Monday was a beautiful Spring day with temperatures in the low 80’s; a perfect day to spend with a friend shopping and having a leisurely lunch at a new restaurant. The friend is also my blogging buddy, the other Penny of The Comforts of Home. We had not seen each other since I went to Florida last Winter so we had a lot of catching up to do. The perfect place to do that was a new restaurant in Asheville called Books & Breadboard; a novel idea.
The ambience is warm and friendly with tables scattered amongst the bookshelves. The menu is thoughtfully organic and the owners and chef support local farmers. But what attracted me was the mile high quiche. I had stopped in the week before to peruse the books and heard comments about the quiche; words like custardy and light. Besides who wouldn’t want something called “mile high” anything. It is a thing of beauty.
All of the food is served on breadboards. The quiche I ordered was the bacon, asparagus and Swiss cheese version. It was indeed light with just the right custard crumble to it. I did ask if the chef would part with the recipe, but as I expected, that was not going to happen. I blogged about a similar quiche here. It is made in a 9″ springform pan and uses more eggs and cream than quiches made in a pie tin or tart pan. Checking the internet, I found another recipe from Thomas Keller here. It was on a blog called AMZing Eats. That is the recipe I am going to try, substituting the mushrooms with bacon, asparagus and Swiss. I will let you know the results.
Penny ordered the soup of the day which was a white bean, tomato and basil with a half sandwich of turkey with cranberry mayonnaise. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. It was a wonderful lunch and the shopping wasn’t bad either. Blogging friends are special.
It was a fabulous day Penny! I am so glad you are back in NC. Next time, I think I am getting that quiche….
Hugs,
Penny
I enjoyed both your posts on your afternoon together and look forward to your version of the quiche. I’m always interested in a new way to use our eggs – or even a new version of an old favorite.
So you are the friend Penny went here with! That food looks great!
I love your header..such a nice kitchen..and your cake below here, looks like you are an awesome cook! 😀
I’m jealous, but so happy you were able to taste the “mile high quiche”. It is such a unique place & one that everyone should try to visit. The Lemon Bars were divine.
Barb, Wish you had been there. We should have eaten there last week when you were here. Mickie D’s just doesn’t compare.
Is there anything better than sharing luch with a good friend. That quiche surely added to your fun meeting.
Rita
That looks like a wonderful place to try. I see a road trip coming up with Don. Looking forward to your recipe choice.
I saw your mile high quiche on Penny’s blog. Glad to know the name of the restaurant. Sounds like a fun day.
Sam
It does sound like a perfect day! What a wonderful meal you had, too! Happy Spring, Penny! ♥
What a great looking lunch!! I am putting this on my list of things to do in Asheville!! Hopefully this summer or fall I will be able to do a little traveling…I am closing my shop after 8 1/2 years, not because of the economy, but to get my “life” back!!
I jotted down the name of this place for future reference when I am in Asheville. I was actually there in March for a Women’s Retreat with my church and Penny and I had lunch together at Biltmore Village…. Chelsea’s. It was so good. Wish you could have joined us, but Penny said that you were still in Florida. Love & blessings from NC!
oh how fun to have lunch with a friend.. much more a blogging friend… and same name-sake frined haha . indeed a great way to spend a lovely spring afternoon…
What a fabulous idea for a restaurant, Penny. I wish someone around here would be so creative! And it’s always fun to share lunch with a blogging buddy.
The mile high quiche looks like my kind of lunch. Hope you’re going to post it after you make your substitutions!
Missed seeing you when I was up in Asheville in March! I met Penny for lunch and she said that you were still in Florida. Hopefully we can all get together when I come back up again sometime. Penny and I ate at Chelsea’s. Penny recommended Bouchon’s and we ate there Sat. night. We also tried out a new place (to us) in Black Mountain, called Que Sera. It was delicious! I would recommend it, if you have not eaten there. I did not realize that you used to live in Greensboro. Small world!!! Yes, Southern Lights is still here, but it moved to a new place on Lawndale. Food is wonderful. Glad you and Penny had a fun day eating together and shopping. Have a great weekend. Love & blessings from NC!
how fun!! I love that mile high quiche, served on breadboards how creative, what a fun day..glad you shared this day with us!
sweetlife
Gee, I haven’t stopped by in a while, my blogspot links all dropped off for some reason . . . and I had to locate them all again!
Your quiche sounds delicious! It must have been quiche week, I made an asparagus and onion and several friends made them as well! I like the idea of making one in a springform pan! I’m going to try your method.
When you have a moment please stop by for a slice of four berry pie! Have a wonderful weekend!