Your guide to what's new, what's good and what's worth your dining dollar in Charlotte and beyond
Friday, December 16, 2011
Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend tickets
This every-two-years happening is one of the Southeast's largest wine events, say organizers, and has raised more than $3.5 million for area charities (this year: the Council for Children’s Rights; Second Harvest Food Bank's Metrolina-BackPack Program; Pat’s Place; and Charlotte Community Health Clinic).
The Weekend will be April 18-22, and highlights range from winemaker dinners at area restaurants to tastings and classes to a golf tournament. The kickoff is a tequila dinner at Paco's Tacos & Tequila, April 18, and the largest event is Big Bottles & Blues at the Ritz-Carlton, April 20. A gala and live auction (look for the rare 1919 Romanée-Conti bottle) will be April 21, and a brunch April 22.
New pizza joint
Thursday, December 15, 2011
More for New Year's
For New Year’s Eve:
Blue offers a three-course menu for a first seating (5-6 p.m.) on New Year’s Eve (and all day New Year’s Day) for $34.95. Among the entrée choices: flat iron steak with chanterelles, roasted pork tenderloin and pork belly, or duck Bolognese over housemade tagliatelle pasta. Hearst plaza uptown; reservations: 704-927-2583.
Also for New Year’s Eve: Global offers a five-course meal ($65 with a glass of Champagne with dessert; $95 with wine) from 5 to 11 p.m. On the menu: roasted garlic soup with black pepper tuile; foie gras au torchon with brioche, fig chutney and arugula; diver scallops with wild mushrooms; venison with pumpkin cake and crispy collards; and chocolate praline Yule log. 3520 Toringdon Way; 704-248-0866.
Christmas Eve options
For Christmas Eve:
New South Kitchen will be open 4-8 p.m. Christmas Eve, with a buffet. Among the stuff on it: shrimp cocktail, spinach artichoke dip, roasted beef tenderloin with red wine au jus, deep-fried turkey, salmon crab strudel, assorted sides and vegetables, and desserts ranging from gingerbread to Christmas cookies. $30 ($15 for those younger than 12); 8140 Providence Road; 704-541-9990.
Passion8 will serve 3-8 p.m. Christmas Eve, and offers a New Year’s Eve menu 4-8 p.m. 3415 Highway 51 N, Fort Mill; 803-802-7455.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Updated: Open on Christmas
The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge will offer holiday brunch Christmas Day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ballantyne Ballroom. The buffet will include salads, cheeses and seafood displays, breakfast items, a carving station and desserts, plus live traditional holiday music. $55 ($28 for ages 5-12, free for 4 and younger). Reservations required: 704-248-4100; 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway.
New brunch
Dancing for New Year's
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Cheer on Saturday
Before and after Christmas
AFTER: Lulu celebrates its sixth anniversary Dec. 26, with a complimentary glass of Champagne and dessert to those who purchase an entree at dinner (5-10 p.m.). Reservations recommended. 1911 Central Ave.; 704-376-2242.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Bits and crumbs
Table 274 plans a three-course Champagne Duval-Leroy brunch Dec. 10 with Brut, Rose Prestige and the "Lady Rose" Champagnes and a menu of orange and fennel salad with watercress; prosciutto-wrapped mountain trout and wild mushroom frittata; and chocolate truffles. $35; 274 S. Sharon Amity Road; 704-817-9721.
New on menus
On the new winter menu at Ilios Noche: arancini (fried balls of risotto with Gorgonzola cheese); lamb chops marinated in lemon and Greek herbs; diver scallops with truffled wild mushroom risotto and arugula; and more. 11508 Providence Road; 704-814-9882.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Hotel does dine-around
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Uptown 'cue plot thickens
Duncan's name you'll recognize from Bonterra, and he was a founding partner at Mac's Speed Shop; Meredith was formerly in software and Johnston has catering experience and will run the catering arm of this.
The 'cue, described as "fresh Q smoked daily," will be done by Dan “Boone” Gibson, says Meredith; he was the first pit master at Mac’s, has worked various other chef positions in town, and is a CPCC culinary grad. The menu aims to include brisket, ribs, chicken and housemade sausage, plus sides, salads and desserts. Hours are planned for 11 a.m.-midnight nightly.
This joins, on the uptown 'cue horizon, City Smoke from restaurateur Pierre Bader, and what had been planned as Queen City 'Que from barbecuer Dan Huntley at the market.
Now, Huntley says his opening a place within the market is off, since his plan to use a gas-and-wood rig under the existing restaurant hood (the same brand as Queen City Q plans to use in the former LaVecchia's space, incidentally) was nixed by county engineers. He now says he'll be parking his food truck -- dubbed Outdoor Feasts ("it's an LLC; I've had it for 10 years" -- on the market's property and serving barbecue from there during market hours Wednesday-Sunday.
(Meredith, of Queen City Q, said he was "shocked" to read news of Huntley's "Queen City 'Que" some weeks ago, since he'd incorporated the name with the state: "I don't really know how all that happened.")
Expect from their place, says Meredith, a rustic look with barn wood and paprika red walls, and prices in the $10-for-lunch range. And as for the sudden proliferation of 'cue uptown: "My basic philosophy is this: Nobody goes to the same place every day of the week. My job... is to make sure one of those days you come to our place. I don't care where you go the other four days ... Try 'em all! Enjoy 'em all."
Coming up wine-y
D’Vine Wine Café hosts its third annual “Holiday Bubbles Jubilee” Dec. 8, focusing on Champagnes and sparklers. Food ranges from orange-scented French toast with pecan brown butter to seared pork belly with strawberry and sage jam to shrimp satay and there’ll be Mumm, Roederer, Heidsick and more. $59.99; 14815 John J. Delaney Drive; reservations required: 704-369-5050
Vivace and the Wine Vault host a Saturday afternoon wine brunch with Flora Springs wines -- and menu items such as eggs Benedict with duck confit and grilled hanger steak with ricotta gnocchi -- Dec. 10.
$45; 1100 Metropolitan Ave.; 704-548-9463.
Wine lounge uptown
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Pre-Season's Eatings (sorry)
Blue plans a five-dish food and Champagne tasting Dec. 6, with Moët & Chandon goods and a menu that ranges from tuna crudo with blood oranges and Calabrese peppers with Chandon, California Blancs De Noirs, to roasted rack of Berkshire pork with "Impérial," Rosé Champagne Ả Épernay. $49.95; Hearst Plaza uptown; 704-927-2583.
Del Frisco's offers holiday lunches from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9, 16 and 23. 4725 Piedmont Row Drive; 704-552-5502.
And coming up at the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge (for all events: 704-248-4100; 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway):
- Hot Chocolate & Toddies, with live entertainment, 2-5:30 p.m. Fridays-Sundays through December (except for Christmas Day). Adults can add Godiva liqueurs and garnishes to their drinks; $5 without, $8 with.
- Holiday Afternoon Tea in the main lobby 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays through December (except Christmas), with seasonal looseleaf tea blends from Harney & Sons and savory tea sandwiches, traditional confectionaries and other treats. $30 for adults, $15 for ages 5 –12, free for those 4 and younger.
- Brunch with Santa 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 11, including "a surprise visit from the Grinch." Hmm. Bring cameras; pictures aren't offered. $45 for adults, $20 for ages 5-12, free for those 4 and younger.
Monday, November 21, 2011
D'Vine holidays begin
Friday, November 18, 2011
Another TV chef en route
Updated: Vegan beer dinner
Note: Several readers have asked if the dinner is actually vegan: Yes. Though the menu doesn't put quote marks around words like "oysters," the dinner is completely vegan.
Mother Earth taproom manager Travis Quinn will be on hand for explanations. $45; reservations required; 1323 Central Ave.; 704-377-1825.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Discount giveaway
It starts Nov. 17 and ends at midnight Dec. 25. You can log onto www.restaurant.com/feeditforward and enter the e-mail addresses of people you want to give to, designating up to 40 $10 gift cards from the site per day - and they are free. Feed It Forward participants gave more than $32 million in dining experiences in the first three years of the program, the company says.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Updated: Thanksgiving dining options
Ruth's Chris will start serving at 2 p.m., with a three-course meal for $36 (children's menu $14). 222 S. Tryon St., 704-338-9444; 6000 Fairview Road, 704-556-1115.
Mez plans to "recreate your grandmother's cooking" from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., serving traditional dishes (even Waldorf salad and derby pie!) family-style. $24.95 (half off for children) covers all you can eat and unlimited coffee, tea, soda and juice; 210 E. Trade St.; 704-971-2400.
Villa Antonio at 4707 South Blvd. will serve 4-10 p.m., with both traditional dishes and its regular dinner menu. 704-523-1594.
Savannah Red at the Charlotte Marriott City Center will have seatings at noon, 3 and 6 p.m., with a five-course menu for $39.95 ($15.95 for those 6-12). Choices include smoked crab cappuccino; fried turkey breast; grilled ribeye; pumpkin Krispy Kreme bread pudding and more. 100 W. Trade St.; 704-358-6524.
Table 274 will be open noon-7 p.m. with an all-you-can-eat dinner served family style for $24.95 ($10.95 for those younger than 12). On the menu: roasted turkey, smoked prime rib, sides and desserts. 274 S. Sharon Amity Road; 704-817-9721.
Harvest Moon Grille at the Dunhill Hotel uptown will do two seatings, at 2 and 4 p.m., for its traditional dinner, including heritage turkey, Grateful Growers pork, mashed potatoes, chestnut-corn stuffing, carrot and kohlrabi salad, pies and more. $37 (half price for kids 10 and younger); 235 N. Tryon St.; 704-342-1193.
New South Kitchen will serve a buffet 11 a.m.-5 p.m., with orange and sage roasted turkey, roasted ham, rib roast, sides and more for $30. 8140 Providence Road; 704-541-9990.
The Palm at Phillips Place will do a traditional three-course meal for $45 (kids 12 and younger $18.95), plus offering its regular dinner menu. 704-552-7256.
Passion8 will serve 3:30-8 p.m. with three courses for $48 (children younger than 7 eat free), with choices including spicy squash soup with cinnamon creme fraiche; turkey with pancetta-wrapped roulade of local venison sausage; Berkshire bone-in pork chop; pan-seared scallops and Anson Mills grits; and more. 3415 Highway 51 North, Fort Mill, S.C.; 803-802-7455.
Cafe 157 will offer dinner noon-5 p.m. for $28, with a traditional Thanksgiving menu. 157 N. Trade St., Matthews; 704-844-8686.
Lulu will be open 11 a.m.-5 p.m., serving its regular menu, plus a three-course traditional turkey dinner for $30: choice of soup or salad; oven-roasted turkey with dressing, potatoes and root vegetables; and dessert. 1911 Central Ave.; 704-376-2242.
The Charlotte Marriott SouthPark hosts brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and dinner 5-10 p.m. Brunch is $32 ($15 for kids 6-12 and free for 5 and younger), with seatings every half hour. Dinner is $25 ($12 for 6-12 and a kids' menu also offered), with choice of soup or salad; entree of turkey or lamb with sides; and choice of dessert. 2200 Rexford Road; reservations: 704-916-4085.
BLT Steak will do "seasonal classics with an upscale twist," noon to 7 p.m. Chef Ben Miles's prix-fixe menu will include dishes such as butternut squash soup; roasted organic turkey with chestnut stuffing, cranberry-grenadine sauce and rosemary gravy, or roasted prime rib of beef with garlic confit jus, caramelized onion and bacon popovers; family-style sides of mashed potatoes, haricots verts, glazed carrots and Brussels sprouts; and more. $68; 210 E. Trade St.; reservations required at 704-972-4380.
The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge will do brunch 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Seasonal salads, decorative displays, carving stations with regional sides and desserts, plus live music, will be $55, $28 for children 5-12, free for those 4 and younger. Private dining rooms are available for larger groups. Reservations required: 704-248-4100 or at www.gallery-restaurant.com.
The Liberty will be open 11 a.m.-6 p.m., offering a three-course menu for $24.95, including choices such as lobster, smoked trout and jumbo lump crab "cake"; pork belly with crispy maple-glazed pig ears; turkey with heirloom sweet potato fingerlings; salt-crusted prime rib; and an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet. Reservations recommended; 1812 South Blvd.; 704-332-8830 or here.
Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse will serve 11 a.m.-3 p.m., offering a traditional meal of roast turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin cheesecake and more for $24.95. 215 S. Main St., Davidson; 704-237-3246.
Takeout:
Villa Antonio at 4707 South Blvd. offers a to-go package, serving 6 to 8 people for $135; you pick up on Thanksgiving Day. 704-523-1594.
Table 274 will do dinner to go for those who order before Nov. 20 and can pick up by 10 p.m. Nov. 23. For $24 per person, you get an uncooked turkey, cornbread stuffing, sides and more, all oven-ready. 274 S. Sharon Amity Road; 704-817-9721.
Epic Chophouse will do a menu for 8 to 10 for $110; order by Nov. 21 and pick up Thanksgiving Day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. 104 S. Main St., Mooresville; 704-230-1720.
Sauceman’s offers smoked turkeys two ways: Bring your own in by 9 p.m. Nov. 22 and the place will smoke it for you for $29.99. Or you can order one (by 9 p.m. Nov. 20) for $10 per pound, and pick it up before 10 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. 228 West Blvd.; 704-333-7070.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Turducken! and more
At the Pizza Peel on the day before Thanksgiving, all draft beers will go for $3. Meanwhile, new brews there for this week include: NoDa Ramble on Red; Founders Breakfast Stout; Terrapin Wake N Bake; Catawba Valley Mother Trucker; Bells Winter White Ale; Left Hand Milk Stout. 4422 Colwick Road; 704-714-8808.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Next Restaurant Week dates
(The "week" was extended to 10 days in the third iteration of the event.)
Friday, November 11, 2011
New offerings
Domenico's Cucina Italiana at 8410 Rea Road is not, as some have thought, related to the Matthews place of that name. This is where the former Cheez Mo'z was, and opened at the beginning of September, says partner Frank Alessio, who says he also has pizza restaurants in Boone, Hickory and Granite Falls, and is involved at Luigi's and Tony's in Charlotte. Here, he says, he's partners with Luigi Montesano, and the menu ranges from 10 wood-fired pizza options to pastas such as lasagna and housemade ravioli to entrees such as Cornish hen and veal piccata. Lunch weekdays and dinner nightly; 980-819-9723; www.domenicos-charlotte.com.
On the latest menu at Lulu: warm goat cheese with roasted red peppers on baguette; pan-seared foie gras with roasted sweet potatoes & chanterelles; acorn squash stuffed with Grateful Growers sausage, apples and sage; salmon shepherd’s pie; braised and pulled barbecued rabbit; cod with squid ink pasta; paella; and more. 1911 Central Ave.; 704-376-2242.
Elevenses
* 11 oysters
* Any quick bite item (that's from a range of noshes on the bar menu) and any martini
* Any sushi roll under $10 and any draft beer
* Any quick bite item and 1/2 a carafe of sake
* Any sushi roll under $10 and 1/2 carafe of sake
* Sushi special of the night and any quick bite item
* Any glass of wine under $10 and any quick bite item
* 6 oysters and any draft beer
* Any quick bite item and a vodka oyster shooter
* Shrimp ceviche and any draft beer
* A glass of prosecco and any dessert
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Osso coming to N.C. Music Factory
The place's name followed Fossard's design, which, as Myrick puts it, is like "staring into the belly of the whale," suggesting the Italian word for bone: Osso. A fireplace will bridge the dining room and a lounge area, and "make no mistake," says Myrick: "As the night goes on, it will be a fun place to be....We don't ever want music to overtake your ability to carry on a conversation, but this is New York all the way."
Expect high sound quality and for the place to stay open until 2 a.m. on weekends (and maybe more). Dinner will be served six nights a week (closed Mondays), and the menu will range from small plates for $10-$14 to entrees about $13-$30. Lobster crabcakes, short-rib-stuffed arrancini (Sicilian fried rice balls), tuna crudo with blood orange, Margherita pizza, veal meatballs, sea bass over lobster and pumpkin orzo: You get the picture. Need more? Go here.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Top Chef's Hugh Acheson, wine dinners
Passion8 hosts a five-course Lioco wine dinner Nov. 15, with the winery's Matt Licklider on hand. $165 per couple; 3415 Highway 51 North, Fort Mill, S.C.; 803-802-7455.
Gallery hosts a Beaujolais Nouveau party 7-9 p.m. Nov. 17, with a tasting of three Beaujolais wines, cheese and live entertainment. $25; 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway; 704-248-4100.
Coming up
The fifth annual "Music To Your Mouth" festival runs Nov. 14-20 at Palmetto Bluff resort (a few hours outside Charleston), bringing chefs, vintners, brewers, farmers and other food celebrities in for an array of demonstrations, tastings and more, plus live entertainment. Among the notables: chefs Ashley Christensen and Sean Brock, and writers John T. Edge and Gail Simmons (yes, also of "Top Chef"). A portion of ticket sales will go to nonprofit Second Helpings, which says it's “rescued” more than 5 million pounds of food destined for landfills and provided that food to more than 65 other nonprofit agencies in South Carolina. Tickets run $60-$225, and there are packages; some events are sold out. Info at www.musictoyourmouth.com/festival/events-tickets.asp.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Emeril en route!
Press materials call the new e2 a "flagship" and say it will draw from his first Emeril's (1990 in New Orleans) "in its purest form - comfort, warm service and delicious food, with an easy approach."
“With a thriving dining scene, my alma mater Johnson & Wales, the nearby universities and Charlotte’s great cultural and arts community, I feel right at home here,” Lagasse, one of the first national celebrity chefs, said in a press release. (He now has an empire of 12 restaurants, in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Orlando and Bethlehem, Pa., and has joined the latest "Top Chef" as a judge.)
Look for dishes inspired by travels in this country and others, plus "twists" on New Orleans fare made "uniquely Charlotte." Construction is on schedule for the place to open in early 2012, and it will seek LEED certification as energy efficient.
Dine out, do good
Nov. 8: Fatz Café in Lincolnton for lunch and dinner.
Nov. 10: Home Place Restaurant in Lincolnton, lunch and dinner; Dressler's at the Metropolitan in Charlotte, lunch and dinner, and Dressler's at Birkdale Village in Huntersville, dinner.
Nov. 14: Hannah's BBQ in Lincolnton, lunch and dinner.
Nov. 15: 36th Street Bakery & Café in Lincolnton, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Nov. 16: Sports Page Food & Spirits in Denver, dinner; North Harbor Club in Davidson, lunch and dinner.
Nov. 17: Home Place Restaurant in Lincolnton, lunch and dinner.
Nov. 21: Sabi Asian Bistro in Davidson, lunch and dinner.
Nov. 28: Brixx at 225 E. Sixth St. in Charlotte, lunch and dinner.
Nov. 29: Pewter Rose Bistro, lunch and dinner; Restaurant X in Davidson, lunch and dinner.
Bring a new, unwrapped toy to BLT Steak from now through Dec. 14 and the toy will go to nonprofit Toys for Tots and you'll get a complimentary dessert with your entree.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Veterans' thanks
Village Tavern will say thank you to veterans and active duty military personnel on Veterans Day (Nov. 11) by offering 50 percent off all food purchases that day, when they show a valid military ID. 4201 Congress St.; 704-552-9983.
2012 predictions begin: What do YOU see working in CLT?
1. Lots of mom-and-pop disappearances -- "The U.S. could lose 8,000-10,000 restaurants in 2012, few of them belonging to chains."
2. Beyond fusion: "Multi-ethnic, multi-sensory dining experience(s) where flavors clash on purpose" such as "zucchini pizza dabbed with hummus and topped with crunchy wasabi peas" and mostly at lower-cost places. Cowfish and the old Cafe Flavors, anyone?
3. "A widening 'flavor gap'": This means independent operators doing more with more ingredients, and corporate places, "because chains’ financial stakes are so high," serving "the fewest number of items to the greatest number of people."
4. Sandwiches with bread alternatives: flattened tostones, waffles, rice cakes.
5. "Innards and odd parts." Tongue, gizzards, pigs' ears, tripe, chicken livers, beef heart, oxtails. And not just in tacos. (This was predicted last year, too.)
6. Housemade vegetable and fruit pickles - "and there’s a kimchee free-for-all ... Kimchee might be the ingredient of the year."
7. Speaking of which: "At last, Korean hits the charts."
8. Diners with money left, willing to spend it on... 8a. Less comfort food and more invention (like mac-and-cheese with pork rillettes and even more gourmet burgers); 8b. Earlier cocktail hours and later dinners; and 8c. "Round things that go pop in the mouth" such as "kimchee- and parmesan-filled arancini, fried goat cheese balls, spherical falafel, meat balls of all kinds ... mini sandwiches ... Japanese snacky things."
9. Beer gardens.
10. Food truck operators opening brick-and-mortar shops.
11. Foragers and "wildcrafters," with "upscale chefs rushing to harvest dinner from the underbrush and under rocks – or assembling dishes that looked like they might be untamed gardens." (Charleston's McCrady's gets a mention here, and specific items to watch for are listed: white acorns, tips of fir needles, “dirt” made of dried and crumbled mushrooms, black olives, sumac, and desserts "growing out of chocolate 'humus'".
12. Japanese craft beers.
13. Less stacked-high presentations and more "dribble art": stringing out ingredients in "caterpillar-like lines."
14. Peruvian food.
15. The real peak in gourmet burgers (B+W says it was wrong to predict a 2011 peak).
16. And three "cautionary trends" -- misuse of words such as "artisan" and "local"; oversupply of farmers' markets; and too many chefs smoking too many foods.
Update: A great question from a commenter leads me to this addition: B&W's 2011 predictions, in a nutshell. I'd say overall there were some good picks, because you have to view it from a national perspective, but misses and premature pushes, too. What say you?
1. Old Italian returns.
2. Business returns to upscale restaurants, especially contemporary ones.
3. Drug stores and convenience stores ramp up "grab-and-go" to compete.
4. Food trucks sprawl.
5. Korean food! And tacos with everything.
6. Gourmet ice pops will be everywhere -- but new flavors (like mango-chile or jicama-orange) will be even more so, in cocktails and sauces.
7. Restaurateurs will "make customers unwelcome" by not taking credit cards, nixing reservations, raising prices on wines by the glass.
8. "Gross is good": "look for chains to concoct more calorie bombs."
9. Breakfast all the time.
10. Grits as an all-purpose starch.
11. Gluten-free menus and other -free stuff.
12. "Impromptu" food places popping up all over.
13. Sandwiches by other names, cemitas to baos.
14. Out in '11: artisan hot dogs, gourmet burgers, bacon on everything, cupcakes.
15. More and more couponing.
Price's is Serious
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Bits and crumbs
LongHorn recently added new lunch combinations starting at $7.99, including half sandwich and soup or salad combos, such as braised barbecue beef with loaded baked potato soup, or strawberry chicken salad with French onion soup.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tasting Nov. 12
Tuscan weekend coming
Nov. 5 is a wine reception and cruise, with four-course wine dinner, chef demos and live music, on Lake Norman, for $95. Nov. 6, Blue hosts a reception and four-course wine dinner, plus live music and live and silent auctions; also $95 per person (attend both events for $170). Tickets are offered at www.festaitalianacharlotte.org.
Wine tasting, dinner deals
Also coming up from the Vault: Its eighth annual Domaine Serene dinner Nov. 15, will convene in the kitchen of Chef Charles Catering, where chef Charles Semail can answer questions as he prepares the meal. It's at 605 Phillip Davis Drive. Reservations: 704-548-9463.
Meanwhile, Table 274 will offer 25 percent off select bottles of wines on its "Date Night" Nov. 10 and donate 15 percent of total dinner sales that night to Cotswold Elementary. 274 South Sharon Amity Road; 704-817-9721.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Wes Morris returns with barbecue restaurant
He, along with his younger brother Mark and Wes's son Tyler, has opened Ole Carolina Barbecue at 1011 Union Road in Gastonia. (Hard-core fans will note this is just down the road from the original location at 1101 Union Road.) Dad David is 87, says Wes Morris, and "comes in every day for lunch."
It's generally the same stuff, says Wes Morris: pork butts smoked over gas and wood, served with the same recipe of Western N.C.-style, ketchup-based sauce. "There's two things in my freezer," he says: "French fries and Tony's Ice Cream." A pulled pork sandwich with fries goes for $5.19, a small pork plate is $6.50 and a full rack of ribs is $23. Morris says they're hand-bottling the sauce and selling it at the restaurant, and will sell online when the website's up, which should be in a few weeks. The restaurant is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday; 704-215-5293.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Bar Cocoa brunch
Coming up
Paco's Tacos & Tequila, FS Food Group and Herradura Tequila offer a four-course Tex-Mex meal Nov. 2 from chefs Tim Groody and Jared Cannon, paired with five tequila cocktails from beverage director Ashli Cohen. Some of the proceeds will benefit Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center. $45; 704-716-8226.
Blue offers a wine and cheese tasting and silent auction Nov. 2, with all proceeds supporting programs at the Presbyterian Cancer Rehabilitation and Wellness. (Those include yoga, massage, exercise and nutrition services.) Admission is a $30 donation; 214 N. Tryon St.; 704-927-2583.
The Palm hosts a four-course dinner paired with Macallan Scotch on Nov. 4 for $120 ($95 for 837 Club members). 6705-B Phillips Place Court; 704-552-7450.
Del Frisco's does a Montes wine dinner Nov. 4 with winemaker Aurelio Montes in attendance. Among the fare: Pork belly with diver scallop and Alpha “M” Cabernet Sauvignon and "Aurelio Selection" Napa Angel Cabernet Sauvignon; espresso-rubbed filet mignon with Folly Syrah and "Aurelio Selection" Star Angel Syrah; and more. $99; 4725 Piedmont Row Drive; 704-552-5502.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
#SocialThursdays
* Free garlic knots with $5 purchase or more at Libretto’s
* Buy one get one free flatbread in the Pub or Saloon at BlackFinn
* Half-price appetizers at Mez
* Free queso chipotle dip with the purchase of an entrée at Vida
More info: EpiCentreNC.com/social.
Jimmy John's for a buck?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Zagat's ranks Charlotte's top 10 restaurants
Charlotte's top 10 in food rankings, according to Zagat voters:
Barrington's
McNinch House
Fiamma
Fig Tree
Toscana
Good Food on Montford
Bonterra
Carpe Diem
Capital Grille
Soul Gastrolounge
The rest of the list:
Bad Daddy's
Copper
Halcyon
Harvest Moon Grille
Luce
Mac's Speed Shop
Midwood Smokehouse
P.F. Chang's
Sullivan's
Zebra
Survey results released by Zagat at the same time have some interesting Charlotte numbers. Those voting on Charlotte restaurants:
* Say they eat out 3.2 times a week, compared to Houston's 4, Boston's 2.5 and the U.S. average of 3.1.
* Say they tip 19.5 percent, compared to San Francisco's 18.6, New Orleans's 19.7 and the U.S. average of 19.2.
* Top the list of all surveyed areas in one item: 34 percent say they follow restaurants and/or food trucks via social media. The U.S. average is 21 percent and the low is Long Island at 11.
* Are pretty close to national averages on how much they're going out to eat, compared to last year: 21 percent say more, 59 the same and 20 percent less (just a few points off averages), while 24 percent say they're spending more, 63 the same and 13 less.
* Are pretty tolerant, comparatively, of diners who text, tweet or talk on phones, or photograph food and/or companions. Fifty five percent (only Vegas and New Orleans were lower) find it "rude and inappropriate" to use cellphones, with 41 percent (second only to New Orleans) find it "OK in moderation." Connecticut folk just won't have it: 71 percent find it rude. U.S. averages are 63 and 34. On pictures: 70 percent find it OK in moderation and 18 percent perfectly acceptable. Easterners are an angry bunch on this count: 19 percent of Westchester and the Hudson Valley diners find it rude and inappropriate, and Connecticut, Long Island, New York City and New Jersey voters fall close behind, while 28 percent of those chill New Orleansians deem it perfectly acceptable.
Note: I assist in this book in this way: I synopsize voter quotes and help keep the list of restaurants current. Some restaurants don't gain enough voter comments to make the cutoff; some, such as Del Frisco's, are included in a national chain review. Voters decide all rankings and scores, and restaurants choose their own categories for cuisine (so you'll see, for example, "American," "Continental" and "Eclectic").
Pizza tossing
Shows start at 6 and 7:30 p.m.. 9931 Highway 521 in Fort Mill, S.C.; 803-547-1104.
Here's a taste of his work:
Monday, October 24, 2011
Bernardin's opens Oct. 25
“We were delighted when the Ratcliffe flower shop space became available," said Lee in a press release. He is a Culinary Institute of America graduate who has run Bernardin's in Winston-Salem since 1992. "We understand the limitations of an historic property, but we also understand the opportunity to create a memorable dining experience by capitalizing on the history of the building."
Lee said he's made a few changes, such as taking up the carpet to reveal the original slate floor, and plans to convert the small balcony overlooking the dining room into a second private dining space.
The menu, similar to Winston-Salem's, will have such dishes as horseradish-crisped salmon, and ostrich from Davie County. It will be contemporary American, with Asian and Indian influences.
What's Charlotte's signature dish?
The restaurant folks "challenge our fellow Charlotteans to create a Charlotte Signature Dish that you feel best represents Charlotte ... (It) must not only be delicious, it must express the Queen City, who we are, what we are known for, and what Charlotte is all about. Put it all on the plate. All ingredients must be local."
You can submit entries until midnight March 15. Describe your entry (plus a photo, if possible), include the recipe and list contact information, including home and work phone numbers, and email to signaturedishofcharlotte@gmail.com. You can also snail-mail it to Harvest Moon Grille, Attn: Signature Dish of Charlotte, 235 N. Tryon St., Charlotte NC 28202.
Judges (to be determined) will choose three finalists, and announce the winner May 18. Grand prize winner gets a free night at the Dunhill (the hotel that houses Harvest Moon), and dinner that night and breakfast the next morning at the restaurant. The winning dish will go on the menu. The second-place winner gets dinner for two; third place is worth a weekend brunch for two.
Wine room shifts; one closes
Sidekicks has big-screen TVs, bottled beers, a few frozen drinks and some wines, plus upscale liquors. Look for live entertainment to come, along with event nights, from karaoke to trivia. 1315 East Blvd.; 704-343-0131 (this rings at 131 Main; phone's not yet in the new space).
Also gone: Dolcetto Wine Room at Piedmont Town Center.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wine dinners
Bonterra (recently named one of online-reservation-site Open Table's 50 restaurants with the best wine lists) offers a Switchback Ridge casual food and wine pairing event Nov. 17 for $60. Among the fare: beef carpaccio and filet with cheddar spring rolls with 2009 Merlot, and pork roulade and roasted lamb lollipops with 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon. 1829 Cleveland Ave.; 704-333-9463.
Links of the week
I have never even liked Alton Brown much, until this, in which he coaches us all on completely faking it -- with wine, with cheese, with life.
Just in time for Halloween giving: McSweeney's latest "Lucky Peach" (and since my mom's a Lebanon bologna fan, I'm already excited by the sneak peek you get here.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
More new uptown " 'Que"
He’ll be ensconced in the former Reid’s kitchen (at 225 E. 7th St.), with a gas-and-wood cooker that’s been approved for the space. The market will offer a wide array of produce and proteins, with local stuffs emphasized, and conversations are ongoing about how everything will work. Customers might be able to buy food and ask Huntley to cook it; there might be some kitchen-sharing; and other approaches. Various vendors will offer grab-and-go foods as well, and there’ll be open seating for those buyers, as well.
Huntley says he hopes to put a whole hog outside on a rotisserie and wood-fired grill he got in Argentina to demo some barbecuing, as well, and that there’s some discussion about marketing barbecue sauces with Democratic National Convention labels. For the convention, market folks “want people to come in there and see we live in pig country here, and it’s high art,” he says. “I like to think I can bring some of the funk” to Charlotte barbecue.
Bites and a bit... of Moonshine
Monday, October 17, 2011
Discounts, freebies
Charlotte Qdoba will offer a free side of chips and three-cheese queso or guacamole to all customers all day Oct. 19. The giveaway is to let diners know “how much we appreciate their continued patronage," said area franchise owner Tom Lewison in a press release.
Friday, October 14, 2011
New tapas come uptown
In turn, in early January, Conte plans to open Trattoria Antica in the former Marino's spot in Waxhaw. Expect Italian "comfort food" in a relaxed atmosphere and entered in the $11 to $20 range.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Burgers coming uptown
The opening will offer specials through the day, live music, free ice cream for kids, and a display of "classic and unique" cars and motorcycles, such as a Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide Custom, which happens to be the grand prize in American Roadside’s National Hamburger Day Giveaway (that's May 28). You can enter at the restaurant, or online at www.americanroadside.com.
Beerfest
Coming up: 14th birthday, wine dinners
Alton’s Kitchen & Cocktails hosts a Charles Smith five-course wine dinner Oct. 27, with courses such as tuna poke with Kung Fu Girl Riesling, and braised lamb pot with Boom Boom! Syrah. $40; 19918 North Cove Road in Cornelius; 704-655-2727.
D'Vine Wine Cafe offers a Santa Ema wine dinner, also on Oct. 27, with a menu including steak pie with truffled potatoes and
2006 Santa Ema Catalina; seared duck breast with 2007 Santa Ema Amplus Carignan; and more. $49.99; 704-369-5050; 14815 John J. Delaney Drive.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Taste of the World and other followups
Vida raised just over $600 Oct. 4 (National Taco Day, of course) with a taco deal that benefitted Levine Children's Hospital.
Mac's Speed Shop won an invitation to the Kansas City Barbecue Society's American Royal World Championship at the "Autumn Treasures Grill'n and Chill'n" event in Waxhaw last weekend, winning the chicken category, placing second in brisket and pork and third in ribs.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Dining as covert operation
Monday, October 10, 2011
Plaza Midwood gets new vegetarian spot
Coming up
Chima hosts a wine dinner Oct. 11 comparing the attributes of wines from Bodega Catena Zapata (Argentina) and Vina Cousino Macul (Chile), in the context of a six-course, rodizio-style meal. $59; reservations at Bond Street Wines: 704-521-1353.
The Palm will have a Trefethen wine dinner Oct. 18, with John Harrington from the winery as host. Cost is $120 ($97 for 837 Club members); reservations required at 704-552-7450. 6705-B Phillips Place Court.
Passion8 plans a "Mother & Son Dinner Date" Oct. 27: three courses for $68 for two people. Also, the bistro is celebrating its fourth anniversary with some 4-centric deals: Tuesday through Thursdays through the month, diners can get some special-choice $4 glasses of wine 5-7 p.m., and four courses for $44. 3415 Highway 51 N., Fort Mill; 803-802-7455.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Sustainable awards
Other categories are Pathfinder (for visionaries/catalysts "beyond the kitchen") and Foodshed Champion (for producers noted for working with chefs and valuing a clean environment and sustainable production). More info: www.chefscollaborative.org.
On tables and in glasses now
Zebra offers a Friday-night tasting tonight (Oct. 7) of more than 30 of its by-the-glass list. Choose four for $10, 5:30-7:30 p.m. There's also a long list of IPAs, porters, ales and more offered at half price during the same time. 4521 Sharon Road; 704-442-9525.
Through Nov. 30 at the Palm, a special dinner for two -- an 18-ounce New York Strip and two Nova Scotia lobster tails, plus two appetizers and sides -- goes for $85 (the chain turned 85 this year). Also on special: three-course anniversary dinner for $49.85 per person. 6705-B Phillips Place Court; 704-552-7256.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
New menus at Halcyon
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Bourbon dinner; Saintsbury social
BLT Steak offers a five-course tasting of Saintsbury wines with food pairings Oct. 18, with the vineyard's Dick Ward leading the tasting. $40; 201 E. Trade St.; reservations required at 704-972-4380.
1 Melting Pot moving
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Nick's Steakhouse uptown closed
Monday, October 3, 2011
Charleston's Brock wastes not and other links
A feel-good story about kids, gardens and Halcyon chef Marc Jacksina is here. Gazpacho! (So hurry.)
Cheeses, and smuggling, in Italy: "Like everyone who traveled to get to the event, I came with an empty bag, which I stuffed with heavy blocks of cheese," here.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Scary pancakes and other fall flavors
IHOP offers special pancakes for October: pumpkin pancakes, all-you-can-eat buttermilk pancakes, and Scary Face Pancakes, with a daylong giveaway of the last to kids 12 and younger 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 28 (one per kid).
And Bruegger's now offers pumpkin spice coffee for the fall, along with baked apple bagels and honey walnut cream cheese in what the place calls a Baker's Choice pairing, offered through Nov. 22. The chain also has a Harvest Ciabatta panini (roasted turkey and green apple), and has brought back its 4 for $4 breakfast sandwich menu for a limited time.
Eat tacos, do good
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Oktoberfest, kind of
Maitakes, wine and wine
Morton's hosts a Torbreck dinner Oct. 7 with the Wine Vault. On the menu: smoked salmon with Torbreck Steading; sliced Cajun ribeye with Woodcutters Shiraz; steak frites and Descendant; and more. $100; reservations: 704-548-9463.
Zink offers a five-course Duckhorn Vineyards dinner Oct. 12, with someone from the winery there to answer questions. The menu includes butter-poached Maine lobster tail with 2009 Migration Chardonnay; Snake River Farm Berkshire pork belly trio with 2008 Merlot and 2004 "Three Palms" Merlot; Painted Hills N.Y. strip with 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2004 Howell Mountain Meritage Blend; and more. $85; 704-909-5500; 4310 Sharon Road.
Dine out, do good
Planned offerings include Rappahannocks from Topping, Va.; Old Salts from Chincoteague Bay, Va.; York Rivers from (surprise) York River, Va.; Kusshis from British Columbia; Malpeques from Prince Edward Island; and more, plus Droin Chablis, Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, La Marca Prosecco, Domaine du Quilla Muscadet, Franciscan Sauvignon Blanc and other paired wines.
Reservations for the night are required: 704-556-7730; 6902 Phillips Place. (Malpeque oyster photo from blueislandoyster.com.)
Tune in tomorrow
Dine out, do good
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Restaurant is animal-welfare-approved
Dan Gibson and his family own and operate the restaurant, along with Grazin' Angus Acres farm, which raises grass-fed and -finished Black Angus beef. "For some time now, I have dreamed about opening a truly sustainable restaurant," Gibson said in a press release. "And as we only use local suppliers, most of our ingredients will have traveled less than 11 miles from farm to plate, minimizing the carbon footprint of every meal." The place will make its own butter and ice creams, and get its baked goods from another AWA approved source.
The restaurant is at 717 Warren St.; www.grazindiner.com.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Bernardin's coming to Uptown
Lee, 44, has owned the Winston-Salem restaurant - whose name he and staff pronounce "ber-NAR-din's" - with his brother Terry since 1992. "We've been down here a long time." About a year and a half ago, they moved it from its original site to the historic Zevely House. That's why, he says, the uptown spot at 435 S. Tryon St., formerly the Ratcliffe Florist building, was so attractive. "It's a historic house, like ours in Winston-Salem." They signed the lease with Wells Fargo two or three months ago, he said, and did some renovation. The menu at first will be very similar to his original, which he says is contemporary American with Asian influences, and "completely different" from Ripert's. His family came from Hong Kong and he spent time in India, as well as some months cooking in New York City. He is a Culinary Institute of America grad and says he spent time with Le Coze, as well as with Steven Mellina at Manhattan Ocean Club and at Tribeca Grill.
Lee hopes to open in three weeks or so - which will be about a week before Ripert, interestingly, comes to Charlotte for an Oct. 26 appearance with chef/celeb Anthony Bourdain. Twitter was alive with comments, with people suggesting to Ripert that he rename his place "Le Original Bernardin" and that he send Lee a dead fish wrapped in a Le Bernardin menu. (Ah, Twitter. A subtle place.) Ripert tweeted that "They will deal w MLC my business partner," then clarified that was Maguy Le Coze.
Asked if he'd heard from anyone from Le Bernardin's yet, Lee said, "Why would they call me? I pronounce it 'ber-NAR-din's'."
Friday, September 23, 2011
Wine dinner
$65, with a shot at a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant and a signed bottle of Il Molino di Grace; 704-343-0148. 601 S. Kings Drive.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Rippington's back
Monday, September 19, 2011
Steakhouse is opening uptown
In case you've lost track of the LaVecchia Restaurant Group's movements, let me refresh you. That site used to house LaVecchia's, until that operation moved to the Hearst Tower (across from Luce) in March, and got a menu and wine list upgrade.
Also within the past year or so, the group:
* Opened Jax Backstreet Tavern in Belmont.
* Opened Battleground Steakhouse in Kings Mountain.
* Opened Nick's Steak and Taphouse in Gastonia.
(It also has Nix Burger & Brew uptown and Old Stone Steakhouse in Belmont.)
Friday, September 16, 2011
Taste Charlotte East
Ben Thanh
Bistro La Bon
Carnitas Guanajuato
Dim Sum
Foskoskies
Fu Lin
Intermezzo
Jamile's
Landmark
Lang Van
La Shish Kabob
Machu Picchu
Mama's Caribbean Cafe
The Motherland
Nile Grocery and Cafe
Pollos Mario
Portofino’s Ristorante Italiano e Pizzeria
Sadie's
Three Amigos
Woodlands Vegetarian Indian Cuisine
Raffaldini festival Saturday
Bits & crumbs
Slate reposted this classic by Christopher Hitchens on the absurdity - nay, impossible effrontery! - of waiters pouring your wine for you. Fun.
Until Nov. 6, diners at Genghis Grill have an extra protein option: Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken -- "all natural white meat chicken, with touches of soy sauce and pineapple juice, flavored with Cajun and garlic seasonings, marinated with Genghis Grill's signature Mongo BBQ sauce, all blended with the 'authentic blend of 23 rich flavors®' of Dr Pepper®." 980-236-1427; 11324 N. Community House Road.
The 28th Showmars is now open in Mooresville, at 138 Williamson Road, accessible from I-77 at exit 36. 704-662-3383.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Calories, sodium cut; First Lady approves
Also promised: fruits or vegetables will be the default side on kids’ menus (meaning you can get something else, but if you don't specify, you'll get fruits or vegetables), and 1-percent milk will be the default beverage. Those changes start now and will be fully implemented by next July, the company says.
Said Michelle Obama: "I’m here today because this is a breakthrough moment in the restaurant industry ... Darden is working to make the healthy choice the easy choice."
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A look at Chapel Hill chef Reusing
Raleigh News & Observer food editor Andrea Weigl tells us a little more about Lantern's chef, Andrea Reusing, who won the regional chef title in this year's James Beard Awards. An excerpt: "Reusing is at Lantern every day, tweaking the menu, creating specials, checking on deliveries, overseeing the kitchen several nights - and teaching, always teaching. Her brother, Brendan Reusing, who helped open Lantern, says: 'She will not stop until you do it the way she wants you to. ... She's really pretty relentless.' " Photo by Juli Leonard.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Updated: Free wings and yogurt Wednesday
The Charlotte stop of the National Buffalo Wing Fest, founded by Cerza, is noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Metrolina Tradeshow Expo (7100 Statesville Road), with more than 75 kinds of wings from about 18 area restaurants (including the seven above) - plus a wing-eating contest and "bobbing for wings" in vats of blue cheese. Restaurants are competing for a free trip to Buffalo to represent the Carolinas at the 2012 National Buffalo Wing Festival.
Admission is $10; active-duty military with ID, college students with ID and kids younger than 8 get in free. Three wings go for $2 and the event benefits the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge. Info: www.CarolinaWingFestival.com.
And: from 5 to 10 p.m., the EpiCentre Yoforia offers free frozen yogurt. 210 E. Trade St.
Bits and pieces
If you "like" Upstream on Facebook before Sept. 30, you could win a date night each month for the last three months of 2011. The restaurant will pick a winner Sept. 30, who will get a $100 gift card each for October, November and December.
Raffaldini Vineyards in Ronda hosts its sixth annual Festa Italiana on Sept. 17, a daylong (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) celebration of Italian culture, food, art, music and wine. Admission is $15 and includes a wine tasting and commemorative glass, live music, food vendors and more. Info: www.raffaldini.com or 336-835-9463.
Attn: Charlotte Chocoholics
Signatures?
* A daily "Chocolate Afternoon Tea" starting Oct. 1: Six teas plus chocolate tea and hot chocolate with housemade marshmallows; $32, $10 per child younger than 12, including valet parking, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. (Offerings will be mini-sandwiches, white chocolate and orange scones, petits fours and a signature Bar Cocoa: layers of praline and Gianduja cake, hazelnut dacquoise, chocolate mousse and milk chocolate Chantilly.)
* A weekly five-course (all desserts) chocolate and Champagne dinner starting Oct. 8 for $125.
* Classes in the adjoining Cocoa Lab: Starting Oct. 15 for $75.
* Sales of pastries from the Ritz-Carlton's Josh Cain and confections from chocolatier Norman Love (shown, although don't you wish they'd used someone local?); and
* A Chocolate Rehab package for overnight guests this fall.
You can get a la carte items (think pastries and sweets) 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, to midnight Friday-Saturday and to 4 p.m. Sunday. 201 E. Trade St.
Info: 704-547-2244 and here.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Meet your farms
Note: You may be able to get in free, if you're willing to help out. Check the website for more information.
Know Your Farms, a family business based in Davidson, organized the tour and aims to "rebuild our local food system in a sustainable way." On the tour are places that grow fruit, vegetables, livestock (including ostrich and alpaca), mushrooms and wine grapes. Many farms plan activities for kids, from hay rides to petting zoos, and adults, such as live music and cooking demos. Also featured: a Shabby Chic Farm to Fork Dinner at Honey Mountain Farm in Mount Ulla Sept. 17. Tickets for this are sold separately from the tour, are $75 (dinner only) and $100 (farm tour and dinner) and benefit Friendship Trays in Charlotte. Those can be bought on the website, too.
Wine dinners
Latour Wines are the star Sept. 21 at The King's Kitchen. Courses include Latour Pouilly Fuisse with roasted S.C. poussin with Anson Mills farro; Fessy Morgan Cru de Beaujolais with grilled veal tenderloin and sweet potato hash; and more. $55; 704-375-1990; 129 W. Trade St.
Allen Papp of Darioush Wines will guide a dinner at Del Frisco's Sept. 23, with dishes that range from poached pears with mascarpone and 2010 Viognier to pappardelle with duck confit and 2007 Signature Merlot to pepper-crusted filet mignon with veal jus with 2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, and more. $150; 704-552-5502; 4725 Piedmont Row Drive.
The Wine Shop at Foxcroft offers a Spanish wine dinner Sept. 27 with André Tamer's De Maison wines, and Tamer will be on hand. $60; 704-365-6550; 7824 Fairview Road.
BLT Steak hosts a Shelton Vineyards four-course dinner Sept. 30, with Mandy Shelton Houser and Michael Egues of Shelton discussing both courses and wines. $75; 704-972-4380; in the Ritz-Carlton at 201 E. Trade St.