The Blackbird Restaurant's Unique Take on "Down South" Goes Aloft Downtown

Black Mountain restaurant will relocate to 51 Biltmore Aloft Asheville development in September 2012

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. June 26, 2012

June 26. 2012 - As construction on downtown's newest hotel and mixed-use development nears completion, the McKibbon Hotel Group of Gainesville, Georgia has announced that Asheville's favorite destination restaurant, The Blackbird, will bring hand-crafted Southern food to Aloft Hotel guests and visitors to downtown Asheville when the restaurant relocates to 51 Biltmore Avenue this September.

The all-new restaurant space is part of an independent retail area on the ground level of the mixed-use development, fronting Biltmore. The bright and airy location will provide chefs and owners Bobby Buggia and Roz Taubman with nearly three times more dining and kitchen space than their previous location. Architect Diana Bellgowan is working closely with the team to create a fresh look for the three-year-old restaurant concept that reflects urban energy and buzz to complement the downtown environment.

“Bringing The Blackbird downtown will provide us with so many new opportunities,” said chef/owner Roz Taubman. “The additional space and presence along Biltmore Avenue will allow us to continue to delight our established customers, along with bringing many new guests in to experience our menu of fresh, Southern foods and exceptional desserts that we've become known for.”

The Blackbird's dynamic new location brings lunch and dinner dining opportunities to both hotel guests and visitors to downtown. The restaurant will also provide room service options to the Aloft Hotel, along with catering services for meetings and special events held in the hotel.

“We have invested considerable effort to find just the right fit for our guests in our preferred restaurant partner,” explained John McKibbon, Chairman of McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc. “I believe that we have found a fresh, hand-crafted food concept in The Blackbird that will not only serve our hotel guests well, but will become its own dining destination in Downtown Asheville.”

The Blackbird has created an affordable and vibrant fresh menu that combines the best of Southern comfort foods and local farm products with cutting edge flair. They take great care in serving seasonal items from local farmers and micro-brewers, and will continue to offer both lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch menus, along with periodic special events featuring unique menu items.

The Blackbird joins the mixed-use development at 51 Biltmore Avenue that includes the 115-room Aloft Hotel, along with several additional retail spaces and the new City of Asheville Parking Garage. For more information, visit theblackbirdrestaurant.com or call (828) 669-5556.

About Aloft Downtown Asheville
The Aloft Hotel is located at 51 Biltmore Avenue, in the heart of Downtown Asheville. The 63,521 square foot space will feature 115 loft-style rooms (including four suites) with a contemporary, urban feel, along with unique amenities, including the W xyz® bar and dining with the Biltmore Balcony outdoor deck; Starbucks® coffee bar and breakfast; a third-floor outdoor pool deck known as Air Level, with cabanas and a bar overlooking the surrounding mountains; and a comprehensive art collection featuring local artists. The Aloft Asheville is scheduled to open in August 2012.

About McKibbon Hotel Group, Inc./McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc.
McKibbon Hotel Group, Inc., based in Gainesville, Georgia, is a privately owned enterprise that has grown into an award-winning premier real estate developer and owner of nationally franchised hotel brands for Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and Hyatt hotels. McKibbon is proud to be a recognized leader for over 87 years in the hospitality industry, and McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc., based in Tampa, Florida, currently operates over 65 mid and upscale brands in 8 states throughout the Southeast. The company has a rich history and culture that promotes a family oriented environment, while holding true to its core values of honesty, integrity and loyalty. For more information, visit www.mckibbon.com.