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As an Asheville newcomer, I’m always scouting the local restaurant scene. Recently, I had the opportunity to check out Rise ‘n Shine Café, located just north of downtown on Merrimon Avenue. I’m glad I did.
The vibe at Rise ‘n Shine is welcoming. With a signature laid-back Asheville touch, there’s a definite bright and sunny feel inside the restaurant, as well as outside, where patrons can enjoy Spring weather while relaxing with breakfast and a cup of local coffee. The eased atmosphere makes Rise ‘n Shine a perfect stop for families with kids, UNC-Asheville college students looking for a real homemade breakfast, or for anyone in the mood for a relaxing brunch.
What attracted me to Rise ‘n Shine are its fresh, local offerings. On my particular visit, I had the ‘Fresh Greek’ omelet. Beautifully done, the omelet was fluffy and cooked to perfection. Complementing the omelet was a side of fresh homemade jam, which Rise ‘n Shine makes on a rotating basis. In addition to this amazing-ness, Rise ‘n Shine also offers eggs benedict with daily-made hollandaise, and scratch pancakes that are still made from the owner’s grandmother’s recipe. I’ll definitely be back for those.
What’s doubly impressive is the fact that Rise ‘n Shine truly lives Asheville’s commitment to supporting the local community. The menu is packed with local ingredients. Just a few of the many, many local seasonal
offerings include fresh spinach, carrots, tomatoes and June apples. Rise ‘n Shine also offers local goat cheese, local honey, free range eggs, and coffee from Asheville Coffee Traders.
I had a chance to meet Rise ‘n Shine’s owner, Peggy, who reiterated the restaurant’s commitment to Asheville, the environment, and the community. So committed is Rise ‘n Shine, that even the to-go ware is environmentally conscious and bought from a local company. How awesome is that? Also, all of Rise ‘n Shine’s extras are composted with a local farm in Weaverville.
The local commitment doesn’t end there. Rise ‘n Shine is an active community participant working with the Animal Compassion Network, and with WNCAP (Western North Carolina Aids Project) through WNCAP’s Dining out For Life fundraising project.
Rise ‘n Shine is truly living local, and its food reflects it. Anyone looking to support Asheville while enjoying an amazingly fresh breakfast should not pass up Rise ‘n Shine. Good people, amazingly fresh food, and a
commitment to the community make this one a must try.
Credits: article written by @JayFinePrint of Sociable Influence
