Editor’s Note: Fork & Dagger is 828newsNOW’s anonymous restaurant review series, written by our independent Grub Scout—no freebies, no press perks, no agenda. Grub Scout pays full price, visits unannounced, and takes notes on food, service, atmosphere, and value. Each review reflects a recent, honest experience rated on our 1‑to‑5 fork scale. We aim to help you discover standout dining spots—from casual diners to white‑tablecloth affairs—one bite at a time.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — When we walked through the doors of Xico, the scent of charcoal wafted through the air. I wasn’t expecting that, and it was a beautiful olfactory experience.
As the host welcomed us in, we were pretty amazed by the decor and overall aesthetic. It’s very classy, yet retains accents of some non-descript Latin American village.
It was a calm 11 a.m. brunch, and a few patrons dotted the large main dining area. We were enjoying the house soundtrack as we perused the charming array of menu options…