by SouthPark Magazine staff
eat + drink
Christmas cantina
La Buena Christmas Cantina, a Mexican-themed holiday bar, pops up Dec. 2–Jan. 4 at Hermanita (inside El Malo Tacos) in Plaza Midwood. Expect ’80s-themed holiday decor and festive cocktails like the Ponche Navideño — a traditional Christmas punch with rum, piloncillo, cinnamon, anise, fig, pear, hibiscus and sugarcane — along with bar snacks including house-made buñuelos. Hermanita is part of Chango Food Group, which also owns Mal Pan at Piedmont Town Center.
Michelin madness
Photograph by Jono Unify Visual
The Queen City was buzzing over the news that Counter-, the immersive tasting-menu restaurant from Chef Sam Hart, earned a Michelin star in the inaugural Michelin Guide American South Awards. The westside restaurant also earned a green star for its sustainability initiatives. Eastside Vietnamese cafe Lang Van earned a Bib Gourmand, given to restaurants offering high-quality food at a great value. Other Charlotte-area restaurants recommended by Michelin: Customshop, Supperland, Restaurant Constance, Ever Andalo, Haberdish, Rada, Omakase by Prime Fish, Prime Fish, Little Mama’s, Kindred and Hello, Sailor.
Together again
Longtime Charlotte mixologist Bob Peters is reuniting with Andy and Lesa Kastanas at Soul Gastrolounge. Peters rejoined the Soul team to oversee the bar program and help guide future projects. Most recently, Peters had teamed up with Built on Hospitality (The Goodyear House, Folia, Chief’s).
Farewell
Bulla Gastrobar abruptly closed in SouthPark. The Spanish tapas restaurant was a longtime tenant at The Village of SouthPark.
stay
The Beckworth, a new 240-room hotel, will open in the historic Johnson Building in uptown Charlotte. The hotel is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton and will feature four dining outlets led by Built on Hospitality, the team behind Goodyear House, Folia and others. The Beckworth is located at 212 S. Tryon St.; opening is slated for fall 2026.
shop
New and coming soon to SouthPark: Spanish fashion chain, Zara, opened at the mall on December 4 in the space formerly occupied by J.Crew and The Gap. Here’s a look inside. Mizzen+Main — the menswear brand behind the machine-washable “best damn dress shirt” — is now open. The 2,800-square-foot space is the brand’s first indoor location. Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana also plans to open at SouthPark Mall before year’s end.
Local womenswear boutique Winston’s opened at Phillips Place. SP
