From grand openings to new menu items, Charlotte’s culinary scene has plenty to offer in the second half of September. Ready your palates for the must-know foodie events coming up at the end of this month:
NEW & COMING SOON
Rosie’s Wine Garden – Now open!
Enjoy the slightly cooler temperatures and roses in bloom at McGill Rose Garden’s new wine bar. Rosie’s Wine Garden features a variety of sips, from beer to wine and cider, plus events including live music and food trucks. Visit Tuesday-Friday from 4-10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Papi Queso at Optimist Hall – Opening soon!
Get ready to experience your favorite gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches in a whole new way. Coinciding with their seven year anniversary, the famous Papi Queso food truck expects to open a food hall location inside Optimist Hall this month. In addition to their classic sandwiches, they’ll offer an expanded menu including mozzarella sticks and slushies.
The New York Butcher Shoppe – Opening soon!
Coming soon to Dilworth (in that new building strip near RuSans), The New York Butcher Shoppe will offer choice cuts of meat, homemade prepared meals and sides, gourmet grocery items and more. Guests can also grab wine by the glass, beer on tap and small plates to enjoy in-house. Expect them to open within the coming weeks at 2452 Park Road.
Veronét Vineyards & Winery – Opening soon!
Soon, wine-lovers will have another nearby vineyard option. Veronét Vineyards & Winery will offer eight wines guests can enjoy in a tasting, flight, glass, or by the bottle while taking in panoramic view of Crowders Mountain and The Pinnacle.
To enjoy while sipping, they’ll also offer olives, nuts, charcuterie, cheese boards and sweets from a seasonal menu. They’ll be open Friday – Sunday and for tastings by appointment only Tuesday through Thursday. Expect a September 30 opening.
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, and view all upcoming classes here.
- Wine 101 | September 18 | 6:30 p.m.
- Perfect Pairing: Wine & Cheese | September 25| 6:30 p.m.
- Tasting with Angela Smith for Jordan Wines | September 25 | 5 p.m.
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.
Indaco at Savory Spice Charlotte
September 19 | Savory Spice Charlotte | 1-4 p.m.
Be among the first to sample flavors from Indaco, the anticipated Italian spot coming to Atherton Mill this fall. Try Indaco small bites made with Savory Spices.
Co Waverly’s Two-Year Anniversary
Co in South Charlotte’s Waverly retail center will celebrate its two year anniversary by offering $2 makimono sushi rolls all day on September 20. Details: one $2 roll per person and must dine-in; the offer will not be eligible for take-out orders.
Hennessy Prestige Tasting Dinner
September 25 | Dot Dot Dot | 7 p.m.
Experience Hennessy Cognac at this five-course tasting dinner guided by Hennessy Prestige Brand Ambassador, Yanyi Wang. Guests will enjoy three tastings from the Hennessy Prestige Line with food pairings, a welcome cocktail and additional food and cocktail pairing. $150 per person.
Wine and Dine with Chef Luca
September 26 | forchetta | 6:30 p.m.
Join forchetta’s Chef Luca Annunziata for a chef-crafted four-course menu where a fine wine will pair with each dish. $75 per person. Price inclusive of tax and 21% gratuity.
Bordeaux’s Finest Wine Dinner
September 26 | Fig Tree Restaurant | 6:30 p.m.
Travel to Bordeaux’s left bank vineyards as Expert Nathalie Jeantet guides guests through tastings of some of its finest estate wines. Call 704.332.3322 to reserve your spot.
Bourbon Bash
September 28 | Mimosa Grill | 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.
Savor 7th
September 28 | 7th Street Public Market | 7-10 p.m.
Taste exclusive samples from market vendors, enjoy live entertainment and a cash bar in support of 7th Street Market. The fundraising event will enrich the Market’s mission as a nonprofit small business incubator to Do Good By Eating Well. Ticket purchasers will receive a $5 voucher for a future visit. $40 per person.
BBQ Takeover
September 29 | Sweet Lew’s BBQ | 10:30 a.m. – sell out
Bryan Furman of B’s Cracklin’ BBQ will take the reins at Sweet Lew’s this Sunday with his own chicken, ribs, brisket, sides and dessert. Sweet Lew will be roasting oysters and a whole hog pig pickin’. They’ll also have a DJ on site.
Oyster Bash at Upstream
October 3 | Upstream Seafood | 6:30 p.m.
Plan ahead to attend Upstream’s 11th annual Oyster Bash, featuring some of the best artisanal oyster farmers from up and down the coast. Enjoy pairings of each oyster with handpicked wines and sparklers. A portion of every ticket sold will benefit the Isabella Santos Foundation. $130 per person inclusive of donation.
MUST-TRY MENU UPDATES
Don’t miss brunch at SouthPark’s Bar Marcel
SouthPark’s Bar Marcel is now open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. Expect selections including Croque Madame with ham, egg, brioche and mornay; Omelet Florentine with peppers, spinach and gruyere; and Spanish Tortilla with chorizo, cilantro, potatoes, onion and manchego. The Stuzzichini (“small plates”) portion of the menu includes Daily Scones, Duck Confit Crepe and Tuna Tartare. Make your reservations here.
Drink gold to do good at Angeline’s and Merchant and Trade
Angeline’s, along with Merchant & Trade, will be serving the 24 Karat, a unique cocktail benefiting Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation and the race against childhood cancer that pays homage to our favorite ribbon color — gold. Visit September 15 through September 30 to taste this exclusive cocktail designed especially for Childhood Cancer Action Month and support kids fighting cancer. For every cocktail ordered, $1 will be donated to JGCF.
Weeknight prix fixe menu at Fran’s Filling Station
We’ve found the cure for the weekday blues: Fran’s Prix Fixe Menu offered each Monday through Thursday. Enjoy one appetizer, two entrées and a bottle of wine for just $50.
Merchant and Trade: Your Sunday Tailgate spot
Tailgate or pre-game in style when Merchant & Trade open doors at noon on Sunday gamedays. Enjoy beer, food and cocktail specials and a panoramic view of the Queen City. Plan to attend on these upcoming gamedays:
- Oct. 6: 1 pm Panthers vs. Jaguars
- Nov. 3: 1 pm Panthers vs. Falcons
- Dec. 1: 1 pm Panthers vs. Redskins
Brunch at Dilworth Tasting Room
After a soft launch the weekend of September 7, Dilworth Tasting Room is now offering brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Expect menu options including shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, bacon, egg and cheese ciabatta, frittatas and more. Make your reservations here.
News from Upstream
Fans of the closed favorite Aix en Provence could be heard cheering around the town when Upstream recently announced co-owner Patrick Garrivier was joining the Upstream team. Upstream is now featuring some highlights of his menu from Aix en Provence such as:
- Salad Lyonnaise, Frisee, Bacon Lardon, Sous Vide Egg, Brioche Crouton, Sherry Vinaigrette $12
- French Onion Soup, Leek Pudding, Gruyere Crouton $8
- Octopus Ala Plancha, Fingerlings, Tomatoes, Frisee, Extra Virgin Olive Oil $18
- Grilled Veal Chop, Sweet Corn Puree, Peach Chutney, Granola, Veal Jus $38
The cheers continued when Upstream announced their beloved Brunch Buffet has returned Sundays 10 AM – 2 PM. Oysters, sushi, breakfast staples, salad, pastries, shrimp and grits & much more. Unlimited eating for only $29.95 per person. You can also order tapas like calamari, deviled eggs, and cinnamon French toast at no extra charge. Most Important … Bloody Marys are $6 and mimosas are $3.
Twenty Degrees Chocolates named finalist in Our State Made in NC Awards
Join us in congratulating Twenty Degrees Chocolates for being named as a finalist in this year’s Our State Made in NC Awards, a statewide awards program that supports local businesses, highlights craftspeople and entrepreneurs, and celebrates handmade products and creative ideas. Winners will be announced October 2.
