Main Street between 3rd and 5th is closed.

In the pit! This photo was taken from inside Flight at the front door. If you look closely, you can see the black and gray art deco tile – amazingly intact.

Taken from Flight’s balcony window.

The city of Hendersonville is replacing the underground utilities on Main Street and we’re all grateful that they have waited until January, our least busy time of the year, to dig up the sidewalk. It’s more problematic in front of Flight because underneath the sidewalk is access to underground Hendersonville. There’s a room down there that sports art deco era style tilework. In the ’60s, the room was used for a teen club, but it looks as if it were built to be a speakeasy. Wonder who would know the history of underground Hendersonville and could tell us?

It’s certainly a mess. And it looks to be a mess through the rest of January at least.

We’ll keep you posted.

No!

I mean, fine, get rid of the September-Vogue-issue-sized wine list and just offer a well-curated selection.

But don’t we need tablecloths?

If silverware is placed on your napkin and etiquette requires you to put your napkin on your lap upon sitting down, then the silverware must be moved directly onto the tabletop. Do you see where I’m going with this?

And, what happens when the table next to you leaves? It’s one thing to have a tablecloth discretely replaced and a whole other thing to have someone come by with the squirt bottle and a (hopefully clean) cloth and start splashing away.

I suppose white paper on top of white linen would be an option. Or placemats. Still have the necessity of the spray bottle, though.

Am I being just way too squeamish?

What about the flowers and candles? Should it be on or the other? They take up some real estate on the table so at Flight, we usually switch to candles after daylight savings time goes into effect in November. How important are the flowers? Candles?

Comment here or twitter me @flightgrill

But rum? I guess I thought if you’re going to mix it with Coke or ginger ale or a tumbler full of mint does quality really matter? The answer is yes. Quality always matters and not just the quality of the alcohol in this case, rum, but also the mixers.

I love rum and ginger ale. I discovered Vernor’s diet (diet!) a couple of years ago and mixed it with some small batch rum we had purchased in a little shop with a sand floor on a Caribbean island. Then, I tried Fever Tree mixers. They’re expensive compared to the ubiquitous Canada Dry ginger ale, the smell of which can remind me of countless upset stomachs. Fever Tree’s ginger ale balances the carbonization and the sweet peppery ginger is nuanced…don’t try it unless you can afford to have it all the time. It’s available at Flight by special request. (Raises the price of your drink by $1.)

When the rum ran out, we despaired and have been testing various rums ever since to find something similar at the ABC store. We haven’t found it exactly (and I think the time and place we bought it has colored our taste buds to a degree), but we’ve found some really amazing sipping rums:

Appleton Estate Reserve – Imbibe magazine says “This is a medium-bodied rum with an aroma of orange peel and brown sugar, and a taste of caramel, almonds and warm spice.” $25

Cruzan Single Barrel Estate – “Soft, but luscious…has a flavor of brown butter, toffee and toasted almonds.” $30

Zaya Gran Reserva – “Dark and heavy, with lush flavors of chocolate, toffee and candied orange peel.” $32

Do you have a favorite? And how do you like to drink it? Straight? Mixers? What kind?

Here’s to 2011 – the Year of the Rabbit! Missy Schenck says it’s supposed to be a harmonious one. Peace on Earth….

And, is there anyone who likes the ubiquitous, non-offending, un-festive phrase “Happy Holidays?”

Downtown Hendersonville is lighting the Christmas tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Pam’s Flower Market is having their Christmas open house that weekend.

Flight is waiting until at least December 1st.

Let’s enjoy Thanksgiving to the fullest — the sports, the turkey, the stuffing, the leftovers….

Wait. No leftovers. Come to Flight on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Flight. The no-leftover zone.

“This is the best play I have seen by Flat Rock Playhouse and I’ve been going for 20+years” — Marilyn Bailey

“First live play I’ve seen in 20 years. I have to start going more often, it was amazing!” — (I think I’ll keep this one anon.)

“It’s wonderful to have this play on Main Street!”

“The acting was as great as any on Broadway — made so much more compelling by the courthouse venue.”

Great set design, multi-media. Definitely a must-see.

Come to Flight before or after. Please make reservations for dinner!

The show is general admission seating, but if you make reservations to have dinner at Flight pre-show you’ll receive reserved seating at the show so you’ll have time to enjoy your dinner. (Doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm.) Flight diners will also have expedited dining service. Come to Flight apres-theatre, show your ticket stub and receive a free item from the Playgoer’s menu. And, meet the actors!

Due to crazy circumstances, Flight has only a few tickets to offer gratis to our loyal customers. So, here’s the deal: Twitter or Facebook two lines about why you and a guest should receive free tickets — the best ones will win! Here’s a clue – I’m predisposed to those who say something wonderful about Flight or served in the military! So, get busy! Two lines! How hard could it be!

(Don’t do Facebook or Twitter? Email it to flightwoodgrill@bellsouth.net and I’ll post it for you.)