We may be headed into the shortest month of the year, but there’s certainly no shortage of culinary news and events to look forward to this February.
Scroll down a bit for Valentines menus at spots that still have reservations available at press time.
OPENINGS & CLOSINGS
Restaurant Constance, the highly anticipated Charlotte dining destination from executive chef/owner Sam Diminich is now open at 2200 Thrift Road in the Wesley Heights/FreeMoreWest neighborhood. The menu will feature raw bar selections, appetizers, seasonally inspired salads, meat and seafood entrees, sides, desserts made in collaboration with Wentworth & Fenn, and an extensive non-alcoholic beverage program. The locally sourced, hand-crafted menu represents Diminich’s 30-year culinary career.
A new noodle bar is now open in Elizabeth. Menya Noodle Counter focuses on Japanese dishes including ramen and soba, using stock and noodles made in-house from scratch daily. Guests can grab a seat at the counter and peer into the open kitchen to see the craft in action.
Capriotti’s Steele Creek
This poplar, Delaware-based shop has opened its second location in the Steele Creek area. Expect classic and speciality sandwiches, including cheesesteaks.
Hooligans FC reopens as Elizabeth Parlour Room
Next time you’re in the neighborhood, stop into the new Elizabeth Parlour Room. A perfect spot for game and soccer match watching, Elizabeth Parlour Room boasts multiple TVs and drink options. Find them at 1523 Elizabeth Ave.
Fans of Midwest-style pizza will be thrilled to hear that The Crust Pizza is now open in ParkTowne Village. Expect thin crust pizza with tons of toppings, plus fresh salads.
Brown Bag’s casual approach to fresh and sustainably-sourced seafood has come to Uptown. Dine in or carry out options include crispy cod, grilled salmon, curry fish cakes and a build-your-own option in addition to specialty plates.
Closings we’re sad to see:
- Your Mom’s Donuts
- Gus’ Sir Beef (until further notice)
NEWS TO NOTE
Mariposa in Uptown now serving lunch ~ Mariposa will be open for lunch service 11-3pm, Tuesday- Friday.
Valentines Dinners
Reservations are pretty much all booked up, we found a few nice spots with limited availabilities….
Church & Union has some 6 pm and 8 pm seatings open for their fab 3 Course Prix Fixe menu (price based off entree selection)
Napa on Providence and Napa at Kingsley, The Pump House and Drift on Lake Wylie have varied avails, mostly before 6 and after 8pm for their $75 per person fixed Valentines menu (the only menu served on Valentines Day)
Mariposa has reservations available for the V Day menu, below.
Join Mariposa on Valentine’s Day for a special four course dinner experience ~ $100 per person.
To Start Freshly Baked Rosemary & Roasted Garlic Focaccia -house-made tapenade, single origin extra virgin olive oil
First Course Choice of
- Citrus pomegranate salad- citrus-champagne vinaigrette, blood orange segments, pomegranate seeds, roasted pistachios, goat cheese
- Oyster Chowder – Benton’s Bacon, caramelized shallot, roasted garlic, local potatoes and cream
Second Course Choice of
- Rabbit roulade- braised fennel, lemongrass coconut milk broth, sumac & cranberry
- Poached lobster and caviar toast – butter poached lobster salad, house-made crème fraiche, NC sturgeon caviar, avocado
Intermezzo
Third Course Choice of
- Red Wine Glazed Short Ribs (portobellos for vegetarians)- truffled parsnip puree, crispy maitake mushrooms, pink peppercorn demi
- Pan seared Snapper over Brazilian Seafood Stew (Moqueca) – shrimp, stewed tomatoes & vegetables, red aji pepper, heirloom rice, lime, cilantro
Fourth Course Dessert Chocolate mousse with raspberry creme anglaise, 64% fudge brownie, cocoa nibs, Ruby chocolate
La Belle Helene has only 4 pm and 9 pm availabilities for their V Day dinner package.
Fern goes vegan and welcomes a new Executive Chef and menu. The lunch and dinner menus at Fern on East Blvd in Dilworth are now completely dairy, nut and gluten-free.
Keep Dry January going, and skip the headache the next morning, by sipping on one of these alcohol-free cocktails recently added to the Red Salt by David Burke menu.
- Rose Bud ~ apple, lemon, grenadine, rose water
- Paradise Dreams ~ coco lopez, lime, pineapple, vanilla, soda
- Eastside Rickey ~ botanicals, lime, mint, cucumber, soda
- Spice + Fashion ~ mock bourbon, cherry, orange
Napa on Providence, Napa at Kingsley, The Pump House and Drift on Lake Wylie offering month-long menu FILET & CHAPPELLET special
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, these date-night hotspots are offering a month-long special featuring two pan-seared filet dinners with dessert and a bottle of Chappellet Signature Cabernet for $250.
Charlotte racks up more recognition with James Beard nominations
As the Charlotte Observer reports, the James Beard Awards has recognized three Charlotte nominees this year. They include Chef Greg Collier of Leah & Louise for Outstanding Chef, Chef Sam Hart of Counter- and Biblio for Best Chef Southeast and Salud Cerverceria for Outstanding Bar.
Backstage Lounge at Southbound does it again with a VDay style speakeasy
February 1st through February 18th, Backstage Lounge is transforming into an even more intimate speakeasy with all the valentines vibes. There be themed cocktails and dreamy decorations: Feb 1st-9th & Feb 16th-18th ~ Hours: 5pm-12am
Reservations will not be needed for this Pop-Up Bar.
Bojangles to launch hard sweet tea in the Carolinas
Soon you’ll be able to satisfy your Bojangles sweet tea craving in a whole new way. The fried-chicken staple will team up with Appalachian Mountain Brewery to launch Bojangles Hard Sweet Tea this March. You’ll be able to find it in retailers like Circle K, Sheetz, Harris Teeter, Walmart, and Food Lion in North and South Carolina.
FOODIE EVENTS
Jeni’s Ice Cream for Breakfast
Feb. 4 | Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
It’s almost time to put on your best day PJs and eat ice cream before noon. Join Jeni’s on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon for the annual Ice Cream for Breakfast Day celebration. The first 50 Splendid Rewards members at each shop get a free, very limited Ice Cream for Breakfast Day mug. Plus, 10 lucky customers will win ice cream for a year!
Wine Tastings at Napa on Providence and Napa at Kingsley
February 8th at Napa Kingsley and February 23rd at Napa on Providence. $25 for 4 pours, small bites, and exclusive discounts on retail wine purchases. Stay for dinner after the tasting and receive 10% off your meal.
Sushi Rollin’ 101
Feb. 20 | Heist Brewery | 6 pm
Roll on over and create your own sushi! Led by GringoNinja, this class explores the traditions and techniques of sushi rolling. Come and learn the basics of sushi making from equipment and preparation, how to make the rice, and the fundamentals of making a sushi roll.
Wine Tasting at The Pump House
On February 21, head to The Pump House for a wine tasting. $25 for 4 pours, small bites, and exclusive discounts on retail wine purchases. Stay for dinner after the tasting and receive 10% off your meal.
