There’s no better way to kick off a weekend than a girls’ lunch.

We met up with Jessica late Friday afternoon to grab a bite and catch up on the events of the week.  The venue was Nine Mile, a crazy-popular joint in the heart of Montford.  The Caribbean cuisine was amazing as always–in fact, this place is Mattie’s pick for best restaurant in Asheville.  (That’s some seriously high praise.)

You can sit indoors or on the patio–it was a hot day, so we chose inside.  This place stays true to it’s island roots; reggae music, bright colors and a fun atmosphere give Nine Mile a super-relaxed vibe.

We started with the Live and Give, which combines three of the appetizer offerings into one.  It’s got a green curry hummus, a tomato-mango chipotle salsa, and a spicy queso, all served with a basket of chips.  Designed to be shared, we each picked a favorite and went to town.

Chelsea, always the first to get the party started, livened up her lunch with a Noble Hard Cider.

Mattie went for the Island in the Sea, which is crab meat, shrimp and diced clams served over spinach fettuccine.  You can get a marinara or white wine sauce on top, or you ask them to combine the two and make a rose sauce (which she did).  It’s not much of a looker, but the taste is seriously next-level.

Jess chose The Meshach (say that five times fast) which is cavatappi pasta in a white wine cream sauce topped with scrumptious veggies and served with natty bread.  You can finish it with either chicken or jerk tofu, or forgo the protein and get extra vegetables instead.  It’s smoky, creamy and super-filling.

Chelsea’s Concrete Jungle won the beauty contest by a landslide.  Just LOOK at those scallops.  They’re served with mussels, squash, zucchini and tomatoes in a fresh basil white wine butter sauce and garnished with spring onions.  The scallops have a perfect sear, and the flavors combine beautifully.  It’s as delicious as it looks.

Nine Mile is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with friends.  Great food, great company…what more could you want?  See ya next time, Nine Mile!