With a New Year comes plenty of chances to expand your palate, discover new cuisines and celebrate new locations for tried and true favorites. Ready your appetite for 2019 with these culinary experiences now open and coming soon, along with foodie events and menu updates.
OPEN NOW
Open today (1/3/19) in the Epicentre with a Grand Opening planned for 1/12/19 when, from 11AM-9pm they will have free Poke boxes for first 100 people, BOGO all day for everyone, plus free gift for every guest, and some other fun stuff. What is Pokeatery? Poke bowls natch, pegged as the original poke 🐟 and Dole Whip 🍍combo, since 2015. Creators of the POKECADO TOAST found in California, Louisiana, CHARLOTTE, and Texas.
A Chapel Hill favorite, The Crunkleton, recently opened their second location at 7th Street and Pecan Avenue. The much anticipated addition to the historic Elizabeth neighborhood serves classic cocktails, curated wines and craft beers alongslee shared plates, entrees featuring dry-aged meats and hearth-hung chickens cooked over an open hearth. Take a peek at their winter menu here. The private club, which charges $10 for an annual membership, is open daily from 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
At Capishe, fast-casual meets authentic Italian in their menu consisting of wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, appetizers and desserts all around $10 per plate. We can’t wait to get our hands on the prosciutto pizza made with red sauce, bufala mozzarella, prosciutto cotto, carmelized cipollini onion, pecorino, fresh garlic and arugula and the San Lorenzo pasta with peppadew peppers, Italian sausage, carmelized cipollini onion and garlic. Find them at 500 East Morehead Suite 100.
The fast-casual concept from the owners of O-Ku opened on December 14 at 101 S. Tryon Street. It’s the perfect spot for workday lunches with small plates of fresh sashimi, specialty rolls, grab-and-go-sushi and customizable salads and bowls.
Get ready Dilworth, the latest Yafo location is now open at 1231A East Blvd. Expect signature and create-your-own bowls, salads and pitas brimming with Mediterranean and bold Middle-Eastern flavors.
Poppy’s Bagels & More – South End
This mom-and-pop, Northern-style bagel deli has expanded into a South End location at 2201 South Blvd. Expect your favorite lox and egg sandwiches, authentic bagels, challah French toast, handmade tuna, chicken and pasta salads, pastries and a text-to-order option. Open Monday – Friday 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
This BBQ joint with a twist is now serving beloved classics like pulled pork and St. Louis-style ribs alongside new takes like Southern egg rolls and Korean BBQ salmon in Fort Mill. When you visit, don’t miss their homemade sauces. Find them now at 204 Main St. Suite 102 in Fort Mill.
OPENING SOON
From the owners of Vivace, this Italian-inspired restaurant with Spanish and French influences is expected to open soon in SouthPark. Find them at 3920 Sharon Rd., Suite 160.
Chef Bill and General Manager Anita Greene, the husband and wife team behind Banner Elk’s Artisanal, will bring seasonal and imaginative cuisine to SouthPark’s Piedmont Town Center in January 2019. The American menu will feature seafood, produce and meats from local farms, housemade products and seasonal ingredients in signature dishes including pimento cheese scones, Alaskan king crab and a smoked pekin duck breast.
Coming soon to South End’s Design Center, Barcelona Wine Bar will offer an ever-evolving menu of sharable tapas using bold flavors from Spain and the Mediterranean. The chef-driven small plates, including a customizable charcuterie option, will be accompanied by an award-winning wine list with bottles from Spain and South America. Find them at 101 W. Worthington Ave, Suite 190.
Experience the authentic flavors and aromas of traditional Italian fare at Sensi, a new concept led by Michelin-starred chef Luigi Nastri, coming to Rea Farms in South Charlotte. Find them soon at 9825 Sandy Rock Place.
Texas-based Fuzzy’s Taco Shop will open its third Charlotte-area location soon in Rea Farms. At this fast-casual spot, expect Baja-style starters and soups, tacos, burritos, nachos, bowls, quesadillas and even breakfast.
Soon, cocktail lovers will be able to sip on handcrafted creations at this new NoDa hotspot. They’re anticipating a late January opening at 424 East 36th Street.
MORE 2019 ANTICIPATED OPENINGS
Your mornings are about to get a whole lot better. Snooze, a Denver-based breakfast and lunch spot, expects to open in early 2019 at 1331 Central Ave. The eatery will feature classic and innovative Benedicts, Sammies, bowls and pancakes alongside creative a.m. cocktails.
Room & Board
NoDa will soon have a new neighbor. Room & Board, a bar and restaurant named to highlight the building’s history as a boarding house, is expected to open in early 2019 at 3228 N Davidson St. Expect a streamlined menu likely to include smoked meats, fried chicken and ribs, homemade sides as well as a full bar with seasonal cocktails and 44 taps.
For almost 10 years, Jim Noble traveled the South searching for and crafting his own BBQ techniques. Soon, diners will be able to experience the best of this Southern culinary tradition for themselves when Noble Food & Pursuits opens its sixth restaurant (and first dedicated to barbecue) later this year at 226 Freedom Drive. Ahead of the location’s opening, you can preview the low and slow flavors expected on the menu at Noble as part of Mobile Smoke, BBQ served family-style for events. View the menu here.
From the operators of Rooster’s and The King’s Kitchen comes a new retail concept that will offer a wide assortment of freshly prepared foods, baked goods and chef-curated provisions. They’re expected to open in early 2019 behind Rooster’s in SouthPark.
Explore the flavors inspired by the food centers and hawker stalls of Southeast Asia when Hawkers Asian Street Fare comes to The Design Center of the Carolinas in February. Find them at 1930 Camden Road, Unit 130.
The Indigo Road hospitality group, which also operates O-Ku, Oak Steakhouse and Sukoshi, expects to open its latest venture in South End by mid-2019. Indaco’s rustic Italian dishes, which include wood-fired pizzas and pastas, will pull inspiration and influences from the flavors of Southern Italy.
This new concept featuring a pre fixe $25 menu with steak and bottomless truffle fries is expected to open in South End in early 2019. Find them soon at 2322 Dunavant Street.
Queen City Pour House
Coming soon to the growing Tremont area of South End, Queen City Pour House will serve refined bar bites, cocktails and beer at the corner of Tremont and Hawkins Street.
Plus, a few expansions:
This go-to salad chain will open its fourth Charlotte-area location in Uptown this spring. Find them at 212 S. Tryon St.
Rhino Market – South End and Villa Heights
Rhino Market & Deli will open inside the anticipated The Railyard development in South End within the first quarter of the new year. Another location in the Villa Heights neighborhood at 2320 N. Davidson St. is also expected to open in March.
CAVA’s Mediterranean-style bowls, pitas and salads are coming soon to South End’s Atherton Mill. Look for an opening of this latest location mid-year.
Sabor’s ninth and largest Charlotte-area location is expected to open mid-2019 at 300 N. College St.
MENU UPDATES & FOODIE EVENTS
Wine 101
January 12 | Mimosa Grill | 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Resident sommelier Mark Orsini will lead this seven-course wine and food pairing that includes tastings, beverages and recipes. $55 per person.
French Wine Workshop Classes at Reid’s Fine Foods
Reid’s Fine Foods will kick off the new year by hosting a French Wines Workshop series conducted by Madame Laure Levasque, President and Chief Tasting Officer of France’s GEM Wines. Each class helps guests develop a better understanding of French wines and their personal preferences through tastings of five wines and cheeses, a tutorial booklet and discounts on featured wines. $40 per person per class. Call 704.377.7686 to reserve your spot. Classes:
- “Unveiling the Secrets of Bordeaux”
Saturday, January 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. - “The Rhone Valley from North to South”
Saturday, February 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. - “Cruising Along the Loire River Vineyards”
Saturday, March 23, from 2 to 4 p.m.
B.GOOD to Introduce New Winter Menu January 9
Just in time to make good on your 2019 resolutions, all four Charlotte-area B.GOOD locations will introduce a new winter menu, featuring a Citrus & Avocado Salad, Maple Roasted Carrots and a Mocha Protein Smoothie. A seasonal burger, sandwich and soup will also available as well beginning February 13.
The Queen & Glass Presents: Beards and Aprons Guest Chef Series
January 9 | The Queen & Glass | 7 – 10 p.m.
Chef Michael Bowling and mixologist Bob Peters team up for this five-course dinner paired with five specialty cocktails. $100 general admission.
Woodford Reserve Dinner
January 10 | Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse | 7 – 10 p.m.
Brown Forman Whiskey Ambassador Cameron Brobst will lead this exploration of Woodford Reserve specialty cocktails, served alongside a four-course meal prepared by Del Frisco’s Executive Chef Wayne Mason. $125 per guest. Save your seat here.
Taste of the Mint: Under Construction
January 13 | Mint Museum Uptown | 1:30 p.m.
Art, food and wine meet in this month’s Taste of the Mint. Enjoy small bites from Halcyon, Flavors from the Earth, and then take a guided tour of the special exhibition Under Construction: Collage from The Mint Museum. $35-$45.
Red Clay Raw Bar “Pop-Up”
January 13 | Red Clay Ciderworks | 3 – 5 p.m.
The Waterman will partner with Red Clay Ciderworks for a free raw bar pop-up with oysters on the half shell, giveaways and a small batch release of Pirate’s Bae, a semi-dry cider infused with lemongrass, ginger, wasabi and lemon zest.
Moffett Wine Dinner
January 23 | The Stanley | 7 p.m.
At this intimate wine dinner, guests will enjoy a five-course farm-to-table dinner crafted by chef Paul Verica paired with Moffett Wines. Preview the menu here. $95 per person plus tax & gratuity. Call 980.229.2741 or email steve@thestanleyclt.com for reservations.
Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week®
If trying more local restaurants is on your resolutions list for 2019, you’re in luck. Queen’s Feast returns January 18 – 27 with over 130 restaurants offering three or more courses for just $30 or $35 per person. Make your reservations now!
Charlotte Restaurant Week: Queen’s Beer Feast
NoDa Brewing Company will get in on the Charlotte Restaurant Week action with a special pop-up collaboration with TIN Kitchen in their original brewery at 2229 N. Davidson Street. Dinner is $35 per person and includes three courses and one flight of beer (four five-ounce glasses).
