On the hunt for a new date night spot? Search no further. Need to give trustworthy recommendations to out-of-towners? We’ve got you covered. Don’t go into the second half of April without knowing what’s new and newsworthy in Charlotte’s food scene:
NOW OPEN & OPENING THIS MONTH
Everyone is Shakin.
It’s final and finally here. Shake Shack announced their first NC location will open on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 11 a.m. in Park Road Shopping Center. The first 100 guests in line when the restaurant opens will receive a Shake Shack X 704 Shop hat. If you want something to look at while waiting in line, there will be a ribbon cutting at 10:45.
Forevermore known as the Park Road Shack, located at 1605 East Woodlawn Road, Charlotte, NC, Shake Shack is known for its 100% all-natural Angus beef burgers, chicken sandwiches and griddled flat-top dogs (no hormones or antibiotics – ever), fresh-made frozen custard, crispy crinkle cut fries and more. In addition to the Shack classics, the Park Road Shack will be spinning up a unique selection of frozen custard concretes:
- Pie Oh My: vanilla custard and slice of Suarez Bakery seasonal pie
- Shack Attack: chocolate custard, fudge sauce, chocolate truffle cookie dough, Mast Brothers Shake Shack dark chocolate chunks, topped with chocolate sprinkles
- Cookie Butter Blender: vanilla custard, cookie butter, chocolate toffee and chocolate sprinkles
You’ll be able to wash your dog n’ burgers down with local brews from Lenny Boy Brewing Company, Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Catawba Brewing Company. As part of Shake Shack’s mission to Stand For Something Good®, 5 percent of sales from their Pie Oh My concrete will benefit Loaves & Fishes, a nonprofit that provides a week’s worth of groceries to individuals and families in short-term crisis in Mecklenburg County.
Fin & Fino – Open now in Uptown!
A self-described “social seafood house” is open now in Uptown. The new concept, developed by the owners of Dresslers Restaurant, features fresh oysters and cocktails at 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts.
Tacos 4 Life – Open now in Concord!
Tacos 4 Life Grill, a fast casual taco restaurant on a mission to help end world hunger, opened their first of five Charlotte-area locations in Concord. The menu includes 14 taco varieties as well as salads, quesadillas, rice bowls, and more. For every taco, salad, rice bowl, quesadilla or nachos a guest purchases, Tacos 4 Life donates 22 cents to Feed My Starving Children, a nonprofit organization committed to ending childhood hunger. Find them at 2940 Derita Rd, Suite 40.
Renaissance Patisserie – Opening Friday 4/28 (fingers crossed for them!!)
We’re happy to wait a few days more!! Stay tuned.
Eddie V‘s Opening in Uptown May 4
A new seafood and steak destination will open May 4 at the corners of Trade and Tryon streets. Expect fresh seafood dishes, handcrafted cocktails, live music and happy hour features at The V Lounge and a sommelier-curated wine list.
NEW MENUS & DRINKS
New Spring Cocktails at Reid’s Fine Foods
Perfect for sipping al fresco in the patio, Reid’s new spring cocktail menu includes libations like the Pomegranate Martini (Tanqueray, Parna, Simple Syrup, OJ, Lime, Lemon Juice), Charred Grapefruit (Cardinal Barrel Rested Gin, Soda, Bittermilk Charred Grapefruit Tonic) and Lavender Clementine (Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey, Lavender Honey, Muddled Clementines and Cherries, Ginger Beer). All pair perfectly with Reid’s small plates or famous steak burger. View the full menu at Reids.com. When planning your next happy hour, remember all seasonal cocktails are half price on Thursday at Reid’s.
Corkbuzz Charlotte’s Sommelier-Curated Wine Packs
Wine-lovers can now take the knowledge of a sommelier home with them, thanks to Corkbuzz Charlotte’s sommelier-curated Wie packs. From educational topics like Wine 101 and Tannin & Texture, to exciting wine packs to share with friends (like Pop the Cork!), each pack offers a different, unique wine for everyone – without breaking the budget. Looking for a gift for the wine lover that has it all? Wine packs are available for shipping and/or pickup. View the full list of wine packs here.
New menu at Merchant & Trade
There’s a new reason to take the elevator to the 19th floor of the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel – Merchant & Trade’s new menu items. Since opening in November 2017, Executive Chef Robert Hoffman has been refining the menu while keeping its focus on “social bites” meant for sharing. The new items stay true to this original vision, and include lamb lollipops (oven-baked Mediterranean lamb meatballs, cucumber tzatziki), a cheese steak haute pocket (shaved filet, roasted peppers and onions, aged cheddar, herbed crust) and sweet potato tater tots with spices and a side of cranberry mustarda.
Draught Charlotte‘s spring menu
Head to Draught in third ward for Chef Donnie Simmons’ fresh takes on brunch, lunch and dinner classics. The Sassy Hen, pictured above, is infused with root beer and served with collard greens.
Plus, don’t miss their Friday special: Southern Fried Fridays
Every Friday night Draught offers a bucket of fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese and banana pudding. $15 for two people, $30 for four.
The Imperial is ready for spring
The Imperial has multiple ways to enjoy the spring season. Enjoy $20 bottles of select wine on Wednesdays, half off martinis on Thursdays and live music on both Friday and Saturday nights. Take in all the sights, sips and sounds from their rooftop bar, now open.
New menu features at Coaltrane’s Char Grill
Make plans now to enjoy new menu items from Coaltrane’s Char Grill. Plus, Music Bingo – a fun-filled mash-up of music trivia and bingo – every Friday.
DON’T-MISS APRIL FOOD & WINE EVENTS
Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend
Wednesday, April 18 – Saturday, April 21
Leading chefs and wine-makers come together to celebrate the city’s culinary scene and support local charities. The 2018 Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend includes restaurant dinners, a grand tasting and 1000-point tasting (SOLD OUT), Riedel seminar and grand gala. Charity beneficiaries of Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend include Charlotte Concerts, The Council for Children’s Rights, Mitchell’s Fund, Pat’s Place Family Advocacy and The Relatives. Visit charlottewineandfood.org for the full schedule of events.
Drew Bledsoe Wine Tasting & Bottle Signing
Wednesday, April 18 | Reid’s Fine Foods SouthPark | 3 – 5 p.m.
Drew Bledsoe, former quarterback for the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys brings his 97-point rated Doubleback Winery Cabernet Sauvignon to the Wine Room at Reid’s SouthPark for a free sip and chat and bottle signing.
Watch the Food Network Filming at Turnhouse Grill
Thursday , Friday, April 19th & 20th
The Food Network will be filming an episode of Comfort Food Crawl at The Turnhouse Grille this Thursday and Friday, April 19th & 20th.
The restaurant will remain open to the public during the filming times of 10:45am – 1pm on Thursday and 1pm – 6pm on Friday, encouraging friends and fans to swing by, grab a bite to eat and be a part of the feature. Food and Drinks will be complimentary during filming. Indoor space is limited, however, The Turnhouse Grille has ample room on their outdoor patio for your feasting and viewing pleasure.
Film + Feast: Charlotte’s growing farm-to-table scene
Thursday, April 19 | Camp North End
Join Feast Food Tours & Culinary Events for a screening of a Chef’s Table episode and tastings from Freshlist chef partners and local samples from Old North Shrub, Trade and Lore CLT, Lenny Boy Brewing, Renfrow Farms and Wild Hope Farm. $40 ticket includes film screening as well as food and beverage samples.
Wine class: Around the World with Rosé
Friday, April 20 | Corkbuzz Charlotte
Rose has seen a wild rise in popularity in recent years, but what makes it so special? How is it made, and where? Is all Rose sweet? What about sparkling rose? Get answers to these and many more questions in this wine class featuring all things rose. $65 per person.
Red Wine Profile with Laura Maniec
Friday, April 20 | Corkbuzz Charlotte
Corkbuzz Charlotte invites guests to explore their own personal wine preferences, similar to a make-up counter experience of golf clubbing fitting. Master Sommelier Laura Maniec leads a tasting of eight different red wines to help guests understand their preferences and pick wines based on what they like. $50 per person.
Down Dog at Draught with NC Yoga Bar
Every Saturday | Draught Charlotte | 10 a.m.
Draught is teaming up with N.C. Yoga Bar for Down Dog at Draught every Saturday morning at 10am. Grab your friends & your yoga mat for yoga in Down Draught then enjoy a delicious mimosa after. Cost is $10 via N.C. Yoga Bar.
The Dating Game
Saturday, April 21 | Draught Charlotte
Single and ready to mingle? Grab your girlfriends for this fun recreation of the popular 60’s game show where a bachelorette or bachelor questions three prospective matches hidden from view. Who will end up with whom? Free admission and drink specials all night.
Taste of Ayrsley Festival
Saturday, April 21 | Piedmont Social House | 1 – 6 p.m.
Discover Steele Creek’s best in food and drink at the inaugural Taste of Ayrsley Festival. The day features samples from area restaurants, live music, a pop-up vendor market, kids activities and more.
Brisket Boys
Sunday, April 22 | Draught Charlotte | 1 – 6 p.m.
Fill up for your Sunday Funday as the Brisket Boys serve up smoked BBQ and brisket plates at Draught with DJs Ahuf, Blkk Morris and Spinstyles. Enjoy $10 plates and PBR drink specials.
Legion Brewing Beer Dinner
Sunday, April 22 | Pure Pizza – Central Avenue | 5 – 7 p.m.
Pure Pizza and Legion Brewing team up for this four-course farm-to-table dinner and beer pairing. $40 includes four courses and four beers. Preview the menu and purchase tickets here.
Wine class: Tour of California
Monday, April 23 | Corkbuzz Charlotte
Explore California beyond Napa in this class with Master Sommelier Laura Maniec. Taste the familiar, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, and discover some of California’s unique varietals. $85 per person.
Ramey Wine Dinner
Tuesday, April 24 | Reid’s SouthPark Wine Room | 6 p.m.
Step up your weeknight dinner plans with a four-course menu and wine pairing conducted by George Stakos, Director of Sales for Ramey Wine. Preview the four-course menu here. $80 per person. Call the wine department at 704.377.7686 to reserve your seat.
Free Burn Boot Camp Pop- Up
Wednesday, April 25 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Power through hump day with a free pop-up boot camp class at Draught. After the workout, enjoy a free beer plus half off bottles and glasses of wine.
WP Feeds the Need with Jasmine Jordan
Thursday, April 26 | Wp Kitchen + Bar | 5 – 10 p.m.
Join Jasmine Jordan, daughter of Michael Jordan, as WP Kitchen + Bar donates 10% of the evening’s sales to Rakeem Christmas Foundation’s mission of creating safe havens for kids to grow and play. Call 704.295.0101 to make your reservation to meet Jasmine Jordan and dine for a good cause.
Merchant & Trade Spring Season Opener & Patio Kick-Off Party
Saturday, April 28 | Merchant and Trade
Head to the rooftop for the ultimate warm-weather girls’ night out. Merchant and Trade’s all-inclusive party features an open bar, food, two DJs and stunning city views. Limited tickets available. $100+.
Paws and Pasta
Saturday, April 28 | Vivace Charlotte | 1 – 4 p.m.
Join Vivace and South Charlotte Dog Rescue for a free event featuring plenty of pasta, adoptable pups and raffle prizes with proceeds benefitting SCDR.
International Sandwich Festival
Saturday, April 28 | Aldersgate Senior Living Community | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The third annual International Sandwich Festival is a free festival highlighting the cultural diversity of east Charlotte with popular food trucks, musical entertainment and more. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged.
