West Asheville restaurant debuts new, swanky event venue, The Argot Room
ASHEVILLE - A West Asheville fine dining restaurant has introduced a new counterpart to cater to guests seeking a venue for their next chic and casual social soirees.
In June, Sean Piper, and his wife Shelly, co-owners of Jargon, will host their first private event at their new venue, The Argot Room, at 717 Haywood Road.
It is the next-door neighbor to Jargon and permits the restaurateurs to extend their services to include large party catering and hosting events for the community.
The storefront has taken on many different forms over the years, including a church, bicycle shop and realty office, and most recently a storage facility for Jargon.
“I get so many requests for large parties and it’s really hard to be able to accommodate them next door,” Sean Piper said. “We’ve been working on this a long time, and we can do parties up to 46 here now.”
The Argot Room is an intimate event space available for private bookings and public, ticketed events.
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The venue is available for corporate and group meetings, birthday parties, wedding showers and rehearsals, small band performances and other special occasions for brunch, lunch or dinner.
The Argot Room is considered more spacious ― estimated to have a third more space than Jargon’s indoor dining room though the restaurant has a capacity for 50 people in the dining room with an additional 49 seats in the courtyard tucked behind the restaurant.
However, The Argot Room's layout is more open and conducive to free-flowing social events.
Piper is considering hosting chef tastings and jazz nights and other small, intimate band showings with food and beverage offerings.
“The piece for the community, with us losing Isis (Music Hall) and The Mothlight, I want that small, intimate music venue,” Piper said. “I’m a big jazz guy so I want to bring that back. This will be a cool venue.”
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Inside The Argot Room
The Argot Room ― “argot” meaning a “secret jargon” ― complements the restaurant with its eclectic décor stylings, including vintage gold gilded frames and mirrors, original accent pieces and murals.
“We’re trying to bring some of the same aesthetics and quirkiness and warmth and charm,” Piper said.
The two windows on either side of the front door have been converted into private, cozy nooks fitted out with lounge furniture and drapes. They may be reserved for guests or as VIP lounges for booked performances.
The dining room has long, locally crafted wooden tables, but the space may be converted to fit the occasion.
In the main room, the mural of a forested landscape and a hidden sasquatch taking a stroll, titled “Paint by Number,” was commissioned by local artist Jennifer Barrineau.
The artwork also serves as the backdrop for a floor space that may be used as an additional laidback lounge area or cleared out to become a performance stage for musicians or deejays.
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Repurposed books make up a floor-to-ceiling wall art installation leading to the hallway and more books covering the kitchen door will create a secret passage effect.
A mural of a library with a winding staircase creates an illusion of entering a magical literary wonderland. It was painted by another local artist, Brantly Tyson.
“I’m making this into a faux library. It has this ‘Lord of the Rings’ feel to it and if you stand at a certain point… the idea is that using perspective it’s kind of interactive,” Piper said.
The venue has two restrooms, including one with a full shower.
A classic record player is available to set the vibe with vinyl record sounds.
Vintage light fixtures and lighting design play their part to create a warm environment.
“At night, the candles pop in here,” Piper said. “At night, it’s so beautiful. The lights are all on dimmers so you can just bring the lights down.”
Menus and bookings
Jargon’s executive chef Ryan Kline will oversee catering services for The Argot Room, which is equipped with its own kitchen.
Clients may work with the chef to customize their event menu. Jargon offers Modern American cuisine using locally sourced ingredients in its rotating dining and bar menus.
“Everything the chef does is based on seasonality and freshness,” Piper said. “We’re here. It’s great Jargon food and Jargon service. We love working with clients to craft what they need.”
To reserve The Argot Room, email jargonrestaurant@gmail.com. For more, visit jargonrestaurant.com and follow on Instagram @the_argot_room.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter/Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: West Asheville restaurant expands with new, chic venue, The Argot Room
