The Restoration Hotel Collection | Cultural Almanac | Issue 18

Letter from The Restoration

When we set out to find the next location for The Restoration, we weren’t looking for a city defined by its tourist attractions or historic landmarks. We were looking for a place that felt irrevocably authentic, through its people, the things they made, and the things they cared about. And that’s exactly what we found in Asheville.

Once a wellness retreat for the rich and wealthy, Asheville’s natural beauty also attracted the country’s biggest visionaries, poets, and explorers to create the vibrant culture we see there today.

We invite you to use this issue of the Cultural Almanac to guide you through what we believe is Asheville at its core, along with the makers and doers that continue to pave the way forward. After all, the future belongs to those who are brave enough to explore the possibilities of today. Keep exploring, Your Team at The Restoration

Meet The Real Ones

The New South is grounded in meaningful connections and extraordinary individuals who pour into our society. Garnered through passion, talent, and their desire to empower those around them, the good works from these movers and shakers are establishing legacies that will impact our communities for generations to come. We are honored to recognize them as this issue’s Real Ones.

Food for Thought

Charleston’s soil harvests vibrant whole foods and nutritional benefits honored throughout our menus at The Watch Rooftop. Maria Kelly has lived in the Holy City for 28 years and knows a thing or two about its holistic agriculture as the owner of the plant-based food service, AMOR Healing Kitchen . Founded on the motto, “Healing through food and inspiring through service,” the company offers programs that cultivate the all-encompassing health benefits of plant-based meals for those who believe that your health is your wealth.

Why did you decide to focus on plant-based meals?

I grew up with severe eczema and asthma. I started researching the root causes of those conditions, changed my diet and lifestyle in my 20s, and noticed an immediate change. I’ve been a vegetarian for 23 years, haven’t had eczema, and rarely have asthma flare-ups since I mostly cut out dairy. When I started AMOR, I realized that it was the only kind of food I felt comfortable offering to people who were facing critical health challenges. There is a lot of research linking the lack of fiber and consumption of processed foods to chronic illnesses our society is facing. We like to promote incorporating more whole foods like fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds into your diet, and eliminating or reducing processed foods. That’s always a great starting point.

Where do you get all your ingredients from? Is it challenging to only work with local produce?

I think sourcing locally is a creative challenge our chef takes on with open arms and a big heart. Most of our produce comes from Charleston Parks Conservancy, Growfood Carolina, and several local farmers. The rest of our donations come primarily from Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, as they have great quality and mostly organic ingredients. Because we primarily source from local growers, our menus are seasonal and allow our volunteers and clients to learn what is growing in our region throughout the year.

Why is Charleston the perfect home for AMOR Healing Kitchen? The abundance of our year-round growing season, the increase of plant-based businesses in the area, and the generosity of our community is exactly where we want to be. I’ve lived here for 28 years and can’t imagine a better place to grow the roots of AMOR.

Can you share one of your biggest success stories from a client or a teen chef?

Our biggest client success stories are always the ones that are skeptical of plant-based foods, but they become hooked once they try our meals. Having cancer patients get excited about eating and feeling nourished by our meals is incredibly rewarding. We know that it is helping to keep them strong and

their bodies healing during their treatments.

Seeing the growth in our teens is amazing. Several of them have been with us for years, so their cooking and culinary skills are constantly advancing. Oftentimes, they are the ones showing the adults around the kitchen. We even had one teen go to Johnson & Whales to continue her journey into the world of cooking.

What’s next for AMOR Healing Kitchen?

We moved into our new location in Avondale in October of last year and have been blown away by the support of the community and growing awareness of our Mission. We’ve launched cooking classes and workshops, all centered around well-being. We offer our Community Cooking Classes free of cost to our clients so they can continue exploring the plantbased world once they are feeling better. Serving more clients and impacting our community to embrace a lifestyle that supports a vibrant life will always be at the forefront of our growth. There may be a cookbook in the works too!

For more information about AMOR Healing Kitchen, visit www. amorhealingkitchen.org or follow them on Instagram at @amor_ healing_kitchen.

AMOR HEALING KITCHEN

Sounds with S.O.U.L

Music is an inherent part of the dynamic culture of Charleston that adds to its colorful charm. Cody Dixon, the founder of S.O.U.L. Power Productions, has leveraged his own musical talents to give back and inspire our youth, as well as the talented musicians who are rooted in the eclectic music scene right here in our backyard.

Is there a meaning behind your artist name, Slim S.O.U.L?

The acronym for “soul” ties into the non-profit I started out of college, Soul Power Productions. S.O.U.L stands for Sounds of Universal Love because I feel music is one of those universal languages.

What role does music play in your life?

Music plays a huge role in my life. I teach, play, and produce, so it’s in all aspects of my day to day. I love being around it in any capacity. It’s how I make a living. It’s how I calm down and relax. It’s how I express myself and help others do the same. It’s been a major part of who I am since I was a young kid.

What’s unique about the music scene here in Charleston?

Charleston’s music scene is so diverse and eclectic—if you know where to look. We have such a rich history and cultural roots that bring a huge audience to gather and enjoy shows. We also have many talented musicians and artists that build a foundation for projects you see around town for all genres, which is really cool.

Can you speak on the projects you’re working on through your organization S.O.U.L. Power?

S.O.U.L. Power is an educational resource as well as a production company. My main goal has been to reach underprivileged youth as well as up-and-coming artists to help them grow. We’ve done a lot of S.O.U.L. Power camps throughout the Lowcountry, bringing music technology and the love of music to community centers and after-school programs. We hosted a lot of showcases with Charleston Pour House for rising hip-hop and R&B performers to use our platform to learn and build a fanbase. I’m teaching a lot now but I hope to start some more campaigns

for summer camps or workshops where we provide instruments for kids who want to learn but can’t afford the instrument or lessons. This is our newest program I hope to get started by the summer called “Pass the Beat”, where you can sponsor a young student or donate an instrument that we then pass on to the youth of the Lowcountry.

How can local creatives get involved with your cause?

There is so much local creatives can help with, including volunteering at events, donating time and expertise to come and talk to kids about careers in the arts, and playing at our shows. I would love to have a network of musicians and kids who want to learn the craft. There is a lot that I know now, that I wish I knew when I was a young musician.

What can we expect from your new album, “Sounds of Universal Love”?

You can expect a lot of collaborations. I’ve been working on this album for a while and it’s taken so long partly because I don’t want to include multiple artists. I want to work with all the musicians in this town that have inspired me and pushed me to keep going. Cam Wescott from The Psychedelics and Oleg Terentiev from Little Bird are helping a lot with the production of this project. I’m excited to have a lot of work with local rappers and producers that I’ve met over the years. This album is going to be a mix of soul, jazz, and R&B, and represent what I’ve experienced during my time in Charleston.

For more information about S.O.U.L. Power Productions, visit www.dot.cards/soulpower or follow Cody on Instagram at @ slim_s.o.u.l.

S.O.U.L. POWER PRODUCTIONS

There’s nothing like the great Appalachian outdoors—just ask expert Fly Fishing Guide, Travis Brotherturn of Hunter Banks Fly Fishing. The skilled fisherman has encountered exhilarating adventures throughout Asheville and shares memories, fly fishing tips, and bestkept-secret locations to venture to so you can celebrate a fresh catch during your stay here at The Restoration.

HUNTER BANKS FLY FISHING

A Reel Legend

When and how did you start fly fishing?

As a child, I was heavily influenced by my Grandfather, Arnold Sluder, as he was the consummate outdoorsman and instilled a love for fishing as early as I could physically hold a rod. I focused on fishing for bass on our family farm in Alexander, with the occasional trip to the French Broad River, until becoming a teen when I started fishing various streams and creeks, in the Asheville Surrounds, for Trout.

Did you always want to pursue it as a career?

Now that I’ve been a full-time Fishing Guide for ten years, if you asked me eleven years ago, I would have laughed at the thought of this being my career. In 2012, I was in a near-fatal accident requiring a recovery time of 18 months, and I couldn’t lift over ten pounds. That said, I literally wadefished the Tailwaters of East Tennessee and the small creeks and streams of Western North Carolina for a year and a half! After doing so, it simply made sense back then, and I’ve never looked back!

What makes Asheville an ideal place to go fly fishing?

To make a long story short—the Asheville surroundings simply have it all! With thousands of miles of Trout streams within an hour of the Asheville Metro, you can do it all; wild water, hatchery-supported, delayed harvest, or high-elevation fishing for Brook Trout, which is the only true Western North Carolina native species and one of my favorites to fish for.

What are some of the best places to fly fish in or near Asheville?

There are so many to choose from. The Davidson River in Brevard offers some technical fishing while also catering to beginners, depending on the section of water you prefer. The French Broad, running right through the center of Asheville, offers excellent Smallmouth fishing when the water becomes low and clear enough.

Are there any misconceptions about fly fishing that beginners often have?

The most popular is that fly fishing is more challenging than fishing with traditional gear. It is just a different motion where most people can find success in a short amount of time while working with a Guide or one of many free classes the industry offers, such as the Orvis FF101 classes at the Biltmore Park location. Just run in and ask to speak with Andrew to find out more about this great program!

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Getting beginners on their first fish is simply the best. You can see their smiles from miles away. I also enjoy working with anglers who, in some cases, have fished around the world to finetune their techniques. It’s interesting to see because the Tennessee Tailwaters I guide can be challenging to even the best anglers.

What efforts do you make to preserve the environment? Are there sustainability best practices?

Getting involved and staying involved with management organizations in the area is always helpful, like the local chapters of Trout Unlimited. I also recently participated in a river cleanup, organized by the Over Mountain Chapter of T.U. and the Blue Ridge Guide Association, on the Watauga River and South Holston Rivers, where we cleaned up trash and debris in both rivers.

For more information about Hunter Banks Fly Fishing, visit www. hunterbanks.com or follow them on Instagram at @hunterbanksflyfishing.

Works of Glass

Asheville’s premier glassblowing studio and gallery, Lexington Glassworks, has established an impressive catalog of handmade crafts that perfectly align with the city’s natural, artistic nature. Using locally sourced materials and techniques pioneered by artisans from centuries ago, these unique artists invite you to discover their love for glass works and art and stop in for a souvenir crafted with thoughtful artistic expression.

How did you get into glasswork, and how did you meet?

We (Billy Guilford and Geoff Koslow, Co-Founders of Lexington Glassworks) both attended Alfred University, where we met. Billy started in ceramics but quickly fell in love with glass after his first class in college. Geoff began working with glass in high school, specifically with flameworking, and realized he wanted to work with glass.

Why did you decide to open a studio in Asheville? After attending a glass class at Penland School Craft in Penland, NC, Geoff fell in love with the area and saw the potential for a glass studio. He decided to move to Asheville in 2013. I (Billy) moved shortly after in 2014 to begin building out the studio. Lexington Glassworks opened in January 2015.

What is it like being part of the local creative community?

We’re so fortunate to be a part of the Asheville arts community. People travel from all over the world to visit Western North Carolina to experience the arts, and we get to live here doing what we love every day.

As independent artists, how do your styles and specialties differ?

Lexington Glassworks’ studio collections and lighting designs are a combination of our design aesthetics. Each collection features color patterns, forms, and techniques that one could say are characteristic of each of our works. When walking into Lexington Glassworks’ gallery, you will see a variety of oneof-a-kind vessels and sculptural pieces, each made under the company name but still varied in style. A keen eye can pick out the differences, but we’ll give you a hint—I (Geoff) love form, color, and cane, and Billy loves neutrals, patterns, and manipulating the surface of the glass.

What can people expect when they walk into your studio and gallery?

Lexington Glassworks is a 5,000-square-foot studio and gallery, and we blow glass 7 days a week. The public is welcome to come in and view the artists’ work. On any given day, the glassblowers are working on filling custom lighting orders, making items for the online store, or working on their own one-of-a-kind pieces.

Tell us more about your expansion into lighting design. Custom Lighting has always been a part of what we do here at Lexington Glassworks. We’ve worked with homeowners, designers, builders, and architects to design and make unique chandeliers, pendants, and installations. We’re excited to expand our design services and include one-on-one consultations, site visits, and a more extensive selection of American-made hardware.

We are currently working with Hubbardton Forge on a collaborative chandelier design that will be released to an international audience at Highpoint Market. The Slide is a handforged chandelier featuring, The Floret, Lexington Glassworks handblown glass shades.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of the job is being able to come to work, do what we love, and share it with our customers and visitors.

For more information about Lexington Glassworks, visit www.lexingtonglassworks.com or follow them on Instagram at @lexingtonglass.

LEXINGTON GLASSWORKS

Roasted to Perfection

Rise

Sip Back and Relax

Rooftop views of the Holy City pair perfectly with locally-sourced ingredients and specialty cocktails. There’s always a reason to celebrate here.

75 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401 | TheWatchCharleston.com

Uncovering Asheville

Pack Square

Also known as Asheville’s front yard, the Square has been functioning as the city center for over 300 years and before that as Cherokee American Indian land. The park was named after Asheville’s greatest philanthropist, George Pack, who donated the land in 1900 and poured money into developing downtown as the vibrant cultural scene we know today.

With ongoing festivals like Shindig on the Green and LEAF, there’s always a reason to visit the Square. While you’re there, look out for tributes to the city’s past. From bronze pigs and turkeys trotting across trolley trails to a statue of a young girl drinking water, Pack Square marks the beginning of the Urban Trail, a walking tour of 30 sculptural markers that take you deep into Asheville’s colorful lore.

Wolfe’s House

In 1929, American writer Thomas Wolfe caused an uproar in Asheville with the release of his first novel, “Look Homeward, Angel.” The thinly veiled autobiography recounted his childhood growing up in a boarding house featuring some rather unflattering portrayals of the townspeople and his own family. Despite the initial controversy, the success of the book boosted tourism during the Great Depression and Wolfe was hailed a hometown hero.

At first glance, this idyllic city nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the epitome of its reputation as the “Land of Sky.” A closer look into its past reveals it’s also a land of visionaries, poets, and explorers.

From the Biltmore Estate to more obscure landmarks hidden throughout the city, we invite you to walk in the footsteps of Asheville’s most captivating personalities that have shaped the creative and endearingly quirky community we know today.

Thomas

George Pack

Thomas

Today, you can Wolfe’s childhood home on Market Street, a yellow Queen Anne–style house forever immortalized as ‘Dixieland’ in his novel. At the entrance, you’ll find a bronze replica of Wolfe’s size 13 shoes as a memorial and a symbol of the very large shoes he filled as one of America’s literary giants.

Rafael Guastavino’s Monument

Among the architectural marvels that permeate the city, the awe-inspiring Basilica of St. Lawrence is a living monument and the final resting place of its builder, Rafael Guastavino. The Spanish architect used his signature tile arch system in the construction of historic landmarks like Grand Central Terminal and Carnegie Hall before setting his sights on Asheville. The Basilica of St. Lawrence was Gustavino’s final work, completed in 1909, shortly after his death.

Today, the Basilica of St. Lawrence is one of the most recognized landmarks in Asheville and has the largest freestanding elliptical dome in North America. The church also features elaborate stained glass windows made in Munich, statues of saints made in Italy, and an altar made from Tennessee marble.

O. Henry’s Grave

For a fascinating and free tour through history, one only has to promenade the 87 acres of rolling hills and gardens at the Riverside Cemetery in Asheville’s historic Montford

neighborhood. The active cemetery has over 13,000 graves dating back to 1885. While some of the markers and monuments are true works of art, it’s the gifts people leave at the gravestones that make Sydney Porter’s among the most peculiar.

Better known by his pen name “O. Henry,” Sydney Porter was one of America’s most popular short story writers and a master of surprise endings. “The Gift of the Magi” tells the heartwarming tale of a husband and wife who sell their most valuable possessions to afford Christmas gifts for each other. Visitors leave pennies on his grave in recognition of the opening line of Magi: “One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all.”

Time Remembered Capsule

The final stop on our journey is still somewhat of a mystery and a dedication to the people of Asheville’s first 200 years of progress. The Time Remembered time capsule was placed during Asheville’s bicentennial in 1997 and is alleged to contain writings of Charles A. Webb, publisher of “The Times” and “The Citizen,” among other fascinating accomplishments.

The grass-surrounded marker reads, “Our citizens’ accomplishments over the first two hundred years form the foundation upon which we continue to build tomorrow. The stored keepsakes will be revealed in 2047.”

Basilica of St. Lawrence

Sydney Porter “O. Henry”

O. Henry’s Grave

Rafael Guastavino

Thomas Wolfe

High Noon, High Values

Before coffee, Anna Beth’s fi rst love was machinery.

Raised by a father who operated a sawmill six days a week and then came home to watch Westerns, she learned the value of hard work and later brought the trailblazing spirit of the silver screen’s cowboys to her coffee roasting craft.

“The marriage of machinery and art is what drew me to coffee roasting,” explains Anna Beth as she recounts the first time she witnessed coffee roasting firsthand. Sitting in on a demo, she recognized the same mechanics of her father’s work and felt a burning desire to learn the language of all the equipment and science involved.

Armed with two art degrees, a hound dog, and a love for the mountains, Anna Beth made the move from Georgia to Asheville, permanently trading in her paint brushes for a career in coffee. With a roasting certificate and apprenticeship under her belt, High Noon Coffee Roasters was born.

With brews available at several restaurants and shops around Asheville, High Noon’s small batch approach gives Anna Beth the creativity to tailor roast profiles to the desired notes for each of her collaborations. It’s this thoughtful process that made High Noon the perfect brand partner for The Restoration. Her single-origin brews are available in-room and madeto-order at The Rise.

“For the rooms at The Restoration, we went with a blend that can satisfy the coffee connoisseur but also the people that just need something warm and caffeinated before they head out the door,” explains Anna Beth. “We found a small farm to source the coffee from and adjusted the roast profile until it fits perfectly in your mug.”

Apart from the world of possibilities coffee presents, Anna Beth keeps her personal coffee experience endearingly low-key.

“My daily experience with coffee happens around 6 am when I wake up, stumble to my kitchen to carefully time and weigh a pour over, and then walk away from it for about an hour. I love on my dogs and water my plants, often forgetting about my coffee until it’s cold. I like coffee that I can ignore. Coffee so sweet it tastes good an hour later. We all have a different daily experience with coffee and I will tirelessly labor to roast a coffee for each individual experience.”

You can taste High Noon Coffee Roasters’ custom blend for The Restoration at The Rise or in your room. For more information on High Noon’s single-origin offerings and small-batch approach to roasting, visit highnooncoffee.com

“

Every time I fire up the roaster I feel a sense of excitement, there are so many variables, endless goals, and a world of possibilities ahead of me. It is a craft I plan to grow old with and I want to share it.”

Elevated Celebrations

Embrace extraordinary moments in the clouds. Our 2,986 square foot Solarium hosts up to 300 guests and honors versatile room arrangements from conference-style to theater, reception, banquet, and more. For more information, contact our events team at 828.220.0368.

City of Suds

“Made in Asheville” is a phrase we don’t take lightly, which is why creating The Draftsman’s beer menu became an adventure of its own. Boasting more breweries per capita than any U.S. city, we visited roughly a hundred breweries in search of the best local beers to bring back to our basement bar. And now we invite you to do the same.

From award-winning to obscure, here are The Draftsman’s picks for the best breweries in the city, so you can experience Asheville’s beer scene from a local’s point of view. We’ll have a bar stool and a cold one waiting for you when you get back.

The Draftsman’s Picks

Archetype Brewing

Archetype Brewing coins its brews as complex, mindful, living beers that showcase the flavors of Asheville and “project the wonders of our shared existence” in a family-friendly ambiance. ArchetypeBrewing.com

Burial Beer Co.

Named Craft Beer & Brewing’s Readers Choice #1 Small Brewery in the World in 2021 and 2022, Burial Beer Co. celebrates the best moments in life through inclusivity and shared experiences paired with an extensive beer menu. BurialBeer.com

Catawba Brewing Company

True pioneers of craft brewing in North Carolina since 1999, Catawba Brewing produces a wide variety of rich beers, from specialty concoctionas to yearround and limited releases.

CatawbaBrewing.com

DSSOLVR

Expect the unexpected when you sip on DSSOLVR’s locally-sourced brews infused with wines, ciders, and meads that expand your taste buds into a surreal reality.

DSSOLVR.com

Eurisko Beer Company

The perfect blend of tradition and modern practices create the tasty brews at Eurisko. Visit this taproom for crisp West Coast IPAs, dry Belgian-style saisons, and traditional German styles. EuriskoBeer.com

Green Man Brewery

Deemed “The Soul of the South Slope,” Green Man Brewery originated in 1997 and features Traditional English-style ales in three taproom locations. GreenManBrewey.com

Hillman Beer

If you’re in the mood for burgers and brews, then Hillman Beer has a menu you can’t resist. The eclectic options range from award-winning crafts to fresh bites made with locally sourced ingredients. HillmanBeer.com

Highland Brewing

Founded on environmental sustainability, the craft beer trail blazers at Highland Brewing offer more than just a good beer. The solar-powered taproom boasts a spacious bier-garden-style porch, lush lawn, food hall, and event rooftop. HighlandBrewing.com

Hi-Wire Brewing

Vibrant vibes with friends, family, and pets create the ultimate experience at HiWire Brewing. With award-winning sour ales, 24 beers on tap, and a savory snack menu, the three locations are dedicated to being an experimental hub for fun. HiWireBrewing.com

New Origin Brewing Company

Family-friendly and pet-welcoming, New Origin Brewing Company offers a taproom and spacious beer garden with a rotating tap list of brilliant, contemporary brews.

NewOriginBrewing.com

Eat Your Heart Out, Asheville

Dubbed “foodtopia” by the local foodies, Asheville’s food scene will take you from day to night and around the world without ever leaving the city.

Breakfast or Brunch

Sunny Point Café

This family-owned cafe and patio serves all-day comfort food with fresh produce from their on site garden. Try their breakfast bennys or carrot hotcakes for a true Asheville breakfast or brunch.

Early Girl Diner

Doing farm-to-table before it was cool, Early Girl Diner offers all your classic diner staples with fresh, local, organic ingredients. Go in for their chicken and waffles, perfect for any meal of the day.

The Med

Asheville’s OG diner has been serving creative takes on classic breakfast and lunch plates since 1969. Cozy up to a Pisgah Bowl made with pulled pork, pico, and a sunny-side-up egg or their iconic fried chicken sandwich served sweet or spicy.

Lunch

White Duck Taco Shop

Take your taste buds on a trip at this colorful outpost of Asheville’s adored taqueria mini-chain serving up an ever changing menu of tacos, including lump crab, lamb gyro, and more.

Mountain Madre

Mezcal meets the mountains at this kitchen and agave bar featuring flavorful renditions of Mexican favorites like carne asada, street tacos, and chorizo stuffed everything, plus the largest selection of tequila and mezcal in Asheville.

Carmel’s

For a slice of history and open-air seating, Carmel’s is the spot. Located in the Grove Arcade, savor classic Southern cuisine with Asheville roots at downtown Asheville’s largest outdoor dining patio.

The Med’s Patty Melt

Carmel’s

Dinner

Asheville Proper

A feast for the senses, this Classic American Steakhouse puts its cuts on full display with a live-fire dining experience featuring mouthwatering porterhouse steaks, flat irons, New York strips, and plates of charred and smoked dishes made for sharing.

Jargon

Made for the romantics and oenophiles, Jargon’s intimate heated courtyard setting and awardwinning wine list set the mood for an evening of good conversation over imaginative American fare.

Cúrate

With a name translating to “cure yourself” in Spanish, Cúrate is a celebration of authentic Spanish cuisine featuring a bodega, a Spanish market, a wine bar, and its flagship restaurant serving authentic jamón Ibérico, vermuterías, and lively tapas culture.

Cúrate

Jargon