ASHEVILLE - A local chef's return to the brick-and-mortar restaurant style is a triumph for the Woodfin community and diners who frequented Ambrozia Bar and Bistro before its closing five years ago.
On Aug. 21, Quench! Wine Bistro opened at 60 North Merrimon Ave., Suite 105 in Reynolds Village in Woodfin. Chef Sam Etheridge and John Kerr and Gina Trippi, business partners and owners of Metro Wines, have converted the former bottle shop into a wine bistro offering regular lunch and dinner services and a complementary bar menu of wine and beer pairings – and a soup of the day.
In 2019, Etheridge closed Ambrozia, which had a six-year run on Merrimon Avenue. The space was sold to Early Girl Eatery.
Chef Sam Etheridge, owner of Ambrozia, has parterned with Metro Wines at Reynolds Village in North Asheville.
Etheridge said he wanted to be more present for his adolescent children, so he pivoted to a catering company, allowing him to control his schedule and workload.
As a private chef, Etheridge collaborated with Kerr and Trippi, who had been regulars at Ambrozia, on pop-up dinners with Metro Wines.
A visit to Metro Wines’ Reynolds Village storefront, which had briefly served as a retail bottle shop and a special events venue, and seeing the prominent bar inspired Etheridge.
“After a Fantasy Football draft, me and Gina started joking, ‘We could turn that place into a wine bar with soup.’ That was the beginning,” Etheridge said.
Kerr and Trippi, who also own and operate Metro Wines bottle shop at 169 Charlotte St., praised Etheridge for his culinary skills and creativity put into each dish, which has been an ideal match for the wine retailer.
“I never planned to get back into the restaurant business. I liked private chefing,” Etheridge said. “But it was the right situation for me. It’s smaller than most restaurants because we want to enjoy it and have our personal lives.” Since opening Quench, Etheridge said he’s seen a lot of Ambrozia customers he hasn’t seen in five years.
“It’s been nice to be able to open with a customer base that already knows us,” Etheridge said.
The bistro's menu features new dishes, plus revivals from Etheridge’s recipe repertoire.
Quench’s deviled eggs with bacon jam and fried sage is a longtime favorite of Etheridge and was a hit with Ambrozia diners.
The menu continues with ahi tuna nachos with citrus caviar, a classic cassoulet with sausage and chicken confit, and burrata with mint pesto, watermelon and tomatoes.
“Everything is based off the wine and pairs well with the wines,” Etheridge said. “We kept with the soup idea so most of the entrées are soup-based like the Cassoulet and Beef Bourguignon and vegetarian gumbo.”
The gumbo is a nod to Trippi, a vegetarian from New Orleans.
Various gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches are on the list, like the French onion grilled cheese sandwich with Gruyere.
The bacon jam and pimento grilled cheese sandwich is made with tomatoes and birria and served with a dipping sauce.
“We try to have fun and be creative,” Etheridge said.
Metro Wines aficionados curate Quench’s drink offerings. “Quality is number one and we’re also trying to be slightly adventurous,” Kerr said.
Wine is available by the glass and retail bottle. Quench offers takeout and delivery. Bistro diners may request assistance choosing a beverage that pairs well with their meal.
Wine and Dinner Nights
The pop-up dinner concepts have continued, now with a home base.
Since Quench’s opening, there have been sake, wine and Bastille Day dinner parties. Special dining events, including some scheduled for late lunch guests, are intended for at least once a month and to increase in the new year. Expect collaborative programs with local chefs and wine professionals, too.
Metro Wines offers Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) training for sommelier certification.
Quench’s location Reynolds Village, a mixed-use residential and commercial neighborhood, is intended to bring something new and original to Woodfin that all can enjoy.
The partners aim to offer moderate pricing and fill a void in the local dining scene.
“Asheville’s well established. Weaverville is well established. This is kind of like a no-man’s land in between and there’s a great future for Woodfin,” Kerr said.
“Quench is downtown Asheville food and wine in Woodfin with free parking,” Trippi said.
Quench! Wine Bistro
Where: 60 North Merrimon Ave., Suite 105, Reynolds Village, Woodfin.
Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (last seating) Wednesday-Saturday.
Info: Catering services and private venue event bookings are available. For more, visit quenchavl.com and facebook.com/quenchavl. For more event announcements, sign up for Metro Wines’ newsletter at metrowinesasheville.com.
