by Cathy Martin
As the Queen City continues building its reputation as a culinary destination, the third annual Savor Charlotte celebrates all things food and drink from March 12-25. Savor Charlotte includes a mix of 70+ cooking and mixology classes, special prix-fixe and tasting menus at select restaurants, and special menu items and offers.
The food-and-beverage industry accounts for about one-fourth of all visitor spending in Charlotte — nearly $2 billion — according to Steve Bagwell, chief executive officer of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, the “Charlotte’s Got a Lot” organization behind the event. “Every dish on a plate, every handcrafted cocktail in the glass tells the story,” Bagwell said at a Savor Charlotte kickoff celebration at Norfolk Hall on Wednesday. “This is a celebration of the culinary creativity that makes our city a top food destination.”
Some events are sure to sell out — tickets for Sam Diminich and Andres Kaifer’s Restaurant Constance x Customshop collab disappeared so quickly they added a second seating.
We’ve rounded up a few best bets for the two-week celebration. Click here for a full list of experiences.
- A fun collaboration between Que Onda and Blue Door in South End includes four cocktail-paired dinners. On March 13 and 20, the theme is Mexican street food and tequila. On March 15 and 22, the menu highlights the Oaxaca region and mezcal. Tickets are $78.38.
- Sharpen your fish butchery skills and learn how to make Peruvian ceviche in an interactive cooking class at Calle Sol SouthPark, March 12 ($20). Or, learn about rum, tequila and pisco in a cocktail demo with tastings and snacks on March 18 ($25).
- Taste of the Mint: Food for Thought Art Tours start at Mariposa (March 13) or Coquette (March 20), followed by an educator-led guided tour of Mint Museum Uptown. Tickets are $60; or $50 for museum members.
- A three-course dinner at The Porter’s House at Waverly starts with your choice of shrimp cocktail, tuna tartare or pimento cheese beignets, followed by a winter or Caesar salad. Main course options include a 6-ounce filet, salmon or airline chicken breast. ($55; optional cocktail pairing is an additional $20)
- Head to Mizu, the rooftop restaurant atop the Hyatt Centric in SouthPark, for a sake tasting class with sake expert Sara Guterbock and a four-course dinner on March 19 ($125 per person)
Calle Sol SouthPark photograph by Remy Thurston; Mariposa courtesy The Plaid Penguin; Ever Andalo courtesy CRVA
- “Across the Carolinas” is a themed cocktail party spotlighting local farms and unique Carolina ingredients at Haberdish on March 24 ($95), with food stations, live music, spirits tasting tables and passed hors d’oeuvres. Tickets include food, a specialty cocktail and two tastings; additional drinks are a la carte.
- Taste Becky Wasserman wines at Counter- on March 18 ($45). The tasting includes more than two dozen wines, passed appetizers and discounts on bottles.
- Enjoy a four-course Woodford Reserve bourbon dinner at Dot Dot Dot on March 18 ($189).
- Savor a four-course Chef’s Choice meal for two at Good Food on Montford on March 12 ($58).
- Supperland wine director Michael Klinger hosts an in-depth class on Tuscan wines, including tastings and hors d’oeuvres, on March 14 ($100).
- Join Mary Wilson, wine director at Little Mama’s, to learn about Italian wines in a casual class (i.e. not seated) with passed hors d’oeuvres at Little Mama’s SouthPark, March 13 ($35).
Featured image of Supperland courtesy Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
