Just Opened in Charlotte - May '21
Things are heating up in Charlotte. From steady grand openings to early warm weather days, it’s lookin’ like we’re in for a hot summer in the Queen City.
by Allie Papajohn May 24, 2021
Empire Communities
Empire Communities’ new urban development is located in NoDa. Discover three-and four-story townhomes designed to complement your lifestyle.
Food & Drink
D9 Brewing
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, noon-9 p.m.
At the end of last month, D9 Brewing opened their third location at the bottom of Savoy Apartments. The new taproom is also home to Javesca Coffee which offers lattes, drip coffee and bagged beans. Keep an eye out for D9’s beer garden to open this summer.
HideAway
Area: West Charlotte
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday, 6 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Subject to change.)
Jay Davis of Lulu’s Maryland Style Chicken and Seafoodhas opened a sports bar and CBD lounge on the west side of town. The grand opening will be Juneteenth, but for now, come on out for wings and burgers, CBD products and fun cocktails. We hear Ravens fans will feel right at home thanks to Davis’ Baltimore upbringing.
La Belle Helene
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: 5 p.m.-until daily.
Uptown diners are thrilled with the re-opening of La Belle Helene, which closed last spring. With a new ownership team (the folks behind 5Church and Sophia’s Lounge) and Top Chef All Star Chef Jamie Lynch in the kitchen, things are heating up at this French concept. Don’t miss the French Onion Soup or the La Citron lemon dessert when you visit.
Morelia Gourmet Paletas
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 1-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 1-11 p.m.
Build your own gourmet ice pop at this concept originally based in Florida. Choose your flavor (like Chocolate Fudgy Brownie, Dulce de Leche or Strawberry Cheesecake), pick your dip (Cookie Butter, perhaps) and treat yourself to toppings. Overwhelmed? The team will gladly point you in a popular direction.
Prime Fish
Neighborhood: Ballantyne
Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Thursday: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-10 p.m.; Sunday, noon-8 p.m. Closed Tuesday.
Chef Robin Anthony (formerly with Red Sake) takes his talents to this new sushi and sake bar in Ballantyne. Grab a seat at the sushi bar and watch him work his magic with tuna, salmon, shrimp and all the accompaniments. If you’re not sure where to start with sake, the team makes it easy with a handy guide and expert recommendations.
Rai Lay Asian Bistro
Neighborhood: Mountain Island
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m. Closed Monday.
Riverbend Village’s newest tenant is an Asian cuisine concept from the team behind Rai Lay Thai Cuisine and Deejai Thai Restaurant. The menu is full of Thai street food plus curries, Rai Lay Asian Bistro noodle soups, fried rice and stir fries. Make sure you grab a Mango Sticky Rice for dessert!
Wine Bar at RH
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.
The already-popular rooftop restaurant at RH furniture store is now home to a wine bar (just in time for summer fun.) Pair your glass with something from the dinner menu, like Shaved Ribeye on Charred Garlic Bread or a side of Truffled Fries.
Sosu
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; Sunday, 5-9 p.m. Closed Monday-Wednesday. (Currently operating under soft opening hours.)
Get your ramen fill at this new spot off Central Avenue from the owners of Naroodle Noodle Shop in Florida. The menu contains smaller plates, various ramens, Udon noodles and two dessert options. Takeout is available, but if you’re looking to enjoy a hot bowl of ramen, you’ll have to dine in (as they believe in preserving the integrity of the dish.)
The Hangar
Neighborhood: Midtown
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, noon-8 p.m. Closed Monday.
The food at Devil’s Logic Brewing may look a little different now thanks to their new roommate, The Hangar (from the folks of Paper Plane Deli & Market.) Get ready for an all-around good time with items like Trash Nachos, Adult Lunch-able and a Grilled Cheese Flight. But the best part? You can add beer cheese to anything for $3.
YaMe Asian Noodles
Neighborhood: Montford Park
Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sunday. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed Tuesday.
Noodle fans will love the options at this new spot at ParkTowne Village (formerly home to Duckworth’s.) Go with a soup like Pho or Thai Mei Fun, wok stir fry, curry, fried rice or several small bites. You won’t want to skip a build your own bubble tea with options like passion fruit green tea, mango early gray tea or the ever-popular Thai tea.
Things to Do
Mac Tabby Cat Café
Area: Concord, NC
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
The second location for this sweet cat café is open in downtown Concord. Just like its original location, this one will be home to a group of cats (available to play with or adopt) with a fully stocked café of coffee, smoothies and alcoholic beverages for the humans. Meow!
Moxie Mercantile
Area: Matthews, NC
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Closed Monday.
Shop ‘til ya drop at Moxie Mercantile’s third location, now open in Matthews. Inside, you’ll find vintage goodies plus candles, clothing, art and glassware. You may just see their cute mobile store, Mabel, around town, too.
Live
Empire Communities’ new urban development is located in one of the city’s most eclectic neighborhoods: NoDa. Discover three-and four-story townhomes from 1,344 sq.ft. to 2,351 sq.ft., with flexible floor plans designed to complement your lifestyle. These townhomes start from the high $300’s.
