Easy grab-and-go gourmet, dinner experiences and one for the road
March 8, 2024
Taste of the town: A weekly roundup of all things food + drink in the Queen City.
Wine and dine
Culinary artistry shines next week as Savor Charlotte kicks off across the city. This two-week event (March 12-26) celebrates the culinary community by featuring special menus, discounts and cooking classes at local restaurants, breweries and food retailers. Browse the offerings, choose your experience and make a reservation. Around SouthPark, DTR SouthPark is hosting a white wine tasting and Mizu is offering a special five-course menu at the chef’s counter.
Monday night, March 11, L’Ostrica in Montford is hosting a wine dinner with Chris Fladwood from Soter Vineyards in Oregon. Fladwood will be sharing wines not typically available in our area. which will be paired with a seven-course menu and small bites during the reception. Tickets are $210. L’Ostrica opened a few months ago along Park Road with a focus on tasting menus.
Heads up, tickets just went on sale this week for Charlotte Wine + Food Week and they often sell out. The festivities (April 16-21) include vintner dinners at top restaurants, the Collector’s Gala & Live Auction, and the Grand Tasting on Saturday night. The week will wrap up with a Rosé Brunch and a special Closing Night Dinner. Now in its 36th year, CW+FW celebrates all things food and wine, all for a good cause. Proceeds benefit children’s charities, including A Child’s Place, Augustine Literacy Project, GenOne, and The Learning Collaborative.
Easy grab-and-go
Thoughtful Baking Co. just launched farm-to-fridge vending machines stocked with take-and-bake meals, quiche, small bites and desserts. Chef Mary Jayne Wilson says the fridge stations provide a convenient way for customers to have healthier, scratch-made comfort foods with locally-sourced ingredients. Find the vending machines at Birdsong Brewing on Davidson Street and Traditions at Park Road Shopping Center.
On the menu: Chicken Pot Pie, (Vegan) Veggie Pot Pie, (Gluten-free) Shepherd’s Pie, Hashbrown Crust Quiche (Gluten-free), Traditional Crust Quiche, Soup, Salad, Black-Eyed Pea Hummus, Pimento Cheese, Lavash Crackers, and Luna Pie (chocolate marshmallow, graham cracker.)
Coming soon
There’s something good baked into Cakeable and we’ll be rooting for the success of their first cafe opening this spring in uptown. Cakeable hires adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and helps grow their potential through an inclusive work environment and job training. The nonprofit currently employs 11 adults at its bakery and will more than double its workforce with the cafe. Right now, Cakeable baked goods are available through catering orders, Julia’s Cafe and Books, farmers markets and pop-ups. The cafe will also feature iced and hot drinks like teas and lattes. Look for Cakeable Cafe at 401 N. Tryon Street soon.
It’s farewell to Camp North End for Leah & Louise, the acclaimed restaurant known for its creative Southern comfort food and craft cocktails. Owners Greg and Subrina Collier (BayHaven Restaurant Group) are relocating the restaurant to a larger space in Historic West End. Leah & Louise opened in 2020 during the pandemic and has garnered national attention for its twist on Southern cuisine. Chef Greg Collier will stay connected to CNE by serving as a resource and advisor for food and beverage operators there. Details on a farewell dinner and celebration on April 21 will be released soon.
One for the road
Looking for a way to rest and rejuvenate close to home? Juneberry Ridge is hosting regenerative farm stays, with the next one scheduled for March 15-17. The 750-acre farm in Norwood, about an hour east of Charlotte, offers three-day (two night) regenerative farm stays each month, where guests can check their stresses and worries at the door.
The all-inclusive weekend begins on Friday, with a late afternoon check-in and welcome reception featuring light bites and nature-infused refreshments. Once guests settle into their cabin, the evening is capped with a session of meditation and intention setting. Activites include a campfire with s’mores kits and hot chocolate, plus walking trails, lawn games and more. Read more about Juneberry’s mission to bring us closer to nature.
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Featured photo: Dishes from The Goodyear House, one of the restaurants participating in Savor Charlotte.
