By Margaret Bryant, 2013
If you’re in Brevard and you’re looking for something home-cooked and low-key, you’ll be smart to visit Gaston Street–the home of The Phoenix. As I wandered down E. Main, past the Red Wolf Gallery, enjoying the sleepy Sunday in a relatively small town, a dated, chalkboard sign positioned on a street corner caught my eye. The sign read “The Phoenix” with an arrow indicating the way to the restaurant. The storefront resembled that of a house from the seventies, with a split-pea soup colored door, accented by the reflective, kaleidoscope-like glass in the center of the door. The menus were taped to the large glass window to the left of the entrance. I haven’t ever seen anything like it. It is a lounge, bar, and restaurant combined—there is even a large projection screen, which plays ESPN Sunday football.
The most charming aspect of The Phoenix is the personality and the welcoming homegrown atmosphere. It felt as if the intention was that anyone could walk through the door, local or not, and could feel at home, including me. Whether in their Sunday best, work attire, or football jerseys, the potpourri of eclectic patrons dining at The Phoenix is almost as refreshing as the concept of the restaurant itself. My waitress, Lily, dressed comfortably in rolled up jeans, with a high, nest-like bun, and a subtle nose ring, explained that The Phoenix is “Brevard’s only local farm-to-table restaurant.” Local farms in the area provide everything except the seafood, which comes fresh from the coast.
The Phoenix offers two menus. The first is their standard menu, which is primarily offered for lunch and on weekends. The second menu is considered the fancier, more creative of the two and is reserved for dinner. Maybe it’s because I’m an all-things-local junkie, but food just tastes better when it’s not processed and shipped from place to place before being put on a plate and rushed out to your table.
She brings out our Po’ Boys—I also ordered the French Onion soup. Each dish came out steaming. The soup was flavorful and was as far away from canned soup as you can get. The sandwiches were delicious and the steak was fresh. The green and red peppers on the cheesesteak were fresh and vibrant their colors were worthy of Crayola crayon names. The taste of local and organic proves superior in comparison to any other option. When she brought out the order, she mentioned that even the candles are one hundred percent natural and all the artwork, which enhances the cozy atmosphere, is all done by local artists and is available for purchase.
Six nights a week your dinner at the Phoenix is accompanied by live music, and all the musicians are regional or local. Not only do they support and utilize local farms, but they also have signature liquor infusions made in house (including moonshine). Their branding could be categorized as supporting all things local in all the right ways.