sorbet and divine enough to eat alone. Add the sauteed wild mushrooms, greens, dried olives, and Calabrian chile with a potato and herb crust, well now we are on another planet. Outstanding!
The Vibe
We visited during Covid and dining was restricted to the outdoor patio and to-go. However, via window peeks, the kitchen and bar appears to be open-air providing kitchen-side dining in a modern, yet small and intimate space. The decor is modern with dim lighting and a cozy feel.
The Takeaway
Plant serves amazing upscale vegan dishes and there’s a reason why reservations are recommended. In non-Covid times, the bar is first come, first served. Plant does vegan in exquisite fashion. This Asheville fave will even leave an omnivore drooling for more, all the while using clean, local, organic ingredients. Be sure to visit Plant, it’s a vegan institution in Asheville.
