Biltmore Village, September 4, 2025
News Summary
Gemelli Italian Eatery, currently in Westgate Shopping Center, will relocate to Biltmore Village after Hurricane Helene damage. The new venue at 28 Hendersonville Road is expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026. Owner Chef Anthony Cerrato is excited about enhancing dining options in Biltmore Village, featuring a gelateria, a chef’s table experience, and retaining the existing menu. The relocation is part of a broader revitalization trend in Asheville’s dining scene.
Asheville
Gemelli Italian Eatery, which is currently serving patrons at the Westgate Shopping Center, has announced its relocation to Biltmore Village following damage incurred from Hurricane Helene. The move to the new location, situated at 28 Hendersonville Road, is expected to take place in late 2025 or early 2026. This venue previously housed Andaaz and Rezaz restaurants, both of which have left a significant culinary footprint in the area.
Owner and Chef Anthony Cerrato expressed enthusiasm about bringing new Italian American dining options to the revitalizing community of Biltmore Village. The restaurant plans to maintain operations at its existing location on 70 Westgate Parkway until making the transition. This continuity will allow Gemelli to ensure a seamless dining experience for its customers while preparations for the new restaurant are underway.
To facilitate the move, Gemelli has engaged Falcon Construction and Rhythm Interiors for the relocation project. The new eatery will occupy the entire downstairs area of the building and will feature a gelateria that offers house-made gelato and specialty coffees, complete with its own street entrance. This addition aims to elevate the dining experience by providing a casual spot for gelato lovers.
In the new location, Gemelli will also introduce a unique dining option known as the chef’s table experience, allowing guests to dine in the kitchen area, closely interacting with the culinary team. The kitchen will continue to be led by Executive Chef Gabe Cerrato and Chef de Cuisine Chuck Baudendistle, the latter having previously held the position of Executive Chef at The Admiral. The relocation will not alter Gemelli’s existing menu, which has received positive feedback since the restaurant opened its doors in 2022.
Chef Anthony Cerrato is no stranger to the Asheville dining scene, having earlier opened the popular Strada Italiano and the neighboring Social Lounge rooftop bar in 2012. The upcoming move to Biltmore Village is part of a broader trend of revitalization that is reshaping the dining landscape in Asheville, which has experienced a surge of new restaurants and eateries catering to a diverse culinary palate.
As Gemelli prepares for this significant transition, the community eagerly awaits the addition of the new location, which promises to enhance the dining options in Biltmore Village while staying true to the restaurant’s Italian American roots.
FAQ
When is Gemelli Italian Eatery relocating?
Gemelli Italian Eatery is expected to relocate as early as November 2025, with a possibility of extending into spring 2026.
Where will the new location be situated?
The new location will be at 28 Hendersonville Road in Biltmore Village, in a building previously occupied by Andaaz and Rezaz restaurants.
What new features will the Biltmore Village location include?
The new location will have a gelateria offering house-made gelato and coffees, a chef’s table dining experience in the kitchen area, and will retain the existing menu.
Will Gemelli continue to operate during the relocation process?
Yes, Gemelli will continue to operate at its current location on 70 Westgate Parkway until the relocation to the new site is completed.
Key Features of Gemelli Italian Eatery’s Relocation
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Location | 70 Westgate Parkway |
| New Location | 28 Hendersonville Road, Biltmore Village |
| Projected Move Date | November 2025 – Spring 2026 |
| Culinary Leadership | Executive Chef Gabe Cerrato and Chef de Cuisine Chuck Baudendistle |
| New Features | Gelateria and Chef’s Table Experience |
| Menu | Existing Menu to be Retained |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WLOS: Italian Restaurant Relocating
- StyleBlueprint: 48 Hours in Asheville Restaurants
- AVL Today: New Coming Soon Restaurants Asheville
- Eater: Finest Deli in Asheville
- Charlotte Observer: C5 Food & Drink
- Wikipedia: Asheville, North Carolina
- Google Search: Asheville Restaurants
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
