When was the last time you ventured outside of your culinary bubble? We’ve got your round-up of the must-know openings and closings, foodie events and menu updates to tempt your palate this month.
OPENINGS & CLOSINGS
Charlotte Charlotte Beer Garden – Open now
In addition to offering the world’s largest selection of draft beers in one restaurant, Charlotte Beer Garden also boasts a healthy food menu. Expect sharables like a beer battered pretzel, fried pork belly bites and beer garden fries, plus salads, poutines, burgers, pizzas, sandwiches and full entrees. View the full menu here.
Billy Sunday – Open now
The second location for the Chicago cocktail bar Billy Sunday is now open at Optimist Hall. Expect seasonal, classic and vintage cocktails, plus some unique takes served in unconventional vessels.
Oh My Soul – Open now
South African-based Oh My Soul brings vegan fare to NoDa, from smoothies to waffles, salads and even a selection of vegan burgers called “vurgers.” The cafe also boasts a full bar and spacious outdoor space. Find them at 3046 N Davidson St.
Sanctuary Bistro, South Charlotte – Open now
Since opening on February 23, this family bistro offers vegan fare in a fine dining setting. Focused on giving back, Sanctuary Bistro showcases Charlotte local non-profits through their Benefit Dinner Series. View brunch and dinner menus here and find them at 6414 Rea Rd Suite C-2.
Dish in Plaza Midwood reopen after renovations
After closing temporarily for renovations, Plaza Midwood’s Dish is now back open, boasting a new patio mural and a new back door.
Salmeri’s Italian Kitchen, Fort Mill
From the owners of Fort Mill’s popular Flipside Cafe comes Salmeri’s Italian Kitchen. Expect casual Italian dishes and a bar boasting Italian wines, local and Italian beers and a seasonal cocktail list. Opens at 11 am on March 3.
Closings in Dilworth, South End, NoDa
The People’s Market and Queen and Glass announced their closing on Feb. 28. Social media posts mention the Dilworth neighborhood market, bar and deli “ran out of time to fix some of our self inflicted problems.”
Popular brunch spot Tupelo Honey will close its South End location after serving the neighborhood for more than seven years. Fans of their Southern-inspired menu have no need to worry, though, as an Uptown location is expected to open soon.
NoDa’s Bold Missy Brewery also announced their closing in late February. The women-owner and operated brewery had been open for almost three years.
FOODIE EVENTS
Hello Sailor Runs Burger Thursday thru 3/15
The lake side eatery is offering their double patty smash burger with a side of fries for only $5.99 every Thursday all day until March 15th.
Red Sake Grand Opening, South Charlotte
Following the restaurant’s January opening, Red Sake will host an official grand opening celebration featuring a sashimi bluefin tuna flight for $35. Find them at 8410 Rea Rd.
Angeline’s Copain Wine Dinner with Winemaker Ryan Zepaltas
March 5 | Angeline’s Charlotte | 7 pm
Executive Chef Robert Hoffman and Sommelier William Farquharson will team up to create a 5-course adventure exploring wine from different varietals offered by Copain Wines from the Russian River Valley. $150+.
Wine classes at Corkbuzz Charlotte
Grab your spot now in one of Corkbuzz’s wine classes or group wine profiles. Happening this month:
- March 4: All about Bubbles
- March 7: Wine 101
- March 11: White Wine Profiles
- March 19: BYOB Napa Wine Dinner
- March 21: Red Wine Profiles
- March 26: Mediterranean Wine Dinner
- March 28: Game Night, Wine Edition
- March 31: Burgundy for Beginners
The Waterman’s Neighborhood Oyster Roast
March 7 | The Waterman Fish Bar | 12-5 pm
All-you-can-eat tickets to this neighborhood oyster roast include steamed oysters plus all the fixings, New England clam chowder and all-beef hot dogs. Beer, wine and boat drinks available for purchase, and there will also be live music and yard games. $40 per person. $1 from every Tito’s cocktail sold will benefit Ace & TJ’s Grin Kids.
Five Course Farm to Table Dinner
March 8 | Santé, Matthews | 6 pm
Enjoy a five course farm-to-table dinner prepared by Chef Adam featuring local lamb from Sun Raised Foods and paired fine wines. $75 per person plus taxes and gratuity.
Guest Somm. Series
March 12 | Cicchetti | 6-9 pm
In Cicchetti’s Guest Somm Series, winemakers and producers will take over the Uptown hotspot from 6pm to 9pm on various nights throughout the month, pouring samples and sharing stories of their wine tableside.
Classes are back at The Secret Chocolatier
Learn the techniques and tricks of professional chocolatiers and take home what you make in hands-on chocolate-making classes. Upcoming classes include bark making and a truffle workshop.
Women in Wine: Uncorked
March 17 | Barcelona Wine Bar | 6-9 pm
Explore 30 women-made, farmed, or owned wines wines from around the world in this special tasting. $55.
Schug Wine Dinner at Napa at Kinglsey
Wednesday, March 18
Wine dinner with Schug Carneros Estate Winery where you’ll enjoy 4 courses of custom napa dishes and 5 wines from a world-renowed winery, known for their pinot noir and chardonnay.
- Wednesday, March 18 | 6:30 pm
- 4 courses | 5 wines
- $99++ per person
Call (803) 548-6335 to experience this world-renowned winery!
Taverna Essex
March 19 | Essex Bar & Bistro | 4 pm
Escape for a one-night Mediterranean getaway as Uptown’s Essex transforms into Taverna Essex, offering a family-style Greek Dinner with wine pairings. The experience is complete with live bouzouki music, a DJ, Ouzo tasting and more. $65.
Brunch! Spring Food Truck Rally
March 22 | Rural Hill, Huntersville
Yes, you read that right. Rural Hill will host a brunch food truck rally this month that will also offer mimosas, beer and wine. Parking is $5 cash, bar is cash only.
High Tea at the McNinch House Restaurant
March 28 | McNinch House Restaurant | 1-3 p.m.
High Tea at one of Charlotte’s most beloved historic homes returns March 28, 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.
Farm to Table with The Farm at Dover Vineyards
March 30 | 7th Street Public Market | 6 pm
See how fresh food gets from the farm to your table in this four-course cooking class. Menu includes salad, carrot & fennel soup, roasted veggies, mushroom & kale quiche and dessert. $55.
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MENU SCOOP TO KNOW
Looking for a Happy Hour to Enjoy? Napa Time at Napa on Providence and Napa at Kingsley hit the spot.
Venetian-style wine & cocktail bar Cicchetti in Uptown has added some new menu items to its lineup of authentic Italian small plates and shareable entrees:
New bruschetta toppings, served with olive oil crostini:
- Acciughe ($4) – white anchovies, red onion, Sweety Drop peppers, olive oil
- Fagiolo ($4) – borlotti bean purée, olive oil
Additions to bocconcini, or small bites:
- Baccala ($12) – salted cod with grilled focaccia bruschetta and crisp shoestring potatoes
- Gorgonzola Dolce ($15) – soft blue (mild, creamy, cow’s milk cheese) with Italian Amarena cherries
- Ubriaco ($15) – a trio of drunken cheeses: Nero d’Avola, Raboso, Recioto di Gambellara (mild, hard, cow and sheep’s milk cheeses)
- Crochette ($7) – crispy mashed potato, herb & Parmigiano croquette with pesto panna fresca
- Verdure ($7) – grilled artichoke hearts, seasonal squash, roasted carrot purée, feta, herbs, olive oil
New to the cocktail list:
- The Rialto ($12) – Plantation Barbados 5-year rum, lychee, lime, pink peppercorn syrup, Samuel Smith’s organic pear cider
New items on the menu at La Belle Helene
Head Uptown to enjoy new additions to La Belle Helene’s all-day menu, including a Winter Salade Niçoise, Scallop Du Jour and more. View the full menu and make reservations here.
Foxcroft Wine Co. welcomes new menu additions
All locations have added new dishes to their menus featuring local ingredients. At SouthPark: Lamb Meatballs, Grilled Octopus, seared scallops, salmon. And at Dilworth: Burrata, Roasted Local Mushroom, Hanger Steak.