Props to the Charlotte Street Pub

Yay! for the Charlotte Street Pub who gave us gas! Beer gas, that is. Yup. We're Bele Chere newbies and ran out. (Flat beer just doesn't have the same appeal.)

Y'all seriously ROCK & we love you for it. (Love the green beans too!)

And props to the Yacht Club & Jack of the Wood for being willing (though our systems weren't compatible). The spirit of Bele Chere lives!

Finding Us Just Got Easier

Exuding Vibe - a Kiss from AC-T

From Tony Kiss on his Things to Do

Kick back
Wednesday’s a hard day to find something to do. Why not call up your friends and have them meet you at Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge (7 Rankin Ave.), across from the Rankin Street parking deck? Light bites and outdoor seating, this place exudes vibe. Opens at 3 p.m.On the Net: www.rankinvault.com.

Now, I'm not sure what it means to "exude vibe," but I like it.

Review

Our first review is in from the Mountain X:


"But the single best feature of the Vault might be that it’s reasonably within budget for those of us who don’t own three homes or have trust funds backing up our social drinking. At a time when far too many bars are charging double digits for the elegant but minimal appetizer, this establishment keeps costs within reason. The Vault’s top-shelf cocktails still run safely in the single digits, making this one of the better bargains for those with discriminating tastes but a tight budget.

The food offerings (salads, appetizers and paninis mostly) are light but tasty—and they don’t skimp on the portions. The $4 bruscetta offers enough to serve two people. The emphasis seems to be on keeping the food fresh enough to retain its flavor: It lacks much of the grease often found in bar cuisine."



For the full review click here (David Forbe's Bar Beat).



Thanks to kind (and very photogenic) folks from Kimmel , Applied Solutions, and Charlotte Street Computers for letting me snap pictures, interrupt their client meeting in the Vault, and bore them with inane drivel.

(Check out the Charlotte Street Computer blog too.)


(Great smile!)

Happy 29th Birthday!

Happy 29th, Birthday Girl!

Official Welcome

I don't think we've given official blog props to the newest Vault employees.

Welcome aboard Ashley and Dylan.

Topps Annual Penny Sale: Shopping vs. Drinking

Come on, guys.

You can't tell me that doesn't look better than an afternoon with your girl (woman/womyn/ wife/partner) as she bargain shops for shoes.

We're conveniently located by the back entrance to Topps, so she can just drop you off and pick you up once the painful part is over.

Conversely, gals, wouldn't you rather have him happily occupied as you charged away?

City Bakery Breads

We now use City Bakery breads for our paninis--which makes them even better than they were before!

The Alan Love Show

Tune in nightly for the Alan Love Show (co-hosted by Dylan) for the REAL reality kitchen program.

House-Made Dressings

It may not look like much, sitting there in the little dish, but just try the Balsamic Vinaigrette. (I'm not the one who makes it.) In fact, I'd never had it until I ate there last week, but WOW. I don't often feel the need to stick my finger in a dressing just to try it, but I did with this one. What makes it remarkable is its viscosity. Too many balsamic vinaigrettes just pool on the plate under the lettuce. Not this one.

I won't leave out the Caesar salad dressing, which is also house-made. It is certainly worth a try too!

PBR - $1.50 for 12 oz $2.50 for 20 oz

Try all our micro brews, sure, they're tasty. But it's hard to top a cold PBR on tap in the summer. And it's hard to top that price.

Busy Weekend

The glass block windows really make a difference in atmosphere depending on whether you're at the Vault in the day or night. Glad to see so many people out this weekend.

A shout out to the folks from Charlotte Street Computers & to the Asheville Beer Blog's "Kilgore Trout."

Patio Seating Open

The permit from the city came through, so now you can eat & drink on the lovely tiled sidewalk extension.

How You Know Your Bar Cares

Have you ever sat at a bar and wondered where to hang your purse or bag? Setting it on the bar gets in the way, hanging it on the back of the barstool doesn't always seem safe, and putting it on your lap is cumbersome.

That's where the under-bar hooks come in handy. Keep your purse, bag, or coat right there by your knee. You might not ever know they're there if you didn't know to look for them.

It's one of those little extras that lets you know Rankin Vault cares about its patrons.

And the FAB Wives

And while all the other stuff is great, did we mention the wives are FABULOUS!?!

(Can you tell who does all the PR and web work? Not to mention the hours sewing, painting, mopping, framing, dusting, grouting, furniture shopping...)

Speaking of which, check out our MySpace page and become a Friend. Or find us on Facebook.

Great Night (Pre-Opening)

great space















great owners
















great staff (And Lucy said she was the one who wasn't photogenic?)

















great friends

















Thank you all for your help getting the Rankin Vault ready and we hope to see you soon.

Open Evening Hours