UpCountry Eatery celebrates grand opening in West Asheville today

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Congratulations to these folks! In case you missed it, UpCountry Eatery is the new name of the restaurant adjacent to UpCountry Brewing Company on Haywood Road, the brewery being the former Altamont Brewing and the restaurant the former Nona Mia. A couple of weeks ago, Terrapin Brewing co-founder John Cochran announced that he had purchased Altamont.

Here’s the press release about the restaurant:

West Asheville gains a new, active-life gathering spot and restaurant with the opening of UpCountry Eatery on Monday, August 29. The restaurant at 1050 Haywood Road, adjacent to UpCountry Brewing Company, is located in the space formerly occupied by Nona Mia. UpCountry Eatery serves Southern Appalachian Eats.

Open seven days a week, the restaurant offers an all day menu with lunch from 11 AM – 3 PM and dinner from 5 – 10 PM. UpCountry Eatery serves a limited bar menu to UpCountry Brewing’s Drinkery (Taproom) from 2 – 10 PM.

Regarding the restaurant’s decor, General Manager James Mayfield says, “We are bringing the outside in, with rustic, reclaimed barn-wood, upcycled tin roofing, and murals of climbers, kayakers, and hikers. We have three distinct areas where folks can enjoy our food: The Eatery, The Gamery, which is a game room, and the Drinkery also known as the taproom.”

“We are excited to unveil UpCountry Eatery to people who love the outdoors. Both Chef Kovitch and I are really into disc golf and look forward to some friendly post match celebration taking place here. We welcome bikers and paddlers to come in and fuel up after their weekend excursions too.”

Matt Kovitch is the Executive Chef of Upcountry Eatery. Formerly with Asheville’s Bouchon from 2010-13, he returns to Asheville from Athens, Georgia where he was Executive Chef of Chops and Hops. Kovitch says he wants to, “cook good, local food, that puts smiles on the faces of patrons and joy in their hearts”. He returns to Asheville to family and a community that he is extremely excited to serve. Outside of the kitchen he enjoys time with his partner, Kari, their dog and two cats, playing disc golf, and listening to live music.

Signature items are Chef Kovitch’s creative pizzas such as the Howard with pulled duck confit, mozzarella, goat cheese, cherry BBQ, and caramelized fennel or the Pig & Fig with fig jam, prosciutto, brie, mozzarella, arugula, pistou, with balsamic reduction.

The large plate section of the menu includes dishes such as a unique take on Hoppin’ John with seared trout, black eyed peas, pea gravy, Carolina gold rice, and turmeric aioli. For meat lovers, the Flank Steak which is marinated in UpCountry stout, and served with roasted mushrooms, Carolina bleu marbled mashed potatoes, and spinach chimichurri is certain to satisfy the hungriest appetite. Vegans and vegetarians will be pleased to find many options on the menu as well.

General manager of UpCountry Eatery is James Mayfield. He is long-known to Asheville locals and is a veteran of the F&B scene with 25 years experience. Mayfield was general manager of BT’s Burger Joint in Biltmore Park and before his stint there was Applebee’s training and bar manager at the Smokey Park Highway location with a total of 13 years with Applebee’s. Prior to coming to Asheville, Mayfield was food and beverage general manager at the Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel and Conference Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Mayfield’s love of kayaking, tubing and VW busses found a home at UpCountry Eatery whose interiors reflect his passions.

The restaurant’s assistant general manager is Asheville native Nicole Flynn. A food and beverage professional, Flynn has 8 years experience in all aspects of hospitality service and management. She enjoys live music and being outside on the river and spending time with her family and 11 year old son. UpCountry’s head brewer is Jordan Veale.

UpCountry Eatery welcomes large parties of diners, community groups, clubs and gatherings. Mayfield said, “We want this to be the place people go after they hike or paddle; where they end the day or celebrate Sunday Funday.”

UpCountry Eatery is one of three components of UpCountry Brewing Company. The Drinkery and the Gamery provide opportunities to enjoy house brews, craft cocktails, listen to live music and enjoy classic arcade games like PacMan, Galaga, pinball and Golden Tee. UpCountry Brewing Company occupies the space of the former Altamont Brewery. For information about all aspects of UpCountry Brewing Company visit http://upcountrybrewing.com.

Here’s the press release about the brewery:

A new addition to the Asheville brewing scene, UpCountry Brewing, takes over the spot formerly operated by West Asheville favorite Altamont Brewing.

Staff at the brewery includes new owner John Cochran, Brewer Jordan Veale, General Manager James Mayfield, Assistant GM Nicole Flynn and Executive Chef Matt Kovitch.

UpCountry Brewing plans to make beers that are sessionable, thirst-quenching and easy drinking. Mayfield said, “Our customers are active folks who want to come in after a ride and enjoy a beer that cools them down, but doesn’t womp them with high alcohol content.”

Cochran has 21 years experience in the world of craft beer including being co-founder of Terrapin Beer. Cochran says, “I fell in love with the Asheville beer scene and wanted to be a part of it. Altamont is a locals bar and anchor of the West Asheville scene. We look forward to continuing to serve everyone who works, lives and enjoys the scene here.”

As part of the new brewery, UpCountry is refitting the adjacent restaurant space, formerly Nona Mia. A limited menu is available in the bar area until the the restaurant refit is complete. The menu features what Chef Kovitch calls Southern Appalachian Eats.

The brewery is located at 1042 Haywood Road and will also feature a game room with pinball and arcade games.