Posana Downtown — Restaurant in Asheville

My fiance and I's favorite restaurant in Asheville, truly a destination for us every time we visit. Exquisite food, a destination for GF diners, and friendly service. Really a special place to us. Until - I tried to make a reservation for my family during my mom's upcoming tennis tournament (70 and going strong) and - they don't take reservations for parties of six during the hours of 6-8? Not that they didn't have tables available (I called very far in advance), that they WON'T take a reservation for a party of six during those hours. Clearly they can seat six, because they'll do it at 5:30 or 8, but for some reason it's not worth it to them to accommodate those customers during prime dining hours (and this was for a Wednesday evening). Too much work I guess, not worth it, which is a bummer for a loyal customer. As someone who has worked at a lot of restaurants, six is a pretty common size table, sure, slightly annoying for a server but - that's the business?

We'd be happy to pay a reservation fee per head as is their practice so as not to risk holding up a good table, happy to come at 6 or ever 6:15, willing to be as flexible as we can, but - just a business choice they've made I guess. We've been there many times, it's not a tiny place, so I was pretty perplexed to learn about this. And bummed, cause it means we won't be able to go this trip, and to be honest, has left a bad taste in my mouth about Posana overall, which is saying something considering we once thought about having our rehearsal dinner here. I hope they reconsider this policy in the future but for now, they're busy enough to have policies like this so it...

We had a very small wedding weekend in Asheville and held our wedding reception dinner at Posana and it was absolutely perfect! The Posana staff exceeded every expectation we had, making it an evening we will treasure forever. The Mandara Gallery private dining room provided an intimate and beautiful setting, impeccably arranged to complement the occasion. Maddy, our event coordinator, was an absolute joy to work with—her responsiveness, kindness, and attention to detail ensured that every aspect of our evening was flawless.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the exceptional food and drinks. Posana's culinary artistry shone through in every dish, leaving our guests raving about the delicious flavors and exquisite presentation. The ability to customize "his and her" cocktails, complete with personalized names, added a charming touch that truly reflected our celebration.

The service was impeccable; the servers, under Lindsey's expert guidance, went above and beyond to cater to our every need. Lindsey even saved the day by skillfully managing a mishap with my wedding dress—an act of kindness that epitomizes the level of care and dedication demonstrated throughout the evening.

Overall, our experience at Posana was nothing short of magical. It's clear that every member of the team is committed to creating unforgettable moments. We look forward to returning to Posana for future anniversary celebrations, where we can reminisce about the perfect night we had in November 2023. Posana has not just earned our admiration but also our heartfelt gratitude for making our special day...

Not one to leave reviews but this one I felt strongly on:

The service and atmosphere of the restaurant were truly wonderful. The staff, especially our server, was warm, kind, and knowledgeable — we felt genuinely cared for throughout the evening. The cocktail menu, while limited in selection, was exceptionally creative and every drink we tried was impressively well-balanced and delicious.

Now, regarding the food…

The short rib was incredibly tender, but unfortunately lacked flavor. At $38, the portion size also felt disproportionately small, especially considering the likely food cost behind the dish. Similarly, the Joyce Farms chicken entrée — composed of a small portion of arugula, a few strawberries, rhubarb, mint, and a 4–6 oz piece of chicken — was visually elegant, but lacked seasoning and depth. At $36, it left us underwhelmed both in flavor and portion.

We spent around $200 ($170 before tax and tip) and left feeling genuinely hungry and disappointed. The dessert menu looked promising, but after our experience with the main courses, we didn’t feel encouraged to order more.

We came in expecting a casual fine dining experience — where higher prices are justified by the overall quality, flavor, and experience. Unfortunately, while the service and setting were spot on, the food did not deliver on that promise. As visitors from out of town, staying in an Airbnb, we found ourselves scrambling to find something else to eat afterward — and ultimately wished we had chosen a different route to...