In need of a new go-to? Charlotte’s busiest restaurant season offers plenty of ways to break out of your rut. The latest news on openings, closings and menu updates for early April 2018:
NEW & NOTEWORTHY
Open now: Suki Akor
The Japanese steak and sushi restaurant is now open on the first floor of the Embassy Suites hotel in Uptown. Find them at 401 E. MLK Jr. Blvd.
Open now: Tandur Indian Kitchen
via Facebook
For fast-casual Indian, head to SouthPark’s Tandur Indian Kitchen for serving saucy entrees, biryani bowls and bold Indian flavors.
Open now: Haymaker
From William Dissen, chef and owner of The Market Place in Asheville, Haymaker is now open at 225 S Poplar Street.
Opening soon: Renaissance Patisserie
Renaissance Patisserie’s new location will open on April 12 in the Specialty Shops at SouthPark with a new open kitchen, an expanded menu and seating. Hours will be Monday – Saturday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The South Boulevard location will close after April 21.
Closed: Wu’s Cajun Seafood
This past week, we said goodbye to Wu’s Cajun Seafood in South End. The Bottle Cap Group, which also manages Brazwell’s Premium Pub and Ink N Ivy, is expected to open an new concept in the same location.
Closed: Luca Modern Italian Kitchen
Luca served its last meal to patrons on Easter Sunday. Owners Jessica and Luca Annunziata hinted at future culinary plans in a Facebook post announcing the restaurant’s closing.
Pre-Opening Now: Get your tickets for: Shake Shack x Lenny Boy Brewing Co. Pop-Up
Charlotte burger lovers are counting down the days until Shake Shake opens its doors at Park Road Shopping center. To tease our appetites, Shake Shack will team up with Lenny Boy Brewing Co, for a one-day pop-up. A $20 ticket includes a burger (ShackBurger or ‘Shroom burger), a beer or kombucha, crinkle-cut fries and a slice of pecan pie from Suárez Bakery. Purchase online.
Make plans to try: New spring menu items at WP Kitchen + Bar
Take a fresh look at WP Kitchen + Bar as the culinary team releases a new menu for spring. Additions to the lunch menu include BBQ Shrimp nola style with worcestershire, scallions and grilled bread, UAV Ricotta with crushed spring peas, fermented honey, lard, local pea shoots and grilled bread and Grilled NC Trout with snap peas, green chickpeas, smoked ham and yuzu-buttermilk sauce. For dinner, try the and Tuna Tartar with poke vinaigrette, grilled scallion, toasted avocado and quinoa chips, and NC Apple Salad with blue cheese, frisee, arugula, radicchio, candied walnuts and sherry vinaigrette.
FOOD TO DO’s + RESTAURANT EVENTS
Get in the kitchen at Clean Catch Fish Market
We all cook with oil, but how many of us actually do it correctly? Chef de Cuisine & Instructor Chef Charlie will teach class participants the basics of cooking with different oils, and enjoy a three-course menu and wine. $80 per person. Email orders@cleancatchfish.com, call 704.333.1212 or text 704.272.4551 to reserve your spot.
Four weeks left in the first ever Ice Cream Sandwich Challenge
The weather’s warming up, and it’s the perfect time for an ice cream taste test. Good Food on Montford, Barrington’s and Stagioni will battle it out in the Ice Cream Sandwich Challenge through May 1. Simply get your punch card at a participating restaurant, try the featured ice cream sandwich at each spot, vote for your favorite and receive a complimentary dessert when your punch card is full. Details on each restaurant’s offerings:
Good Food: Banana pudding ice cream, homemade Nilla wafer, white chocolate foam
Barrington’s: Pretzel chocolate chip cookie, Milk Stout ice cream, salted caramel foam
Stagioni: Banana gelato, graham cracker macaron, marshmallow fluff, meringue cookies
Grab a friend for: Group wine classes at Corkbuzz Charlotte
April 5: Group Red Wine Profile – The always popular group profile is back, and this time we will be tasting red varietals to get to the bottom of your wine preferences! These are fun and interactive, so invite a friend to sign up with you, and meet other wine enthusiasts! $42 per person.
April 13: Exploring Red Varietals – What really makes Cabernet Sauvignon so different from Pinot Noir, or even Malbec? Let us guide you through the differences in not only the grapes, but the regions of the world where they are most popular. This will be a casual class for newbies, or a brush up for wine pros. $65 per person.
Not up for a class? You can still explore when you sip on this month’s Sommelier Flights at Corkbuzz Charlotte. Each flight is $15 for three pours. April’s featured flights:
April 2-8: April Showers Bring May Flowers – Have you ever stuck your nose in a glass or wine to find that it smells like a dried rose or a fresh cut white flower? These three aromatic grape varietals will get you in the mood for spring with their fragrant, floral aromas.
April 9-15 : New World Whites – Many people are familiar with the Old World countries like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain that have been making wine for years, but what about the New World? Often times, New World wines are described as tasting riper, having higher alcohol, less acidity, and tasting more fruity. This week we will explore three white wines from the New World.
Each and every Friday, Coaltrane’s hosts Music Bingo – a fun-filled mash-up of music trivia and bingo. Enjoy $3 drafts while you prove your music knowledge.
Live music Friday and Saturday nights at The Imperial
Settle into the weekend groove with live music every Friday and Saturday night. No cover!
Master Somm Dinner at Lumiere
April 5 | Lumiere French Kitchen
Master Sommelier Des Echavarrie hosts this five-course wine dinner featuring six Napa Valley estates. $125 per person. Preview the menu, crafted by executive chef Tom Condron of Lumiere French Kitchen, here. Call 704.332.9910 to reserve your seat.
Sakura Celebration at O-Ku
April 5 | O-Ku Charlotte
Celebrate the return of Japan’s iconic sakura (cherry blossom) trees with an evening of festive cocktails and complimentary cites, served alongside the regular dinner menu.
Choose Your Own Adventure Pairing – Cheese, Craft Beer & Cider
April 6 | 7th Street Public Market
Orrman’s Cheese Shop and Tank’s Tap team up for this create-your-own tasting event. Tickets include two drink tokens redeemable at Tank’s Tap and a cheese plate from Orrman’s Cheese Shop, containing for cheeses to pair with your beer or cider.
Switchback Ridge Dinner for Charity
April 7 | Bonterra Dining & Wine Room
This four-course dinner and wine pairing features selections from Switchback Ridge Winery and culinary creations from Chef Blake Harwick. Preview the four-course menu and wine pairings, and purchase tickets online. $150 per person, with a portion of proceeds benefitting HeartBright Foundation of Charlotte.
Charlotte Brunch Festival
April 7 | The Fillmore Charlotte
Brunch just got better. The Charlotte Brunch Festival features over 20 local restaurants and chefs serving samples from $2-6. Taste new brunch dishes and get a preview of Fahrenheit’s new spring brunch menu. $20 for general admission.
Three Spirits Food Truck/Crafts & Drafts Event
April 7 | Three Spirits Brewery
Celebrate NC Beer Month and Charlotte Craft Beer Week as Three Spirits Brewery hosts their second annual food truck rally. Expect plenty of food truck options, live music and offerings from local artisans.
Mother Shuckin’ Oyster Roast & Mother Shucker Release
April 8 | NoDa Brewing Company
NoDa Brewing Company and Sea Level NC will team up to host the Mother Shuckin’ Oyster Roast. Come hungry and grab a tray of a dozen oysters for $10 or a bowl of chowder for $8. Wash it down with NoDa’s new oyster stout, the Mother Shucker.
Beer + Biscuits
April 9 | The Asbury
The next Collaborative Series Dinner brings Phoebe Lawless and Sean Lilly Wilson, both James Beard semi-finalists, to the Asbury to join chef Krenz in a biscuit-themed beer dinner. $65 per person, including Fullsteam beer pairings. Call 704.342.1193 or reserve your seat online.
Harrington Dinner
April 10 | Corkbuzz Charlotte
Laura Fiorvanti and Greg Harrington, both Master Sommeliers, will host a private five-course dinner. Laura is the owner of Corkbuzz, while Greg, Laura’s mentor, is the founder and winemaker at Gramercy Cellars. $80 per person.
Free Cone Day 2018
April 10 | Ben & Jerry’s locations
On April 10, we’ll all scream for free cone day at Ben & Jerry’s. Celebrate at your nearest location. Which flavor will you choose?
National Ham Day with Knob Creek
April 14 | Dot Dot Dot Charlotte
Kevin Creasy of Beam Suntory and Dot Dot Dot’s executive chef David Quintana will lead guests in a paired tasting of four cured hams and Knob Creek’s Small Batch, Single Barrel, Rye, and Smoked Maple. $30 per person.
2nd Annual Pop-Up Picnic
April 14 | Freedom Park
The Catawba Lands Conservancy and Carolina Thread Trail host the second annual pop-up picnic, an evening in the park with live music, beer and wine, food trucks, outdoor activities and picnic baskets curated and prepared by Charlotte restaurants. Pre-order your picnic basket beginning April 4 for pick-up at the event.
Sensoria Food & Wine
April 15 | Philip L. Van Every Culinary Arts Building, CPCC
Enjoy the best of Charlotte’s locally-sourced cuisine as eleven chefs and wineries pair up for a tasting-style event. View all chef and winery pairings here. General admission: $100, VIP admission VIP Admission with Riedel Wine Tasting: $150.
