Groupon can certainly lead you into unknown territory, especially when you select Groupon purchases with the question in your mind that says "I wonder what this is....". However, I was in Asheville Groupon collection mode for new places, so the Kava bar experience was purchased with an extra strong TBD status attached to it! The process of getting there indicated our slight fear of it though. Putting it off to the last possible day that we could use the Groupon, we paced around outside the establishment for awhile, craning our necks for inside peeks. Finally, like children opening a closet that they know is not allowed, we opened the door and peered into a very relaxed atmosphere of couches, wood flooring, and incense. For reasons beyond my understanding, Eric and I both instantly assumed it was a legal place to produce pot or something as signs did promise a "euphoric experience without the alcohol." As such, we were a little worried about Elle's presence, so we tentatively walked towards the bar in the back (it was empty at the time we entered) waiting for a worker to freak out and kick us out. However, the welcome was offering Elle a sweet tea, so I was then leaning towards the belief that it was a pot smoking establishment that is firmly falling into the southern mentality that all children must be served sweet tea.However, the Groupon offering of a Melanesian Tea Package for two turned out to be.... a Melanesian Tea Package for two. Funny that. The secret apparently is that the kava root from the Polynesian Islands does have a euphoric relaxant that actually is recommended to absolutely NOT mix with drugs or alcohol. With a picture of Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife sharing a ceremonial kava bowl with some chieftain in the South Seas (1966), I finally become convinced that this is legit; at least on a nominal level.
Unfortunately, while experience was actually incredibly cool and it did leave me very relaxed, it also make me want to throw up and gave me a headache. However, it was well worth the cultural experience, and where else to try really unique cultural experiences outside of the indigenous culture besides Asheville....as we are discovering day by day. I was initially confused why it was insisted to have "pineapple chasers" (variety of cut up fruit), but after a shot of the kava, trust me, you want the fruit chaser! The kava numbs your mouth in a very nice way and has an incredibly earthy tone, but the effect on the stomach.....the fruit was welcome. The real chaser to the whole experience was loose leaf tea of your choice to made up and sipped, which frankly, was awesome. Fresh cinnamon black tea was greatly enjoyed.
Would I return? Yes.
"Hold the kava and go straight to the French press of cinnamon black tea." :)
