Library Lounge at Biltmore Inn

We went to the Library Lounge at Biltmore yesterday for lunch. Being Christmas time we expected it to be busy and we were right. We put our names on the waiting list for a table and the hostess said it would be about an hour. We sat by the fire place, in big comfort chairs and had a drink. About an hour later the hostess said about 20 more minutes. The main problem seemed to be people had finished eating and instead of going to the lounging area and chat they sat for an hour at the tables one table even had people playing cards. There was ample room to do all of that in comfort, not at the tables. Biltmore staff can’t control rude people but the gave wonderful, friendly service. The manager was made aware of how long we had waited, (which by now was 2 hours) he came over made sure we were comfortable, gave us bar snacks and apologized profusely. We had had several drinks that were their specialty drinks and they were certainly special and were near starving. As soon as people finally left a table the manager had it cleaned and set up immediately. We started with the chilled seafood platter which was small but delicious. Next we ordered soup I had the vegetable and she had had the French onion and they were very good. She then had the Caesar Salad which was everything a Caesar salad should be. We then shared the Gruyère sandwich without the bacon we both loved it and the salt and vinegar fries and dip were absolutely a great surprise. When we were finished we sat by the fire and then on balcony. Our wonderful waiter, Scott, stayed with us the whole time. As busy as he was he was attentive, friendly and timely. It was a great lunch that was enjoyed as dinner and that didn’t even matter.

Terrific meal in an upscale environment. We sat in front of a beautiful blazing fireplace and sipped on hot tea. We ordered the burger and the club sandwich. Both were of excellent quality. Our server was charming and the food was freaky proposed and deliver promptly but not hurriedly. Definitely an upscale experience for a moderate price.

The grilled cheese made without the bacon, with green tomatoes and avocado is very very good. Some vinegar chips are really not terribly impressive. I’ll just get the french fries next time. $ 13 bloody Mary? You’re damn right

We made reservations for afternoon tea a few days in advance. We had never been to a formal afternoon tea, so this was a fun experience. The tea begins with a box full of different teas that you can read about and smell to decide what you want. I got a pot of the Mayan chocolate truffle tea (the waitress suggested drinking it with cream) and my husband got a pot of a Brazilian berry tea. The tea was fantastic. The experience begins with the tea and a small dish of strawberry mousse. Next you get a plate of small assorted tea sandwiches, which encompass a wide range of flavors. After that, you get a plate with assorted cheeses, black pepper honey, and crackers and a tower of treats with scones, small candies, and tea bread. Everything was perfectly spaced out, so you never felt rushed, and the views from the dining room are beautiful. The wait staff is friendly and professional. If you have a few hours to spare during your Biltmore visit, this is a great stop!

Service was friendly and just attentive enough. Menu was somewhat limited but had an ok variety (burger, steak, pasta, blt). Steak was superb. Beet pasta was unusual and memorable — in a good way. Drinks were well prepared. We had the Rye & Cider and an old fashioned. Ambiance was romantic but also lively as there was a terrific pianist.

Love love love! You simply cannot go wrong with the menu at the Inn on the Biltmore Estate. We wanted to sit outside for dinner so we chose to eat upstairs in the Library Lounge in order to enjoy the mountain view. We had the Buffalo wings with a homemade blue cheese dressing and it came with a carrot, celery and arugula salad. It did not disappoint. We had the New York Strip for dinner it was amazing. Our server was very attentive to our every need. For dessert we went downstairs to the dining room and had the Chocolate Tart and Raspberry Tart. It was a party in my mouth!

Well I must agree that the room and views are beautiful. I posted a couple of photos of how nice the room is on this site.
The food menu for dinner is limited — which is fine as it keeps one from being overwhelmed. But alas, why three stars you ask! Our burger and turkey club sandwich took over an hour to get delivered. Ok. It could have been busy but it was like no one would come around to tell us «what’s going on.»
Not good. :(
To their credit the waitress was apologetic when she finally did come back to tell us that «there was a mix up in the orders.» Hmmmmm — took you 45 minutes of ignoring us to let us know. She also did tell us that management was offering us desserts at no charge. We didn’t need the calories but accepted Crème Brûlée and a Cheesecake dish with homemade ice cream. They were 5 stars to be sure.
Overall I am hoping that it was just a problem with the cooks in the kitchen. The menu does state that your dinners will take 25 minutes — not sure why for a burger and a turkey club. But an hour while avoiding us was sooooo disappointing.
May your experience be wonderful!

By far one of my favorite spots in Asheville. My husband and I always make a point to stop in at the Library Lounge at the Inn on Biltmore Estate to enjoy a cheese plate and champagne on their wonderful stone terrace. The view from your rocking chair is incredible p overlooking the Blue Ridge mountains. We are connoisseurs of cheese plates, and this is one of our favorites. Humboldt Fog goat cheese. Mmmmm… They also include a nice blue cheese, and a couple of other hard cheeses. Each cheese has complementary pairing, such as honey or whole grain mustard, and the plate is loaded with various crackers, toasted baguettes, and marcona almonds. With a chilled glass of bubbly, this makes for the perfect way to celebrate the weekend.
The staff at the Library Lounge is always so friendly, and they encourage you to sit and relax and enjoy the view long after your cheese plate is empty. You owe it to yourself to check out the Library lounge.

Afternoon Tea at the Library Lounge is a fun experience to do once in your life. The setting and views were really nice. The tea was tasty, but the sandwiches were stale as if they had been prepared and left out hours earlier. The desserts were tasty.
Like I said, it’s a fun thing to do once just for the experience and the views.