Billed as “Mexican & California” cuisine, don’t expect anything resembling a conventional Mexican Restaurant experience at Limones. While you can find a very elegant taco on the menu and the use of a tortilla here and there, Limones light shines brightest in its uncanny ability to layer flavors in the French tradition using ingredients more common to California. The result is elegant gourmet fare by any definition. The menu changes frequently so you can never get bored here. On my last visit I ordered the sixteen-spice Lamb Loin with sumac basmati rice and cilantro-mint chutney and cucumber-feta salad. I’m not usually a big fan of lamb but this dish was amazing. For an appetizer, I like the Shrimp Ceviche with habanero onions, marinated cucumbers, Huichol, grated lime, cilantro chimichurri and avocado. Off the charts good! As for the dessert options, the chef at Limones is a serious overachiever. I have no idea why all top Asheville restaurants seem to offer bread pudding but Limones homemade warm bread pudding with caramel sauce and ice cream is one of the best. They also have a nice wine list and the usual selection of local craft beers but god-almighty do they have an extensive tequila collection which puts to shame any other local bar or Mexican cantina this side of the border for that matter. If you are a Margarita fan, the bar at Limones has your back. In addition to the traditional margarita, they offer; Coconut Margarita, Thai Chili Mango Margarita, Tangerine-Thyme Margarita, Prickly Pear Margarita, Maya Margarita, Margarita Caliente, Pomegranate Margarita, Blood Orange Margarita and my favorite, the Cucumber-Jalapeño Margarita made up of Silver Tequila, Cointreau, muddled cucumbers, lime juice, grilled jalapeño, shaken and served over ice. Last Sunday I arrived at the bar at 5:00 pm, drank a couple of Cucumber-Jalapeño Margaritas, and enjoyed a plate of heirloom tomatoes over burrata and the Ceviche sampler. Ordered a bread pudding to go and called an Uber to take me to the Asheville Tourists game. Life is good!
Hours: 5:00 pm-10:00 pm every day (open until 10:30 pm on Friday and Saturday)
15 Eagle St, Asheville, NC 28801 – Downtown
PH: (828) 252-2327