I wanted to mention an amazing restaurant I visited while in the city last week, the Tomato Jam Cafe. I had to call the Tomato Jam Cafe for directions because I missed my turn into the restaurant, which is noted by a tiny blue sign pointing to an office park. The restaurant sits on the corner of a medical office park and is open for breakfast and lunch.

Bekah and I walked up to the cash register to order. I ordered the Tori Melt, walnut chicken salad with cranberry mustard and goat cheese. The bread was from a local baker, Annie’s Naturally Bakery in Western North Carolina. I couldn’t decide which side to order, so I told the employee to surprise me. She picked the homemade applesauce.

The sandwich was perfectly toasted. The walnut chicken salad with cranberry mustard was definitely unique. Most chicken salads are too heavy on the mayo for my liking, but Tomato Jam Cafe got it right. The goat cheese made the sandwich savory along with the sweet and tangy flavors from the cranberry mustard. I’m so happy that the employee picked the homemade applesauce for my side dish. The applesauce is out of this world. Imagine eating chilled, baked apples. Incredible! The applesauce wasn’t mushy, it was chunky and was sweetened nicely with a touch of cinnamon.

After cleaning my plate (it was easy), a cupcake was delivered to our table. The cupcakes are baked fresh at the restaurant. We received a double chocolate cupcake topped with cinnamon chips and toasted coconut. The cake was light and the cinnamon chips added the most amazing taste to the dessert. You haven’t lived until you try cinnamon chips. Forget chocolate chips!

I had a great experience at the Tomato Jam Cafe. The employees make you feel like you’re at home eating in their kitchen. Maybe it was the alphabet magnets and artwork hanging up from loyal customers? You feel cozy while drinking out of a mason jar and enjoying some fresh, home cooking. I highly recommend paying Tomato Jam Cafe a visit. There is something for everyone at the restaurant.

Graphic by: Matt Friesen

UPDATE: This workshop was so needed that it’s already booked solid!  But, they are offering the same workshop on Feb. 23, same time, same place.  Make your reservations quickly!

Social Media Jams, a monthly workshop series offering education in how businesses and people can use blogs, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for fun and profit, launches Feb. 9 at Tomato Jam Cafe.

Co-sponsored by the Mountain Xpress, Tomato Jam Cafe and Skyrunner, the Jams offer homegrown social media expertise in everything from how small businesses can use Twitter to how to use Google Analytics to drive more traffic to your website.

“We want to harness local talent and expertise from people already using social media effectively right here in Asheville,” said Social Media Jams organizer Jennifer Saylor, who leads community initiatives for Mountain Xpress. “These workshops are presented by local experts, for local users of all levels.”

Leading the first workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 9 is Wendy Lou Gillespie of Creative Imp Works, whose social media clients include Monkeywhale.com, TEDxAsheville and Asheville Vaudeville. Her kickoff workshop will teach small business owners how to use online tools like Twitter and Facebook to grow their business in new ways.

“It’s a beginner-friendly introduction for all levels, for anyone looking for new avenues to grow their network and reach new clients,” Gillespie said. “Twitter and Facebook aren’t difficult, they’re for all ages, and they’re easy to master when you have a little help with the nuts and bolts.”

Tomato Jam Cafe offers a limited food menu for the kickoff Jam, complete with dessert.

“We want to create an easygoing atmosphere for the Jams,” Saylor said. “There’ll be learning and networking, but there’s also good food. Come out, have dinner, and learn something you need to know.”

Cost per person to attend is $15 (dinner not included). An RSVP is required as there is limited seating at the cafe, and space in the workshops is first come, first served. Participants should RSVP via e-mail to jsaylor@mountainx.com.

As well as RSVP-ing, participants should bring a laptop or web-enabled device that allows them to access the Internet.

Social Media Jams
Tuesday, Feb. 9 (going forward, the second Tuesday of the month)
Tomato Jam Cafe, 379 Biltmore Ave. (in the Doctor’s Park)

6:30-8:30 p.m.
$15 per person; bring a laptop or web-enabled device
RSVP requested: jsaylor@mountainx.com
Facebook: search Social Media Jams
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SocialMediaJams, @socialmediajams