Pomodoros Greek & Italian Café, Asheville

The son of a Greek immigrant from the small village of Nostimo ("delicious" in Greek), Tommy Tsiros spent his youth surrounded by the aromas of tomatoes, onions, garlic, and olive oil—all of the essential ingredients in Greek and Italian cuisines. Tommy’s love for the homestyle dishes of his childhood led him to open his first restaurant, a downtown deli that soon became a popular lunch spot among locals. Though his 10 years at the deli established his reputation for delicious Italian fare, it was not until he left the deli and opened Pomodoros Greek & Italian Café that he was able to follow his true culinary passions.

Those passions are manifest in the dishes Tommy grew up with and that chefs now cook to perfection in his restaurant—dishes that include homemade spaghetti bolognese, grilled wild salmon, and veal piccata. Greek and Italian cultures contribute heavily to Tommy’s vision, and the balance between the two is apparent on the menu as well as in the warm staff and the togas draped across each table. No Mediterranean feast is complete without wine, and the café’s wine list proves its worth with a selection that has won numerous Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence.