February isn’t just all hearts and flowers. This month we also celebrate Mardi Gras and National Margarita Day, free donuts plus lots of new menu items and places to step out of your foodie bubble and explore CLT. Here’s our scoopEATS February, a round up of the sales, drinks, food news and openings to help you enjoy 02/2017:

Clean Catch Fish Market’s February Salmon Sale

Don’t miss the February Salmon sale at Clean Catch Fish Market. From February 23-25 pick up fresh Faroe Island Salmon for just $22.99 per pound, regularly $28.99. This is THE MOST tasty salmon you will ever eat. Text, call or email to order and please don’t forget to tell them scoop sent you!

Free Doughnuts at Krispy Kreme
Through February 28

Talk about a morning pick-me-up. Through February 28, Krispy Kreme is giving away a free original glazed doughnut with the purchase of any size coffee.

~  New Menus  ~

New menu items from the wood fired brick oven at Bonterra

Try the new steaks from Bonterra which have that signature wood fired brick oven taste. The new menu items, which each come with embered asparagus and cast iron hash brown, include:

Domestic Veal Chop: $35
Dry Aged 12oz Kansas City Strip Steak: $38
Dry Aged 12oz Ribeye: $41
Wagyu Chateaubriand 6oz: $37 – 8oz: – $39 – 10oz: $41
Add a 6oz Fried Lobster Tail for 19

WP Kitchen + Bar welcomes three new cocktails to menu

Help us welcome the three newest cocktails to WP Kitchen + bar: Razzbubbly, Apple Jack and Cherry Fizz. During their Thirsty Thursday promotion, guests may enjoy these specialty cocktails for just $6.

Meet up with scoop’s food bloggers and other CLT food writers this Wednesday, 2/22 at the #MeetMeatWP happy hourfrom 6-8pm at WP K+B – enjoy a featured cocktail for $6 for the evening, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres from Chef Stephen.

New menu at McNinch House Restaurant

The McNinch House has new five or seven course menus, each available with optional wine pairings. For a truly special night out, opt for the Chef’s Tasting Menu. View all of the new offerings here.

JP Charlotte’s New Seasonal Menu

With a focus on the freshest ingredients, the chefs at JP Charlotte in the Westin Hotel have designed a new menu that will change every six weeks, at a price that you can definitely afford. For only $35, enjoy a two course meal with a cocktail or local draft beer pairing. View the latest menu here.

~  New Spots to Try  ~

Stop by newcomer Tavolo for Italian offerings and daily drink specials

If you haven’t been to Tavolo yet, here are three solid reasons to check it out. Swing by for their drink specials Monday-Thursday, enjoy their bar bites, and have a family style Sunday dinner. View their menus here.

~  Get your tickets now for the following upcoming events  ~

Switchback Ridge Dinner for Charity
Saturday, March 25
Bonterra Dining & Wine Room

Get the best of both worlds with a night of cuisine and wine, all for a great cause. The 2017 Vinter Dinner features five gourmet courses prepared by Chef R. Blake Hartwick and wine pairings led by Kelly Peterson of Switchback Ridge. Proceeds benefit the HeartBright Foundation.  6:30 pm. Tickets are $135. View the full menu and purchase yours here.

Craft Beer Dinner at Corkbuzz
Thursday, March 2nd
Corkbuzz Charlotte

It’s not just about wine at Corkbuzz. Craft beer takes center stage as the resident beer-somm guides you through a fun pairing of seven beers and a four-course menu. 7 pm. $126 per person. Reserve your spot here.

JP Charlotte’s Out of the Kitchen
Wednesday, March 15
The Westin Charlotte

This inaugural event features a three-course meal prepared table side, bringing Charlotte’s top chefs out of their kitchen and interacting with guests. Proceeds benefit Girls on the Run. View the full chef line-up and purchase your tickets here.

 ~  Also Don’t Miss These Events  ~

Celebrity Chef Series: Feed The Children
Friday, February 28
Fahrenheit-Charlotte

Indulge in a multi-course meal prepared by some of the best culinary minds in Charlotte while supporting the non-profit Feed the Children. The host chef is Rocco Whalen of Fahrenheit, but the event will also feature celebrity guest chefs. 6 pm. individual tickets are $150. Purchase here.

Free Range / Pure Pizza Beer Launch & Farm Supper
February 26
Pure Pizza

What goes better together than beer and pizza? Free Range Brewing and Pure Pizza are teaming up for a Farm to Table Beer Dinner that celebrates a brand new beer and shared commitment to locally-sourced ingredients. The five-course menu, crafted by Chef Austin Crum, is complemented by five seasonal Free Range beers. $50 per person. Book your seat here.

Cocoa Workshop
Sunday, February 26, 2017
11:00am-11:45am

The month of sweets isn’t over just yet. Learn all about cocoa including the origins and characteristics, then how to make three hot cocoa beverages to keep you warm until spring. You’ll even get a custom hot cocoa mix to make at home. $15 per person. Call or visit the shop to register.

Wednesday 2/22 is Margarita Day.
Here are some of our favorites.

Our friends at The Westin have us covered for National Margarita Day, whether you want to grab a fresh one at their bar or mix up your own at home. Their twist on the classic:

The Daisy
Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. 100% Blue Agave Blanco Tequila
• .75 oz. fresh lemon juice
• .75 oz. Agave syrup (2:1).
• 5 oz. Cointreau
• .25 oz. fresh orange juice
• .25 oz. Del Maguey Vida Mezcal

Preparation:Shake all ingredients well with ice until chilled.  Strain contents over a large cube into a rocks glass.  Garnish with an orange slice and a half rim of Kosher salt.

WP Kitchen + Bar (South Park)
6706 Phillips Place Court

WP Kitchen + Bar’s twist on the margarita is a Cranberry margarita, made with Jose Cuervo Silver tequila, triple sec, lime juice and cranberry reduction. It’s a sweeter take on the classic cocktail. If you just want a good ol’ margarita, go for the K+B Margarita, which uses Jose Cuervo Silver tequila, agave syrup and lime. They will be open for dinner from 5 pm- 10pm.

Ruru’s Tacos + Tequila (Myers Park / Eastover)
715 Providence Road

Open on 11 am-11 pm. You know a place is serious about great drinks when they have an entire menu dedicated to them. Choose from eight cheerfully-named margaritas from their menu. Call to reserve: 704.332.7933.

Vida Cantina (Uptown)
210 E Trade St, Ste 104A

Open 11 am-11 pm. BONUS: $1 from each “Purple Ribbon Margarita” sale goes to the American Cancer Society and then Vida will match the overall donation. Admission to the event is free, register here.

Pacos Tacos (Southpark)
6401 Morrison Blvd #8a

Open for National Margarita Day 11 am- 10 pm. Be brave and try the Jalapeno Margarita or keep it classic.  Reserve online here.

Cantina 1511 (South Charlotte)
Park Road: 4271-B Park Road
Stonecrest: 7708 Rea Road

Open 11 am- 10 pm. Settle in with a basket of chips and salsa and choose from their multiple margarita offerings. Reserve online.

Babalu Tapa & Tacos (Dilworth)
1511 East Blvd

Open Wednesdays 11 am-10 pm. With choices like the Pineapple Margarita and Champarita, you can’t go wrong. Preview the margarita menu here.

1900 Mexican Grill (Elizabeth)
Elizabeth: 1523 Elizabeth Ave
Myers Park: 5110 Park Rd #1E

Both locations will be open from 11 am-10 pm. View the margarita options here.