February may be the shortest month, but there’s plenty to discover within Charlotte’s food scene. Read on for anticipated openings, foodie events worth an RSVP and menu updates to note.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit opening January 31
Charleston favorite Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit will soon open a South End location, serving their favorite signature biscuit sandwiches, mini biscuits, and even salads and soups. View the full menu here. Find them at 27 W. Tremont Avenue.
The Goodyear House opening Feb. 4
Coming to NoDa, The Goodyear House will serve elevated classics in a renovated mill house with carefully curated decor and an outdoor bar and patio. The venture comes from well-known chef Chris Coleman and Sean Potter, who most recently worked together at Stoke Charlotte. On the menu, expect bites including the pull-apart “dollar dollar bread, y’all” sour cream and onion brioche, sharables, main dishes and a $12 “goopy burger.” View the full menu here.
Elsewhere Cocktail Bar opening Feb. 5
This new craft cocktail bar from the CEO of Wooden Robot Brewery will open up to the Design Center courtyard under the Water Tower in Historic South End and focus on house cocktails made with fresh ingredients and house-blended simple syrups. The menu will include house classics as well as rotating specials. 101 W Worthington Ave. #140.
Fonta Flora Brewery opening Jan. 30 in Optimist Hall
Morganton-based brewery Fonta Flora will soon open a new location inside Optimist Hall. They’ll offer draught beer with a focus on seasonal flora along with to-go packaged options.
Brooks Sandwich Re-Opening on Community Appreciation Day
On February 1, Brooks Sandwich House will re-open in NoDa following the death of co-owner Scott Brooks. Upon re-opening, they will no longer be serving breakfast. NoDa’s Protagonist brewery will also be serving beer to-go.
Ocha Time – Open now!
New to Plaza Midwood, Ocha Time offers boba tea, Vietnamese coffee, Taiyaki fish ice cream, roll ice cream and soft serve ice cream with vegan options. Find them at 2001 Commonwealth Ave.
The Broken Spoke temporarily closed
The Broken Spoke has closed temporarily in anticipation of relocating from their current home at 227 Southside Drive. In a statement on Facebook, the LoSo tasting room which operated next to Great Road Distillery, stated a relocation is in progress.
FOODIE EVENTS
High Tea at the McNinch House Restaurant
Feb. 1 and 22 | McNinch House Restaurant | 1-3 p.m.
High Tea at one of Charlotte’s most beloved historic homes returns February 1 and 22, where guests can enjoy tea and savories served with antique china. $65 per person, and reservations are highly suggested. Reservations can be made by calling 704.332.6159 or emailing mcninchhouse@gmail.com.
4 Year Birthday Shellebration
Feb. 5 | Sea Level NC | 11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Sea Level will toast to their four year anniversary with an all-day celebration featuring gift card giveaways,$1 Sea Level Signature Oysters, $4 Fried Oyster Sliders, $4 Fish House Punch Cocktails and free birthday cake with any purchase.
Spanish Wine Dinner with Chef Luca
Feb. 5 | forchetta | 6:30 p.m.
Head Uptown to enjoy a tapas-style dinner crafted by Chef Luca where each tapas dish is paired with wine. $75 per person.
Italics Wine Dinner
Feb. 5 | Napa On Providence | 7 p.m.
At Napa on Providence, enjoy five chef-crafted courses paired with Italics wine. $125++.
Classes at Corkbuzz Charlotte
Expand your wine knowledge with a fun and informative class at Corkbuzz. This month’s classes:
- Tour of France | Feb. 5
- Obscure Grapes with Familiar Styles | Feb. 12
- Perfect Pairings: Wine & Cheese | Feb. 19
- Tour of Italy Wine Dinner | Feb. 22
“A Decade of Dressler’s” Celebration
Feb. 9 | Dressler’s Restaurant | 4-7 p.m.
Dressler’s Restaurant and Rare Roots Hospitality Group will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Dressler’s with tasting stations from all Rare Roots Hospitality concepts (Dressler’s, Dogwood, Fin & Fino, and The Porter’s House), a champagne toast, live music, a cash bar, creative cocktails and a raffle benefiting Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. Get your tickets here.
Alessandro Rivetto Wine Dinner
Feb. 12 | 5Church | 6:30 p.m.
Upcoming Top Chef All Star Season Chef Jamie Lynch, Advanced Sommelier Brad Grubb, and Alessandro Rivetto winemakerwill be hosting an Alessandro Rivetto Wine Dinner, on Wednesday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. Guests will be treated to a five course tasting menu by Top Chef Alum Jamie Lynch and wine pairings inspired by travels abroad in Italy. The perfect opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s day with a significant other and friends. Tickets are $100 per person with limited availability. Reservations available at www.ticketleap.com Keyword: 5Church Charlotte
The Butchers Wine Club Food and Wine Tasting
Feb. 12 | The New York Butcher Shoppe | 7 p.m.
The second Wednesday of every month, sample great food and wine as a member of The New York Butcher Shoppe’s wine club. Members ($39.99/ month) get two featured bottles each month, admission to the monthly tasting and 10% off wine in the shoppe. Not a member? Attend as a guest for $20.
Brewers Beer Dinner
Feb. 19 | Brewers at 4001 Yancey | 7 p.m.
Brewers’ first beer dinner offers guests a multi-course menu paired with brews and cocktails. $50. View the full menu here.
MENU UPDATES TO KNOW
Aria Tuscan Grill’s New Menu Items
Aria Tuscan Grill and Executive Chef Alex Piatt recently debuted new winter menu items at the Uptown Italian favorite. Items include:
- Ribollita Soup with white beans, kale, tomato, bread, Pecorino, and EVOO ($7)
- Shaved Kale Salad with radicchio, pomegranate, Pecorino, hazelnuts, and walnut vinaigrette ($9).
- Hand-tossed, wood-fired Venison Sausage Rosso Pizza with buffalo mozzarella, caramelized onions, and pickled Fresno chili ($13)
- Handmade Pappardelle with venison Bolognese, Uno Alla Volta fresh ricotta, caramelized fennel, pancetta, and pickled turnips ($17)
- House-Made Paccheri Fagioli with kale pesto, borlotti beans, and pancetta ($15)
- Grilled Mahi Mahi with braised tomatoes, kale, green lentils, and pickled golden raisins ($25)
- Seared Duck Breast alla Plancha with handmade parsnip ravioli, roasted turnips, and braised radicchio ($30)
- Braised Lamb Shank with Parmigiano risotto, beets, pine nut gremolata, and pan sauce ($27)
- Grilled Elk Tenderloin with olive oil-whipped potatoes, confit heirloom carrots, and aged balsamic drizzle ($36)
- Alex’s Sicilian Cassata, an Uno Alla Volta ricotta cake served with orange marmalade and Gnam Gnam amaretto gelato ($8)
Have you joined a wine club at Cicchetti yet?
Following holiday entertaining and Dry January, February is prime time for restocking the wine rack, and Cicchetti is ready to assist with over 500 selections available for on-site consumption, carryout, curbside pickup, and delivery, as well as two monthly wine clubs to keep the interesting selections coming.
The CSA (Cicchetti Sustainable Agriculture) Club will hold its monthly pickup party on Wednesday, February 5, beginning at 5 PM. February features the wines of Halter Ranch Vineyard, an interesting producer in Paso Robles, CA. The winemaker’s mission includes not only producing gorgeous wines through sustainable practices, but also ending deforestation across the globe. Halter’s unique portfolio ranges from a sparkling Picpoul Blanc to its powerful Ancestor red blend. CSA members are invited to sample the wines while snacking on goodies provided by the Cicchetti culinary team, and non-members are also welcome to stop by the tasting table and sample the wines available for purchase.
Chef Evan Edge joins the team at JP Charlotte
Chef Evan Edge has joined the JP Charlotte team as the new Chef de Cuisine. Edge brings more than a decade of professional culinary experience with an emphasis in pastries and various ethnic cuisines, and is expected to bring a fresh, innovative take to the Uptown restaurant. Read more about Chef Edge here.
Corkbuzz unveils new winter menu
Make your reservations now to try Corkbuzz’s new winter menu, which includes lighter fare like ricotta fig toast and burrata, as well as fuller dishes like Mediterranean branzino and roasted wild mushrooms.
NC Red now open for lunch
The Plaza Midwood favorite is now open for lunch, Monday through Friday 11:30 am – 2 pm.
Bossy Beulahs now open for dinner
Now you can experience Bossy’s popular chicken sandwich for dinner. They’re now open Monday – Saturday until 8 pm (closed on Sunday).
