May/June 2016 by EpicureanCharlotte

what i wish i knew when i first got into wine make charlotte your staycation destination

bridging a gap through wine rickety bridge winery

may â&#x20AC;˘ june 2016

contents

what i wish i knew when i first got into wine

We know that food prepared in a Scratch Kitchen simply tastes better. That’s why our chefs prepare artisan recipes with the freshest, highest quality ingredients to create a menu everyone will enjoy. Our Craft Bar offers skillfully prepared cocktails with a remarkable selection of craft beers on tap, and an award-winning wine list. Wine & Dine Wednesday | Enjoy half-priced wine by the glass.

bridging a special gap through wine: rickety bridge winery

in each issue 06 ripe for the picking

33 places to go, people to see

08 juicy morsels

34 scene around town

beer, wine and product picks to beat the heat this summer

wines for beer lovers

seats & eats

Located in the Rotunda Building on the corner of Barclay Downs and Morrison Boulevard in SouthPark 4201 Congress Street | Charlotte, NC 28209 | 704-552-9983 | VillageTavern.com

make hometown charlotte your staycation destination

volume 8 • issue 3

a calendar of local events

check out who’s been out and about

new pineville premium pub brings fresh flavor to old pineville road

36 local flavor

profiles of passion that’s a-marinara: husband and wife duo create a pasta sauce as fresh as just-cooked

38 the juice

tasty treats to kick off summer

must-have products, hot topics and more w w w.epi cu rea n ch a r l otte.com

TASTE THE UNEXPECTED

dry-aged steaks house-made pastas fresh crudo

RUNNING OUT OF ROOM FOR YOUR VINO?

Let Kate find your perfect villa, complete with wine cellar!

Evoke invites you to take your palate on a culinary tour. The award-winning steakhouse awaits your sensorial discovery.

VOTED CREATIVE LOAFING 2015 BEST STEAKHOUSE, PLACE TO SPLURGE, NEW RESTAURANT + WAITSTAFF •••

CHARLOTTE MAGAZINE 2016 TOP 10 RESTAURANT + BEST STEAKHOUSE •••

and ELEVATE LIFESTYLE BEST NEW RESTAURANT of 2015

Epicurean Charlotte is published locally by Charlotte food and wine lovers for fellow food and wine lovers. We hope you enjoy our publication and find it helpful when choosing wine, a place to dine or events around town. Copying or reproduction, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited.

publisher/editor Linda Seligman BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER

555 South McDowell Street | 980 237 5354 EvokeRestaurant.com

Your Escape from the Everyday

associate editor Ashley Blake Summerlin contributing editor Kate Bruce kate@epicureancharlotte.com

Affordable, high quality French fare, exquisitely prepared to order. Classic French country favorites served all day include pastries, full breakfast menu, salads, sandwiches, quiches and crepes. Full service dinner in a casual and comfortable European setting. We offer daily Chef Specials as well as regional specialties. We strive to make quality French food accessible to all!

Open Brunch, Lunch and Dinner

Monday - Thursday 9am - 9pm Friday 9:00 am - 10pm Saturday 9am - 10pm Sunday 9am - 3pm

Allen Tate Building at Phillips Place in SouthPark • 6700 Fairview Road, Suite 180 • Charlotte, NC

704-552-1116 | www.cafemonte.net

KATE BRUCE TERRIGNO

REALTOR | BROKER kterrigno@dmahomes.com c: 631.903.3021

media editor Courtney Matinata

design & production Ashley Blake Summerlin ashley@epicureancharlotte.com advertising sales Linda Seligman linda@epicureancharlotte.com 704.904.8249 contributing writers Zenda Douglas, Courtney Matinata, Madeline Puckette, Catherine Rabb, Stacy Slinkard, Emily Williams contributing photographers Melanie Cannizzaro-Tritten, Charlotte’s Got A Lot, N. Ham, Manny Handsome, Courtney Matinata, Wendy Shanahan-Asterisk Creative

cover image Rickety Bridge Winery

www.e p icu re an c h ar l o t te .co m

volume 8 • issue 3

epicurean charlotte food & wine

may • j u n e 2 016

ripe for the picking

Monte Smith of Café Monte French Bakery & Bistro recommends the 2015 Sacha Lichine Single Blend Rosé for the warmer patio days.

Thomas Camps of Carolina Prime Steakhouse recommends the 2013 Clos du Bois Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Glass $9.00, Bottle $36.00

In the glass, this wine offers aromas of red berries, citrus notes and a hint of herbs. On the palate, you’ll taste strawberry, raspberry, cherry, alluring minerality and vibrant acidity. Drink it as an aperitif or with pork sliders, smoked salmon, deviled eggs, baked oysters, burgers, and marinated crab claws, to name a few.

Bottle $14.99

Golden yellow in color with greenish reflections, this wine boasts an intense aroma of ripe yellow fruit accompanied by elegant scents of citrus fruit combined with a note of honey. Seductive and soft on the palate, it also features great character and strength.

Helen Marie White of Sir Edmond Halley's Restaurant & Freehouse is sipping on the 2014 Morandé Reserva Sauvignon Blanc for the spring. Glass $7.50, Bottle $30.00

This very fresh and fruity white shines with delicious acidity, a balanced body and tropical fruits with forest flowers and a touch of herbs. A tropical nose with melon, peach and citrus fruits rounds out a clean, crisp and refreshing wine. The Folks at Village Tavern recommend the Emmolo Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014 for your patio drinking. Glass $11.00, Bottle $44.00

This wine presents soft aromas of melon and white peach, with an underlying note of pantry spice. On the palate, it offers a flinty first impression, evoking the freshness of summer rain hitting pavement. An initial tartness quickly dissipates, yielding to the wine's minerality. This wine remains dry and maintains interest with a lingering lime citrus finish.

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drinks with kate

by kate bruce

Bottle $11.99

The warm temperatures have my taste buds craving a craft delight, and with so many breweries popping up all over Charlotte, the decision wasn’t without competition. The choice was effortless, however, as I stepped on the scene at Legion Brewery. One of Plaza Midwood’s newest hangouts, this brewery boasts the very essence of the craft beer scene. Legion has amassed 28 seasonal brews since launching in December, so you can always expect something new on the menu. But don’t worry, my pick is a staple that’s always flowing from the tap. Soak up the sun, sit back and sip on the Juicy Jay. An American IPA that features Mosaic, El Dorado and Cascade hops, the combination flows together fluently while boasting distinct flavors of tropical tangs, citrus hints accompanied by a dry finish. This IPA is full of the unexpected, easy drinking and a seasonal staple.

This wine is pale yellow in color with nice green tints. Fresh to the nose with aromas of grapefruit and exotic fruit, it boasts lime flavors with typical focusing acidity, all of which are hallmarks of Picpoul.

So sit back, relax and be whisked away by the tropical IPA. This treat will get you in the mood for summer, and I promise you’ll be back for more. Even among one of the busiest, most booming craft beer scenes around, my hat is off to Legion, proving to be a true contender that needs no introduction. Until next time … cheers and enjoy!

Aromas of wild cherry, espresso, mocha and black licorice are followed by flavors of cassis and black cherry. The wine has structured tannins, a full body and a long, silky finish.

Dylan George of Pasta & Provisions is drinking the 2014 Cordero di Montezemolo Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy.

Spring has sprung, and with warm weather comes a slew of blooming cocktails all over the Queen City.

Alex Auclair of Total Wine & More will be enjoying the Picpoul de Pinet 2014 in the coming months.

Matthew Matinata of Old Stone Steakhouse recommends the 2013 Ferrari-Carano Siena, Sonoma County with your next entrée. Bottle $38.00

This wine has delicious aromas of blackberry, raspberry jam, cocoa, toasty vanilla and licorice. Flavors of juicy Bing cherry, bright blueberry and pomegranate are enhanced by sweet oak notes that add layers of richness to this elegant wine. Siena has supple tannins and mouth coating with lively elegance, depth and a lingering finish.

Alicia Nash of Old Pineville Premium Pub enjoys the Apothic Dark Red Blend 2014. Glass $7.00, Bottle $22.00

Apothic Dark Red seamlessly integrates flavors of blueberry and blackberry with enticing notes of coffee and dark chocolate for a rich and smooth mouthfeel with layers of texture.

epicurean charlotte food & wine

volume 8 • issue 3

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juicy morsels

wines for beer lovers

light beers

Lagers, Pilsners and a fairly wide range of categorically “light beers” all share the character trait of being remarkably refreshing. Wine alternatives: Cool, crisp and typically lighter in alcohol, these beers find their wine yang in the form of the light to medium bodied white wines of Austria’s Grüner Veltliner, Italy’s Pinot Grigio and Portugal’s Vinho Verde. All three wines share the crisp acidity and clean fruity profiles, while leaning a little lower on the alcohol spectrum.

sour beers

Often considered its own style in today’s market, while carrying countless sub-styles, sour beer typically undergoes a different fermentation process utilizing unique strains of yeast and bacteria. The sour, tart taste results from the innate acidity and is amplified by the completely dry palate style. Wine alternatives: Look for wines that share the high acidity and dry character. Sauvignon Blanc fits the bill on both

wavebreakmedia/shutterstock.com; g-stockstudio/shutterstock.com; Kiian Oksana/shutterstock.com

eer is big business. Whether we’re talking the close to 200 million barrels of beer produced annually in the U.S. alone or the $100 billion dollars that the American market spent on beer in 2014, imports, domestics and specialty craft beer sales continue to gain significant momentum with the American beer buyer. Sales aside, the potential for fermented overlap between wine lovers and beer drinkers has never been greater, with beer fans and wine lovers swapping styles, overlapping description details and welcoming both the bitter and the sweet, whether it hails from grains or grapes. Fans of both beer and wine can find much to enjoy in the comparable style profiles of today’s beer and wine scene. However, for those that sit firmly in the beer camp, we’ve rounded up delicious grape-based alternatives to favorite beer styles without sacrificing general preferences in terms of body, bitterness and flavor themes. From sours to stouts and pale ales to wheat beers, these popular beer styles are matched with “best bet” wines for low risk wine buys.

by stacy slinkard

www.e p icu re an c h ar l o t te .co m

volume 8 • issue 3

accounts. Steer towards the Loire Valley in France and the white wines based on the Sauvignon Blanc grape. They offer a steely minerality, exceptional acidity and are stunning with food. Look for labels that carry “Sancerre” or “Pouilly Fumé” (both are place names in the Loire Valley). New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc will show more fruit on the palate and can be reminiscent of the sour fruit Lambics. Need a red wine instead? Scout for Sangiovese, found in Italy’s Chianti wines. These wines are tart and spicy.

Wine alternatives: To capture the splash of vanilla, bolster the banana nuances and showcase a similar creamy, rich and round palate, check out California Chardonnay. Oak-aging adds a bit of butter on the nose and palate, softens the tart edges and can come across a touch sweet. Prefer something with bubbles? Look for American sparkling wines often based on the Chardonnay grape or Spanish Cava and Italian Prosecco to get the light lift and tangy flavor components.

pale ales

Built on the back of dark malts, stout beers deliver intensity. Full-throttle flavors, big-bodied and carrying complex character, stouts are the linebackers of the beer team. Wine alternatives: The wine reciprocal of the stout beer has to be big and somewhat burly, with plenty of palate presence and ready to rumble in terms of flavors, tannins and alcohol. Enter California Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Italy’s heavy-hitting Barolo. All four types of red wine pride themselves on structure. Dense, hearty and complex, these wine alternatives carry full-on flavor intended to make you sit up and take notice, just like their stout beer buddies.

Made with malt and hops often showing orange peel and coriander on the palate, pale ales promise more body complexity and are richer than light beers. These beers are not overly bitter and tend to carry an innate balance. Wine alternatives: Look for wines that lean a little lighter on their tannins. Red Burgundy, based on the Pinot Noir grape, and Oregon Pinot Noir spotlight medium-bodied styles with easy-going tannins and exceptional food-friendly natures. Prefer a white wine? Then opt for Vouvray or South African Chenin Blanc, both display citrus-infused flavors on the palate.

wheat beer

Golden rays with a touch of cloud, smooth and rich with a tinge of banana and dash of vanilla on the aromatics, wheat beers represent a familiar favorite in the best of beer drinking circles. These are laid-back brews with a creamy style and decidedly fresh focus on food. epicurean charlotte food & wine

stouts

Whether you lean towards hoppy pale ales or the darklayered lines of your preferred stout, there are wines that share similar palate profiles with today’s most popular beer finds. Mixing and matching body, intensity, flavor components and overall palate presence allows both beer drinkers and wine lovers to make the very most of both the grain and the grape.E may • j u n e 2 016

seats & eats

new pineville premium pub brings fresh flavor to old pineville road by courtney matinata

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cranberries, apple matchsticks, candied pecans and goat cheese—or select the Chicken Cobb, loaded with chicken, bleu cheese, tomato, red onion, hard cooked egg, bacon and avocado. At the end of a long day, come hungry to start your meal with one of the restaurant’s mouth-watering appetizers like nachos, chicken skewers or the definite must-try, Redneck Egg Rolls. These rolls are an innovative Southern take on an old staple featuring collard greens rolled in an egg pastry that has been flash fried and drizzled with a sweet and sour sauce. Another top contender among the pub’s newfound regulars is Fried Green Tomatoes. These juicy vegetables are fried to perfection and served abed arugula topped with roasted corn salsa, Lowcountry mustard and goat cheese to create a unique combination of textures and flavors that will no doubt become your go-to starter. If a larger dish is what you’re after for an easy weekday dinner, the entrées definitely won’t disappoint. You’ll come across delicious options such as citrus glazed salmon, marinated beef tenderloin skewers or the pub’s signature dish, the Flat Iron Steak, a tender 10-ounce slab seasoned and sliced beautifully alongside mashed potatoes and a daily vegetable. In addition to granting your work week wishes, Old Pineville Premium Pub’s casual and convenient locale is ideal for quick bites when the weekend cravings hit. Pop in with friends post brewery visit to have your pick at over 10 different flavors of wings—we recommend the Blackened Barbalo— or opt for one of the outstanding hand-pattied burgers. A full bar awaits your arrival, which includes a large array of local craft beers (Birdsong, OMB and NoDa to name just a few), as well as 12 televisions to choose from so you can simultaneously catch up on the big game. Whether you stay for an hour or stay for several with colleagues, friends or family, you’ll be in good hands. In fact, after just three months, the team at Old Pineville Premium Pub is already thinking ahead to what it can offer up to its customers next. Brunch just kicked off in April and is offered Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. While you wait for your weekend feast to come around, just make sure to take advantage of the food and drink specials offered daily, as well as half-off apps Monday through Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.!E epicurean charlotte food & wine

redneck egg rolls

blackened barbalo wings

flat iron steak and potatoes

old pineville premium pub

Courtney Matinata

idden among a strip mall off of Old Pineville Road sits an impressive pub you’ve probably yet to discover. Our advice? It’s certainly worthy of your attention. The newly founded Old Pineville Premium Pub, tucked back between bustling Woodlawn Road and the popular craft brewery hub of Lower South End, is a relaxed restaurant offering up a delicious twist on typical pub food. Owner Louie Politis, who also happens to be the co-owner of Glenway Premium Pub about 20 minutes west in historic Belmont, launched Old Pineville Premium Pub in February in hopes of bringing the success of his Belmont menu to Charlotte. With over 35 years in the restaurant industry and a creative take on Southern essentials, he seems to have a knack for taking a chance on up-and-coming areas that will only further develop as our city expands. Lucky for us here in Charlotte, this neighborhood joint brings a refreshing source of comfort alongside the rapid growth of Lower South End by way of its longstanding surroundings. The subtle entrance and laid-back environment is what makes the pub so inviting. Studded leather chairs line the bar’s high tops, and leather booths with stained wood backdrops add even more saloon-style appeal to the overall impression. You’ll be greeted by an extensive menu of appetizers, wings, burgers, salads, sandwiches and entrées perfected by Executive Chef Tripp Taylor. The menu pays homage to the community it calls home with names such as “The Light Rail” burger and “The LoSo” sliders (which stacks on major points in our book). The biggest issue will be narrowing down the choices. Keeping in mind its location, which falls within walking distance of several hotels and corporate offices, Old Pineville Premium Pub promises a hearty sandwich selection for your midday escape. Snag one of the top picks, such as the Whiskey Chicken (grilled chicken breast basted in a tasty bourbon BBQ sauce and layered with multiple accoutrements like crispy onion strings) or the Baja Fish Wrap (grilled white fish enriched with cilantro cabbage slaw and signature Boom Boom sauce). If you’re looking to keep up your health kick with some fresh greens, that’s okay too. You have a choice between nine different selections such as the Orchard Salad— a crowd favorite containing char-grilled chicken, dried

fried green tomatoes volume 8 • issue 3

4548 old pineville road 980.430.5403 oldpinevillepremiumpub.com — kid’s menu • drink specials weekend brunch 9a.m. - 1p.m. half-price apps M-F 4 - 6p.m.

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profiles of passion

that’s a-marinara husband and wife duo create a pasta sauce as fresh as just-cooked by emily williams

www.e p icu re an c h ar l o t te .co m

basic marinara is pungent with just the right balance of saltiness and savory herbs, while the mushroom marinara livens things up with chunks of soft, supple creminis. Anyone who wants to look after his or her high-blood pressure will be happy to know that the mushroom marinara has a rather low amount of sodium. “The only difference between each of the marinaras is the added mushrooms, so we don’t increase the salt or oil. It’s the healthiest of healthy sauces,” says Melanie. The Arrabbiata sauce hits you with a zing of hotness without making your eyes water, a welcome feeling. More than anything, however, the freshness is the element that jumps out at you. After a short conversation with Melanie and Andy, their business savvy and determination are also instantly recognizable, and commendable. The husband and wife duo are truly a team, working together on a tight schedule throughout the week. “We start cooking at about 5 a.m. and are finished by 9 a.m.,” says Melanie. Andy describes their weekly process, “On Mondays, we prep the ingredients for cooking Tuesday morning, then it’s prepping on Wednesday for cooking Thursday and so on, with more cooking on Sunday before noon.” And prepping doesn’t just involve throwing all those lovely tomatoes and herbs into a pot. The Trittens put a considerable amount of time and care into crafting their product right from its very yummy base. “We wash, core, quarter, seed, peel, roast and skin every single tomato,” Melanie says. A little vino in the sauce is also a key ingredient. “I swear by white wine. Some people swear by reds, but I think the white keeps it crisp and clean,” she says. Herbs and other ingredients are local when available, but otherwise, they depend on produce from other states where it’s ripe at any particular time of the year. The result is a bright-tasting, flavorful concoction that is rewarding in not only its tastiness, but also its health benefits to boot. “All of our sauces are naturally gluten-free,” she says. “We’re looking at creating a vodka sauce next, and we’re going to try to get gluten-free vodka for that as well.” For the future, the Tritten’s plan on crafting more varieties of sauces, such as Florentine, or a twist on it. Melanie says her version “will have baby spinach, baby kale and Swiss chard, so power greens. Plus, Puttanesca is also a possibility coming up!” With the evident success of their three introductory sauces already on the market, there is little doubt that their future projects will be just as scrumptious. You can pick up the Tritten’s Marinara, Mushroom Marinara and Arrabbiata at a variety of specialty grocery stores in Charlotte, including Pasta & Provisions, all Healthy Home Market locations, Ferrucci’s Old Tyme Market, Whole Foods and many more. Check out their website at cannizzarofamiglia.com to learn more.E

Wendy Shanahan of Asterisk Creative; Melanie Cannizzaro Tritten

or die-hard foodies and regular weeknight cooks alike, putting together a quick meal with a jar of pasta sauce is a go-to way to create something a little nicer for dinner— something Italian, aromatic and a bit exotic. The downside, however, lies in that sauce. Unless you’re concocting your very own from scratch, chances are you’re depending on a bottle of ultra-salty, machine-churned tomatoes with a heavy dash of preservatives and decidedly non-fresh bits and pieces of herbs and flavorings. Blech. That’s when the locally-produced Cannizzaro Famiglia Authentic Italian Sauce comes to the rescue, and after one taste, you’ll chuck those flat-tasting supermarket jars out the window. With Rochester, New York, native Melanie CannizzaroTritten and her husband Andy at the helm, the Cannizzaro brand is popping up throughout specialty grocery stores here in Charlotte and all over North and South Carolina. The concept began with Melanie, who made her homemade marinara sauce in her own kitchen for years, distributing it among family and friends when too many bottles took up room on the counter. “After many times, we decided to see what it would take to actually try to sell a few jars and less than a year later, we were in over 80 stores and two farmers’ markets,” says Andy. “We’re about as fresh as it gets and as local as it gets.” Both Melanie and Andy come from food and hospitality industry backgrounds; Melanie is the special events coordinator at Bonterra, while her husband, Andy, is a restaurant and bar consultant. With their combined knowledge and Melanie’s access to the restaurant’s kitchen—“It’s a dinner-only restaurant, so they’re gracious enough to let us borrow the kitchen to cook in the early mornings,” says Melanie—they ploughed ahead with creating three timeless sauces that pack such a punch of freshness that you’ll swear they taste as if they were made only 30 minutes ago. The difference between these small-batch sauces and their brand-name counterparts is, as Andy says, “Amazing. When you get your ingredients picked just days before, you can absolutely taste it in the sauce. We are also one of a few sauces that have no added sugar,” Andy says, pointing out they use finely ground carrots to give the sauce a hint of tanginess. “We use the natural sugars of the vegetables to cut the acidity, and you just don’t need more.” Whether you choose to make a plate of penne or potato gnocchi with any one of these sauces, your tongue will thank you and demand that you have another bite. The flavor of their volume 8 • issue 3

epicurean charlotte food & wine

may • j u n e 2 016

i marcociannarel/shutterstock.com

t’s easy to drink good wine, but knowing how to find it is the real secret. Of course, once you know wine well, you can find new great wines without even thinking that hard (or even spending that much money). It’s a delightful skill to have and you can learn it too with a little effort.

One afternoon, I sat thinking about how experts consistently pick good wines and if there were any clues that an expert could pass along to someone less knowledgeable in order to improve their wine-finding abilities. Of course, these types of tips and tricks will only get you so far, but they’ll at least point you in the right direction.

what i wish i knew when i first got into wine by madeline puckette

m ay • ju ne 2 0 1 6

epicurean charlotte food & wine

volume 8 • issue 3

on feeling unsure and overwhelmed at the retail store…

Use “fruit-forward” or “herbaceous” to ask for what you like. Instead of struggling with words trying to describe what wines you like, start with these simple phrases: • I like herbaceous wines. • I like fruit-forward wines. Herbaceous wines have very little fruit flavors and more mineral and savory flavors. Fruit-forwards wines are… more fruity! Just so you know, I’ve observed most new wine drinkers tend to fall into the fruit-forward category. The world of wine cracked open for me when I realized that my love for Shiraz and red Zinfandel meant that I liked fruit-forward wines from warm climate regions. Suddenly I could surf a map and make educated guesses with my wine buying. It lead to my “discovering” the great red wines of South Africa, Argentina and Spain.

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stop shopping for wine at the supermarket.

a wine to release the aromas as well as aerate it. You’ll often see wine connoisseurs endlessly jiggling a glass of wine while in casual conversation—they can’t help it, it’s habit-forming. Try it, you’ll love it.

This is the dirty little secret about the wine business: some wine shops care about the individual wines they stock and some do not. Point in case is a grocery store; there are great wines to be found at a grocery store, but most grocery stores are stocked by large distributors who are more interested in making money than pleasing your palate (there are a few exceptions). A retail store that curates their selection will have a higher baseline quality, and you’ll be more likely to pick something great.

pay attention while drinking.

The one thing that will put you ahead of all of your peers in the wine game is easy and fun. It seems obvious, but you’ll be surprised at how many people just drink without thinking. All you have to do is pay attention every time you taste a new glass of wine. Try to be systematic and use the same routine. For example, I started this habit by trying to pick out three fruit flavors and three “other” flavors (mineral, herbal, etc.). You don’t have to pay attention the whole time, just when you start, and maybe once again before you finish your glass.

buy cheap wines from a curated wine shop.

Go to a wine shop with good reviews, and start with their cheap wines. Well-curated cheap wines will teach you a lot about what regions and wines to search for. Plus, the risk is a lot lower if you don’t like something (you can make Sangria!). Make sure that the store doesn’t just specialize in one region (e.g. just France, just Italy or just California). You don’t want to get wine region tunnel vision during your exploratory phase.

on interacting with wine snobs...

Smile, nod and slowly back away. There is no specialty interest out there (from literature, art, theater or even outdoorsmanship) that isn’t replete with snobbery. Snobs use their knowledge or experience of a topic to exert power over you, and it usually ends in you feeling embarrassed or unwelcomed. Unfortunately, wine is a popular topic with snobs. There are many ways to deal with a wine snob, but the best is to simply not engage with them. In this case, by smiling, nodding and slowly backing away.E

use ratings with a grain of salt.

When it comes to ratings, if it’s a varietal and region you’re familiar with, they can be useful to find new wines. If it’s unfamiliar territory, they aren’t as useful and won’t guarantee that you’ll like a particular wine.

Madeline Puckette is a certified wine geek with a passion for meeting people, travel and delicious food. You often find her crawling around dank cellars or frolicking through vineyards. www.winefolly.com

on a budget? go for alternative varieties and alternative regions.

When you’re on a budget, you have a great opportunity to think outside the box. Your wheelhouse is going to be seeking out alternative varietal wines and styles and underrated and undervalued regions. For example, if you love a big bold wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, you’re likely to fall in love with Touriga Nacional (a Portuguese wine) or Petite Sirah (from California).

on ordering wine...

Minerva Studio/shutterstock.com; Africa Studio/shutterstock.com; Ariel Andres/shutterstock.com

Ask for a taste before buying a glass. Did you know most wine bars and restaurants will give you a taste of a wine before committing to a full glass? This only works with the wines by the glass menu, but it can save you from being forced to drink a wine you hate. One of the best ways to ask for a taste is to ask to taste the two wines you’re trying to decide between. Be polite and try not to ask for more than three tastes.

on being seen when drinking wine...

Hold your wine glass at the base of the stem. If there is a secret handshake of the wine elite, it’s how they hold a glass of wine. While it’s true you can hold your glass any old way, you’ll blend into a room of experts if you do this: • If it’s a stemmed glass, hold it towards the base of the stem. • If it’s a stemless glass, hold it towards the bottom of the bowl.

swirl [pretty much] everything.

Wine aficionados seem to have developed a nervous-yet-justifiable twitch: swirling. Swirling a wine is useful to do before smelling

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volume 8 • issue 3

epicurean charlotte food & wine

may • j u n e 2 016

make hometown charlotte your staycation destination

by zenda douglas

Charlotte’s got a lot; N. Ham

harlotteans, take note! Visitors to Mecklenburg County spent a whopping $4.9 billion in 2014, alone, on all the amazing attractions, accommodations, dining, nightlife and shopping that is found here, right here in your hometown. Clearly, the word is out, and visitors are flocking here from every corner of the nation and globe. If this makes you feel a bit passed by, it’s time for you to re-familiarize with your own backyard and enjoy all that Charlotte and the surrounding area has to offer.

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epicurean charlotte food & wine

Explorers and adventurous business men and women have always been attracted to Charlotte, a city founded in 1769 and named after Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III of England. Its beginnings at the intersection of two affluent Native American trading paths foretold its remarkable future as the nation’s second leading financial center. Through the gold rush, development of the railroads, commercial industrialization of textiles, streetcars, skyscrapers and suburbs, Charlotte has continuously been a leader in the Southeast and later, the nation. The same is true when it comes to attractions, entertainment, arts and culture. What better antidote to the grind of routine or seasonal volume 8 • issue 3

doldrums than a hometown getaway to the hum and vibe of a busy, bright-lit city. Charlotte, also known as the Queen City, fits the bill perfectly. Steeped in culture, history and action-packed fun, Charlotte is sophisticated and chic but remains comfortable, friendly and decidedly Southern. Kick off your staycation by landing digs at one of Charlotte’s amazing Uptown hotels. True to its reputation, the Ritz-Carlton offers an abundance of luxury, from its beautifully-appointed rooms and suites with dramatic views to the relaxation and entertainment of The Lobby Lounge to the exquisite treatments of the Penthouse bi-level Spa & Wellness Center. It even has w w w.epi cu rea n ch a r l otte.com

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LYNX Blue Line Light Rail connects South Charlotte to Center City. The Gold Rush Trolley runs along Uptown’s Trade Street, stopping at key locations every 12 minutes. Bikers will appreciate the convenience of the Charlotte B-Cycle, the largest urban bike sharing program in the Southeast, with 24 stations throughout Uptown and surrounding neighborhoods. For more information, visit www.charlottesgotalot.com. There are numerous activities that may guide the scheduling of your staycation, including sports events, theater productions, museum exhibits and festivals of all kinds. The Carolina Panthers, the National Football Conference (NFC) champions, took their fans all the way to the Super Bowl this year, instilling deep pride among Charlotteans. Basketball fans rally around the Charlotte Hornets and keep Time Warner Cable Arena bouncing. There’s nothing like a night out at the baseball game when AAA Charlotte Knights break minor league baseball attendance records in their new digs at BB&T BallPark. The new stadium offers stellar views of the Charlotte skyline. There’s also hockey with the Charlotte Checkers and lacrosse with the Charlotte Hounds. These sports teams keep spirits high year-round. NASCAR is big in Charlotte, and anyone who hasn’t experienced some aspect of it should make their way to the NASCAR Hall of Fame for all the NASCAR you can take in. Perfect for a family adventure, the hall has 150,000 square feet of interactive exploration and fun. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is one of the most interactive and high-tech halls of fame in the world. It holds a 278-seat theater, a banked ramp simulating various racetracks, Glory Road, which showcases 18 historic cars and highlights 40 current and historic tracks, and The Hall of Honor, the sacred area where NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductees are enshrined, volume 8 • issue 3

Charlotte’s got a lot; N. Ham

its own delectable dessert boutique, Bar Cocoa, which beckons visitors with the scent of artisan chocolates. Walk from the lounge into BLT Steak for a memorable meal. Head up to the fifteenth floor for a special nightcap at The Punch Room, a reincarnation of a 19th century drinking club. Another grand option is the new Le Meridien, which also stands on a stellar reputation among fine hotels. Before surrendering to the fineries of your accommodations, enjoy artistically-crafted cocktails at the Le Meridien Hub, relax by the pool or rejuvenate at the state-of-the-art fitness center. Find superb fare at the hotel’s restaurant, Evoke, designed as a chic, new-age steakhouse. To step back in time, take a tour or stay at The Duke Mansion, a 20-room bed and breakfast that was built in 1915 and was the former home of James B. Duke of Duke Energy and Duke University. Here, you can expect old Southern charm, including rooms with sleeping porches wrapped in 21st century luxury and amenities. Of course, if sleeping in your own bed is the point and desire of a staycation, then you are just an Uber ride away from all the action. Get an up-close look at the city by going on a guided Segway tour. Glide past historical and architectural points of interest and some of the most beautiful Charlotte neighborhoods. If you prefer to ride seated, van tours are available as well. Treat yourself to an historic walking tour, a food or brew tour or even a people-powered party pedaler tour, a bar crawl on wheels. If you’re used to driving your vehicle around Charlotte day-today, it’ll be fun to try out other modes of transportation during your staycation. The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) bus service offers more than 70 routes across the city and county. The

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more. During the summer months, it’s a party when the River Jam concert series takes place every Thursday and Saturday evening. With a restaurant and biergarten on site, visitors can make an entire day and evening of it. The Billy Graham Library is a 40,000-square-foot facility designed to reflect Rev. Billy Graham’s journey from a humble farm boy to an internationally-beloved pastor. Situated only miles from where Graham grew up, the building is situated on 20 landscaped acres. Children love vacation, too, and will be thrilled at all Charlotte has to offer them. Plan your own family play date at Discovery Place, one of the top science museums in the country. Innovative and fun exhibits deliver science learning right into your children’s hands. Everyone loves movies, so while at Discovery Place, watch a film in the Charlotte Observer IMAX Dome Theatre. See how state-of-the-art technology and the largest screen in the Carolinas impact your movie experience. Get back to nature at the Charlotte Nature Museum, where young visitors can get close to wildlife. Check out the Butterfly Pavilion, Creature Cavern, Insect Alley, Fort Wild and the Big Backyard. The slogan for Charlotte reads “Charlotte’s got a lot,” and it doesn’t deceive. In fact, this is just the tip of the iceberg. On your next vacation, stay in town and see for yourself.

Charlotte’s got a lot; N. Ham

celebrated and honored over the years. Jump in and let your imagination drive you away. With all the theaters in Charlotte, you never have to leave town to enjoy a world-class live performance. Charlotte is a top-10 market for national Broadway tours. Check schedules for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. The center also houses the Charlotte Symphony, North Carolina Dance Theatre, On Q Productions, Opera Carolina, Queen City Theatre Company and other outstanding arts organizations. A prominent landmark in Uptown, the Levine Center for the Arts stands witness to the value that the Queen City places on arts and culture. It’s comprised of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Mint Museum Uptown, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture and the John S. and James L. Knight Theater. The Bechtler collection is comprised of mid-century modern art which, until recently, was privately held by the Bechtler family of Switzerland. The extensive collection, which includes works by Alberto Giacometti, Joan Miro, Jean Tinguely and Barbara Hepworth, is now committed to the City of Charlotte by Andreas Bechtler. The Mint Museum Uptown houses the internationally-renowned Craft + Design collection, as well as outstanding collections of American, contemporary and European art. Housed in a five-story, 145,000-square-foot facility that features remarkable architecture and cutting-edge exhibitions, visitor amenities include the 240-seat James B. Duke Auditorium, the Lewis Family Gallery, art studios, a restaurant and a museum gift shop. The mission of the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is to present, preserve and celebrate excellence in the art, history and culture of African-Americans and those of African descent. The center serves as a community epicenter for music, dance, theater, visual art, film, education programs, literature and community outreach. There is not a bad seat in The John S. and James L. Knight Theater, an intimate theater with wonderful acoustics. Make sure to save time to visit the Levine Museum of the New South. Here, you can learn how the South evolved from field to factory to finance through its award-winning exhibit, “Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers.” The museum shares the stories of people from all walks— black and white, rich and poor—who shaped the region since the end of the Civil War. Levine is the only museum in the country concentrating exclusively on New South history. Charlotte has scores of festivals during the year covering every interest. They show off Charlotte’s diverse culture and get the community outside for great music, activities and food. From the Juneteenth Festival to the Octoberfest Beer Festival, Carolina Renaissance Festival, Great Grapes! Wine and Food Festival, CLTure Music Festival, Latta Celtic Festival, Taste of Charlotte, Festival in the Park ... the list goes on and on. Those seeking fresh air and outdoor recreation won’t go lacking in Charlotte. There are numerous parks, trails and greenways to accommodate walkers, runners and cyclists. For a whitewater rafting adventure, visit the U. S. National Whitewater Center and play where the Olympians train. Visitors can enjoy whitewater rafting and kayaking, flatwater kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rock climbing, zip lines, ropes courses, a canopy tour and mountain biking on the 25-mile trail system. Competitions during the year include triathlons and ultra-marathons. Throughout the year, the Whitewater Race Series challenges participants through various competitions in different sports including trail running, kayaking, mountain biking, triathlons, ultra-marathons and epicurean charlotte food & wine

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704-469-9540

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hometown dining

rooster's wood-fired kitchen

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heirloom

o.m.b.

the menu promises to deliver a unique experience with each visit. Each day, around 1:00 p.m., the chef posts the evening 12-course tasting menu. Relish such dishes as Brewington Farm sweet turnip greens, Bermuda fish chowder, Jarret Bay oysters Rockefeller, Harmony Ridge duck poutine, Harmony Ridge egg yolk farfalle, Tim Griner’s wahoo, pork and beans and Salem Hills coulotte steak ... all in one meal! Kick back and relax while you explore the menu of brews at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, Biergarten and Brauhaus. Arguably the most relaxing place in the City, OMB sits on an impressive eight acres of picturesque land surrounded by 100-year-old oak, mature pecan and hickory trees. Enjoy your beverages inside or grab a picnic table outside. Either way, it’s the perfect place for families, friends and even pets to enjoy a festive afternoon or evening. Here, fresh is the most important word, and OMB beer is fresh, never warm. Work up an appetite playing cornhole. Once you do, check out OMB’s hearty menu of options that perfectly accompany Charlotte beers. Appetizers, wraps, paninis, pizza and one of the best burgers you’ll find in Charlotte all await you. You’ll also find Sugar Creek Brewery and Old Wagon Road Distillery in the same neighborhood.E

Charlotte’s got a lot; N. Ham; Manny Handsome

fahrenheit

As varied and delightful as the things to do and see in Charlotte are, the dining options are equally compelling. Branch out across Uptown Charlotte to sample some of the innovative treats that have been incorporated into the City’s culinary scene. The following restaurants represent just a tiny part of what’s cooking in Charlotte. Enjoy lunch or dinner at the iconic Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen Uptown, where you can expect nearly everything—from breads to cured meats—to be prepared in-house. Here, you can take your time, because that’s exactly what the chef does in preparing excellent cuisine for each guest. Get your meal started with Antipasti, Crudo or a selection of cured meats. Select your entrée from among creative dishes including salmon, seared sea scallops, Heritage Farm pork chop, Ashley Farms barbecue chicken and three beast Bolognese gnocchi. Round out your meal with pan fried corn, fire roasted beets or Margaux’s succotash. Don’t neglect the dessert menu, which is full of delightful sweets and afterdinner drinks. Rooster’s will become a favorite, and you’ll soon be coming back even when you’re not on your staycation. Romanticize your staycation with dinner at the award-winning Passion8, where the atmosphere is designed to be inviting and tranquil. The chef at Passion8 loves food and believes that food created with passion is the best way to celebrate this life. Each dish is gently prepared with ingredients at their peak of freshness, including locally-grown and raised produce. The restaurant offers an expansive and romantic wine list to accompany its cuisine. If you would like to share your ultra fine dining experience with friends or family, you can hire out the Chef ’s Table. The Luxury Room is a glass cube giving the utmost in privacy for up to 10 guests. An ever-evolving locally-based pre fixe menu is offered with the option of seven to 12 courses designed for a truly memorable experience. Amidst the Skye Condos, on the twenty-first floor, is Fahrenheit Restaurant, where you can enjoy inventive new American cuisine accompanied by amazing views of the Queen City. Here, you can expect a highly reputable wine list, creatively concocted cocktails and local draft beers. The chef ’s dedication to using the finest and freshest locallysourced seasonal ingredients, along with Asian insinuations, make this fare uniquely his own. It is unique to Charlotte, so it’s good that you’re staycationing here. Kick off your meal with Charlotte “Nachos,” made with fresh fried potato chips, OMB Copper and pimento fondue, scallions and Applewood bacon. Next, slip your fork into the slow braised Kobe beef short ribs, the seared Ahi tuna or the Maine lobster mac and cheese with Cognac reduction, chives, brie and goat cheeses, oven-dried tomatoes and pipette pasta. Save room for a “Five Dollar Milkshake,” goat cheesecake or peanut butter pie. Step out of Uptown a bit for a very rewarding trip to Heirloom, a locally-sourced, globally-inspired, farm to fork restaurant. The menu features vegetables, fruit, seafood, meats and beverages produced in North Carolina, which is the result of the chef’s relationship with growers, 309 bistro & spirits producers and purveyors all across the state. Constantly changing,

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bridging a special gap through wine a look at rickety bridge winery by catherine rabb

r images courtesy rickety bridge winery

ickety Bridge Winery, located in the Western Cape of South Africa, and North Carolina are half a world apart. The lovely wines of Rickety Bridge are a blend of Old World elegance and finesse and New World purity of fruit. And lucky for us, North Carolina is the only state in the U.S. in which they are available. Over a glass of their utterly delicious Rosé, Andrew Woolgar, who is in charge of the winery’s operations in North Carolina, shares the story of this special Carolina connection.

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Like all good stories, this one begins a long time ago, in a faraway place. In the 17th century, Huguenots fled from the Provence region of France to South Africa to escape religious persecution. They settled in what today is called Franschhoek, which translates as French Corner. Then it was called Oliphantshoek (meaning Elephant’s Corner), and Woolgar notes that the area was originally full of elephants. The Huguenots came with rich winemaking traditions, grape cuttings and centuries of experience. In fact, that tasty Rosé we are sipping has many of the same elements as a Rosé from Provence; crisp and clean, like a bit of summertime in a bottle. Paulina de Villiers acquired part of the property in 1797, and the property remained in her family for over a century. The winery is named for an old wooden bridge that was on the property at one time. In 2000, Duncan Spence, a British entrepreneur, recognized the history, and the potential, of the property and acquired it. Today, Rickety Bridge is a 138-acre boutique winery with estate-grown grapes, sustainably producing three lines of wine, many receiving critical accolades, with a gorgeous restaurant and event venue on the property. The North Carolina connection involves romance. Both Woolgar and Spence fell in love with women from North Carolina, and by extension, with the state. They decided that being in North Carolina worked for personal reasons, as love is a wonderful thing, but also for strategic ones. Both feel that the state is a good fit for their wines, and both are excited to be here and to grow the brand. Woolgar notes, “We are pleased and proud to be a part of North Carolina, surrounded by food and wine savvy people who love to experiment. We couldn’t be in a more progressive and supportive place, and we feel like our brand fits in here.” It’s easy for North Carolinians to be supportive. The wines are terrific. Crafted by winemaker Wynand Grobler, who was once part of the Ernie Els winemaking team, the wines showcase pretty fruit, unobscured by overt use of oak, with a nuanced complexity.

Jeff House, owner/proprietor of Bond Street Wines, is a believer. He admires the Rickety Bridge wines for “the depth and layers that most wines at that price point simply don’t have.” The winery produces 17 different wines within three ranges. The flagship wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon called The Bridge, is produced from low-yielding bush vines. By low yielding, Rickety Bridge means really low yielding. In fact, in some years, the wine is not even produced. In 2012, only four barrels were made. Each of these special bottles comes in its own numbered box signed by the winemaker. In addition to The Bridge, a wide selection of wine, across a variety of price points, are produced. The approachable Rickety Bridge line includes Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinotage, Shiraz and a Late Harvest wine. Pinotage is a red wine grape that is South Africa’s signature variety, and when done right, as Rickety Bridge does, it’s a bold, bramble fruit flavored glass of wine. Pinotage is a challenging grape to work with as fermentation temperatures are critical to making a great one, and the skilled Grobler crafts a Pinotage that Woolgar says is “pretty blooming popular.” One sip, and drinkers have that a-ha moment where they realize just how tasty Pinotage can be. The Paulina’s Reserve are limited production wines produced from Chenin Blanc, Semillion and Cabernet Sauvignon. House raves about the Paulina’s Reserve Chenin Blanc, saying “It’s one of the coolest white wines I have had in the past several years. It’s spectacular, and the price to quality ratio is unbelievable”. The affordable Foundation Stone line includes a white, red and that wonderful Rosé, which are all Rhône-style blends using grapes typically found in the blended wines of that region, a nod to their Huguenot heritage. Rickety Bridge also produces traditional method sparkling wine, beautifully made, and at attractive price points. Locally, the wines are available at Bond Street Wines, Arthur’s Wine Shop at Southpark Mall, Zebra Restaurant, The Wooden Vine and The South African Wine Shop.

“We are pleased and proud to be a part of North Carolina, surrounded by food and wine savvy people who love to experiment. We couldn't be in a more progressive and supportive place.”

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images courtesy rickety bridge winery

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The business is also a labor of love, as Woolgar handles orders and deliveries to restaurants across the state. He’s a busy man, as selling wine on this scale requires a great deal of passion, commitment and time on the road and in wine shops and restaurants. The wine business isn’t an easy one, and to market one line of wines—and to introduce wine drinkers to the brand—means Woolgar is creating new Rickety Bridge lovers in small tasting shop events and restaurant dinners, creating fans one bottle at a time. His enthusiasm for Rickety Bridge wines and for the place where they are crafted is contagious. He notes, “Every time I open a bottle, I tell the story of South Africa. I want to connect people to South Africa, and I am proud that Rickety Bridge plays a role in that.” Woolgar talks about Nelson Mandela, who was a believer in the wines of South Africa and wanted to promote South African wine worldwide in the 1990s as embargoes were lifted. Mandela recognized the need for quality and sustainability initiatives, promoted a Truth in Label program and helped put - Andrew Woolgar South African wine on the map. Today, South African wines have presence on the worldwide wine scene, and responsible, sustainable production practices are embraced by wineries like Rickety Bridge. Woolgar speaks of the beauty of the region, the unique soils and diverse plant life and the 350 years of winemaking history that create special wines, so expressive of place. “These wines are our babies; we appreciate the opportunity to share them and our story”. He also invites us for a visit, as the winery is delighted to welcome North Carolina visitors. They roll out the red carpet to celebrate this unique Cape to Carolina connection, and Woolgar says that Franschhoek is like no other place on earth, with gorgeous scenery. In summer, the region is carpeted with flowers and packed with such a diverse array of flora that the Cape Floral Region is a UNSECO World Heritage site. Not only is wonderful wine made here, but the region is also the culinary capital of South Africa, where the cuisine shows influences from the indigenous peoples, as well as Dutch, French, Indian and Malaysian settlers. If a visit is not in your immediate future, do pick up a bottle of Rickety Bridge, and experience a bit of South Africa in a very delicious glass.E

rickety bridge winery be sure to check out their website for upcoming tasting events! www.ricketybridgewineryusa.com

“These wines are our babies; we appreciate the opportunity to share them and our story.”

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volume 8 • issue 3

Portofino’s Ristorante Italiano e Pizzeria, where a passion for great food and a love for quality pay homage to the glories of the Italian kitchen.

images courtesy rickety bridge winery

BENVENUTI!

“Best Italian Restaurant in Charlotte”!

http://portofinos-us.com • Like us on Facebook! 5126 Park Road 704.527.0702 3124 Eastway Drive #500 704.568.7933

epicurean charlotte food & wine

8128 Providence Road #100 704.542.9911 2127 Ayrsley Town Boulevard 980.297.7090

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places to go, people to see

through the grapevine

Poplar Street Café & Wine Bar has opened in Fourth Ward Uptown, offering a relaxed atmosphere in the refined setting of The Morrison House. Build in 1885, it᾿s now home to a blend of Peruvian cuisine, a curated wine and cocktail list, and homemade desserts. www.poplarstreetcafebar.com

Just about everyone loves breakfast, so Tupelo Honey Cafe has decided to serve their brunch menu daily until 4 p.m., instead of just on the weekends. Look for favorites like scrambles, hash and world-famous Sweet Potato Pancakes any day you desire. tupelohoneycafe.com

Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint is coming to Midtown in the Kings Square shopping center. Customers can build their own pizzas and salads, assembly-line style, at this family-friendly chain, with a choice of three types of crust, six types of sauce and more than 45 toppings. www.unclemaddios.com

Mark and Brian Wilson, owners of the Thirsty Beaver Saloon on Central Avenue, are opening a new restaurant and bar across the street from Lupie’s on Monroe Road. The Tipsy Burro Saloon & Cantina will host a relaxed atmosphere with a Tex-Mex inspired food menu. Be on the lookout for an opening date soon! www.facebook.com/Tipsyburro

The Roasting Company is on the move again! Owner Mitch Grant plans to bring their signature rotisserie chicken and Costa Rican spices to a new location in Rock Hill in the former landmark Gulf Station on Oakland Avenue. www.roastingco.com

The Bottle Cap Group (who you may recognize behind a number of Charlotte-area restaurant ventures including All American Pub, Whiskey Warehouse and Brazwells Premium Pub) is opening a new venture called Ink᾿N Ivy on S. Church Street Uptown in the former Picasso's Sports Cafe location. Congrats! inkanivy.com

Flight Beer and Music Hall has opened at Northside Station on N. College Street in the former Republic location Uptown. Touting itself as a “North Carolina-centric traditional beer and music hall,” the unique venue will host the feel of a German beer hall with North Carolina offerings including brews, food and décor. The menu will include beer hall-style food like sausages and brats, mac and cheese and freshmade pretzels, all made with North Carolina-sourced ingredients. With 80 beers on tap, patrons are sure to find their favorite pours and discover new ones. The vibe will be similar to a beer garden (but indoors) with social-type tables, a 70-plus-foot bar and a stage for live bands.

Check out our website! Get up-to-date information on events and news around town, view past issues and more. While you’re there, become our friend on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. www.epicureancharlotte.com

Wahlburgers, the Boston-based burger The Cotton Room at Belfast Mill has franchise from the celebrity Wahlberg opened in Brevard Court Uptown. The family, is coming to Charlotte! The casual, Southern-inspired speakeasy boasts mod- family-friendly restaurant announced ern touches and features local North and plans to open 30 stores in several major South Carolina beers and local distilleries metro markets including North and in the craft cocktails. South Carolina, and serves burgers, sandwiches, salads and desserts. facebook.com/thecottonroomatbelfastmill www.wahlburgersrestaurant.com

VBGB owners Tom and Kara Taddeo have announced plans to open 8.2.0 adjacent to their current location in the AvidXchange Music Factory Uptown. Targeting a summer opening, the new space will be over 12,000 square feet with an adjoining patio, an upscale karaoke lounge, a vintage arcade game room, two main bars (along with a bar in each of the event rooms), an event space that can hold up to 325 people, and a walk up, slice only pizza window. There᾿s even a hidden space that the owners won’t discuss yet... be sure to check it out to discover all they have to offer!

Crunch Bistro will open soon in south Charlotte on Rea Road beside Trader Joe’s. Previously located in SouthPark Mall, Crunch focuses on healthy fare using the freshest of ingredients with a large menu including gourmet salads, flatbread wraps and more. crunchbistro.com

Frank Scibelli is on the move again! This time, he᾿s opening two new Midwood Smokehouse locations—one on Mckee Road in Matthews and one in the Backlot at Park Road Shopping Center. Serving a variety of Texas-style, slow-smoked barbecue, they use an all-wood smoker burning hickory logs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. midwoodsmokehouse.com

Moo & Brew has opened on Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood. Formerly home to Joe Hooper᾿s Neighborhood Pub, Moo & Brew is a burger joint with a passion for great beer and good times, and promises to be the perfect spot to eat, drink, unwind or throw down. mooandbrew.com

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A new fast-casual Asian concept is coming to the University area. Teriyaki Madness will deliver fresh Asian-style food with sauces, chicken and beef prepared daily. The menu features entrées and bowls, which can be customized to guests᾿ individual desires. Look for the first of five locations to open this July. teriyakimadness.com

epicurean charlotte food & wine

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june

06 North Carolina Brewers and - 07 Music Festival The North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival

Salute! The NC Wine Celebration

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival 10 07 -11 Enjoy a day of beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’ and barbeque eatin’ at

Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival

One of the premier celebrations of wine in North Carolina, Salute! uncorks in the streets of downtown Winston-Salem with over 30 North Carolina wineries offering tastings and purchases of their harvests as well as food, music and education. salutencwine.com

celebrates six years of bringing the best bands and breweries to festival fans at Historic Rural Hill in Huntersville. Hurry before tickets sell out! www.ncbrewsmusic.com

Symphony Park. Admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy unlimited tastings of beer and bourbon. www.beerandbourbon.com/north-carolina/show-info

Bangkokhappiness/shutterstock.com

The Company Store, a new art gallery and bar, has opened in NoDa on Yadkin Avenue. The 1,250-square-foot space was restored from a 1905 duplex and will feature a minimalist, laid-back atmosphere for wine, local beer and bar snacks, plus art exhibitions and live music events. www.thecompanystorenoda.com

Yadkin Valley Wine Festival

Taste the wines of the Yadkin Valley at the 15th year of this annual festival featuring craft vendor displays, music and, of course, wine! www.yvwf.com

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Speed Street

Join over 400,000 fans as Uptown Charlotte transforms into a giant live entertainment venue with access to NASCAR’s brightest stars as well as numerous food and vendor displays. 600festival.com/speed-street volume 8 • issue 3

The Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival is considered one of the most popular sanctioned barbecue com petitions in the U.S. But it’s far more than that, with a crafts fair, classic car show, music and more. www.blueridgebbqfestival.com

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Taste of Charlotte

Brew Stash Bash

Enjoy culinary delights from a host of Charlotte’s finest restaurants, quench your thirst with fine wines and specialty beers and enjoy live entertainment in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. www.tasteofcharlotte.com Sample a variety of American craft beers at the 5th annual Brew Stash Bash at the U.S. National White water Center. The festival invites guests to both taste and learn about our favorite craft brews while enjoying live music performances. usnwc.org/relax/festivals/brew-stash-bash w w w.epi cu rea n ch a r l otte.com

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volume 8 • issue 3

dinner with friends at trio restaurant l to r: Bill Cullen, Linda Seligman, Deb Marks, Suellen Skach, Cindy Auten

epicurean charlotte food & wine

st. patty’s day at three spirits brewery l to r: Lindsey Barnes, Tabu Terrell, Brian Dowling, Debbie Graske

mixing cocktails at the cellar at duckworth's l to r: Charles Read, Nate Robbins, Ron Oleksa

charlotte taste of the nation Chefs from some of the best restaurants in Charlotte receive recognition at this annual charity event

old pineville premium pub l to r: Kelsey Meduski, David Howell, Gina Peters, Scott Gosey, Gina Anderson, John Slawter, Gene Newell

scene around town

birthday party with friends l to r: Alan Roberts, Angie Roberts, John Homa, Doug Metcalf, Carey Sims

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local flavor

tasty treats to kick off summer eggplant rolitini

melanie cannizzaro tritten • cannizzaro sauces

ingredients: 1 large or 2 medium eggplants • 1 8oz. container ricotta cheese • ½ c shredded parmesan cheese •

•

1 c shredded mozzarella cheese • 1 egg, beaten • 1 jar cannizzaro marinara or arrabbiata

Slice eggplant in very thin, lengthwise slices. Lay out on baking racks or a broiler pan and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 350° F for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the ricotta, parmesan and half of the mozzarella cheeses with the beaten egg. Spray a small lasagna pan with non-stick spray and fill with half the jar of sauce.  Place 1 tbsp of the cheese mixture at the top of the large side of each slice and roll-up. Place seam side down in pan. Spoon remaining sauce over each roll and top with reserved half cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until bubbly and melty.

tailgater italian style sandwich courtesy of the fresh market

ingredients: • ¼ c olive oil • 1 lb italian sausage • 1 red and green bell peppers, sliced • 2 yellow onions, sliced • 1 tsp each salt and pepper

• • • • •

4 garlic cloves, chopped 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 c chardonnay 1 c organic marinara sauce 4 fresh hoagie rolls

Heat the oil in a heavy, large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook until brown on both sides, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and drain. Keeping the pan over medium heat, add the peppers, onions, salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 2 more minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir. Add the wine and marinara sauce, stir to combine, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release all the browned bits. Bring to a simmer. Cut the sausages into 4 to 6 pieces each, about 1-inch slices. Add the sausage back to the pan and stir to combine. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes. Split the rolls in half lengthwise. Hollow out the bread from the bottom side of each roll, being careful not to puncture the crust. Fill the bottom half of the roll with sausage mixture. Top and serve hoagies immediately.

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volume 8 • issue 3

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the juice BARRINGTON’ S ~

Keep Your Burger Buns from Becoming Soggy

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Tasty Bourbon Treats

from $10.99 for a set of four burgerlift.com

$13 - $37 • www.1812house.com

Tired of the bottom bun of your burger becoming a soggy mess? It’s time to lift those buns! The Burger Lift elevates the burger above the plate and gives one of America’s favorite foods a proper throne to rest upon while you enjoy dinner! Whether you like to eat veggie burgers, turkey burgers or beef burgers, the Burger Lift doesn’t discriminate. For your backyard or beach barbecue this summer, the Burger Lift is a must-have new item! Dishwasher safe, the design is both lightweight and easy to grab, but sturdy enough to withstand the test of time.

Matthews 1812 House, specializing in handmade specialty desserts, has a brand new line of mouthwatering bourbon infused treats for the hard-toshop-for man on anyone’s shopping list. These tasty treats— like the Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Torte, Bourbon Blondie Bar, Caramel and Chocolate Bourbon Sauce and more—can be shipped to dads, grandpas or any special man across the U.S. in time for Father’s Day.

Est. Est.

2014

2000

Est.

2009

Automatically Spice Up Your Dinner Each Month

Crush It at Your Next Fiesta!

from $20.99 • www.imusausa.com

$8 - $80 • www.spicinglife.com

This new monthly spice service will change the way you cook! At Spicing Your Life, they combine health with indulgence. The premiere spice subscription service provides you with seasonings and simple recipes on a monthly basis that will truly add the extra bit of zest to your meals. Each month, you receive a featured spice, a corresponding recipe that includes information on the health benefits of your spice and a bonus cocktail or tea recipe.

Made from ultra-durable natural granite, this mortar and pestle extracts essential oils from herbs and spices, both dried and fresh. Granite’s nonporous qualities prevent it from absorbing those oils, keeping the flavor in your food and not in the tool. The weight of the stone provides stability and makes pounding a cinch. This molcajete is large enough to grind up a partysize batch of guacamole, then mix and serve it in the same bowl. So break out the tortilla chips and let’s have a fiesta!

Total Wine & More.® The selection is incredible. Carry Your Cakes in Retro Style

$39.99 • store.discovery.com

Bakers of all ages will love transporting decorated cakes and other delicious baked goods in the retro-inspired Cake Boss Serveware Metal Cake Carrier with a "Mini Cakes" motif. This carrier makes transporting cakes and other desserts easier with its sturdy lid that latches tightly on both sides of the base to protect treats while they’re in transit! Say good-bye to messy spills and mishaps with this durable, sturdy carrier.

www.e p icu re an c h ar l o t te .co m

Total Wine & More is like no other wine store you have ever visited. Each of our stores carries over 8,000 different wines and 2,500 beers. With over 130 superstores, we have the buying power to bring you the best wines at the lowest prices. Our wine team is the best trained in the industry.

Get Ready to Fire Up the Next Generation Charcoal Grill $1,699 • www.weber.com

The new Weber Summit Charcoal Grill combines the form and functions of the classic kettle grill with the company’s beloved Smokey Mountain Cooker smoker to create a completely new grill option. Designed to provide ultimate control and hold steady temperatures for more than 10 hours of cooking, this grill incorporates many unique features including multi-zone heat options, a hinged diffuser plate, a two-position fuel grate, an insulated lid and bowl for less charcoal consumption and better heat retention, and a slow cook/smoke bowl damper set-up that allows for three bottom vent positions.

volume 8 • issue 3

They are committed and dedicated to bringing you the Total Wine Experience.™

North Carolina’s Largest Selection of Wine, Beer and More Under One Roof – at the Lowest Prices!

HUNTERSVILLE | CHARLOTTE-PARK TOWNE VILLAGE CHARLOTTE-UNIVERSITY | CHARLOTTE-PROMENADE

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NOT YOUR ORDINARY DINING EXPERIENCE.

Dozens of places to eat. And each one comes with racing on the side. Indulge in motorsports at Charlotte Motor Speedway, top race team shops and museums, the Dale Trail and a lot more. For your FREE Destination Guide, go to WhereRacingLives.com or call (800) 848-3740.