It’s a great time to be a foodie in the Queen City. May brings a number of brand new openings all around town, new menu options to tempt your taste buds and plenty of foodie events to indulge in. Read on for the must-know culinary news this month.
OPENINGS/CLOSINGS
Early Girl Eatery – Opening May 9 in South End
This Asheville go-to for breakfast is coming to Charlotte, bringing fresh takes on home-cooked classics like omelets, biscuits and breakfast bowls. They’ll have their soft opening on May 9 and are located at 1515 S. Tryon St.
Drift – Opening may 9 on Lake Wylie
The team behind The Pump House will open a new lakefront venture on Lake Wylie May 9. Diners can expect a modern lakeside chophouse featuring prime cuts of beef, local seafood, and homemade pasta. They’re accepting limited reservations during their first week, call 980.351.0111 to reserve your table.
Condado Tacos – Opening May 12 in South End
This Ohio-based spot will open its first Charlotte location on May 12. They’ll celebrate by giving away one free taco per person and $5 signature margaritas all day. The first 100 guests will also win a “Year of Yum” featuring free tacos and Condado merchandise.
Green Brothers Juice Co. – Opening May 14 in Piper Glen
Fresh juice lovers, rejoice! The next location for Green Brothers Juice Co. will open on May 14 at 6432 Rea Rd next to Starbucks.
Legion Brewing – Opening May 9 in FreeMoreWest
Legion Brewing will open its third taproom location in the FreeMoreWest neighborhood. The 25,000-square-foot brewery will open its doors on May 9.
Amélie’s French Bakery and Café – New location now open in NoDa
After 14 years, Amélie’s flagship location has relocated to a new spot. Around the corner, the new location at 136 E 36th St. boasts peek-a-boo windows into the bakery, a 24-foot-wide Eiffel Tower replica, a private patio and more. Guests can also expect Amélie’s beloved famous pastries, sandwiches, salads and more. They’re open Sunday – Thursday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday – Saturday 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Hip Pies – Open now in Uptown
Next time you’re in Uptown, don’t forget to make a stop at the new pie shop in town. Hip Pies opened on April 20, offering sweet and savory creations and daily rotating flavors.
Fidel’s Kitchen – Open now
Craving a taste of the Caribbean? Expect traditional Jamaican dishes with an American twist like jerk chicken and vegetables, oxtail, red snapper and more at Fidel’s Kitchen, now open at 500 W. Summit Ave.
Chez Marie Pâtisserie – Now open in South Park
For a taste of French culture and flavors, visit the newly opened Chez Marie Patisserie in South Park. The upscale café and bakery offers desserts, pastries, sourdough breads and more all made from scratch under the leadership of Maria Siragusa, owner and the brand chef.
Bit by Seoul Food – Open now in South Park
Fans of Seoul Food Meat Co. in South End will love the brand’s newest concept, now open in South Park. Bit by Seoul Food offers favorite menu items with a twist, plus new takes like salads and rice bowls. View the full menu here. Open 11:30am-8pm everyday.
Closings:
Sadly, we’ve seen the shuttering of three local spots recently. Global Restaurant has closed its doors in Pineville, while Krazy Fish in Plaza Midwood will shift its focus to beverages only when they reopen as “Morningside Pub” serving beer, wine and liquor.
And on May 9, Chef Paul Verica announced that Friday, May 13 would be the last day of service at The Stanley. Read his thoughts here.
MENU UPDATES & NEWS
Midwood Smokehouse celebrates Barbecue Month with Cheerwine-inspired menu items
In honor of Barbecue month, Midwood Smokehouse is partnering with Cheerwine to offer three specials every day at all locations. Choose from the Cheerwine Mule (Deep Eddy Vodka, ginger beer, Cheerwine syrup and lime Cheer-Swine,) Burnt Ends (Pork Ribeye double smoked burnt ends with our house Cheerwine barbecue sauce and Matt’s potato salad,) and Pineapple Cake (Pineapple upside down cake with a spiced Cheerwine syrup drizzled over top.)
Please Pitch in to help Pasta & Provisions teammate
After assistant pasta maker Thang Sum suffered an accident on Easter Sunday that left him paralyzed, the owner and team at Pasta & Provisions stepped in to help. The team is promoting a GoFundMe page for Thang to support his recovery and medical expenses.
Menu Highlight: Mariposa’s Mysterious Mushroom
The Mysterious Mushroom at Mariposa has quickly become a stand-out and major crowd pleaser. Resembling a mushroom straight out of Willy Wonka, this dessert is so much more than meets the eye and once broken apart reveals a sweet surprise. Equally beautiful and delicious, it’s made of strawberry compote, raspberry cremeux, raspberry gel, vanilla mousse, pistachio cake, and matcha crumble.
Scoop Recommends: “Sunset” Sunday Brunch at PARA
Went to Para for their evening brunch this past Sunday, and definitely recommend a visit. The deviled eggs were transcendent. I know, deviled eggs? How can they be anything but devilish? You gotta try to believe. Plus the prices were what you expect for small plates but the servings were regular sized portions. The space and the vibe are always excellent at PARA so if you haven’t tried yet, give their Sunset Brunch a whirl ~ Sundays from 1 to 7 p.m.
Menu highlights include:
- Benedict with English muffin, crab cake, yuzu hollandaise
- Deviled Eggs with loaded jalapeño and crispy bacon
- Short Rib Hash with gruyere, jalapeño, house hot sauce, 1 egg any style
- Grilled Cheese with short rib, gruyere, black truffle
- Pork Belly with grits, greens, poached egg, maple bourbon glaze
- Avocado Toast with radish, pickled onion, quail egg, lardons, mizuna
- French Toast with milk bread, whipped cream, strawberry, cognac maple syrup
FOODIE EVENTS
Crave Charlotte Food & Wine Festival
May 3 – 7
CRAVE Charlotte is back with a full slate of unique and exclusive culinary experiences throughout the Queen City. Tickets are still available for a number of events. Plan to wrap-up the week with a Grand Culinary Celebration at Romare Bearden Park on Saturday, May 7.
Cuatro de Mayo at 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen
May 4 | 7-9 pm
Kick off the holiday celebrations early with a four-course meal where Don Julio will enlighten guests with his tequila – Blanco, Añejo & Reposado. There’s limited seating, so grab your tickets now.
Don Julio Tequila Dinner
May 5 | Napa on Providence
The celebrations continue with a Don Julio tequila dinner at Napa on Providence. $85++ per-person. Call to reserve your seat: 704.900.8545.
CLT Brewed Week
May 5-16, 2022
Celebrate Charlotte’s buzzing brewing scene with a week full of events, experiences and more. The week kicks off with the CLT Brewed Awards and the NC Brewers & Music Fest, then continues with themed events hosted by breweries around town. Don’t miss the CLT Rare Beer Fest as the week closes out on May 14. Find the full schedule here.
Mother’s Day Brunch at Mariposa, Sunday May 8
Mariposa will be hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch special from 11am-3pm on Sunday, May 8th. $50 per person for three courses and one complimentary non-alcoholic beverage. Reservations are required and can be easily made here via OpenTable. You can view the menu if you click HERE and then click on Mothers Day Brunch.
A Night at the Museum Dinner 2022
May 12 | 5 pm | Mint Museum Uptown
Get your tickets now for an evening featuring local chefs celebrating produce and proteins from Carolina farms, featuring the honorary keynotes speaker Chris Peake, General Manager, Carolina Farm Trust Local Foods Distribution & Production Center.
Billy Sunday Cocktail 101 Class- Patio Punches
May 12 | Billy Sunday
Get an introduction to classic cocktails, tools of the trade, and the basics of bartending as you work alongside the pros to make three cocktails, talk about the history behind them, and enjoy them! The 90-minute class is led by head bartender Stephanie Andrews.
Woodinville in the Wild
May 18 | Trolley Barn Fermentory & Food Hall
Join Food & Beverage Social Club, Trolley Barn Fermentory & Food Hall and Woodinville Whiskey Co. for a sensory and educational handcrafted Bourbon and Whiskey Tasting Experience. Each guest will enjoy a 4-course, off-the-menu, tapas style meal designed by Chef Gene Briggs from Trolley Barn. Each course will be paired with a whiskey based cocktail. Woodinville Whiskey will also lead guests through a whiskey tasting course, featuring 3 additional whiskey samples.
Taste of Fort Mill
May 20 | Anne Springs Close Greenway
Don’t miss this culinary extravaganza held on the beautiful grounds of the Anne Springs Close Greenway Gateway Lawn. The outdoor celebration highlights the culinary diversity of local purveyors of food and wine and also features music and dancing. Proceeds benefit the Leroy Springs & Co. Bridge Program, which strives to make the Anne Springs Close Greenway and other Leroy Springs & Co. facilities accessible to all by providing free or reduced membership and programming for qualifying individuals and families.
Carolina BBQ Festival
May 22 | Camp North End
Pitmasters from all over the Carolinas are teaming up to showcase each of the three regions that make up Carolina BBQ. The festival, held at Boileryard at Camp North End, will be complete with live music, vendors, wine, beer and cocktails.
Uptown Live Party
May 26 | D9 Brewing Uptown
Head Uptown for D9 Brewing‘s monthly Uptown Live Party, a block party that will feature live music, food trucks and pop-up shops. 5-9 pm.
