We’re back bugging the local food influencers and food writers for their favorite meals in Charlotte, and this time we asked What Was the Best Thing You Ate (or Drank) This Summer?
Even if we don’t have the waistline or the time to eat in all the places in Charlotte to get you the latest scoop, we know who does. So without further ado, here are their picks:
Allie of @eatdrinkclt
These Kibbeh Pita Tacos (Ground lamb, pine nuts, tahini, onions & hot sauce) from Yafo by Chef Shai are a must try. My family makes kibbeh at the holidays, so this dish is such a nice taste of home. So much flavor, including a new hot sauce created by Chef, is packed inside Yafo’s fluffy pita!
I eat… a lot. eatdrinkclt@gmail.com and follow me on TikTok for more—> tiktok.com/@eatdrinkclt
@eatblkcharlotte
Our favorite this summer has been Crav’n Caribbean’s Oxtail Cheese Steak. “Marinated oxtail which is cooked for 4-5 hours then hand pulled from the bone by hand, served with peppers, onions, provolone cheese and our signature mayo spread on a 8″ toasted amoroso roll.”
info@eatblkclt.com | https://www.eatblkclt.com
Karen of @finerwiththyme
I fell in love with the Banh Mi sandwiches at Lula Banh Mi and Bakery in Pineville. Newly opened – I have become a frequent visitor. The bread is baked in house and it’s #uppercrust 😉🤣🤣 They have everything from the traditional sandwiches such as cold cut and grilled pork, to Spam with eggs and lemongrass tofu. It’s a hidden gem 💎
“Seasoned” Charlotte foodie – food gets better with thyme. Eating my way through Charlotte’s best restaurants! Finerwiththyme@Gmail.com
Andrew of @andrewloves_
My favorite bite of the summer, in the CLT area, is anything I’ve tried from Mado Paris French Bakery & Cafe. Having lived and worked as a Chef in Paris, their pastries instantly transport me back. The owners are French and import all the key ingredients from France, to ensure quality and authenticity – butter, flour, salt – you can tell the difference. They also make the pastry fresh, every morning, before opening. Flavors are spot on and textures are incredible.
While you can’t go wrong with anything, my favorite was The Creation. It was a tart with a raspberry filling, topped with pastry cream and raspberries. It was the perfect level of sweetness, with just a hint of tartness in the finish. The base was a cross between a sugar cookie and a cake – soft and tender, with a slight crumb to it. It was divine.
The lemon tart is tied with Tartine in San Francisco for the best lemon tart I’ve ever had. It was sweet, with a pucker in the finish, and topped with a creamy, fluffy toasted marshmallow.
And the eclairs were classic French eclairs. Instead of a choux that has been frosted or glazed, like the Italians do, the French coat the choux in sugar, which caramelizes as the choux bakes, giving them a crisp delicate crust.
Former Chef reviewing restaurants and more Traveling the world, but Charlotte is home Contact@andrewloves.com & Check my website for more
Jessica of @thesweetseoul
California Burrito from MalPan. They have the best burritos in the city!!! Steak, frites, pico de gallo, queso fresco, guacamole, chipotle Crema, roasted molcajete salsa. All of the sauces and salsas are made in house and they make corn tortillas and flour tortillas in house too. I’m here weekly lol!
Jessica FOOD • FASHION • FUN Korean Chick Alabama twang Content Creator Owner of @sweetseoulmedia Inquiries: info@sweetseoulmedia.com
Kriska & Manny of @CLT.Remedy
Manny’s pick is the Ponja Tiradito from Yunta
Kriska’s pick is the Chicharron from Yunta (below) ~ If you’re a pork belly fan, the Chicharron from Yunta is a MUST. The yellow sauce is beyond amazing, and I almost want to ask for extra but then I’d also want more of that cooked to perfection pork belly. Basically, I really don’t want to share! This has to be my fave pork belly dish in CLT.
QC EATS • LIFESTYLE • EXPERIENCES Sibling duo @kriska_marie + @vampirph_ec
Shionda of @shiondafarrell
I couldn’t pick just one from the Kounter in Rock Hill, so here are the watermelon lasagna and the oatmeal cookie cheesecake.
The watermelon “lasagna” is made with honey & lavender compressed watermelon, peppered pistachio, feta, fresh fig smash, white balsamic pearls and lucky leaf popcorn shoots. This watermelon lasagna was my favorite because it’s a big wow factor not only with presentation, but this unique dish is sure to wow your palate. It’s unexpected, and I almost feel like I can eat this without feeling guilty.
The oatmeal cookie cheesecake has amaretto meringue, chocolate ganache and granola tuille. As a kid I used to love oatmeal Cookie Debbie snacks, so this was genius to make it into a dessert. Not only is it delicious but there’s a touch of fun by adding the wooden gavel to it to crush into it.
Featured on @foodnetwork & @paramountnetwork Over 50k on TikTok @shiondafarrell
Morgan of @sliceofclt
My Cocktail of the summer is the “Tarzan Daddy” from @theexchangeat36th in Noda! I love everything about this place from the hospitality, a market supporting local goods like Queen City Crunch and Wentworth and Fenn, eatery with wraps, pizza, nachos, salads and an excellent espresso martini! The strawberry 🍓 cocktail is made with gin, aperol, muddled strawberries, mint, strawberry foam and winl sprig, and it’s been the perfect refreshing cocktail to sit in their patio and soak up the summer sun.
Blogger Capturing all serious EATS and DRINKS in the Queen City | sliceofclt@gmail.com
Kristen of @unpretentiouspalate
A dish that stood out to me came from Counter-’s Greatest Hits dinner. Before the tasting menu and music concept left its space in The City Kitch to move into a bigger spot in West Charlotte, they asked diners to share their favorite dishes of the season for one final dinner there. A dish from their Beyoncé dinner, called Halo, stands out as one of my favorites of the summer. It had several of my favorite things: mushrooms and caramelized onions, and was stopped with a stunning mushroom powder tuille halo cracker.
Kristen Wile | Editor & Founder | Unpretentious Palate
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