Drew Wallace helped to put West Asheville on the culinary map when he opened The Admiral in 2007. Long timers will remember the transformation of the old cinderblock B&D Bar to a dining and dancing destination. He also contributed to the revitalization of the RAD with the acclaimed Bull & Beggar. His newest endeavor is Leo’s House of Thirst, a small wine bar on an up and coming block on Haywood within a mile of his family’s residence. Named after Wallace’s Two year old son, Leo’s House of Thirst strives to be an intimate neighborhood space where families and friends can relax and enjoy good food and beverage. After two years of renovating what had previously been a “Gem Mine”, they have breathed new life and aesthetic value into the property and incorporated generous outdoor seating including a covered patio and picnic tables.
Chef Austin Inselmann has created a menu that does include the classic wine, cheese and charcutier pairings but also offers vegetable forward seasonal tapas and full plates like the raw Wreckfish Crudo with leche de tigre, sweet potato and fermented corn as well as meat lover treats such as the Beef Ragu pasta. The team wants to compliment adjacent businesses like El Paraiso and Up Country by providing approachable yet elegant food, alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, and carefully selected wines ” made with integrity by farmers and producers that seek to transport you while providing a story and experience”. They are working to expand their retail selection offering bottles and tap wine to go at 35% off.
They have managed to create a neighborhood gathering space in the midst of one of the most challenging times for restaurants, and we are excited to support them.
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