Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar — Restaurant in Asheville

I had really high hopes for this place! I came across this place on social media just after leaving Asheville a couple months ago (solo holiday trip) and knew that the next time I returned, I would most definitely be coming here. It's on the corner of Grove Arcade shopping center and has ample outdoor and indoor seating.

When I arrived, there was a nice local vendors market going on on the sidewalk so that was fun to check out first. Upon entering, there is a host stand, a display case with pastries, some menus, and of course books galore. It was actually a little overwhelming but I was excited to spend some time here. The hostess indicated I could wait for a seat or head throughout the store and order upstairs at the small bar. I took my time walking through this beautiful maze of a place and flipped through several interesting looking picks. It was a little disappointing so see so many spots were "reserved" but empty, and it wasn't that crowded on a Sunday afternoon. Once I made my way upstairs to the small bar, I decided on a flight for the full experience. And the bartender up there told me that I actually had to be seated for that - not a big deal, but I had to go all the way back down to the main entrance.

I got seated at a communal table on the first floor. The flight came out quickly and the waitress described each one before pouring (I went with the Grand Tier - billecart-salmon, louis roederer veuve clicquot). Each one was a 3 oz pour. I sipped and savored for about an hour while a live musician started up, which added to the ambience. They also had a small plates/sandwich menu, which I would probably try next time.

All in all, I enjoyed my experience and would come back but something just felt...not sure how to put it exactly, off in terms of the service/atmosphere. It just wasn't quite as relaxing as I had hoped/expected; and I'm not sure if thats just because it was my first time or the hosts/waitstaff didn't exude as welcoming/inviting an air that I would look for in this kind of place. I guess it almost felt like pseudo-upscale if that makes any sense.

Nonetheless, I love champagne, I love books, and I'm definitely going to give this another go on my next trip, especially when it's warm out, I think sitting outside on the patio with a chilled glass, a beach read, and the bright sun will be perfect, and hopefully the service/staff will be the...

EDIT TO ADD: My "little girls" are 22 year old twins.

Back Porch Baking advertises that Battery Park Book Exchange carries their products. Great!

I called and asked Battery Park if they still had the cruffins in stock. Yes, they did! Wonderful I get my two daughters in the car and we drive 15 mins, I hand them $40 and tell them to buy.all.the.desserts! I wait in the car while they go in.

They come back out with long faces and no bag. They said the case was overflowing with Back Porch Baking goods. A LOT of stock still left and cruffins were still there.

Only apparently Battery Park WILL NOT SELL YOU THE DESSERTS since they are "only for seated customers." What the what?!

We had called to ensure our 15 min trip would not be wasted. They did not mention this fact. Walked in and they would not sell available product to us.

What kind of world is this where you: 1) turn paying customers away, 2) to-go orders make bank. All places that sell food make excellent margin on to-go since it's an easy order with no labor and space requirement, 3) good grief, you don't mention it on the phone!?!, 4) you had tons of inventory of breakfast pastries left at 5 pm (when we arrived), and lastly 6) you choose to disappoint a BUYING customer?

So we took our $$$ and went to Summit (who ALSO sells Back Porch Baking products) and they happily took our $40 in about 3 mins - and with no clean up!

You never choose to disappoint a customer. Especially when it makes no business sense. I am a local and I won't ever return, will tell people what happened and will pass it on to Back Porch Baking as well. What place can afford to do this as hard as business is to come by after the storm?

If they choose a business practice like this they are too highbrow, not to mention poor business people and I wouldn't recommend them.

Pictured: Cruffin from Summit Coffee (also in Grove Arcade and...

I've never cried over a salad or a negative restaurant experience before, but today I did.

Battery Park has this killer salad that I've ordered multiple times before. I love it! It's the Harry Potter Salad.

Well today I wanted to grab one to-go for lunch, so I walked in and informed the host that I would like to place a to-go order. He said they don't really do that so he'll have to seat me and a waitress would help. Cool.

A waitress approached and I told her "hey I'd just like that Harry Potter Salad to go, please!", I declined her offer for a drink, and waited as it was prepared. She brought the check about halfway through waiting and I paid.

The salad came out and I opened my to-go box. Salmon. Salmon all over the top of my salad. I have a seafood allergy so severe I carry epinephrine. I pushed it away and frantically checked their online menu: was I hallucinating those last two Harry Potter salads I had here? Surely I wasn't mistaken! I check Battery Park's website. Sure enough, this is a completely vegetarian salad. I would have had to pay extra for a protein such as salmon.

So I flag down my waitress and show her their online menu. I said "I'm sorry, I've had this before and confirmed with your menu that it's not a seafood dish. I have a severe seafood allergy."

This woman said to my face: "well we don't update our online menu. You should have looked at the menu in person. Do you want something else?"

I was so shocked at her response and already spent my lunch break waiting for the salad (I couldn't wait for a second dish) that I declined and she voided my transaction.

I left hungry and defeated.

This is not the first time the waitresses have been less than kind here, but that's a story for another day.

I included a CURRENT screenshot of their website to prove I didn't...