The year (and decade) may be winding down, but Charlotte’s culinary scene continues to rev up. Here are the latest openings, new menus and foodie events to round out 2019:
NEW & NOTEWORTHY
Twenty Degrees Chocolates – Open now
Founded in 2010 by Charlotte chocolatier Casey Hickey, Twenty Degrees Chocolates is now welcoming guests at their new retail boutique at the Design Center in South End. There you’ll find handmade chocolates, caramels, rench-style pâtes de fruit and other artisan confections for purchase. Find them at 1930 Camden Road, Suite 135.
Capishe SouthPark – Open now
Capishe has officially expanded to SouthPark. Enjoy their moderately-priced pizzas, pastas, kids meals and more at their newest location at 6555 Morrison Blvd.
Mal Pan – Open now
New to SouthPark, Mal Pan offers guests an array of “chef-inspired Mexican comfort food” including house-made tortillas for tacos and burritos, marinades and salsas, plus seasonal chef specialities. The bar program features craft cocktails made with house-made syrups, fresh juices and liquors from the US, Mexico, Caribbean and beyond. Find them at 4625 Piedmont Row Drive #115-D.
Velvet Taco – Open now
Velvet Taco is now open at Optimist Hall. Unique taco options include buffalo chicken, fish n’ chips, spicy tikka chicken, Kobe bacon burger, Nashville hot tofu and brunch tacos served all day. Don’t miss the WTF (weekly taco feature) and the red curry coconut queso.
Cava Atherton Mill – Open now
New to Atherton Mill, Cava offers traditional Greek and Mediterranean flavors, build-your-own style. Find them at 2126 South Boulevard, Unit 1. Open daily 10:45 am – 10 pm.
Chopt Uptown – Open now
Chopt is now serving classic, custom and specialty destination salads Uptown at 212 South Tryon Street, Suite 100. It’s the brand’s fourth Charlotte location. Open Monday – Friday 10:30 am – 7 p.m.
Chipotle Uptown – Open now
Chipotle fans can now get their fix Uptown. Their newest Charlotte location is now open at 316 S Tryon St. Hours are 10:45 am – 9 pm Monday – Saturday, 10:45 am – 6 pm on Sunday.
Tiff’s Treats – Open now
Tiff’s Treats, a favorite for order-ahead fresh and warm cookies (plus treats like ice cream sandwiches) is now open at 550 E. Stonewall St. Store hours are 9 am – 10 pm Monday – Friday and 10 am – 10 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Pins Mechanical Company – Opening Dec. 19
Pins Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit Bar + Arcade, a bar with classic arcade games will open on December 19. They’ll have indoor games including duckpin bowling, ping pong, foosball and more, plus a rooftop bar and a giant Lite-Brite. Find them at 307 W Tremont Ave.
Urban Cookhouse – Closed
The Urban Cookhouse in Park Road Shopping Center has closed. It was the brand’s only Charlotte location.
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza Uptown – Closed
The Uptown location of Brixx Wood Fired Pizza has closed. In a Facebook post, the restaurant thanked guests for twenty years of patronage, and said they look forward to finding a new home in Uptown.
FOODIE EVENTS
Perfect Pairings: Wine & Cheese
December 18 | Corkbuzz Charlotte | 7 p.m.
In this class, the professionals at Corkbuzz will reveal all of the secrets to pairing wines and cheeses through tastings and sips of six wines and an array of cheeses. $65 per person.
Oysters and Wine Tasting
December 22 | Vin Master Wine Shop | 1-4 p.m.
Vin Master and The Waterman Fish Bar team up for this ultimate pairing of oysters and wine, featuring a variety of Rieslings, Muscadet, and Champagne paired with a raw oyster bar (and all the fixins!), cheeses from Blue Goat Dairy and chocolate truffles from Carolina Chocolate Company. $45 per person. Call 704.307.5565 or email vinmasterclt@gmail.com.
MENU UPDATES, NEWS & MUST-TRYS
Festive cocktails at the SoCo Lounge
SoCo Bar & Lounge’s new cocktail menu features artisanal creations just in time for the holiday season. New cocktails include a unique twist on an Old Fashioned, a Ruby Basil Martini and more.
5Church‘s Jamie Lynch returns to Top Chef
5Church’s Partner Chef Jamie Lynch return to Top Chef for Season 17, premiering on March 19. After his controversial decision to give up immunity during Season 14, the whole city will be eager to see what Chef Lynch does with his second chance in the Top Chef competition. Learn more here.
Give the Corkbuzz experience with their gift card sale
The perfect gift for friends, colleagues and family members, Corkbuzz gift cards offer something for everyone, even the purchaser. Receive an extra 10% off for gift cards $100-$349, 15% for gift cards $350-$699 and 20% for gift cards $700-$1110. See more information here.
Warm up with Popbar‘s hot chocolate on a stick
Popbar, the Instagrammable spot known for customizable, colorful pops that come in more than 50 flavors, is now serving the ultimate cold-weather indulgence with a fun twist. Their hot chocolate on a stick come in multiple decadent flavors including peppermint, caramel, mocha, white, milk and dark chocolate. Simply stir into hot milk and enjoy!
Gift and receive with gift cards at Flour Shop
Give the gift of house-made pasta when you give gift cards from Flour Shop. Through December 31, Buy $50 and get $10, or buy $100 and get $25.
12 days of Christmas deals at Oak Steakhouse
SouthPark’s Oak Steakhouse will continue its 12 Days of Christmas specials through December 24. Make reservations on OpenTable to enjoy these upcoming deals:
- December 19 – $5 beef ravioli
- December 20 – $2 off all draft beers
- December 21 – Buy a $100 gift card and get a $25 gift card for yourself
- December 22 – Proceeds from brussels sprouts and truffle frites will be donated to Hospitality House
- December 23 – Holiday Sangria special
- December 24 – $5 Prosecco
$6,500 raised for Dressler’s bar manager following car accident
JoAn Cook, a bar manager at Dressler’s at Metropolitan, has returned after recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident over the summer. After the accident, Rare Roots Hospitality Group organized the “Juice for JoJo” fundraiser, where each restaurant offered a specialty cocktail using Ilegal Mezcal. Rare Roots donated $5 per drink sold and Ilegal Mezcal matched the donation, resulting in more than $6500 donated to assist with Cook’s medical expenses.
Fried chicken, lobster rolls & more to-go from Moffett Restaurant Group
Make the holidays just a bit easier with friend chicken to-go from NC Red. Get a whole chicken, three sides and four biscuits for $55 or a half chicken, two sides and two biscuits for $30. They also have single serving chicken pot pies for $16.
More of a seafood fan? Order a take-home four pack of NC Red lobster rolls. The preassembled kit os $100 and includes a quarter pound of lobster meat, Duke’s mayo and rolls.
