A prominent corner in the heart of South End is vacant no more. In fact, the intersection of South Tryon Street and Summit Avenue is bursting with Latin flavors and an inviting vibe.
The Story of Mi Carino is a gastro-cantina and mezcalería that boasts one of the Carolinas’ largest agave spirits collections. The restaurant is already tightly booked for dinner reservations (except for a few late weeknight slots) within its first month of opening.
Photos courtesy NiceDay
SouthPark Magazine Editor Cathy Martin has this take after a recent visit:
“The industrial aesthetic of Vana has been upgraded with warm wood booths, a stunning new bar and playful artwork. The menu is a creative spin on Latin fare, and dishes are bursting with flavor — think lots of citrus, chiles, garlic and avocado, with unexpected notes like black truffle, coffee and ponzu.
“Standouts for me were the Laminas de Beef, a fun interactive starter with seared tenderloin carpaccio, and the Camarones Kora, a spicy, citrusy shrimp dish with coconut rice.”
Executive Chef Hector González-Mora, a veteran on Charlotte’s culinary scene, worked closely to develop the menu with Vince Giancarlo, culinary director of B-Side Hospitality Group. Behind the bar, beverage director Henry Schmulling leads a cocktail program focused on agave spirits, fresh juices, aguas frescas and handcrafted syrups. Rounding out the executive team are general managers Marc Gonzales and Vince Ponzio, who have deep experience in the Charlotte hospitality scene.
We’ll take a deeper dive into The Story of Mi Carino in an upcoming issue of SouthPark Magazine.
The Story of Mi Carino, 1440 S. Tryon Street, open Tue.-Thurs., 5 p.m.-12 a.m.; open Fri.-Sat., 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
