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Weekly Scoop (May 20-26) - French Bread + Croissant = Culinary Ecstasy


Dig This... with Stu Helm

A quick peek into the life and times of Asheville's No. 1 food fan.
photo by Stu Helm on Instagram @stuhelmfoodfan

Stu Helm Goes Against the Grain at The Rhu

I was recently put in charge of buying bread for a nice dinner that my girlfriend Dawn was cooking for friends. Actually, the truth is that I put myself in charge of buying the bread because I absolutely did not want anyone else bringing inferior bread to this dinner! Yes, I am a bread snob, and I know where to get the best bread ever, and that place is The Rhu.

The Rhu is owned and operated by James Beard nominated Chef John Fleer, who also owns Rhubarb and Benne on Eagle. All three venues are excellent, but it’s The Rhu, and head baker Chef Kaley Laird, who have me utterly hooked on their bread, and very specifically their laminated baguette, which is like a cross between a very crusty croissant and a loaf of French bread. Let that sink in for a minute.

In baking terms, “lamination” means layers of butter and dough, which is how a croissant is typically constructed. Chef Laird uses this technique to build her amazing baguette, which makes it insanely crusty on the outside, though not hard or sharp, and incredibly rich, moist, decadent and buttery on the inside. It is to die for.

PRO TIP: Wrap this bread in foil, and heat it up in the oven up before serving, and you and your guests will die a thousand deaths of culinary ecstasy together. Yes, it’s that good!

I served it warm to our dinner guests and they oooed and ahhhed, asked where I got it and asked what makes it so dang good. They told me the bread is a super-star, that I was a hero for buying it and that you will impress the heck out of anyone if you introduce it to, guaranteed.

Try their galettes — flaky, rustic pies filled with a seasonal local fruit.

Also, I don’t do any task without a food-reward, so I ate a galette while I was on my bread buying mission. A galette is like a little rustic pie, and again, Chef Kaley makes my favorites in Asheville. Very hearty, filling and delicious, sweet but not too sweet, and of course made with locally sourced fruits, regional cheeses and other impeccable ingredients.

If you haven’t been to The Rhu yet, you have to go — it’s required eating. All of their breads are great, and yes, I’ve tried them all! Likewise, their line of sweet treats are all great, so reward yourself with a galette while you’re at it, or a fig rhuton or an oatmeal cream pie or one of their award winning chocolate chip cookies. See you there!

Find all the food specials, new menu additions, events and more from The Rhu by checking out their Dig Local Profile.

Below you will find one locally curated Scoop chosen for each day this week — but make sure to check out all the Scoops this week on our Dig Local Scoop Calendar.

Monday, May 20

Experience Music Band Showcase
at Salvage Station
Seven bands, one awesome night at Salvage Station with the youth-centric groups from Experience Music.
More details.
More to do Monday

Tuesday, May 21

Asheville Date Night
at Antidote
Call the babysitter and head to Antidote for a night out benefitting Sleep Tight Kids.
More details.
More to do Tuesday

Wednesday, May 22

Wedding Showcase
at Ambrose West

Looking for a great band to play at your wedding? See the Emerald Empire Band perform before booking them for your event while enjoying bites from Zia Taqueria and sweets from Cream & Flutter.
More details.

More to do Wednesday

Thursday, May 23

Leeda "Lyric" Jones - Music Video Premiere
at The Social

Watch the live premiere of the brand new music video and single "This Love" from local Asheville musician Leeda "Lyric" Jones. The night will be full of live performances from Leeda and much, much more.
More details.
More to do Thursday

Friday, May 24

13th Annual ABSFEST: Opening Friday FanDom Show
at The Grey Eagle

ABS Fest, Asheville's Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival, is coming to The Grey Eagle for a night of burlesque & variety arts marinated in nerdy juices. Grab tickets.
More details.
More to do Friday

Saturday, May 25

4 Year Anniversary
at Blue Dream Curry House
Happy 4 years to Blue Dream Curry House! Celebrate with new dishes, a scavenger hunt and special relese brews and ciders from Pisgah Brewing, Bhramari Brewing, Urban Orchard, Zillicoah, Ginger's Revenge and Burial Beer.
More details.
More to do Saturday

Sunday, May 26

Fermentation Fest
for AVL Beer Week
Celebrate all things fermentation at this community event showcasing some of the area's most respected names, including Fermenti. and White Labs Kitchen & Tap. Grab tickets.
More details.
More to do Sunday
For all of this week’s Scoops and more, visit DigLocal.com or download the Dig Local AppKeep digging local!