Working on your summer bucket list? (here’s ours) Don’t leave the buzzing CLT food scene off! Discover a new favorite wine, restaurant, fuse art and even get hands-on in a cooking class this summer at Charlotte’s best restaurants.

Here are the culinary events and news worth planning your summer days around:

Featured Event!

Bastille Day Celebration
Bonterra Dining & Wine Room
July 14 | 6:30 p.m.

Three respected chefs join forces for this special Bastille Day celebration at Bonterra Dining and Wine Room. Chef Charles Semail of Chef Charles Catering, Chef Sylvain Rivet of Renaissance Patisserie & Chef Blake Hartwick of Bonterra Dining & Wine Room have crafted a five-course dinner complete with wine pairings.

$150 per person. All proceeds benefit the Parkinson Association of the Carolinas. For reservations please call 704.333.9463.

Can’t miss scoop:

Picnic specials to-go at Reid’s Fine Foods 

You have two more chances to catch Summer Pops at Symphony Park (June 25 and July 1). Before you find a spot on the lawn, stop by Reid’s for Chef’s specials, grab-and-go cheese and charcuterie platters, beer, wine and desserts.

Clean Catch Take & Bake

Intimidated by cooking seafood on a weeknight? Take the guesswork out of cooking with Clean catch’s take and bake offerings each week. Full prepared dinners, made with ingredients you can pronounce. Stay up-to-date with the latest menus with their website and newsletter.

Clean Catch Crab cake Sale

Don’t miss your chance to get your hands on Clean Catch’s handcrafted crab cakes! The sale starts Wednesday and goes through Saturday, just in time for your weekend dinner.

Wine Topic Tuesday: Poolside Wines
The Cellar at Corkbuzz
June 27 | 6 p.m.

Before your next pool day, taste and discover a new refreshing favorite at this edition of Wine Topic Tuesday. The following wines will be available for free sampling:

• Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio Dolomiti 2015
• Banshee Rose 2016
• Gruet Sparkling Blanc de Noirs NV

Mega Wine Tasting
Reid’s Fine Foods South Park
June 28 | 5:30 p.m.

Join Reid’s for a wine and cheese tasting featuring an extensive line-up from Trinchero’s Family Estates. $10 per person.

All About Rosé
Corkbuzz Charlotte
July 15 | 1 p.m.

Just as the temperature creeps up, cool down with a hands-on class all about rosé wines. Explore how the wine is made, staff favorites and suggested pairings just in time for your next barbecue. $55 per person.

Raid the Wine Cellar with Laura Maniec: France
Corkbuzz Charlotte
July 19 | 6:30 p.m.

Corkbuzz owner and Master Sommelier Laura Maniec leads an exploration of her favorite French wines with snack pairings from the Chef’s menu. Taste and learn why each bottle holds a special place in Corkbuzz’s cellar.

More Food & Wine Events to Fill Your Summer Calendar:

Tinazzi Wine Dinner
aqua e vino
June 26 | 7 p.m.

Start the week off right with this six course dinner featuring Tinazzi Wines. Preview the menu.  $70 per person. Call to reserve: 704.364.4445.

Taste of the Mint – Fiber Art
Mint Museum Uptown
June 28 | 4 p.m.

A revamp of the popular monthly series at the Mint includes a menu tasting with a hands-on element with the chefs and bartenders at Evoke of Le Méridien Charlotte Hotel. The Summer-inspired menu includes a peach cocktail by head bartender Stacy Jethroe, oyster shooters and gazpacho by Chef Rodrigo Velazco and a light treat by Pastry Chef Chelsea Ecdao. $40 per person. Reserve your spot here.

Earth Fare Concord Grand Opening
8885 Christenbury Parkway, Concord
June 28

It’s worth getting up early to see the ribbon cutting at the newest Earth Fare location. The first 100 people in line will receive a gift card worth up to $500. Afterwards, shop and enjoy complimentary coffee, samples, giveaways and music all day.

Pop-up on the Patio
WP Kitchen + Bar
June 29 | 5 p.m.

Fully embrace the summer vibes as WP Kitchen + Bar and The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery team up for a tasting of rare, unfiltered beers and food pairings including homemade pretzels and house-made sausage. Call to reserve: 704.295.0101.

Culinary Fight Club Charlotte – Pitmaster Throwdown
Blackfinn Ameripub – Ballantyne
June 29 | 6 p.m.

Get your tasting forks ready as area pitmasters battle it out in the Culinary Fight Club’s Pitmaster Throwdown. Each ticket includes entry, beer, bites and a chance to vote for the Tasters Choice Champion. $40 per person.

The Constitution Dinner
Rural Hill
July 1 | 4 p.m.

Travel back in time to see what a typical dinner would have been like on the eve of the 1787 Convention. At Rural Hill, Chef Craig Barbour will prepare an authentic 18th century style banquet to accompany discussion sparked by constitutional law scholar Stewart Harris. $50 per person. Purchase tickets here.

Modern Diner Food
July 8 | 11 a.m.

Chef Gene Briggs leads a four-course cooking demonstration that teaches attendees to whip up modern takes on classic diner dishes. $44.95 per person.

Wine & Cheese Class
Orrman’s Cheese Shop
July 12 | 5:30 p.m.

Take a tour around the world with the help of two of 7th Street Public Market’s most beloved retailers.  Josh of the Assorted Table and Rachel from Orrman’s Cheese Shop lead this evening of wine and cheese tastings. $25 per person.  Purchase tickets here.

“Many Faces of Chocolate” Exhibit Opening Reception
The Secret Chocolatier
July 29 | 6 p.m.

The Secret Chocolatier will rely on the creativity of its chocolatier team as the storefront transforms into a chocolate art gallery through September. On display will be 20 handmade works of art including masks, sculpting and more. The free opening reception will include refreshments and chocolate sculpting demos with Chef Bill and the artistry team. The “Many Faces of Chocolate” exhibit will be on display at The Secret Chocolatier from July 29 through the end of September.

CLT Restaurant Openings & Opening Soons:

Now open: WU’s Cajun Sea Food in South End
1714 South Blvd.

WU’s is now serving up a fusion of low country seafood delectables during their soft opening. Browse their Facebook feed for a crave-able preview of the menu and stay tuned for details on an official grand opening.

Now Open: Urban Cookhouse in PRSC

Urban Cookhouse offers a “farm to fire” take on sandwiches, salads and entrees featuring locally sourced products and fresh ingredients.

Coming soon: Amelie’s to PRSC

Everyone’s favorite salted caramel brownie is coming to Myers Park. Soon you’ll be able to stop by the PRSC to grab macaroons, coffee, lunch or a sweet treat. Coming this summer.

Coming soon: Bisonte Pizza Co. to Uptown

The newest location of this Matthews-based pizza spot will open soon at 710 W. Trade St.

Opening Announced!: Shake Shack in PRSC

The burger, fries and shake chain with a borderline cult following is joining the growing food scene at Park Road Shopping Center. Shake Shack’s first location in the Carolinas is expected to open in late 2017. More from the Charlotte Observer.

Openings Announced!: Babalu and DeSano Pizza Bakery to Waverly

Two restaurants look forward to joining a growing list of eateries and retailers in South Charlotte’s Waverly mixed-use development.  More from the Charlotte Business Journal.

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