What’s New in Food: Luminosa opens in Flat Iron Hotel

FEEL THE HEAT: Luminosa chefs Graham House and Sean McMullen have fired up the Italy-meets-Appalachia dinner menu at the newly opened Flat Iron Hotel restaurant.

Tall white toques are headwear of the past in most professional kitchens, but hard hats were an unexpected requirement when Luminosa executive chef Graham House and chef de cuisine Sean McMullen would visit the construction site during the renovation of Asheville’s historic 98-year-old Flat Iron Building. On May 15, the flagship restaurant in the six-story, 71-room Flat Iron Hotel served its first diners. Among them was Steve Palmer, founder of Indigo Road Hospitality Group, owners and developers of restaurants and properties in six states.

The lemon pizza — thin slices of lemon on top of smoked mozzarella, ricotta, fennel and arugula — is one of five on Luminosa’s opening menu, which weaves local ingredients with Italian influences throughout dedicated sections of antipasti, pasta, protein mains, and sides. The kitchen was equipped with a pizza oven and a live-fire grill for creating the menu items.

Both House and McMullen have culinary backgrounds that contributed to the development of the menu, focusing on seasonality and local sourcing. Diners can enjoy a range of desserts, including panna cotta, tiramisu, and chocolate semifreddo.

Luminosa is located at 20 Battery Park Ave.

Back in business

Christian Watts’ 10th Muse Comfort Food recently reopened after being closed for six months due to a car accident that damaged the building. The shop offers a variety of tasty treats, with popular items such as funnel cakes, deep-fried Oreos, and special milkshakes.

For now, indoor seating remains closed, but the drive-thru service is available. Operating hours are 3-9 p.m. Thursday-Sunday at 1475 Patton Ave.

Brews and booze

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