Southern Comfort in the Heart of SouthPark at Dogwood

In a competitive and ever-growing restaurant environment like Charlotte, five years is almost a lifetime.

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Dogwood Southern Table & Bar just celebrated their fifth anniversary, and since day one, they’ve paid homage the Carolinas by using locally-sourced ingredients.

“My inspiration for the menu comes from working with people that I have built relationships beyond the workplace,” said executive chef Jonathan Cox. “Knowing not just where the ingredients come from, but who is planting, growing, or harvesting them, makes a major difference in the quality of our dishes, and is ingrained in the culture of our restaurant.”

Chef Cox also believes in teamwork in the kitchen.

“In creating a specific dish, I usually come up with a rough idea of what I want to execute and then let a few team members play around and bring some stuff to me,” he said. “That way it’s a collaborative effort.”

From small plates to entrees to the drinks you sip on, you’ll find locally-sourced throughout. Here’s a look at what we tried.

The Drinks

With Brian Lorusso behind the bar, there’s no doubt you’ll receive a thoughtful, delicious concoction. Not sure what you want? Let him create something off-menu for you.

alla tini — **Alla-Tini**: Cathead honeysuckle vodka, house orange bitters, housemade ginger beer, burnt orange simple syrup

salty dog — **Salty Dog**: Reyka vodka, grapefruit Pellegrino, grapefruit bitters, Himalayan pink sea salt

**Strawberry Fields Forever:** Reyka vodka infused with vanilla beans, strawberry, lemon bitters

Small Plates

If you’re in the mood to share, put your heads together and pick out your favorites from the small plates section. That way, everyone gets a taste.

beef tartar — **Steak Tartare:** fried capers, shallots, cured egg, bourbon mustard, baguette

**Duck ‘n’ Dumplings:** confit duck leg, ricotta, country ham, mushrooms, pickled mire poix

mussells — **Mussels:** coconut-cilantro broth and grilled bread

Entrees

This hearty dishes will warm (and fill) you up.

pappardelle — **Lamb Papppardelle:** pistachio mint pistou, shiitake, parmesan

duck — **Harmony Ridge Duck Breast:** cavatelli, farm squash, mushrooms, port cherry sauce

Desserts

If you haven’t heard of Jon Dressler’s mother’s famous cheesecake, where have you been hiding? Dogwood also offers various cakes, an ice cream float, and homemade gelato and sorbet.

Dogwood Southern Table is open for lunch/brunch (Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.) and dinner (Sunday – Wednesday, 5-9 p.m. and Thursday – Saturday, 5 p.m. – close.)