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.
On Haywood Road in West Asheville, there is a bar that pays homage to great writers and great cocktails, much like Hemingway and his love of Daiquiris … Only these proprietors have better tastes in cocktails than old Ernest did.
Character Study has a beautiful bar room. It retains the classic Asheville Art Deco feel, which is apt considering the rich history of famous authors who used to vacation here. I almost expected F. Scott Fitzgerald and a gang of Lost Generation writers to walk through the front door at any time.
There are bookshelves comfortably placed between large booths and tables, adding to the cozy nooks for gathering with friends for good conversation.
The bar is lovely, and there are plenty of stools. Every seat in the place is a good one.
Our beverages were listed on the menu as follows:
Blood Meridian
Blanco Tequila, Anchor Reyes, Campari, Grenadine, Orange, Lime.
Mood: Warding off Marauders
Character: Firm backbone, spicy tongue
The Devil’s Dictionary
Mezcal, Ginger, Cordial, Lime, Creme de Cassis
Mood: Windmill jousting prep
Character: El Diablo in evening wear
Play It As It Lays
Vodka, St. Germaine, Grapefruit, Lime, Cane Sugar, Lavender Hibiscus Bitters
Mood: a time of insightful commentary
Character: relaxed but watchful
The cocktails were as tasty as the names and descriptions, which, if you’re a bibliophile like myself, you’ve already had a chuckle over. My favorite literary reference on the menu was one that I didn’t order:
Bukowski’s Dinner
Ham(m)’s on (Old Overholt) Rye
If you know, you know. Half the fun of this place is finding out whether or not you get the references.
They also have a small bites menu with offerings from Asheville’s Finest, a relatively new sandwich shop across the way.
I absolutely adore this place and plan on spending a lot of time there. I hope you check it out for yourself. I’m confident you’ll enjoy it.
