It’s been a HOT summer in the QC restaurant scene, and Charlotte shows no signs of slowing down in these last days of August. Before Labor Day rolls around, here are the latest in openings, events and menu specials to tempt your palate:
OPEN NOW AND OPENING SOON
Yume – Open Now
Yume is now open in South End’s Gold District, offering hearty ramen with broths prepared daily, an array of sushi and sashimi options and a full bar. We’re looking forward to ordering the Tayoyaki, octopus hush puppies drizzled with a sweet and tangy sauce. Visit them at 1608 S. Mint Street.
Pilot Brewing – Open Now
Pilot Brewing, a small-batch nano brewery opened in Plaza Midwood on August 10. In addition to their experimental beers and small batches, which have included a West Coast IPA, Banana Bread Wheat Ale and Oat Pale Ale, Pilot brewing will also feature a community brew series where they collaborate with local businesses and home-brewers. Find them at 1331-B Central Ave.
Max & Lola Bodega – Open Now
A neighborhood bodega just opened in South End’s booming Gold District. Max & Lola Bodega, which once was home to an old mechanic shop, features beer on tap, indoor/outdoor seating and a grocery section.
Yafo Kitchen, Plaza Midwood – Open Now
A Charlotte favorite for signature shawarma and falafel wraps and bowls, not to mention a popular build-you-own option, has opened a new location in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood. Yafo Kitchen’s newest location opened on August 13 at 1331 Central Ave.
Aqua e Vino Open after Closing for Construction
After closing for construction due to Strawberry Hill Shopping Center renovations, Aqua e Vino reopened their doors on August 16 with a new chef-driven menu. The menu, which will vary monthly based on selections by Chef Grigo, is showcasing figs, eggplant and chanterelles in August. View the full menu here. To make a reservation, call 704.364.4445.
Boatyard Eats Coming to Cornelius – Opening August 23
Soon, Cornelius locals will have a new spot to gather. BoatYard Eats is expected to open August 23 featuring a rotating schedule of local food trucks and breweries, plus a consistent live music line-up.
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen Moves In To New Location – Classes Start August 21
Executive Chef Alyssa Wilen and team are bringing their popular hands-on cooking classes to their new location at 4001 Yancey Road. Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen will begin hosting classes in their new space on August 21, and will also begin offering lunch catering, family table meals and Saturday brunch in the near future.
MERE’s Curated Gourmet – Opening August 31
Coming August 31 to The Courtyard Shopping Center in Dilworth, Mere’s Curated Gourmet will offer a wide array of wine, cheese and charcuterie. Expect a by-the-glass wine tasting experience, a create-your-own tasting board option of cured and salted meats and cheeses, along with preorder options for special events.
Pour Taproom Charlotte – Opening in September
Everyone will find something they love when Pour Taproom comes to Plaza Midwood in September. The self-pour taproom will feature 118 taps, the most in the country, and include a rotating variety of craft beers, wines, ciders and even root beer.
MENU UPDATES & NEWS
Dilworth Tasting Room – Half price wines & Teacher Discount
Stay cool through the end of summer with half price rosé bottles every Thursday through September. Plus, select bottles of Cabernet are half price Wednesday beginning August 22. Last but not least, teachers can enjoy a 30% discount each Monday in August with valid ID.
Reid’s Fine Foods – New Menu Items
Both locations are debuting new menu items for the end of summer. Here are the new items we can’t wait to try:
Myers Park:
- Pressed Watermelon Salad with arugula, shaved radishes, pressed watermelon, pickled red onions, shaved cucumber, and ginger orange vinaigrette
- Pan Roasted Salmon with fresh vegetable ratatouille, fried caperberry, and herb oil
- Seared Tuna with soba noodles, kale kimchee, and peanut sauce
- Seared Scallops with brown butter, swiss chard, succotash, and tomato vinaigrette
- Garlic Shrimp Pasta with angel hair pasta, roasted tomatoes, arugula, lemon, white wine sauce, and pesto compound butter
- Southern Salad with arugula, green beans, radishes, avocados, corn, almonds, and maple vinaigrette
- Blackened Corvina Tacos with baja slaw, pineapple salsa, and guacamole
SouthPark:
- Grilled Watermelon Salad with arugula, feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, pickled red onions, and balsamic glaze
- Fried Deviled Eggs filled with bacon and fresno peppers
- BBQ Sandwich with Smoky NC style chopped BBQ with coleslaw and pickled jalapeños
- Chorizo and Roasted Corn Flatbread with ground chorizo, roasted corn, onions, cheddar, mozzarella, and chipotle sour cream sauce
- Diver Scallops with sweet corn puree, shaved brussels sprouts, squash, and blood orange gastrique
- Baked Salmon with zucchini noodles, pumpkin pesto, blistered tomatoes, and cherry sauce
WP Kitchen + Bar – New Menu Items
Peaches + Ricotta with marinated peaches, fermented honey, prosciutto, and grilled bread:
Sweet Corn Agnolotti with local mushroom conserva and truffle cream:
Mimosa Grill – Daily Specials
- Monday: 1/2 off wines by the glass
- Tuesday: $5 local taps
- Wednesday: $4 sangria
- Thursday: $5 16oz cans
- Friday: 1/2 off signature cocktails
- Saturday: $24 Mimosa carafes, $28 Bellini carafes, 1/2 off select bottles of wine
- Sunday: $3 mimosa and Bellinis, 1/2 off select bottles of wine
Plus, just in time for football season, Mimosa Grill will offer game day specials when the Panther’s play at home. Reserve a table and enjoy beer specials ($2.50 Bud Light and $4 Stella) and rotating food specials which have included hot smoked cajun wings, a game day house burger and pit smoked pork sandwich with truffle fries.
JP Charlotte – Summer Specials
Don’t wait to try JP Charlotte’s flatbreads, wine and cold brews – their summer food specials run through September 29. Stop by Wednesdays for $10 flatbreads, Thursdays for half-priced wine bottles and Friday for $5 draft beers.
Upstream Seafood – Daily Specials
Take note of Upstream’s popular weekly specials:
- Monday: $1.00 East Coast Oysters on the half shell are offered all day in the bar. Pair it with a 1/2 price glasses of wine and you’ve got a great start to your week!
- Tuesday: All Specialty cocktails are $8. 1/2 off Oysters from 4-6:30pm.
- Wednesday: 1/2 Price “by the glass” Bottles. 1/2 off Oysters from 4-6:30pm.
- Thursday: Unlimited Sushi $24.95 in the bar and patio 4-7pm. 1/2 off Oysters from 4-6:30pm. 1/2 Price Sake bottles.
- Saturday: $5 Red and White Sangria. $6 Bloody Mary’s. 1/2 off Oysters from 4-6:30pm.
- Sunday: 1/2 Price La Marca Prosecco Bottles. $3 Mimosas. 1/2 off Oysters from 4-6:30pm.
Babalu Tapas + Tacos’ “Taco of the Month”
Starting this month, Babalu in Dilworth will feature a “Taco of the Month” – expect tacos featuring not-so-standard items like oysters, drunken monkfish, lamb barbacoa, fresh sauces and more. Through August 31, try the duck confit taco served street-style in a corn tortilla with diced avocado, onion-cilantro pico and cotija cheese. Know before you go: these are super premium tacos and not eligible for Taco Tuesday or Social Hour pricing.
FOODIE EVENTS
Wine Dinner with Winemakers Guy & Valerie Farge
Tuesday, August 21 | Aix en Provence | 6 p.m.
Queen of Wines and Winemakers Guy and Valerie Farge will host a French dinner designed to go perfectly with their beautiful Rhone wines. $85 per person plus tax and gratuity. Book reservations online or call 704.332.1886.
Top Shelf Tequila Dinner
Thursday, August 23 | Sullivan’s Steakhouse | 7 – 9 p.m.
Sullivan’s Top Shelf Tequila Dinner features a chef-inspired four course menu expertly paired with Cazadores Blanco, Reposado and Anejo tequilas. $55 per person. Reserve your seat online.
Reid’s SouthPark Summer Concert Series Feat. The Bad Daddies
Saturday, August 25 | Reid’s Fine Foods SouthPark | 7:30 p.m.
The Bad Daddies will take the stage at the next installment of Reid’s Patio Concert Series. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Reid’s SouthPark store. Email callie@msquaredpr.com with questions.
South African Wine and Braai
Saturday, August 25 | Vin Master Wine Shop | 3 p.m.
Indaba Wines of South Africa and Vin Master team up for a tasting of traditionally prepared South African meats, side dishes and wines supporting the Indaba Education Fund. Think of it as a South African-style backyard cookout. $25 per person includes one drink ticket and food. A special wine menu of India wines will be available for just $5 per glass. To reserve your spot, email vinmasterclt@gmail.com or call 704.307.5565.
Dinner with Sazerac
Monday, August 27 | Dot Dot Dot | 7 p.m.
First, sip on a welcome punch by Stefan Huebner, then enjoy a four-course pairing dinner led by Gabe Weeks and Rick Henry of Sazerac and Chefs David Quintana & Chad Watchorn. $99 per person. Preview the menu here.
Charcuterie 101
Tuesday, August 28 | The Loyalist Market, Matthews | 6:30 p.m.
Learn all about the different types of cured meats and artisan products that should grace your next charcuterie board, sip on complimentary red and white wine and get 15% off any retail products at this class at The Loyalist Market. $35 per person. Tickets are available in-store or by calling 704.814.9866.
Spanish Wine Dinner featuring European Cellar Wines
Tuesday, August 28 | AQUA e VINO | 7 – 10 p.m.
Make your reservations now for this six-course wine dinner featuring European Cellar Wines. $90 per person. Call 704.364.4445 to save your seat.
Bone Broth Cooking Class
Wednesday, August 29 | Reid’s Fine Foods Myers Park | 11 a.m.
Joanna Reule, founder of Brave Broth, is teaching a class about the gut healing, health benefits of bone broth and how to cook easy, seasonal bone broth bowls. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased at Reid’s Myers Park. Please email callie@msquaredpr.com with any questions.
August Wine Dinner
Wednesday, August 29 | Bistro D’Antonio, Waxhaw | 6:30 p.m.
Dine on five delectable courses with wine pairings picked specifically for each dish. Attendees will also receive course tasting notes and education on each wine during the dinner. $55 per person. Call 704.243.0633 to reserve your seat.
Paws on the Patio
Thursday, August 30 | WP Kitchen + Bar | 6 p.m.
Luna and Alicia Thomas and WP Kitchen + Bar host Paws on the Patio, a dog-friendly event featuring complimentary bites from Chef Stephen Schmitt, free treats for the pups from Woof Gang Bakery and cocktail specials. To RSVP, email callie@msquaredpr.com.
Peach Baking Class
Thursday, August 30 | The Big View Diner Bakery | 6:30 p.m.
Pastry chefs at Big View Diner host this cooking class in celebration of National Peach Month. You’ll learn to make peach hand pies and roasted peaches with brown sugar ice cream and almond oatmeal crumble, plus enjoy a three-course dinner. P.S. It’s also half-price wine night! $45 per person.
The New Gullah Supper Club Charlotte
Saturday, September 1 | 5 – 7 p.m.
Food Television Personality and Chef Kardea Brown will offer New Gullah Supper Club guests an array of Gullah/Southern fare prepared with fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. Preview the menu here. $85 per person plus tax.
