1) Laughing Seed. I love vegetarian food, and thoroughly enjoy experiencing meatless restaurants. But the flavors of LS are just all over the place. Out of maybe 4-5 meals there, I think I enjoyed one. The rest were on the extremes of bland or ridiculous, and served up with attitude to top. 2) Salsa's. It's either fabulous or just plain strange. And you never know what you're gonna get.

This isn't really a restaurant, and it doesn't even exist anymore. But people cried a couple of years ago when Beanstreets, the truly funky coffee shop near Pack Square, closed down. I just never got it. Regular coffee there was OK, specialty drinks were not, food was so-so at best, the place was grungy, and service was always snarly. I didn't cry. I'll keep thinking about my restaurant choice.

As you know Stephen, I am an Asheville Regular for only 3 months a year, so I have limited Restaurant expertise in Asheville. But, to twist the topic a little, one two of my favorite restaurants in town are Zambra and Stoney Knob Cafe. How do these stack up for you, being a real local? Also, someone earlier mentioned that they thought Salsa's could be weird. Maybe I am weird (probably), but Salsa's is, to me, one of the best Mexican restaurants I have been to.

Salsas, Zambras, and Chorizo (maybe one other?) are all owned by Hector, who moved up from Miami and started Salsas several years ago. I like all three very much although I've only been to Chorizo, in the Grove Arcade, a couple of times. Katy can speak for herself as to a further assessment of Salsas. It is perhaps one of the most crazy, adventurous places I've ever been anywhere in terms of unique combinations of flavors and ingredients. Many times it's a home run, sometimes it can seem a bit much? Anyway, I'm usually willing to take the gamble. Zambras is sort of the same idea in terms of unique combinations, although it's more refined than salsas, and is Spanish-based rather than Mexican-Caribbean. I haven't been to Stoney Knob in a long time so maybe should try it out again soon.

For me Mela (on Lexington Ave) is overrated. The food is admittedly good, the ambiance is exquisite, and occasional belly-dancing performances are a treat. But it is so loud in there that I feel like I have to shout at my dinner guests to carry on a conversation--not to mention the challenge of parking. Then again I was a Beanstreets regular and never went there for the superb coffee, pastry or service. It was like Cheers. Everyone knew my name and it was more of a social gathering place then a quality restaurant. Izzy's and The Drip has sort of captured Beanstreets vibe. Maybe Mela is not my scene.

Mela is an intriguing choice. I've always liked the place. Actually our company designed their logo. I've never noticed the noise that much, but I've never been there for dinner, only lunch. Is it louder then? Is it louder than Barley's?

Oh, Katy. I LOVE both The Laughing Seed and Salsa's. I love Salsa's more - I think maybe because I know never to order the most outrageous things on the menu. Salsa's vegetarian stuff is consistently the best stuff on the menu (even Scott agrees), so I've lucked out, I guess. And Steve, did you have to pick on Beanstreets? I loved Beanstreets. The grunginess was its most appealing aspect. I like grungy coffeeshops a whole lot better than swank, slick ones like Starbucks. There's just something about getting your morning caffeine fix in an establishment that looks kinda like you feel when you first get out of bed in the morning. I'd say that the most overrated restaurant is the Flying Frog Cafe. Every meal that I've had there has been very good, interesting and quite enjoyable, but not for the price. It's just too expensive. Also, the two times that I ate at Early Girl Cafe weren't as great as I was expecting. But this could be because both times I ate there for lunch or dinner (not breakfast). Perhaps they show forth their glory at breakfast, and that's what I'm missing.

OK, OK, I won't pick on Beanstreets, especially now that they're dead. My biggest complaint was the surly service. Everytime I was in there I felt unwanted and resented. But maybe I'm just over-sensitive. I LIKE grungy coffee shops. Before they got shut down I loved going into Vincent's Ear and getting a coffee and maybe a PB&J for lunch. I spent most of my time on Lexington Avenue at Izzy's. Nowadays I usually go to the Dripolator—not especially grungy, but independent and a little edgy. And great coffee and lattes. Early Girl is interesting to think about. I've always liked it reasonably well, but have never been blown away. If I'm picking between Early Girl and Tupelo Honey (somewhat equivalent menu) I'll usually go with Tupelo. I have been blown away there.

I have to agree about Early Girl, though I hate to say it. I like the atmosphere and the location, but I've been for both breakfast and dinner, and - although the food has always been reasonably good - I often feel like I could have fixed it myself. And now that I think about it, maybe I don't even like the atmosphere all that much . . . Unless I'm seated against a wall or at a window, I feel like I'm exposed in the middle of the room and in everyone's way. Salsa's, as well, can be a disappointment, although when it's on, it's ON. (Funny thing: one of my friends here in Chapel Hill grew up in Greenville and visits Asheville a lot. She was telling me what restaurants she liked in Asheville, and I mentioned Salsa's. She got an impassioned look on her face; I expected her to say how great it was, and then she burst out with, "I HATE Salsa's!!!!!! The food there is so weird, I don't know how to respond to it!") I was definitely one of the Beanstreets criers. Cassia explains well how I feel about it. Tupelo Honey is the best I can think of in town (that I've eaten at) as far as always getting as good as or better than you expect, and good atmosphere and location, to boot. No wait - Sunnypoint in West Asheville, too. Another fantastic never-dissapointment. I would venture to say that West End Bakery in West Asheville is a bit overrated. Although the coffee is fantastic and atmosphere is good if it's not too crowded, I don't think the baked goods are anything to write home about - alright, but not outstanding. (note: They get their coffee from the great roasters next door, Bean Werks. Everyone who gets the chance should pay a visit to Bean Werks and buy some amazing coffee from the friendly people there.)

Strangely enough only two of the posters so far actually live in Asheville currently.