Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Former UNC Tar Heel and NBA star Brad Daugherty, a Black Mountain native, opened up his new restaurant on Wednesday night for an Eblen Charities fundraising event. The restaurant, in the former Frankie Bones location in Gerber Village off Hendersonville Road, is called Daugherty’s American Kitchen & Drink. In just three weeks, the restaurant has been renovated from a dark, stuffy venue to one with a sleek new style that’s much lighter in brighter. (Background here on Daugherty’s American Kitchen & Drink.)
Daugherty’s former high school coach at Owen High School, Bill Burrows, was in attendance, as was AJ Allmendinger, who drivers for the race team that Daugherty owns. Former Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton was in attendance, as well as a slew of other VIPs and Daughterty friends and supporters.
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Here’s the full press release:
Daugherty’s American Kitchen and Drink: A new exciting restaurant by Tarheel grad, past NBA Star, ESPN spokesmen, NASCAR team owner and hometown celebrity – Brad Daugherty, is soon to open in Gerber Village in South Asheville.
“The original concept and vision will bring a lively new restaurant to the south side,” says Daugherty, “the idea is a culmination of the special places I’ve experienced in my travels and when I hosted an ESPN food and restaurant show. A place that celebrates fiercely fresh variations on contemporary American cuisine that’s approachable, playful and bursting with flavor and surprise. The kind of place that feels like it’s just down the street…a high-energy gathering place where people come together through the irresistibility of great food and drink.
Daugherty’s will occupy the space that was formally Frankie Bones. The new restaurant will be dressed down and comfortable, a place where urban retro will collide effortlessly with the past…no pretense.
Noted area designer Traci Kearns, partner at Asheville based, Alchemy Design is working her magic on the space. Credited with such local restaurants as Wicked Weed and Chestnut downtown. “Daugherty’s will be full of light, trendy and exciting. Major renovations will change the environment into a totally new theme with a second bar and reconfiguration of the space,” says Kearns.
According to Daugherty the restaurant’s vision focuses around four important ideals: Sharing, Creative Fresh Food, Neighborhood, and Energy.
“We enthusiastically embrace the idea of sharing and have designed a restaurant around it.” Says Alan Wolf, a partner in Frankie Bones, and most
recently the V.P of Operations of Tupelo Honey Cafe. “Each table will have a stack of share plates. One simple menu will pay homage to clean fresh food in share, signature and family plates, and the food will arrive as its prepared not holding back one plate waiting on another. It’s all about sharing and having fun and enjoying great food. Each dish is designed to make it easy to share.”
“Growing up, ‘breaking bread’ was at the center of everything. The table has always been that place…the place to come together and catch up, share dreams and aspirations, celebrate the day, cry in our beer and start revolutions…all while being soothed, encouraged and nourished by great food and drink. That’s our vision… that’s the kind of place that will be Daugherty’s,” says Brad, “man, I love to eat!”
Daugherty’s will open mid to late July serving dinner from 4pm seven days a week and begin lunch service seven days a week at 11am starting Friday August 1st. The bar will remain open until midnight seven days a week, featuring the quick bites menu from 10pm until midnight.
