The summer may be coming to a close, but Charlotte’s culinary scene shows no signs of slowing down just yet. Here are the openings, events and updates you need to know now.
NEW & OPENING SOON
New and upcoming Optimist Hall vendors
Charlotte’s premier food hall continues to roll out new vendors. The Dumpling Lady was the most recent grand opening, joining current stalls from Undercurrent Coffee, Zukku Sushi, Bao and Broth, Pet Wants,
Honeysuckle Gelato and The Spindle Bar. Upcoming openings include Papi Queso, Suarez Bakery and more.
Rockin’ Rolls Sushi Express – Opening soon!
Sushi lovers can soon experience the food in a whole new way. Coming soon to Elizabeth, Rockin’s Rolls Sushi Express brings more than 50 types of fresh sushi rolls directly to your table via a conveyor belt. Simply grab your choice and enjoy. Find them soon at 1523 Elizabeth Ave. Suite 130.
The Bohemian: A Wine Bar – Open now!
Plaza Midwood’s newest wine bar opened last Friday at 1319 Pecan Avenue. Expect a laid-back vibe with fun decor (even zebra print barstools) and wine retail featuring more than 100 bottles to enjoy on site or take home. While you sip, enjoy cheese and charcuterie boards and flatbreads from the kitchen.
Twenty Degrees Chocolate – Opening soon!
Twenty Degrees Chocolates is getting closer to opening their new location at Design Center in South End. Le Cordon Bleu-trained chocolatier Casey Hickey crafts her artisanal confections by hand and in small batches. Twenty Degrees Chocolates are currently available at Petit Philippe in Myers Park. Find them soon at 1930 Camden Rd. Suite 135.
Eight and Sand Kitchen – Opening soon!
via Facebook
A new addition along the light rail, South End’s Eight and Sand Kitchen will serve as a chic cafe, eatery and bar from the minds of Inizio Pizza owner Grant Arons and Not Just Coffee owners Miracle and James Yoder. Eight and Sand Kitchen is expected to open this month at 135 New Bern St.
Veronét Vineyards & Winery – Opening soon!
Soon, wine-lovers will have another nearby vineyard option. Veronét Vineyards & Winery will offer eight wines guests can enjoy in a tasting, flight, glass, or by the bottle while taking in panoramic view of Crowders Mountain and The Pinnacle.
To enjoy while sipping, they’ll also offer olives, nuts, charcuterie, cheese boards and sweets from a seasonal menu. They’ll be open Friday – Sunday and for tastings by appointment only Tuesday through Thursday. Find them soon at 1549 Ike Brooks Drive in Kings Mountain.
QC Pour House – Opening soon!
Coming soon to South End, QC Pour House aims to become the new neighborhood hangout and go-to for game days. They’ll offer a variety of draft and bottled beer, wine and specialty cocktails alongside a food menu. The fun take on pub food includes sharables like fried broccoli, three types of mini fried calzones, sandwiches, salads and sides. Expect daily food and drink specials, plus deals for Panthers’ game days. View the full menu here.
FOODIE EVENTS
Corkbuzz classes, plus happy hour and daily drink specials
Whether you’re looking to sip champagne on the weekend or make the most of a Monday, SouthPark’s Corkbuzz has just the thing. Don’t forget about their weekly specials.
Upstream’s famous Sunday brunch buffet returns September 8
Upstream’s famous Sunday Brunch Buffet returns September 8. Guests can enjoy a variety of favorite brunch items plus sushi, oysters and more. And don’t think they left out the bubbly: enjoy half price La Marca Prosecco bottles and $3 mimosas all day. Make your reservations here.
It’s Time To Drink New Sh!t: Island Wines
August 22 | Fin & Fino | 6:30 p.m.
Expand your palate by trying a variety of “Island Wines” from Corsica, Sicily, Canary Islands, Mallorca and Greece. The evening also includes a family-style Mediterranean dinner. $75 per person, inclusive of gratuity and tax.
Cab Corp Wine Dinner
August 22 | Local Loaf – NoDa | 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a five-course dinner prepared by Chef Adam Spears paired with six wines presented by Nicole Jurcisin & Margorie Speer. $55 per person. View the full menu here.
Duckhorn Wine Tasting Experience
August 22 | Sullivan’s Steakhouse | 7 – 9 p.m.
Enjoy four chef-inspired courses expertly paired with four of Duckhorn’s red and white wines. $85 per guest. Full the full menu and reserve your spot here.
Cooking Class with Chef Gene
August 24 | Legion Brewing SouthPark | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Chef Gene Briggs’ next cooking class highlights one of summer’s favorite ingredients: the tomato. The menu includes green fried tomatoes with pickled shrimp and remoulade, heirloom tomato and watermelon salad with feta cheese and dukkah, pork Milanese with tomatoes, pomegranate molasses and arugula and Eve’s dark chocolate tomato cupcakes. $60 per person, which includes food and beer tastings, recipes to take home and 20% gratuity.
Tiff’s Treats Grand Opening
August 24 | 7314 Waverly Walk Ave.
Tiff’s Treats, a bakery featuring baked-to-order cookies, will celebrate its grand opening in Waverly on August 24 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Meet special guests Andy Roddick & Brooklyn Decker from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. The day benefits Mecklenburg County Special Olympics.
Angeline’s Summer Sidewalk Sale
Angeline’s Charlotte | 303 S. Church St. | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Relax, sip and discover new favorite local items. Angeline’s patio takeover will feature several boutique vendors, a rolling bar with refreshing libations and music from DJ Trife.
Pizza Pizza! Vegan Vegan!
August 26 | 7th Street Public Market | 6 p.m.
Learn how to make vegan pizza in this hands-on class. Ticket includes dinner, one drink ticket, recipes and a 7th Street Public Market apron to take home. $45 per person.
Bardo & Salud Cerveceria Beer Dinner
August 27 | Two seatings available: 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
Chef Mike Noll and owners of Salud Cerveceria Jason and Dairelyn Glunt will offer a five-course menu with pairings from Salud’s brewery and taproom. Two seatings available: 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. $95 per person.
Fahrenheit Charlotte Summer Dinner Series Presents: Locations
August 28 | Fahrenheit-Charlotte | 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Join Fahrenheit for the next installment of their summer dinner series. This dinner’s theme is “locations,” where guests will be able to experience tastes and sips from around the world. General admission is $100.
August Beer Dinner
August 29 | The Suffolk Punch
Executive Chef Eric Litaker and Brewer Brant Butler team up to present a five-course menu with beers thoughtfully selected to pair with the flavors of each plate. $65 per person.
Rum Runner Dinner!
August 30 | Napa on Providence | 7 p.m.
Napa on Providence’s first rum runner dinner includes four courses from Chef Ken Aponte paired with four tasty rum runners. Reservations required, call 704.900.8535 to reserve your spot. $70++ per person.
Bacon Day 2019
August 31 | Snooze, an A.M. Eatery | 6:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
In celebration of National Bacon Day, every Snooze location in America will feature three special menu items featuring Tender Belly’s dry-rubbed, slow-cured bacon. All proceeds from the Bacon Day dishes at the Plaza Midwood location will benefit Friendship Gardens.
Mimosa Grill now serving brunch on Saturday and Sunday
Attention brunch lovers: Mimosa Grill is now offering their Southern inspired brunch buffet on both Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Uptown favorite also offers mimosa and Bellini specials both days. View the full menu here.
Harper’s Restaurant specials in SouthPark and Pineville
Don’t forget about popular weekly specials at both Harper’s Restaurant locations: Live music every Thursday on the patio at SouthPark and $3 bloody marys and mimosas all weekend long at Harper’s Pineville.
MENU UPDATES & NEWS
Last tastes of summer at JP Charlotte
Crafted by executive chef Josh Kitchens, JP Charlotte’s Georgia Peach Salad features locally-sourced ingredients including greens, cured speck, tomatoes, radish, pine nuts, feta cheese and a lemon vinaigrette.
For another late summer option, guests can also order the daily catch. A fan-favorite Summer Catch has been the Crispy North Carolina Flounder with creamy Tasso rice and a crawfish etouffee.
McNinch House Restaurant Chef competing for NCRLA Chef of the Year
Executive Chef Matthew Shepard is among just 20 chefs who have advanced and are competing for Chef of the Year and Pastry Chef of the Year at the 2019 NCRLA Chef Showdown. Chefs from around the state will compete on September 30 for the title.
Enjoy the Year-long celebrations for McNinch House Restaurant’s 30th anniversary
The McNinch House is celebrating three decades in business with multiple new offerings during 2019:
- Pre-theater dinner. McNinch House now offers a three-course pre-theater dinner (without wine $89; with wine pairings $125). Guests can park in the McNinch House lot at no charge, leave their car there and pick it up after the show.
- Wine in the garden. Owner Ellen Davis and her staff welcome guests to come just for wine and cheese on the porch.
- Special events. Individual rooms – or the entire downstairs – are available for rent for a seated dinner, stand-up reception, bridal or baby shower, corporate events and more.
Dilworth Tasting Room announces new Bar Manager
The Dilworth neighborhood go-to for wine, cocktails and more recently announced the promotion of Jim Tonetti to Bar Manager. Stop in soon to enjoy a signature drink or daily specials:
- Monday: Login to DTR’s WiFi for exclusive wine specials
- Tuesday: Free cheese board with wine flight purchase
- Wednesday: $8 sangria
- Thursday: Half off select rosé bottles
Expand your palate and wine knowledge at a Corkbuzz class.
Upcoming classes include:
- August 20: The wines of the Pacific Northwest
- August 24: Blind Tasting 101
- August 31: Bubbles Beyond Prosecco
View all classes and sign-up here.
