Best Italian Restaurants in Arden

We stumbled on to this little intimate Italian restaurant in Hendersonville quite by accident. Originally hoped to get into another restaurant nearby but it was booked. So we "settled" for Verri's. Wow, were we lucky. The food was extraordinary. My wife predicted it would be good when the side salads (we ordered Caesar salad) and bread were served. She ordered ravioli with cheese and walnuts and I had chicken piccata. Her pasta was rich and creamy; my entree served over penne pasta was just right with lemon and capers. One modest warning: there's not much parking. We ate early because we were heading into Asheville for an event, but I imagine this could be a challenge later in the evening.

Excellent first experience at Luminosa. David was attentive and knew the menu inside and out. Only hiccup--and we didn't really care that much--was that the first course came out well before our first round of drinks arrived. But those bone marrow tots were piping hot and delicious, and we'd rather have tots hot and ready than lingering on the line... Lemon pizza second course was quite good--plenty for 4 to share. Entrees were really well prepared: the half chicken was as good as advertised by David, the coppa steaks were **outstanding**, and the skirt was perfectly cooked. We also had gnocchi, fusilli, polenta, kohlrabi and spinach--all plentiful to share and well executed. Everything was hot when it hit the table, which is vital for a great meal. The staff was on point, and there was good support on service. Desserts have to be next level to really stand out during a great meal, but the honeycomb concoction with the semi-freddo was inventive and delicious. This particular meal was one of just a handful I can recall here in Asheville where the $130/person/all-in was *really* worth it. But it was, and we'll be back.

Fantastic experience all around! Our server was amazingly attentive and the food was superb. Despite my initial shock with an incredibly small menu, there were two specials offered giving plenty of options!

This restaurant never disappoints. I hesitate to write a glowing review for fear we’ll never get a table again. It’s always been packed lately. But that would not be fair to the owners and the staff, especially the chef who consistently turns out dishes like the ones we ate this evening, delectable scallops and a thick pork chop, both juicy and tender. I’d like to try the other salads, but might never because the blue cheese salad is just that good.

A gem downtown- staff wonderful [couple ahead of us had no reservation but they made quick accommodations to seat them] - food was 5-star. Oysters superb- and bread appetizer with salsa verde wonderful- the gnocchi was also enough to share. Entrees were also large portioned- seafood pasta, cioppino, was the best I've had- A must if in town, a habit for locals.