Stoney Knob Cafe — Restaurant in Weaverville

I'd been avoiding this place because the menu, prices and crowds didn't appeal to me, but during the last week a bunch of people recommended it, so I went. Overall I got the impression that both the food and the atmosphere were trying really hard to do too much at once, which resulted in nothing really standing out and overall being a little confusing (I guess that's the M.O? "It's like a wild and whacky rabbit hole! It's crazy in here! Look at this disjointed quirky decor! So much quirk!")

We went on a Wednesday night, it wasn't very busy or crowded.

We got the duck egg rolls, the scallops w/pork belly, chicken pot pie and chocolate cake.

Egg rolls: they were ok I guess, but didn't arrive to the table hot. The steam from the mashed potatoes they were placed ontop of while they sat and cooled in the kitchen made them all wet and soggy so it seems like a poor plating choice if they wanted them to be crispy when you get them.

Scallops + Pork Belly: this is a personal preference but this seems a really odd combination to me? It sounded interesting on paper. Sure they are sort of similar in texture, but I find these two very strong flavors and fleshy textures clash. Getting a bite of pork belly when you thought it was a bit of scallop was weird to me. On top of that they were served with an extremely concentrated plum(?) sauce that overtook the flavor of everything else. I had one bite and felt like it would upset my stomach if I had any more. No ingredient was showcased well in the dish even though they had all these great ingredients available. It was all too strong together and drowned itself out. The sauce was so strong you couldn't taste much else over it.

Chicken Pot Pie: I kept hearing about their in-house pastry chef, and I guess I read the description of the dish incorrectly because I thought I was actually going to get a pot pie. Like an actual small pie or a slice of one. The dish was grilled chicken in a sauce with the usual pot pie veg, but it was just sort of spooned over a single filo pastry. The only real flavor in it came from the goat cheese. Overall it was pretty bland. Guess I chose the wrong dish or expected something else.

Chocolate Cake: People also kept telling me about the desserts, so I guess I also had high expectations here. I was hoping the cake would not be mostly icing. It was 3 very thin layers of compacted, dense cake with thick layers of icing in between. Again, maybe a personal preference, but I like cakes for the cake and prefer less icing-filler.

Everything was fine I guess, it was all edible and didn't make me sick or anything. The service for a slow Wednesday night was pretty slow. The music was nice. The interior was very intentionally whacky but the atmosphere was pleasant enough. I wasn't that impressed so I'm likely not going back, but it's clearly plenty of...

We drove 65 mi to meet friends for a holiday get together & dinner at S.Knob. not thinking of the time, we arrived at approx. 3:40 & given the lunch menu -- by such a rude server (girl w/long dark braid who would remember us as I complimented her. She was just horribly unfriendly - even my husband said 'wow, she isn't very nice at all' !! (He very rarely says anything like this - so, definitely an attitude from her). She made it quite clear when we asked to hold the table (10 min extra) to order from the p.m. menu, that she would get the night server - her tone was gnarly and snippy . Very weird exchange. We had to ask again for the p.m. menu as apparently she didn't have any plan to bring them. (Why?) We ll 4, commented, 'Good, maybe the new server will be nice, smile, have a personality' each thought was from a different guest! The new server came. When she left the table we, all 4, with wide eyes, said 'omg - it is WORSE!'! This server scared us - one said we would be put in the corner by this one if we aren't careful. When she returned I thought I would extend some friendly banter - ask about all of her tats, I turned and was trying to point at one and she jumped back as if I had a knife on her. Taken aback, I said - 'I'm sorry'. She was just so out of line that it was silly. She said she doesn't like to be touched - I explained, AGAIN (!), that I was not going to touch - just point and ask... With this ugliness of attitude - my desire to be kind -or acknowledge her as a person was gone. *AN IDEA!! - Maybe she should cover her tats if she doesn't want attention drawn to them... - might be an idea, eh? I have tats - I happily explain if they have a story. So, beside having to ask for a menu - twice we had to ask for pepper twice - both times the pepper grinder was empty (sidework usually prevents this). The 3rd time I just got up, went to the service bar and asked for a regular pepper shaker as we weren't getting any from our server or the girl that brought the food!!! WOW! Also had to get up and ask for a spoon for my Fett as I twirl my pasta. Didnt know we were involved in 'YOU want it, YOU get it' We were never asked after the food was placed if we needed anything - pretty sad service for what should have been a nice evening celebrating friends, the holiday, and coming out of loss from the disaster. So very disappointed in how we were treated. If it was just me it would have been my problem but all 4 of us were just so taken back by these two girls. Why would U let them represent your restaurant like this? We have eaten here since your Father ran this business - he would be ashamed and these two girls would not be working for...

After a recommendation by a new friend; and after being starved for human contact one afternoon I decided to search out this cafe for lunch. Walking into the place I noticed the ecclectic decorations. There was always something to look at as I ate my meal. I decorate ecclectically myself, so this was right up my alley. As a foodie and a recent transplant, even during the pandemic, and because I am alone and self-isolate, one of my great joys is exploring the local food scene. After taking all back roads to get here (these mountains are SO beautiful), I arrived for lunch. I don't eat beef very often, but sometimes I just crave it. So I bellied up to the counter and ordered a medium rare burger. The service was helpful and prompt, so I was off to a good start. I don't often get meat served medium rare when I order it that way, so I was pleasantly surprised to get it served just as I ordered. Now, there are burgers...and then there are Burgers. This was a Burger, capital B, with mushrooms, onions and all the extras I ordered. It was delicious, and as I discovered, cooked by one of the owners. How do I know this...well that was due to the second pleasant surprise I had at the cafe.

Before finishing my meal I asked my server for more direct directions home. She was unable to help me, but a gentleman in the booth behind me introduced himself as the other owner, and helped me out with my request. (I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the people of WNC are one of the area's greatest assets...always pleasant and helpful. Truly hospitable folks)!That's how I found out that the cook was the other owner. After a brief, and pleasant conversation, I turned back to finish my meal. It was a great experience!

I left my business card on the counter without explanation as I left. As a lifelong writer and photographer, I never know where the next job will come from. I hope the servers didn't see that as being pushy. For good food, service, eclectic decor and down-home friendly hospitality, I highly recommend this charming cafe! After trying the dinner menu sometime in the future I will...