Located in an old skating rink, Blossom & Cellar Door Craft Cave and La La Lounge all share one thing in common, good tastes. While Blossom and Cellar Door Craft Cave were opened in 2016, La La Lounge opened next door in 2021. Between them, there is opportunity for great food, drinks and live entertainment in a family room atmosphere.
Blossom & Cellar Door Craft Cave and La La Lounge are located at 750 W Main St. in Hendersonville.
Blossom has been a community favorite for some time, offering a selection of Pan-Asian delights including Thai, Laotian and Indian foods. Chef Seng and Chef Josh use the freshest ingredients to create mouth-watering appetizers and bowls.
Their signature appetizer is the Lao Beef Jerky with Sticky Rice. Marinated for days in a blend of sesame, ginger, soy sauce and other spices, it is indeed tough like beef jerky when done, but also deeply flavorful. Perfectly paired with the sticky rice, the dish offers a balanced blend. It is also gluten free. Another favorite starter is the miso-glazed fish cakes. They are served on a bed of cabbage blend and with Chef Seng’s special peanut sauce.
Favorite bowls include the Classic Pho and the Yellow Curry. The Pho bowl is made with a beef broth base, blended with Thai basil, cilantro, tomato, red onions, dried garlic and jalapeno with a choice of protein option, including seasoned pork loin, fresh or fried tofu, or house-made vegan chickpea meatballs. For an upcharge, they will substitute sliced steak, chicken or shrimp as the protein. The Yellow Curry Bowl includes roasted yellow carrots, broccoli, onions, bean sprouts and mushrooms in a sauce made from bone broth, curry and coconut milk. It is served with a side of house-made pickle and vegan kimchi. A protein may also be added, as with the Pho.
Chef Seng’s Signature Papaya Salad is another big hit with customers. The supply of this dish is always limited and it goes fast. Sweet and spicy, it is made with shredded green papaya, carrot slivers, garlic, cherry tomatoes, lime, sugar and fish sauce.
There are many other delectable offerings including an assortment of sides and refreshments. But most of all save room for Chef Josh’s “Secret Weapon Brownie” served with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
Both chefs periodically create special items. Recently, Chef Josh created his own version of a beignet with a special blend of cinnamon and other seasonings. Diners who tasted them called them addictive.
Blossom owner, Tamara Gnyp, has also been known to drop into the kitchen and make a thing or two, especially her popular pizzas. One reviewer who was visiting from Europe said it was the best pizza she had ever had — with a blend of cheeses, blackened garlic and balsamic drizzle.
The Cellar Door Craft Cavern offers a selection of beer, wine and small batch liquors from smaller breweries, wineries, and distilleries from around the world. They have an assortment of fun beers, like Cali Creaming Creamsicle, which is a cream ale from Mother Earth Brewing in Vista, California, and another Cream Ale from Half Batch Brewery in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The Tennessee brews are some of the most interesting. Blackberry Farm Brewery in Maryville, Tennessee provides Inception Pale Lager. Then there is Vaudevillian Cider from Gypsy Circus Brewing Company in Kingsport, Tennessee. For a list of more of their unique beer offerings click here. La La Lounge offers an additional collection of beers.
Both Blossom and La La Lounge provide a selection of tropical themed mixed drinks whipped up by bar mixologist Stephanie, who creates lots of special offerings for the season, like a Grapefruit Mojito and the Cool as a Cucumber Sipper. They also have a huge assortment of whiskeys, bourbons and rums, like Nassif Family Reserve Rum.
La La Lounge offers live entertainment weekly hosted by none-other than owner Tammy Gnyp. The door opens at 7:00 p.m. with the featured band beginning at 7:30 p.m. There is a cover charge. Recently, Pepperwood and The Darters played in the lounge.
Blossom can accommodate many tastes and dietary restrictions, as well as provide healthy options and kid plates. They also offer catering, as well as space for private and special occasions, meetings and community gatherings. And there is a weekly trivia challenge.
