Spring is on the horizon, and Charlotte’s culinary scene is meeting the promise of a new season with plenty to fill your plate. Here we have the must-know news, openings and happenings going on this month in the Queen City.
Featured Event
Savor Charlotte
Wednesday, March 8 – Wednesday, March 22
Locations throughout Charlotte
15-day culinary event where Charlotte’s chefs, mixologists, restaurateurs, bakers and more will team to offer a series of unique events and special menus.
Organized by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) (aka Charlotte’s Got A Lot), Savor Charlotte in the Queen City will spotlight Charlotte’s chefs, mixologists, restaurateurs, bakers and more with a series of reserved events and special menus. From a special cooking class at Taco Molino with Executive Chef / Owner Scott Wallen, the Amaro tasting dinner with Chef Tommy Vance at Little Mama’s Italian, and special discount at Biblio, to wine tastings at Dogwood Southern Table & Bar, cocktail classes at Billy Sunday or The Cocktailery, and a specialty barbeque flavored doughnut from Reigning Doughnuts, every Savor Charlotte activation is customized and unique to the culinary artists making them. Savor Charlotte will also include the kick-off of Black Food Truck Fridays in partnership with Black Business Owners of Charlotte (BBOC), which will take place on Friday, March 17 from 4-9 p.m.
BUZZWORTHY OPENINGS
Hellenic Greek Kitchen + Bar, South End – Open now
The family behind Hellenic brings more than 30 years of restaurant experience to South End diners hungry for a taste of authentic Greek fare. Expect an elevated casual setting where guests can enjoy a selection of mezzo dishes, salads, dips, pitas and mains.
My Story Cafe, Uptown – Open now
Trinidad native Jacqueline Smith has created a cozy spot in Uptown for people to sit and stay awhile. My Story Cafe offers coffee, boba tea, chai, cappuccinos, specialty drinks and more alongside pastries, cake donuts, cookies and morning fare. Guests can meet and chat or pick out a selection from My Story’s organically built community library.
Poppin’ Poke, Uptown – Open now
In need of a fresh take on lunch? Poppin’ Poke is now open at 210 N. Church Street in Uptown. Diners can expect Hawaiian-inspired poke, signature bowls, hot bowls and a build-your-own option.
Loto Café, Eastway Crossing – Open now
A new family-run cafe is now open in Eastway Crossing. The menu features both classic coffee options as well as signature Latino espresso drinks, plus a variety of Latin pastries and treats. They’ll host their official grand opening on March 18. Open every day from 7 am – 2 pm. Everyday 7a-2p . Latino Owned-Community, Small bites, Coffee/Tea. family-owned and run.
The Lobby, Plaza Midwood – Open now
Plan a visit to The Lobby, the new cocktail lounge inside Refuge Charlotte in Plaza Midwood. As a collaboration between Black Moth Bars and plant retail store grow, The Lobby offers craft cocktails, retail and gifts for purchase, with light bites expected to join the line-up in the near future.
TOUS les JOURS, Open Now ~ the French-Asian bakery café chain open in Piedmont Town Center, is now open in Pineville inside the international grocery store Super G Mart.
Harold’s Chicken & Ice Bar, University City – Open now
Since 1950 Harold’s Chicken has been a Chicago staple, and now it’s here in Charlotte. Get to know their uniquely fried chicken and special “mild sauce” at the new 11,000-square-foot location in University City that is part VIP lounge, part restaurant.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, University City – Open now
Dave’s Hot Chicken has opened its second Charlotte location on February 10. Stop by for their Nashville-style hot chicken at 8932 J M Keynes Dr.
Nonna Maria’s Italian Deli & Market, Matthews – Open now
Rich and Enza, owners and founder’s of Nonna Maria’s Italian Deli & Market, searched high and low for the foods they missed after moving from New York. When they couldn’t find just the right thing, they decided to open their own market. Nonna Maria’s showcases true authentic Italian foods from the areas Rich and Enza grew up visiting in Italy. Stop in to shop and enjoy gourmet sauces, NY style bagels, fresh pastas, Italian meats, breads and cheeses, plus Italian wine. Find them at 2332 Matthews Township Pkwy.
Soul Miner’s Garden, Gastonia – Open now
In Gastonia, this all-vegan food truck is transitioning into a kitchen and market. Featuring fresh and local ingredients, the menu boasts a variety of salad plates, sliders, nachos and handhelds. Check them out at 3204 Union Road Gastonia, NC 28056
OpenTap, South Charlotte – Opening March 3
Coming March 3 to South Charlotte, OpenTap will become the area’s first family-friendly self-pour craft beer destination. The space will feature an enclosed village green, tree house mezzanine and rotating local food trucks. They’ll also have a variety of wine, seltzer, cider and sodas for the non-beer drinkers. Find them at 5010 Carmel Center Dr.
Azul Tacos & Beer, Wesley Heights – Opening soon
A taste of Southern California is coming soon to Wesley Heights. As Charlotte Five reports, Azul Tacos & Beer is expected to open this month and offer unique-to-Charlotte Mexican fare, including heirloom blue corn tortillas, birria tacos made with goat and birria ramen. Find them at 2122 Thrift Road.
Rosemont, Elizabeth – Opening soon
From the team behind The Crunkleton and Cheat’s Cheesesteak Parlor comes Rosemont Market & Wine Bar, expected to open this spring in Elizabeth. The neighborhood gourmet market will fuse grab-and-go breakfast and lunch options and provisions for cooking at home with a wine bar featuring a chef-driven dinner menu. Look out for them to open at 1942 East 7th Street.
State of Confusion, LoSo – Opening soon
As a sister restaurant to South End’s STIR, State of Confusion will offer a number of fun libations as well as robust brunch menu as well as grilled dishes using Argentinian wood-fired parrillas. They’ll also be open late night on weekends.
Hex Coffee Kitchen & Natural Wines, Camp North End – Opening soon
As reported by The Charlotte Observer, Hex Coffee is expected to expand to offer breakfast and lunch menus highlighting Japanese-inspired breakfasts and customer-favorite items from Hex’s other restaurant concept, Stable Hand in South End. At night, they’ll offer small plates and natural wines.
Hestia Rooftop, Ballantyne – Opening soon
Diners in South Charlotte will surely flock to Hestia Rooftop when it opens this spring, not only for its take on modern Asian cuisine, but also for the views. The rooftop restaurant and bar will offer 180-degree views of Uptown’s skyline and the surrounding areas, giving South Charlotteans a whole new perspective.
Frida’s Mexican Cantina, South Charlotte – Opens soon
From owner Roble Zarate, Frida’s will feature family recipes including pozole, mole sauce and birria when they open in South Charlotte in late March. Find them at 8740 Pineville-Matthews Rd.
Eden, Plaza Midwood – Opening soon
In the old Peculiar Rabbit spot, Eden will soon be serving craft cocktails in the three-story venue with a lounge feel. They’ll also have shareable plates, dessert, charcuterie and brunch on the rooftop.
NEWS TO NOTE
Cheers to 10 years of Viva Chicken with a churro macaron in collaboration with Amélie’s
In celebration of 10 years of Viva Chicken, the local-gone-national chain has teamed up with Amelie’s French bakery to offer churro macarons. You can get them now through March 10 at Charlotte area locations and participating Amelie’s locations.
Toast with a Cheerwine Ale, coming soon to a draft (or can) near you
Prepare your tastebuds for a Uniquely Southern wheat ale, brought to you by two family-owned companies in the Carolinas. Cheerwine and NoDa Brewing teamed up to create Cheerwine Ale (5.2% ABV), a crisp, refreshing wheat ale infused with the South’s favorite cherry soda. Cheerwine Ale is now available in 16oz. four-pack cans and on draft at select North Carolina retailers and NoDa Brewing’s Charlotte and Chapel Hill taprooms.
OMB is now serving Zack’s Hamburgers Monday – Friday posting on their IG ~
We’ve teamed up with Zack’s Burger’s owners, George and Elaine Demopoulos, to bring The Zack’s Special back to Charlotte using all the same ingredients and special sauce that the Demopoulos’s served on Scaleybark for over 40 years! The Zack’s Special is available only at OMB Monday through Friday. Zack’s Burgers was one of Charlotte’s most iconic hamburger joints located at the intersection of South Boulevard and Scaleybark before its closure in July 2021. Generations of Charlotteans who lived or worked near Zack’s likely remember the location and its mouth-watering, no-nonsense burgers that would draw a crowd. If you’re new to Charlotte, now’s your chance to try this iconic Charlotte burger!
McNinch House’s wine expert offers Winetalks for beginners and beyond at the New School for Wine
If you’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a meal at the McNinch House, it’s likely you’ve benefitted from the wine pairing selections offers by wine director Anthony “Wes” Wesley. Wesley is a wine educator and lecturer with 35+ years of fine dining and wine experience, and is now bringing his knowledge to the public with approachable, fun and engaging wine tastings through the New School for Wine.
FOODIE EVENTS
The Roaring Social’s Sober Happy Hour
March 2 | WillowWood Coffee, Cornelius
Roaring Social, Charlotte’s first non-alcoholic dessert bar coming in Fall 2023, will host a sober happy hour pop-up in Cornelius. The free event will feature zero proof mixed cocktails, canned cocktails, cookies, light desserts and giveaways.
10% Off Your Dinner Bill
McNinch House | March 8-22
As part of SAVOR Charlotte, a celebration designed as a love letter to the city’s amazing talent and our expansive hospitality experiences, guests can enjoy 10% off their bill at McNinch House Restaurant by mentioning “Savor Charlotte” to their server between March 8 – 22.
Orin Swift Wine Dinner
March 9 | Napa on Providence
The next wine dinner at Napa on Providence features Orin Swift. $100++ per-person. Call and reserve your spot today: 704-900-8535.
Low Country Boil
Waterman Fish Bar’s Lake Norman | March 11th from 1-4pm
The Waterman Fish Bar’s Lake Norman location is approaching its one year mark and celebrating with an all-you-can-eat Low Country Boil on March 11th from 1-4pm. A $50 ticket allows seafoodies to indulge on oysters, shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes till they float, enjoy live music, be the first to try The Waterman’s own blend of Knob Creek Bourbon, and so much more. Kids 10 & under are FREE! For the young sailors, complimentary face painting and balloon animals (Kristin’s Kreations), a bounce house, snow cones, and all-you-can-eat hot dogs & mac n’ cheese.
They’ll be supporting local non-profit Bags of Hope. They supply free weekend food provisions to school children who experience food insecurity.
Two Unusual Wine Classes at Dogwood Southern Table
March 9 and 16 | Dogwood Southern Table
As part of Charlotte Savor, this SouthPark spot will offer two wine classes where participants can explore unusual wines while enjoying complimentary charcuterie.
Red Salt by David Burke is hosting an exclusive Orin Swift wine dinner — five courses paired with six hand-selected wines — on March 29 at 6:30 pm. Hear from the Orin Swift representative and Executive Chef Jeffrey Russell as they walk you through the featured wines and carefully curated menu. Tickets are $125 per person (cost includes gratuity and tax) and are available here:
Cabarrus Burger Madness
March 1-31 | Cabarrus County
This friendly, bragging-rights competition showcases the culinary creativity of Cabarrus County’s local chefs and gives diners exciting new dishes to sample. Brand new burger creations are available for a limited time at 15 of Cabarrus County’s local restaurants. Devour, deliberate, and vote for your favorite!
