Thought we'd give Never Blue one more try after a less than enjoyable visit last time. We were seated immediately and the restaurant was busy, but not slammed. We sat and chatted for awhile, made our menu selections, and began wondering if anyone was going to take our order. We were seated near the bar and kitchen so quite a few servers walked past multiple times. We thought about leaving, but I said we should ask to see if someone was assigned to our table. Several more staff members walked by but didn't make eye contact. At that point we noticed that the folks next to us were also trying to get someone's attention. They had been there since before we arrived and still sat with menus waiting to order. By then we figured even if we did manage to get someone's attention the wait for food was likely to be long. This was a place we thought would become a "go to" after our first visit which featured delicious food and impeccable, friendly service. Our second visit didn't quite live up to the memorable first one, but it still had great food and good service. On our third visit the food was still good but an indifferent and inattentive server made it much less enjoyable. And on our 4th visit we were ignored long enough to cause us to decide to leave. Not sure we will try again unless there is reason to think things will go better. I'll check out other recent reviews to see if perhaps this was just an anomaly but the trend for us has been all downhill since our first visit. Kinda bummed because we really like the menu and the food has always been good.....but if it's this hard to get the food to the table there are plenty of options where that's not an issue.
flippnfin
We have gone to this restaurant for many years, but we had not been for a year because we were not all that impressed the last time we went. The quality (taste) of the food and the service have declined in recent years, even thought the prices remain very high. We decided to try it once more, but were disappointed again. The food has become very average, the service lacking, and the prices high. As we sat outside, we notice other groups discuss the restaurant and go elsewhere. They made the right decision. We will not be going back.
SeniorTravelTales
It was a perfect light dinner for us before going to the Flat Rock Playhouse. Their pork appetizer was excellent with a lot of pork and flavor. Their Fish Tacos were excellent. They have fancier names than this. A very tasty tapas items. Staff was welcoming and friendly.
Michelle P
The environment is very relaxed with indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor includes seating in a refurbished garage (we chose this). Our server was very knowledgeable and other food runners were helpful and kind. They had numerous homemade sangrias to choose from (we had that). We focused on their tapas for this meal: shrimp in chili garlic sauce, beer battered fries, dates wrapped in bacon with goat cheese, and Brussels sprouts. We loved the chili sauce so much that we dipped fries and Brussels sprouts in the sauce too. All the food was thoughtful and creative. We live in Asheville and will be back. Hendersonville biz has been a bit up in arms about the cost of parking in their downtown area. This restaurant does something nice and crédits your check $2 if you are there for an hour and $4 if you are there for two hours. Very thoughtful way to protest the city. For those who need walker or wheelchair access, you can sit comfortably in the outdoor garage patio. There are steps to get indoors for the restroom. Parking is now a fee from the city. There are garages and on street parking.
BelzSells
We have been to Never Blue many times. The food has always been good but the wait staff is pathetic. Sad to see a great restaurant go down so far since Covid. If you can get a smile out of the staff you are lucky. Never Again.
Tinkvasi
This place looks cute and eclectic. It is pretty. But you need more than pretty. Service was completely devoid of personal service. My food was lukewarm at best but nobody bothered to check if it was okay. I was never offered a refill on my cocktail. I was never offered a refill on my water. When we completed the meal the person who took my order (I’ll reframe from using the word server or waitperson because both of those titles would indicate some service.) came to my table to have me pay the bill without even attempting to remove the dirty dishes! (I just returned from using the facilities where my husband advised that she came by to take the bill, found out that I was paying and was away so she would come back. She didn’t take that that opportunity to clear the plates either!) I advised that she would need to clear the table. She had the audacity to call s hostess over to clear the dishes and hover over me to then pay the bill. I was not even offered dessert!!! When she received a tip that was well beyond what she deserved of 15% she walked away and gave a face at the screen. While the place is cute, the food mediocre, the service was so incredulous lacking I will never go back again.
Mountain-gal54
We always enjoy the food at Never Blue. They have unique entrees and small plates to share. The servers are friendly and in the summer the garage doors are open and there is also outside seating.
bethy217
Lots of little charges can add up that are not mentioned. $2 for credit card use. Switching of sides without disclosure. $19 for a beyond burger is outrageous! Disappointed as well with staff as they turned off lights at 8:30pm when it is clear on website they close at 9pm. Friend drove 40 min away to visit and had to rush out. Disappointed.
michaelsR1089IM
Amazing meal with interesting food choices. Everything we’ve tried was spectacular. Will be going back next time we are nearby.
courtrightkj
We moved to Hendersonville in August 2022, and many people we spoke with recommended Never Blue, so we decided to check it out. We were unimpressed. The sidewalk dining was indeed nice, but the wait staff was inattentive. They actually forget to put in our order; we saw three other tables get seated after us, get served, then pay and depart, before our food ever arrived. The food was overpriced and unimpressive. Some people seem to love this place, but it was a strike-out for us. I think they are so focused on being “trendy” that they forget to cook and serve tasty food. Doubtful we will ever return.
There are several great looking eateries in Hendersonville. For our first visit, we chose Never Blue. The menu provided a wide variety of items to try. We went with the Tapas small plates to sample the most. I am not a duck fan, but the duck wontons were incredible. The shrimp dish was also fabulous, as were Big Papi's Tacos. Service was a little slow, but we didn't mind. Our server Madison's smile and upbeat attitude entertained and added to the experience.
jlw0lf
Atmosphere was interesting with original wood floors and high ceilings. Dining space both inside and outside. Menu was varied, with small plates, sandwiches and salads. Service was very good. Will definitely return.
David L
Food is still wonderful after 6 years since first of dozens of visits The service and arrogance of our server “manager she said” was beyond poor and embarrassing for us and our visitors we were introducing to our former favorite.
susanmZ8029BQ
We selected Never Blue because of high ratings on Tripadvisor. Great idea! Very creative menu with excellent food. My husband and I each got a smashed lamb patty burger with sides of fries (him) and sweet potato fries (me). We should have ordered one and split it except that I wanted sweet potato fries, and these were the best I have ever eaten. Hands down. Our friends ordered a Greek salad and a spinach salad and we're extremely happy with them. The four of us split their ultimate brownie, which is like a fudge lava cake brownie encased in phyllo dough and topped with homemade vanilla ice cream. Unbelievable. They have outdoor seating and also serve indoors. Definitely going back but ordering less food!
KristaW808
We recently stayed in Hendersonville for a month and ended up coming back here multiple times. Lots of interesting small tapas plates that make it fun to order several and share. The cuban got high marks from him (and we're from the Tampa Bay area so we know good cuban sandwiches), and I enjoyed a yummy goat cheese/blackberry sandwich too. Servers were friendly as could be on all visits, and it has a fun atmosphere. Outdoor and indoor seating options. Wish we'd had more time to enjoy even more of the yummy-looking menu options.
Thought we'd give Never Blue one more try after a less than enjoyable visit last time. We were seated immediately and the restaurant was busy, but not slammed. We sat and chatted for awhile, made our menu selections, and began wondering if anyone was going to take our order. We were seated near the bar and kitchen so quite a few servers walked past multiple times. We thought about leaving, but I said we should ask to see if someone was assigned to our table. Several more staff members walked by but didn't make eye contact. At that point we noticed that the folks next to us were also trying to get someone's attention. They had been there since before we arrived and still sat with menus waiting to order. By then we figured even if we did manage to get someone's attention the wait for food was likely to be long. This was a place we thought would become a "go to" after our first visit which featured delicious food and impeccable, friendly service. Our second visit didn't quite live up to the memorable first one, but it still had great food and good service. On our third visit the food was still good but an indifferent and inattentive server made it much less enjoyable. And on our 4th visit we were ignored long enough to cause us to decide to leave. Not sure we will try again unless there is reason to think things will go better. I'll check out other recent reviews to see if perhaps this was just an anomaly but the trend for us has been all downhill since our first visit. Kinda bummed because we really like the menu and the food has always been good.....but if it's this hard to get the food to the table there are plenty of options where that's not an issue.
We have gone to this restaurant for many years, but we had not been for a year because we were not all that impressed the last time we went. The quality (taste) of the food and the service have declined in recent years, even thought the prices remain very high. We decided to try it once more, but were disappointed again. The food has become very average, the service lacking, and the prices high. As we sat outside, we notice other groups discuss the restaurant and go elsewhere. They made the right decision. We will not be going back.
It was a perfect light dinner for us before going to the Flat Rock Playhouse. Their pork appetizer was excellent with a lot of pork and flavor. Their Fish Tacos were excellent. They have fancier names than this. A very tasty tapas items. Staff was welcoming and friendly.
The environment is very relaxed with indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor includes seating in a refurbished garage (we chose this). Our server was very knowledgeable and other food runners were helpful and kind. They had numerous homemade sangrias to choose from (we had that). We focused on their tapas for this meal: shrimp in chili garlic sauce, beer battered fries, dates wrapped in bacon with goat cheese, and Brussels sprouts. We loved the chili sauce so much that we dipped fries and Brussels sprouts in the sauce too. All the food was thoughtful and creative. We live in Asheville and will be back. Hendersonville biz has been a bit up in arms about the cost of parking in their downtown area. This restaurant does something nice and crédits your check $2 if you are there for an hour and $4 if you are there for two hours. Very thoughtful way to protest the city. For those who need walker or wheelchair access, you can sit comfortably in the outdoor garage patio. There are steps to get indoors for the restroom. Parking is now a fee from the city. There are garages and on street parking.
We have been to Never Blue many times. The food has always been good but the wait staff is pathetic. Sad to see a great restaurant go down so far since Covid. If you can get a smile out of the staff you are lucky. Never Again.
This place looks cute and eclectic. It is pretty. But you need more than pretty. Service was completely devoid of personal service. My food was lukewarm at best but nobody bothered to check if it was okay. I was never offered a refill on my cocktail. I was never offered a refill on my water. When we completed the meal the person who took my order (I’ll reframe from using the word server or waitperson because both of those titles would indicate some service.) came to my table to have me pay the bill without even attempting to remove the dirty dishes! (I just returned from using the facilities where my husband advised that she came by to take the bill, found out that I was paying and was away so she would come back. She didn’t take that that opportunity to clear the plates either!) I advised that she would need to clear the table. She had the audacity to call s hostess over to clear the dishes and hover over me to then pay the bill. I was not even offered dessert!!! When she received a tip that was well beyond what she deserved of 15% she walked away and gave a face at the screen. While the place is cute, the food mediocre, the service was so incredulous lacking I will never go back again.
We always enjoy the food at Never Blue. They have unique entrees and small plates to share. The servers are friendly and in the summer the garage doors are open and there is also outside seating.
Lots of little charges can add up that are not mentioned. $2 for credit card use. Switching of sides without disclosure. $19 for a beyond burger is outrageous! Disappointed as well with staff as they turned off lights at 8:30pm when it is clear on website they close at 9pm. Friend drove 40 min away to visit and had to rush out. Disappointed.
Amazing meal with interesting food choices. Everything we’ve tried was spectacular. Will be going back next time we are nearby.
We moved to Hendersonville in August 2022, and many people we spoke with recommended Never Blue, so we decided to check it out. We were unimpressed. The sidewalk dining was indeed nice, but the wait staff was inattentive. They actually forget to put in our order; we saw three other tables get seated after us, get served, then pay and depart, before our food ever arrived. The food was overpriced and unimpressive. Some people seem to love this place, but it was a strike-out for us. I think they are so focused on being “trendy” that they forget to cook and serve tasty food. Doubtful we will ever return.
Restaurantji Recommends
There are several great looking eateries in Hendersonville. For our first visit, we chose Never Blue. The menu provided a wide variety of items to try. We went with the Tapas small plates to sample the most. I am not a duck fan, but the duck wontons were incredible. The shrimp dish was also fabulous, as were Big Papi's Tacos. Service was a little slow, but we didn't mind. Our server Madison's smile and upbeat attitude entertained and added to the experience.
Atmosphere was interesting with original wood floors and high ceilings. Dining space both inside and outside. Menu was varied, with small plates, sandwiches and salads. Service was very good. Will definitely return.
Food is still wonderful after 6 years since first of dozens of visits The service and arrogance of our server “manager she said” was beyond poor and embarrassing for us and our visitors we were introducing to our former favorite.
We selected Never Blue because of high ratings on Tripadvisor. Great idea! Very creative menu with excellent food. My husband and I each got a smashed lamb patty burger with sides of fries (him) and sweet potato fries (me). We should have ordered one and split it except that I wanted sweet potato fries, and these were the best I have ever eaten. Hands down. Our friends ordered a Greek salad and a spinach salad and we're extremely happy with them. The four of us split their ultimate brownie, which is like a fudge lava cake brownie encased in phyllo dough and topped with homemade vanilla ice cream. Unbelievable. They have outdoor seating and also serve indoors. Definitely going back but ordering less food!
We recently stayed in Hendersonville for a month and ended up coming back here multiple times. Lots of interesting small tapas plates that make it fun to order several and share. The cuban got high marks from him (and we're from the Tampa Bay area so we know good cuban sandwiches), and I enjoyed a yummy goat cheese/blackberry sandwich too. Servers were friendly as could be on all visits, and it has a fun atmosphere. Outdoor and indoor seating options. Wish we'd had more time to enjoy even more of the yummy-looking menu options.
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