Southern fare with an international flair

Stony Knob Café, established in 1962, is perhaps the only place that can get away with black velvet paintings and poached eggs, leopard print carpet and spinach and artichoke frittata.

There are wings on the ceiling and oysters in the fryer, rope lights line the bar and the “Tasty Ass Short Rib Beef Burger” comes with Jack Daniel’s Bourbon Mustard.

The menu and atmosphere is purposefully, and artfully, deranged, with little rhyme or reason but plenty of taste and seasoning. There’s Greek, Thai, and Lowcountry Southern side-by-side and followed up by decadent peanut butter pie served up on an Oreo crust. This is the concept restaurant in which “a little something for everyone” actually works. 

As hip as Stony Knob Café sounds, its magnanimous menu and decidedly different décor welcomes an equally eclectic customer base. Look for 20- and 30-somethings sporting brazen tattoos alongside silver-haired scooter commanders who flock to the restaurant’s Weaverville, N.C., location about ten minutes north of Asheville proper. Brunch is particularly popular, as its 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. time slot means that meal can truly serve as a late breakfast, lunch, or early dinner. Plus, there are Bellinis and Bloody Marys for a little hair of the dog, or strong, rich Greek coffee to energize the system.

Stony Knob began at the hands of Gus Dermas, who emigrated from Greece to the U.S. in 1947. Dermas was drafted after fifteen years in the service industry, going on to serve in the Korean Conflict. Upon his return, Dermas left Greensboro, N.C., for the tiny town of Weaverville, which reminded him of his village in Greece. He and his wife took over the Stony Knob Café, raising their sons John and Yotty in the business. The two sons eventually inherited the place, and in 2000, transitioned Stony Knob from its role as a traditional diner to its modern interpretation of a café with worldly roots.

Dine any day Monday-Saturday for lunch or dinner or begin with Sunday brunch. Visit stonyknobcafe.com for more information or call 828.645.3309 for reservations.