Could Biltmore Estate become regular outdoor music venue? New restaurant coming to former La Caretta on Merrimon? • Asheville Watchdog

Today’s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies and the real answers:

Question: I have been thinking about this issue for a long time, and I have come to the conclusion that the best location for an outdoor venue would be on the Biltmore Estate back by Antler Village. The nearest residential area is miles away, they have plenty of level space for parking, and they would benefit greatly by ticket buyers also purchasing rooms, food and beverage. The venue wouldn’t have to be huge, maybe 1,000 seats and a couple thousand more people that could sit or stand on the hillside. Has anyone ever kicked around this idea at the estate before? 

My answer: I believe George Vanderbilt kicked the idea around back in the 1890s. He reportedly was in serious talks with a young Keith Richards about doing a musical residency there.

Real answer: While the Biltmore Estate has hosted outdoor concerts in the past, mostly a summer series on a space next to the main house, it looks like a new venue like the reader is requesting is not in the cards right now.

“At this time, we do not have plans to restart a concert series at Biltmore,” estate spokesperson Marissa Jamison said via email. “It’s not to say that we never will.”

Jamison noted that Biltmore does offer seasonal outdoor live music in Antler Hill Village. 

I’ve caught some of the bands there over the years, and they’re usually quite good. Of course, that could be the wine talking, on some occasions.

The Biltmore Estate is certainly large enough to host shows, but it’s a big undertaking, too.

“As a National Historic Landmark and an 8,000-acre property, we continually evaluate how best to balance guest experiences with our responsibility to be careful, long-term stewards of the land, Biltmore House, and the surrounding community,” Jamison said. “We appreciate the perspective and creative thinking around potential approaches. We value hearing ideas like this as we consider how the estate may evolve in the future.”

Question: I cannot be the only one wondering what is happening with the old La Carreta restaurant up past Beaver Lake on Merrimon Avenue. It has been repainted, and we thought it was ready to transform into another eatery, but it has been well over a year now.

My answer: Sadly, my idea for a restaurant called Rodentia, a nod to nearby Beaver Lake, has never really taken off. Rodents can be delicious with the right sauce, my friends.

Real answer: According to City of Asheville building permits, the place will become Miyagi Japanese Restaurant. A permit issued last May for updated flooring, painting and other work noted that city staff began processing the application on April 2.

“This project has been approved and the city has issued permits to begin construction,” the permits state.

When I stopped by the location last week, a worker was leaving the site and said it will become an Asian-themed restaurant.

Ben Graham of Graham Mauney LLC, the project’s general contractor, said it hopes to have the work finished “within a month or two.” 

The restaurateur will be Putra Negara, Graham said. Negara operates other Asian-themed restaurants around town, including Murasaki in Arden and Maguro downtown, and is known for top-notch sushi, Graham said.

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