Zambra Wine Tapas & Cuisine

Wonderful restaurant, my favorite date place.

Zambra had one of the most inventive menus I've seen in years. My favorite dishes were 1) blackened baby octopus with pineapple, feta and duck cracklins - this was the most tender octopus I've ever had and the contrast with feta and pineapple was perfect, 2) sesame crusted scallops that were fried to perfection, 3) pork belly with nutella, pickled grapes and green-onion shortbread and 4) braised pork cheek with cream cheese grits, greens, pickled peppers and a cola reduction. Everything was delicious, cooked to perfection and well-seasoned.

Believe it or not, this was our first tapas restaurant, so this was a bit new. It was recommended to us by the proprietor of our B&B, so we gave it a shot. We had the Tempura Squash and Turnips with a Sangria reduction dipping sauce, and the Grilled Calamari steak as our first course. I then had the shredded beets and leeks, and we both had the fried Trout with spinach on a bed of orzo.

I am sure I have the descriptions confused, but it is close. The tastes of each dish was a unique combination which was totally new to me. We both liked all of the dishes and though we were surprisingly full, there was little left on the plates.

We had none of the wines from their extensive wine list, many of which seemed rather expensive, but I have a hard time justifying a bottle of wine over $20 in a store, so I am not a good judge of wines.

It was an enjoyable dinner and if we are ever back in Asheville, we wouldn't hesitate to come back to Zambra.