We’re heading into a season full of changes: new school years, cooler temperatures, fall wardrobes and yes, plenty of new restaurants and menus to add to your must-try list. Read on for the latest in openings, foodie events and menu updates for early September:
NEW & COMING SOON
Rockin’ Rolls Sushi Express – Open now
Sushi lovers can now experience the food in a whole new way. Elizabeth’s Rockin’s Rolls Sushi Express brings more than 50 types of fresh sushi rolls directly to your table via a conveyor belt. Simply grab your choice and enjoy. Find them at 1523 Elizabeth Ave. Suite 130.
Eight and Sand Kitchen – Opening soon
via Facebook
A new addition along the light rail, South End’s Eight and Sand Kitchen will serve as a chic cafe, eatery and bar from the minds of Inizio Pizza owner Grant Arons and Not Just Coffee owners Miracle and James Yoder. Eight and Sand Kitchen is expected to open within the week at 135 New Bern St.
Middle James Brewing in Pineville – Open now
Pineville’s first brewery aims to be a family-friendly hangout to catch the game. In addition to a full tap list, Middle James Brewing also offers a food menu featuring handhelds, sharables and even a kid’s menu. Open Sunday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Find them at 400 N Polk St. Unit B.
Bonjour Y’all Bakery in Davidson – Open now
Gâteau on Main has reopened as Bonjour, Y’all in Davidson, with former Hello, Sailor and Kindred pastry chef Justin Burke-Samson joining proprietor Tara Ragan. Expect treats like the tahini dark chocolate crinkle cookies and sour cream old fashioned donuts recently highlighted on the bakery’s Instagram, as well as refreshed décor.
Bocao Sushi – Opening soon
Coming soon to the Avidxchange Music Factory, Bocao Sushi Fusion Kitchen will unite two ends of the foodie world: Japanese sushi and Dominican-inspired flavors from the Dominican Republic. They’ll 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.
FOODIE EVENTS
September Wine Classes at Corkbuzz
Expand your palate and wine knowledge at a Corkbuzz class. Book your seat now for an upcoming September class:
- Tour of France | September 10| 6:30 p.m.
- Wine 101 | September 18 | 6:30 p.m.
- Perfect Pairing: Wine & Cheese | September 25, 2019 | 6:30 p.m.
Charlotte Vegfest 2019
September 7 | The Park Expo and Conference Center | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The eighth annual Charlotte Vegfest includes a huge all-vegan food court, expert speakers, local and nation vendors, dog adoptions, chef demos, giveaways and more. Free and family-friendly.
WorldLit Street Food Festival
September 7 | Camp North End | 4 – 10 p.m.
Explore cuisines from the streets of Brazil, India, Mexico and Vietnam at Camp North End as part of the WorldLit Street Food Festival. In addition to food offerings, guests will learn dance moves from different cultures and experience live music. Free admission.
Sycamore Beer Pairing and Charcuterie Class
September 11 | Sycamore Brewing | 6:30 p.m.
Learn the ins and outs of charcuterie as Chef Alisha teaches attendees how to take care of boards, select the right meats and cheeses and how to pair them. $30 per person.
Grand Opening Celebration
September 11-14 | Chicken Salad Chick Matthews
Help Chicken Salad Chick celebrate their Grand Opening in Matthews with free chicken salad for a year for the first 100 guests. Can’t make it for opening day? They’ll have promotions and giveaways through September 14. See all events here.
An Evening with Chef Bruce Moffett
September 12 | SOCO Gallery and TABOR | 6 p.m.
Join Chef Bruce Moffett and Stagioni bartender Russ for passed bites, cocktails and a cooking demo. Each guest will receive a signed copy of Bruce Moffett Cooks. Call 704.372.8110 to reserve your spot.
Septemberfest 2019-Pigs & Zin
September 14 | Foxcroft Wine Co-Dilworth | 1 – 4 p.m.
The first Septemberfest at Foxcroft Wine Company – Dilworth will include an entire pig roast and pours of 25 of the team’s favorite Zins from around the world. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 on the day of the event.
Food + City EduFest
September 14 | 1418 Armory Dr. | Doors open at 10 a.m.
Don’t miss your chance to learn urban-friendly gardening techniques, food hacks for healthy living and information about the food system through three expert-led breakout sessions. $45 per person.
Chefs For Change
September 16 | Project 658 | 6:30 p.m.
Explore the impact of rice as a global food staple while watching chefs compose specialty dishes. Tickets are $100 and proceeds will be used to support the Project 658 Culinary School, which offers students a hands-on culinary and hospitality education.
Football Sunday Apps: Cooking with Beer
September 16 | 7th St. Public Market | 6 p.m.
Football season is back, and so are the tasty tailgating foods. Chef Allison of Brewers at 4001 Yancey will teach guests of this hands-on class how to make beer-infused tailgate fare. Tickets include dinner, one drink ticket, recipes and an apron to take home. $45+ per person.
Friends of James Beard Foundation Dinner
September 19 | Haymaker | 6:30 p.m.
In a unique culinary celebration, five well-known Charlotte chefs will prepare a five-course dinner with paired wines, preceded by hors d’oeuvres and handcrafted cocktails. $150/person plus tax (includes gratuity). Proceeds benefit the James Beard Foundation and its Impact Programs.
Bourbon Bash
September 28 | 6 p.m.
Mimosa Grill’s Chef Thomas Marlow will team up with guests Chef Mike Long of the Asbury and Mixologist Hunter Thurston of Crunkleton for a multi-course Bourbon Bash featuring the finest of bourbon cocktails. $125 per person, all inclusive.
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.
NEED-TO-KNOW MENU UPDATES
Brunch returns September 8 at Upstream
Due to popular demand, Upstream’s famous Sunday Brunch Buffet will return September 8. Guests can enjoy a variety of favorite brunch items plus sushi, oysters and more. And don’t think they left out the bubbly: enjoy half price La Marca Prosecco bottles and $3 mimosas all day. Make your reservations here.
New menu items at Sophia’s Lounge
Head to Sophia’s for a special night out or happy hour-worthy small plates. The Uptown go-to recently added new menu items, including the Jerk Octopus Lettuce Wraps (above) and the Yellowfin Tuna Poke Stack (below).
New dessert items at Bar Marcel
The European-style small plates restaurant has introduced a new dessert menu. End your meal with sweet treats including:
- Espresso Semifreddo: double chocolate brownie, cocoa nib tuile, caramel sauce
- Paris-Brest: pate a choux, hazelnut buttercream, almond crumble, crème anglaise
- Tart au Citron: brown butter almond crumble, coconut crème chantilly
- Lemon Vanilla Napoleon: basil custard, strawberry ice cream
- Peach Pie: crème fraiche blueberry ice cream, shortbread crumble, lemon curd, blueberries
New Dinner and Dessert Items The McNinch House Restaurant
Executive Chef Matthew Shepard has introduced new dinner menu items at The McNinch House Restaurant including a chocolate and caramel dessert. Sharing a plate are chocolate sorbet, salted caramel ice cream, cherry chocolate ganache, caramel gel, tuile and sweet cherries.
Merchant & Trade named one of the “Best Rooftop Restaurants in the Country”
Raise a toast to Uptown’s Merchant & Trade, which was recently recognized as one of Food Network’s “Best Rooftop restaurants in the Country.” Their sharable bites alone make it worth a visit, but at nineteen stories up, the view takes a close second place.
Summer Cocktails and Live Music at SoCo Bar
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy summertime sips from the “Crafted” by Westin menu: a Summer Gin Fizz (Hendricks, St. Germaine, lime, mint, cucumber, soda) and the 6001 Basil Punch (Bacardi Rum, prosecco, basil, lemon). And don’t miss their live music series: pictured is “Good Company.” playing a mixture of classics and modern pop.
New chocolate bars at Twenty Degrees Chocolates
Ready your sweet tooth, because Twenty Degrees Chocolates has just launched an array of new chocolate bars. A preview of the flavors:
- Raspberry-passion bar: freeze dried raspberries scattered in a bar of passion fruit couverture and milk chocolate).
- Strawberries-n-cream: freeze dried berries in white chocolate.
- The Hound Dog: inspired by one of Elvis’s favorite foods, it’s a bar of double-fermented milk chocolate fermented with banana pulp, banana chips, roasted peanuts and bacon.
In addition, they’re also offering several “single origin” bars in various percentages from several countries.
New daily drink specials at Civetta
Make plans to join South Charlotte’s Civetta for their daily drink specials:
- Monday: $3 Peroni
- Wednesday: $5 rose all day, $5 Pinot project rose
- Thursday: $5 draft beers
- Friday: $5 Seasonal Cellos
