For four consecutive years, 131 Main in Asheville has been my go-to spot for an outstanding dining experience. The consistency, quality, and exceptional service have always been top-notch, making it a staple in my dining routine. Even when they recently got my order completely wrong, it didn't tarnish my admiration for this establishment. In fact, it reinforced my belief in their professionalism and commitment to customer satisfaction. The Ambiance 131 Main boasts a warm and inviting ambiance that perfectly blends sophistication with a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. The interior design is tasteful, featuring classic elements that create a welcoming environment. Whether you’re there for a casual lunch or a special dinner, the setting enhances the overall dining experience.The Food Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of trying a variety of dishes from their diverse menu. From succulent steaks to fresh seafood, and from hearty salads to delightful desserts, the quality and flavor of the food at 131 Main are consistently excellent. Each dish is prepared with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring a perfect balance of taste and presentation. Service at 131 Main is where they truly excel. The staff is always attentive, courteous, and well-informed about the menu. They go out of their way to make sure every guest feels valued and taken care of. On my recent visit, there was an unexpected hiccup with my order – the first mistake in four years. However, the way it was handled exemplifies their dedication to customer satisfaction. Handling Mistakes with Professionalism When I pointed out the mistake, the manager, Feliz, immediately took ownership of the situation. Her response was nothing short of exemplary. She listened attentively, apologized sincerely, and ensured that the issue was resolved promptly. Feliz’s professionalism and genuine concern turned what could have been a negative experience into a positive one. She not only corrected the order but also took it as a learning opportunity for her team. Hats Off to Feliz. Feliz’s handling of the situation is a testament to the high standards maintained by 131 Main. Her ability to manage the situation with grace and efficiency demonstrates why this restaurant has earned such a stellar reputation. Feliz, you are a true professional, and your efforts do not go unnoticed. Conclusion : Despite the recent mix-up, 131 Main continues to be one of my favorite restaurants in Asheville. Their impeccable service, delectable food, and the exceptional handling of any issues make them stand out. I will undoubtedly be back and will continue to rave about how professionally they managed my recent experience. Hats off to the entire team, and especially to Feliz – you’ve earned a loyal...
Read moreI was working in Columbus, North Carolina on a beautiful 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat massaged by High Horse Performance, Inc. in Smyrna, Delaware. I asked our wonderful customer where is a good and non-chain place to eat. He immediately recommended 131 Main Street Restaurant which was about 33 miles away. 131 Main Street Restaurant is a simple, casual, beautifully decorated, and cozy eatery with great food and beverages. They have a simple menu that is not too busy and it has something for everyone. You can have a delicious and freshly prepared meal coupled with warm, friendly, and attentive customer service. The establishment is located in the Biltmore Square Park and it is a really popular place with the locals and it is definitely a "Refreshing Change from the Chains! It can get very busy in there and so arrive early and you won't be disappointed!
Upon entering, I was immediately greeted by Ty, the Ambassador and subsequently by Stella, the host. Both were very friendly, pleasant, professional, had a genuine smile and a welcoming demeanor. It was a Wednesday around 05:30 PM and I was immediately seated, provided with menus and my beverage order taken. Kinga was my initial server and she smiled, welcomed me, and immediately introduced herself. I ordered water, no ice, and four lemons for my beverage.
For my entree, I was torn between the ordered the Cedar Plank Salmon and the North Carolina Rainbow Trout. I eat Salmon often but I love Trout just the same. Kinga gingerly recommended that I try the North Carolina Rainbow Trout. Thus, I ordered the North Carolina Rainbow Trout with the skin crispy. In addition, Kinga indicated that she would be around but that she was working the bar as well. Moreover, she immediately indicated that Dana and Asia would be my servers.
Shortly afterwards, Dana came to my table, introduced herself, and informed me that they were working on my North Carolina Rainbow Trout entree. The food arrived soon afterwards and it nicely presented, and it looked and smelled yummy. Everything was simply delicious and my meal was prepared, portioned, cooked to perfection, and served hot! Dana, Asia, and Kinga were very attentive, friendly, efficient, and happy to help! In short, this restaurant has great food and awesome customer service. Ty, Stella, Kinga, Dana, and Asia together made for an awesome dinning experience! Just as important, their bathrooms are very modern, high technology, very clean, and well maintained. I will definitely be returning here when I am in the North West North Carolina area to try some of their other entrees, appetizers, specials,...
Read moreStepford servers? So I’m really torn about writing this review. I love the food here and have for years, but the service lately is very odd. I don’t know if the place was bought by somebody or if they are under new management, but there were zero smiles from the servers. And the host, And the servers at the other table. And any servers I bumped into while walking inside to go to the bathroom. And everything was super… Formal. It is hard to describe. They weren’t this formal in the past. Even when we asked the person who delivered our food to take a quick photo, because my husband was at work, and the kids and I were out playing, he robotically took it and I made a joke and he just stared at me. I’m not saying I’m hilarious, it was just that he was so… Cold. And the person greeting us was cold. Not just all smiles, I don’t expect everyone to be a Pollyanna, I mean robotically cold. It was uncomfortable. The kids noticed it; I noticed it. They thought perhaps that it was due to the clientele. we live in North Asheville, and I know that the folks out in this area are a bit more formal and more moneyed, so maybe something was expected, some sort of more formal service. But whoever told them to act as formal as they are, including packaging up our food for us, and refilling our water glasses, eight times…eight times… And walking with their hands behind their back, like it’s the Ritz, I don’t know… Something’s going on here. And it felt so sterile and so unwelcoming. We also don’t need one person to take our order and then “introduce us to our server” who will be taking care of us later. Y’all, this is not a super expensive place. We don’t need that many layers of people. We finally decided to take the rest of our food to go. So maybe everybody’s having a bad day at once? Maybe there were some layoffs? Maybe there’s a new manager telling everybody to be super stiff because the clientele expects it? But it was weirdly uncomfortable and very unwelcoming. All that said, I love my salmon, like always, and they have an incredible veggie burger. (Note that the photos that were taken in the winter time were from years ago, when we could sit outside during Covid and all the servers and bartenders were super friendly. The most recent ones are the ones where we are in...
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