The temperatures may (eventually) be cooling down, but Charlotte’s foodie scene continues to bring the heat. Read on for the latest in openings, events and menu updates you need to kick off fall.
NEW & COMING SOON
Cicchetti – Open now!
Cicchetti, a 100-seat Venetian-style wine bar, opened on October 1 inside the Bank of America Corporate Center. Guests can expect classic, Italian tapas-style small plates and a retail wine shop. We went by for a press opening and it’s delicious with an impressive wine selection. Definitely give it a visit.
Papi Queso at Optimist Hall – OMG Open now!
Get ready to experience your favorite gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches in a whole new way. Coinciding with their seven year anniversary, the famous Papi Queso food truck has opened a food hall location inside Optimist Hall. In addition to their classic sandwiches, they’ll offer an expanded menu including mozzarella sticks and slushies. If you have not yet been to Optimist Hall for lunch, now You. Must. Go.
QC Pour House – Open now
New to South End, QC Pour House aims to become the new neighborhood hangout and go-to for game days. They 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.
Bocao Sushi – Opening soon
Now open in the Avidxchange Music Factory, Bocao Sushi Fusion Kitchen unites two ends of the foodie world: Japanese sushi and Dominican-inspired flavors from the Dominican Republic. They offer what they call “Latin Sushi,” featuring sweet plantains, skirt steak, signature mofongo and a clandestine El Ninja signature sauce. Guests can also expect a vibrant ambiance with pop art inspired wall murals, vintage lighting and more.
Bossy Beulah’s – Opening soon
Soon, Charlotteans will be able to see for themselves how Bossy Beulah’s claim to be the “best chicken sandwich in Charlotte” holds up. The no-nonsense chicken shack from chef and restaurateur Jim Noble is slated to open on Freedom Drive later this month. Named for Noble’s great Aunt Beulah, Bossy Beulah’s will serve up fried chicken sandwiches, hand cut fries, slaw and classic beverages.
Lincoln St. Kitchen & Cocktails – Opening soon
South End’s Craft will soon debut its complementary project with a rooftop bar and a focus on craft cocktails, wine and small plates.
Capishe Real Italian Kitchen SouthPark – Opening soon
Capishe, the Charlotte-based restaurant known for its house-made pastas and wood fired pizzas, will expand to its second location at 6555 Morrison Boulevard in SouthPark. The 3,900 square-foot space will include an outdoor patio, bar and an even larger kitchen than the Dilworth location. Expect a similar menu, plus wine and beer.
KiKi – Opening soon
From the team at Soul Gastrolounge, KiKi, will open directly downstairs and will focus on sharable French and Greek small plates. Soul’s Chef Jason Pound will also be running the kitchen at KiKi.
Taco Mama – Opening soon
Coming soon to Dilworth, Alabama-based Taco Mama will offer build-your-own tacos, burritos, nachos and quesadillas, plus taco and burrito baskets. Find them soon at 2452 Park Rd Suite C.
Changes coming to Plaza Midwood’s Dish
A few changes are expected as Sweet Lew’s BBQ co-owner Lewis Donald purchased Dish, a Plaza Midwood neighborhood staple. The restaurant will re-open under new ownership on October 8.
FOODIE EVENTS
Oyster Bash at Upstream
October 3 | Upstream Seafood | 6:30 p.m.
Plan to attend Upstream’s 11th annual Oyster Bash, featuring some of the best artisanal oyster farmers from up and down the coast. Enjoy pairings of each oyster with handpicked wines and sparklers. A portion of every ticket sold will benefit the Isabella Santos Foundation. $130 per person inclusive of donation.
Great Grapes! Wine & Food Festival
October 5 | Symphony Park – SouthPark Mall
The 17th annual Great Grapes Wine & Food Festival will feature more than 150 wines from North Carolina wineries, live music, festival eats, gourmet items and a free kids area. $29+.
Staglin Family Vineyard Wine Dinner
October 16 | Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse | 6:30 p.m.
Del Frisco’s Staglin Family Vineyard Wine Dinner will treat guests to an exclusive five-course menu including Chicharrón-Dusted Jumbo Sea Scallops, Yuzu Butter-Poached Halibut and Roasted Herb-Marinated Prime Eye of Ribeye with complementary wine pairings.
WP Feeds the Need Benefitting Dahlia Grove
October 17 | WP Kitchen + Bar | 5-10 p.m.
Have dinner at SouthPark’s WP Kitchen + Bar and support a great cause. On Thursday, October 17, between 5-10 p.m., the restaurant will donate 10% of sales to Dahlia Grove, an organization that seeks to employ, empower, inspire and encourage the women rescued from human trafficking as they regain their independence and freedom. Call 704.295.0101 to reserve or book on OpenTable.
Wine & Culinary Journey
October 17 | Zeppelin | 6-9 p.m.
Join the culinary and wine experts at Zeppelin for a culinary journey through wine tastings paired along with creations by the chef. All tickets sales benefit Classroom Central. $40 per person.
It’s Time to Drink New Sh!t: Going Back to Cali
October 17 | Fin & Fino | 6:30 p.m.
Join host Jeff Kellogg, a sommelier, Charlotte-based wine distributor, and owner of Kellogg Selections, as he guides guests through a three-course, family-style menu inspired by Northern California paired with five Kellogg wines.
Angeline’s Wine Fest Eve Dinner
October 18 | Angeline’s Charlotte | 6 – 9 p.m.
Tickets are now available for the Oct. 18 South End Wine Fest dinner at Angeline’s Charlotte. Angeline’s Executive Chef Robert Hoffman, along with wine expert Beverage Manager William Farquharson, will guide guests through a night of six courses of culinary delights paired with wine. Tickets sales benefit Classroom Central.
Charlotte Grilled Cheese Fest 2019
October 19 | 1441 South Tryon St. | 12-5 p.m.
Sometimes you just can’t top a simple, but sublime, grilled cheese. Sample multiple grilled cheeses from local restaurants, plus enjoy live music, activities, a cash bar and more. $30+.
Cooking Demonstration with Chef Gene
October 19 | Legion Brewing SouthPark | 11 a.m.
Welcome fall with a demonstration by Chef Gene Briggs, featuring a Harvest Bowl, Butternut Squash Soup with Roasted Mushrooms, Traditional Cassoulet and Pumpkin Tiramisu. $45 per person includes the menu demo, food and beer tastings, take-home recipes and 20% gratuity.
MENU UPDATES & MUST-TRYS
New fall cocktails at WP Kitchen + Bar
Developed by Michael Mascali, WP Kitchen + Bar’s new fall cocktails are perfect for sipping as the temperature changes. From left to right:
- Manhattan in the Fall with Jim Beam Bourbon, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, fresh mint, powdered sugar, and bitters
- Bubblerita with Jose Cuervo Silver Tequila, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, lime juice, agave nectar, and Prosecco
- Apple Jack with Jack Daniel’s, apple butter, house-made cinnamon simple syrup, and club soda
New menu picks at Angeline’s
Executive Chef Robert Hoffman has introduced some new dishes, continuing his focus on innovative twists on traditional Italian dishes. The uptown eatery was recently named by Charlotte Magazine on their 7 Best Italian Restaurants in Charlotte list. Menu highlights include:
- Charred Octopus – Charred Spanish octopus, eggplant caponata, romesco sauce
- Mushroom Salad– Local Baby Greens, Roasted Mushrooms, Pancetta, Sherry Vinaigrette, Pecorino, Poached Quail Egg (photo attached)
- Pesce Fresco – Chef’s Daily Fish Selection, Cannellini Bean Puree, Cauliflower CousCous, Lobster-Cognac Cream
- Grilled Pork Chop – Mustard Rub, Pickled Swiss Chard Stem, Chive Risotto, Cherry Glace
- Veal Saltimbocca – Breaded Veal, Shaved Radish, Olive Vinaigrette, Pecorino
- Cavoletti – Pancetta, Brussel Sprout Leaves, Calabrian Chiles, Mozzarella
- Spaghetti Chitarra – Duck Confit, Gorgonzola Cream, Brussel Sprouts, Mushrooms
Cravable new menu items at JP Charlotte
On your next trip to Uptown’s JP Charlotte, don’t miss out on these popular new seasonal dishes:
Smoked Scallops and Shrimp Nachos (above) with fresh grilled pineapple and corn salsa and old bay cheese sauce.
Sweet Potato Pancakes with Warm Bourbon Ginger Syrup and Candied Pecans (above).
Quinoa Salad with roasted acorn squash, fresh red apples, cranberries, arugula, shaved carrots and walnuts dressed with a maple dijon vinaigrette (above).
Chopt Launches Kids Menu, Chopt Jr.
Chopt Creative Salad Co. will launch its first-ever kids menu this month, with a special “kids eat free” event at Chopt’s Blakeney location on October 12. The menu will include signature kids customizable salads and warm bowls, plus Chopt Dippers, a category that features reimagined quesadillas and chicken fingers with house-made dressings for dipping. Future menus will also include seasonal options.
Bring the kids to the Blakeney location from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. for the “kids eat free” event that will turn the bustling restaurant into a kid-centric eatery including interactive activities, entertainment, samples and a kids-only ordering line and seating.
