To kick off what we can only hope to be a better year for local restaurants, here’s the latest in openings news, menu updates and foodie events for January 2021.
Editor’s Note:
We try to screen each entry to make sure safety protocols are in place…tickets or rsvp required, limited seatings, limited entry, masks required, set up for social distancing indoors. If the venue or situation doesn’t look like safe to you, please avoid it and let us know as we will discontinue promotion. Please use safe or even overly safe practices if you do go to a gathering…masks on, hands washed or sanitized frequently, glasses or sunglasses when possible, and maintain plenty of distance.
OPENINGS & CLOSINGS
Supperland – Opening soon
From the owners of NoDa favorites Crepe Cellar and Haberdish, among others, comes Supperland, which will focus on regional Southern cuisine served in a renovated historic church. The kitchen will be run by Executive Chef, Chris Rogienski, who is currently the Sous Chef at Haberdish. Find them soon at 1212 The Plaza. Until then, you can shop their custom designed plates featuring southern birds, foliage, and vegetation online.
The Exchange at 36th – Opening soon
Soon, expect a new market concept in NoDa from Bistro la Bon executive chef Kevin Samuel. The Exchange at 36th will offer grab and go sandwiches, artisanal products, a bar and pantry essentials just a one-minute walk from the NoDa light rail stop. Expect a focus on local and regional vendors, including Pure intentions, Enderly Coffee and Back Powder Coffee, plus Wentworth & Fenn desserts and local provisions available for retail. Find them at 451 36th Street. Stay tuned to their Instagram page for opening updates.
Wu-Rons – Open now
From the owners of SARU Ramen in Camp North End and Bow Ramen in New York City comes Wu-Rons, a Japanese ramen shop featuring chicken broth, pork broth and vegetarian options, along with curry rice bowls. Find them at 2200 Thrift Road.
Botiwalla Indian Street Grill – Open now
Botiwalla Indian Street Grill will follow up its popular Atlanta location with a new spot in Optimist Hall. They’re open 11 am – 9 pm every day. What’s on the menu? Try their lamb burgers, grilled chicken, lamb, and paneer wrapped in naan with fresh herbs and more flavors inspired by Indian street food and Irani cafes.
Steak 48 – Open now
A new steakhouse promising a “modern update to the classic American steakhouse experience” is now open in the heart of SouthPark. Steak 48, which also has locations in Chicago, Houston and Philadelphia boasts 11,500 square-feet for dining, including dining suites with view of the exposed kitchen through floor to ceiling glass walls. Find them at 4425 Sharon Road within the new mixed-use development Apex SouthPark.
Kounter – Open now
Kounter, a new spot brimming with Civil Rights history, opened on Dec. 15 in Rock Hill. The kitchen is run by Rock Hill native Chef Rob Masone, and features the same counter where in 1961, the “Friendship Nine” staged a sit-in at the then-segregated lunch counter. Menu highlights include a few favorites from Chef Masone’s Kre8 Twisted Eats like the Kre8 Crisps, as well as creative takes like chicken and waffle sushi and upscale American dishes including seared scallops and lobster gnocchi.
Rice & Spice Thai Street Food – Open now
Visit or grab takeout from Rice & Spice Thai Street Food, new to South Charlotte. In addition to chef’s specialties like the Phucket Delight (pictured), the menu features a variety of popular Thai and Vietnamese dishes inspired by Chef Peter Sripan’s childhood and training at the Thai Royal Culinary School and experience working alongside the chef of The Royal family. Options include Fried Rice, Wok-Fried Noodles, Noodle Bowls, Curries and more street food favorites. Find them at 8314 Pineville-Matthews Road, Suite 901.
Collier Candy Company – Open now
Collier Candy Company is now open at Optimist Hall, its second location after opening in Ponce City Market. Visit for sodas, vintage, classic and new candy and more. Find them inside Optimist Hall at 1115 N. Brevard St.
SouthPark Grill – Closed
Sadly, this SouthPark spot will not reopen per a Facebook post on the restaurant’s page.
NEWS TO KNOW
Weekend brunch launches at The Waterman
To kick off the new year, The Waterman Fish Bar launched weekend brunch, available Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm. Favorite dishes include Maine Lobster Benedict, Smoked Salmon + Avocado Toast, a Fried Chicken Biscuit with Creole crawfish gravy, a full list of brunch libations and more. View the full brunch menu here.
Amélie’s French Bakery & Café and Sugarrmann partnership brings vegan croissants to NoDa
Vegans, rejoice! Amélie’s French Bakery & Café’s NoDa location now offers vegan croissants as a result of the bakery’s partnership award-winning pastry chef, Chef Sadruddin Abdullah, better known online as Sugarrmann. Chef Abdullah and his wife and business partner, Chef Mahmuda are behind Café Ganache and the first-ever Kronut Food Truck. Customers can expect additional products to become available in the future.
Try cocktails to-go from local Charlotte spots
Don’t forget – you can still safely support you favorite local spots by picking up cocktails to-go. Check out our round-up of enjoy-at-home concoctions here.
FOODIE EVENTS
In-person class: Basic Knife Skills
Jan. 6 | Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen | 6 pm
In this in-person class, learn the proper technique of care and handling a Chef’s knife, including how to slice, dice, chop, mince, chiffonade and julienne like a pro. Light snacks provided.
Willett Whiskey Dinner
Jan. 13 – 14 | The Pump House
Reserve your seat now for the Willett Whiskey Dinner at The Pump House featuring five courses and whiskey tastings. $85++ per person. Call 803.329.8888 for reservations.
Virtual: Handmade Pasta Workshop
Jan. 15 | 5:30 pm
In this virtual class, learn how to make this vegan-friendly pasta dough and shape it into classic and unique shapes including cavatelli, textured gnocchi sardi and malloreddus, orecchiette, capunti, and more. Plus, how to pair them with a squash, sausage and brown butter sage sauce. $24.
Workshop: How to Make an Epic Charcuterie Board
Jan. 16 | The Mercantile, Rock Hill
Head to Rock Hill to learn the must-know techniques to create an epic charcuterie board from Shonali Thomas, Chef & Owner of SplenDishes Kitchen. $58.
Reynold Family Wine Dinner
Jan. 21 | Ruth’s Chris Steak House Charlotte SouthPark | 6:30 pm
Reserve your spot now for Ruth’s Chris’ first wine dinner of 2021 with winemaker Steve Reynolds and Reynolds Family Wines. The evening includes a five-course dinner prepared by our Executive Chef, Michael Kotraba.
Yoga + Brunch @ Alchemy
Jan. 24 | 9 am
Enjoy a COVID- conscious yoga class paired with brunch by Chef Ken Aponte of Alchemy Restuarant. Class will be led by Dancing Lotus Yoga + Arts’s co-creator, Jasmine Vializ.
Virtual Class: Interesting Inclusions in Dark and Milk Chocolate
Jan. 29 | 7 pm
Tune in for this virtual class featuring a guided tasting of craft chocolate from around the world led by certified chocolate expert Dr Jessica Henderson. Try 10 chocolate samples featuring ingredients you don’t often see in chocolate, including some international flavors.
