March 2017 $3.95
INSPIRED DESIGN
A HUNTERSVILLE DESIGNER TAKES CUES FROM HER LIFE AND LOVES TO CREATE HER DREAM SPACE
PLUS SPRING FORWARD! PERFECT PASTEL ACCENTS FOR YOUR HOME SAMANTHA BUSCH TAKES THE DRIVER’S SEAT WITH MURPH BOUTIQUE EEZ, PLEASE: A BIRKDALE VILLAGE FAVORITE GETS A MENU UPGRADE
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Contents — March 2017 —
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I always like to add a surprise—a piece I love, even if it doesn’t necessarily seem to fit. I find a way to make it work.”
12 EDITOR’S NOTE 14 LAKEVIEW Instagram Inspiration
17 LAKEFRONT
—Cathleen Mackie on her design style (page 32).
17 Spring Fling Spruce up your home with pretty pastels
18 New in Town An eatery plans to open at Northlake Mall
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20 Q&A Conservation efforts take shape in Davidson
22 Recipe Go green for St. Patrick’s Day
25 Social Scene Awards banquets around the lake
30 Calendar The top five events this month
32 FEATURES 32 Storied Style Cathleen Mackie’s home reflects her life
51 LAKESHORE 51 Fun Fusion eeZ Fusion gets a menu update
58 On Track March 2017 $3.95
Samantha Busch starts her dream business
INSPIRED DESIGN
63 Life in the South New Orleans makes a comeback
Cathleen Mackie, a Huntersville designer, styled her new home in the Vermillion neighborhood. Photo by Eric Pound
lakenormanmagazine.com | MARCH 2017
72 SNAPSHOT
PLUS SPRING FORWARD! PERFECT PASTEL ACCENTS FOR YOUR HOME SAMANTHA BUSCH TAKES THE DRIVER’S SEAT WITH MURPH BOUTIQUE EEZ, PLEASE: A BIRKDALE VILLAGE FAVORITE GETS A MENU UPGRADE
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On the cover
A HUNTERSVILLE DESIGNER TAKES CUES FROM HER LIFE AND LOVES TO CREATE HER DREAM SPACE
Editor’s Note
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There’s a buzz coming back to Lake Norman. It’s not quite summer yet, but there are glimpses of warmer weather and even
a lucky boat day every now and then. Residents and visitors are spending more time outside, walking down our many main streets, eating, and drinking on patios across town. It’s getting closer to prime time around Lake Norman.
While we venture out of our cozy homes at the turn of the seasons, don’t forget to spruce up your living spaces. Stash the
heavy throws and winter décor and take a cue from outdoors—pops of color are sprouting up everywhere. Get some pastel inspiration on page 18 for a simple way to brighten up your home.
Birkdale Village favorite eeZ Fusion also got an update in the winter season (page 51). The 10-year-old eatery launched a
new menu of authentic Asian comfort food, along with new drink specials perfect for happy hour. Look for dim sum, bao buns, and Tom Yum soup.
We also chatted with Samantha Busch about her new business venture, Murph Boutique (page 58). The online shop stocks a
range of sizes, prices, and styles, as Busch wants to reach all women and make sure they feel confident in their clothes.
For a mental reset, take a trip down to New Orleans. The Southern city is the scene of a major comeback, with new lush
the new season.
Katie Coleman, Editor kcoleman@charlotteobserver.com
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LUNAHZON PHOTOGRAPHY
accommodations and old stomping grounds more alive than ever. Escape for a spell and return ready to spring forward into
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Lakeview — Connected —
of The Charlotte Observer, A McClatchy Publication ANN CAULKINS Publisher
Teaching Moment Mooresville Arts is expanding its children’s classes this month. Starting on March 8, kids ages 10 to 12 can attend a new class from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Mooresville Depot Visual Arts Center. Register online at www.magart.org.
SARAH CROSLAND Executive Editor KATIE COLEMAN Editor CAROLINE PORTILLO Associate Editor TRACIE STAFFORD-CHOATE Creative Director ZOE GILLESPIE Account Executive 704-358-5423
Instagram Inspiration It’s all in the details for Lake Norman-area interior designers. From classic touches to contemporary trends, these designers are keeping lake homes chic this season.
DONNA GORDON Director of National Advertising and Magazine Lead 704-358-5280
MARCH 2017 VOLUME 35, NUMBER 3 Lake Norman Magazine is published 12 times each year and is available free to residents and visitors of Lake Norman. The entire contents are fully protected by copyright. Unauthorized use of logos, graphics and copy in any form is prohibited. Advertisements created by Lake Norman Magazine may not be reproduced without permission. Lake Norman Magazine is wholly owned by The Charlotte Observer, a McClatchy Publication. CONTACT US Lake Norman Magazine 550 S. Caldwell St., 10th floor Charlotte, NC 28202 (704) 358-5000
Cheers to Rural Hill Tickets are on sale now for the seventh installation of Historic Rural Hill’s Brewers and Music Festival, slated for May 12-13. Expect to see your favorite area and regional brewers, and music by Mipso, Sinners and Saints, The Infamous Stringdusters, and more. Get tickets online at www.ncbrewsmusic.com.
Email: kcoleman@charlotteobserver.com Online: www.lakenormanmagazine.com To order photo reprints, visit bit.ly/buyphoto
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Lakefront — What’s In Season —
MARTHA STEWART BUNNY DOME, $55
SPRING FLING
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It’s time to spruce up and get ready for spring—and we don’t just mean wardrobes. Give your home a lift by incorporating this season’s latest trends in home décor, including pastels, florals, and crisp whites. Here are a few of our favorites from Macy’s Spring 2017 lookbook. 6845 Northlake Mall Drive, Charlotte. (continued on page 18)
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Lakefront MARTHA STEWART PAINTED GARDEN DINNER PLATE, $15
MARTHA STEWART BATH TOWELS, $12-$40
WHIMSICAL SHOP 5X7 ACRYLIC FRAME, $28
MARTHA STEWART PINK CASSEROLE, $99.99-$179.99
MSC WHIM ASSORTED PRINTED SHEETS, $50-$140
MSC WHIM FRINGE DECORATIVE PILLOW, $8 NORITAKE COLORWAVE RIM DINNERWARE COLLECTION IN APPLE, $7.99-$119.99
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Perfect Pairing
orthlake Mall is adding a new eatery to satisfy your taste for craft beer and pizza. Parry’s Pizzeria & Bar is opening its first North Carolina location this summer. The fast-casual concept is famous for having more than 50 beers on draft from around the country and New York-style pizza and wings. Need food quick? Check out its “Lunch in 20” service. www.shopnorthlake.com
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MAC & CHEESE, PLEASE!
et your fill of fashion and comfort food at the Mac & Cheese Cook Off and Cheezy Fashion Show this month. Head to the Mooresville Art Depot for a night of competitive cooking and a fashion show by the Future Fashion Designers Academy students. The event is from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. March 25, and includes over 30 raffle items with proceeds benefitting the Art Depot’s renovation fund. For tickets, visit www.futurefashiondesigners.com.
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Q&A
Protecting our Pollinators
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BY CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
A new partnership between the Town of Davidson and Davidson Lands Conservancy aims to protect and grow the town’s population—its pollinator population, that is. In January the town board adopted a resolution to work toward making Davidson the 37th U.S. city with a Bee City USA designation. The goal of Bee City USA is to promote healthy, sustainable habitats and communities for bees and other pollinators through citizen education and engagement, Christine Lisiewski and Charlene Minor and promotion of best practices like sustainable landscaping, organic gardening, and planting native species to support local pollinators. We caught up with the town’s Natural Assets and Sustainability Coordinator Charlene Minor and Davidson Lands Conservancy’s Outreach Committee Chair Christine Lisiewski to learn more about the initiative.
Why are pollinators important? LISIEWSKI: Well, they’re important from an economic standpoint— one out of every three bites of food we eat is provided to us through pollinator services—and also from an ecological standpoint. Pollination is plant sex, and without plant sex there are no more plants, and that would have a devastating effect on the entire ecosystem.
Why are we turning our focus to pollinators now? LISIEWSKI: I think it started with the honeybees because, like many environmental issues, when they become economic issues, suddenly everyone starts paying attention. So when the honey bee decline started, folks worried, “how are we going to pollinate our almond crops?” and there was a lot of research done into neonicotinoids, which is a class of systemic pesticides that was linked to the honeybee decline as well as diseases, and I think that started opening people’s eyes. And then the Monarch butterfly was probably the next in line, because of the dramatic 90 percent decline in the Monarch population. I think with Monarchs it wasn’t so much an economic issue, but it was such an iconic butterfly—it’s the largest insect migration on Earth, and
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it’s such a beautiful delicate creature—it was easy to get on board with that one. From there I think it’s moved on to the native bees.
When did Davidson decide to focus on preserving its pollinators? LISIEWSKI: Our [Davidson Lands Conservancy’s] former director Roy Alexander started a pollinator initiative. One of our first projects was preserving milkweed fields at Fisher Farm and Abersham because they were mowing them at the wrong time. They were actually mowing the grass when the Monarchs were laying their eggs and the caterpillars were hatching, so they were wiping out that whole generation of butterflies every year. It was just lack of knowledge. MINOR: As far as the Town of Davidson goes, we have several different designations that we follow and apply for each year. Tree City USA is one of our designations for the town that we’re proud of, and we are a bike-friendly community and walk-friendly community. And one of our core values states that citizens should live in a healthy environment, so Bee City USA seemed to be a natural fit with us moving in that direction.
How does an official designation like “Bee City USA” help the town reach its pollinator goals? LISIEWSKI: There are so many pollinator initiatives, but most don’t have a citywide mandate. They’re handled more on an individual level. With a Bee City USA designation, we have a mandate; it’s a resolution signed by the board, and us [Davidson Lands Conservancy], and the mayor, and Bee City is going to be holding us accountable. MINOR: And I think being the 37th Bee City USA affiliate is kind of cool because we have the opportunity now to look and see what other cities have been doing, and find ways that they’ve educated their communities and use them as resources. I think from the town’s perspective it’s great that we’ll also be able to post a Bee City sign, so residents will see that and it will get them talking and interested and curious.
Recipe Troy Gagliardo is a chef and author of Pseudo Southern—a playful twist on the art of Southern cooking— and is the host of Troy’s Everyday Eats. Watch Troy live from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Tuesday morning on WCCB Charlotte News Rising and purchase his book at www.cheftroy.net.
Go Green
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BY TROY GAGLIARDO • PHOTO BY RICHARD RUDISILL
For St. Patrick’s Day, step up the usual corned beef and cabbage. While there’s nothing wrong with sticking to tradition, this savory twist will have your party guests coming back for seconds.
Crispy Corned Beef with Fried Brussel Sprouts Crispy Corned Beef with Fried Brussel Sprouts 1 Large sweet onion with ends and skin removed, sliced thin 2 Tablespoons butter 2 Tablespoons brown sugar ¼ Cup whiskey Kosher salt, black pepper, and Tabasco to taste 2 Cups crema, crème fraiche, or Sour Cream 2 Chipotle peppers 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme, leaves only 6 Large brussel sprouts 3 Cups corned beef, cooked, cooled, and cubed Corn starch to toss Green onion, sliced thin, to taste 1 Quart frying oil, canola, peanut oil, or shortening Peanuts, kettle cooked or dry roasted, chopped (optional)
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1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
In a non-stick pan melt butter over medium heat. Add onions, season with salt and pepper, and stir to coat. Add sugar and stir to melt. Cook until onions start to brown, about 5 to 7 minutes.
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Fry until crispy, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring frequently. Remove and drain on a paper towel lined plate and season.
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Toss cubed corned beef, gently shake to remove excess, and fry in batches if necessary.
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To blender add crèma, chipotle, thyme, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Blend until smooth, adjust seasoning if needed, place in a bowl, and set aside.
Fry until crisp and warmed through, about 2-3 minutes, remove, drain, and begin to plate on a serving platter.
9.
Lay down crispy corned beef slightly mounded (not in tall pile) and top with crispy brussel sprouts.
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Remove stem from brussel sprouts, halve them, and separate leaves. Place in fryer basket or directly in oil.
Top with remaining onions, brussel sprouts, and use a spoon to drizzle over crèma.
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Top with green onions and peanuts and serve.
Add whiskey and cook until evaporated. Remove and allow to cool. Once cool, remove 3 tablespoons of onion and place in blender.
Preheat fryer or dutch oven with oil to 350 degrees.
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Social Scene — Out & About —
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More than 400 members of the motorsports industry gathered on Jan. 31 to honor Roger Penske during the 11th-annual North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards Ceremony at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Pictured here, B.R.A.K.E.S. founder Doug Herbert accepts the N.C. Motorsports Industry Award for the organization from FoxSports’ John Roberts.
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Social Scene
BY JENN BAXTER
(From left) Dr. Jerry Punch leads Roger Penske, four-time Indy 500 victor Rick Mears, Team Penske President Tim Cindric, and NASCAR’s Mike Helton in a fireside chat.
11th-Annual NC Motorsports Industry Awards Ceremony With his wife, Kathy, and current team Penske drivers Brad Keselowski, Will Power, Simon Pagenaud, Helio Castroneves and Josef Newgarden among those in attendance, Penske was this year’s recipient of the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award, which has been presented annually since 2007 by the membership of the North Carolina Motorsports Association.
Roush Yates Engines President Doug Yates presents Greg Fornelli of SRI Performance with a North Carolina Motorsports Association Motorsports Industry award for SRI’s tremendous growth.
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David Morton (Fifth Third Bank) presents Roger Penske with the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award.
Max Papis accepts the NC Motorsports Industry Award on behalf of his company Max Papis Innovations from NASCAR driver and GoPro Motorplex owner Justin Marks.
SCOTT HUNTER / NASCAR
Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears and three-time Indy 500 victor Helio Castroneves share a laugh with Dr. Jerry Punch during the pre-event reception.
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Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet at the Peninsula Club on Jan. 20. The event, which honors distinguished members and volunteers of the Lake Norman business community, included a reception, dinner, and keynote presentation by Jon Boggiano, a local entrepreneur and 2015 White House Champion of Change Award winner.
John Kepner received the Robert T. Cashion Business Person of the Year.
Titus Bartolotta and his wife, Christina, were recipients of the John R. Cherry Community Service Award for their work with The Lotta Foundation.
North Carolina Senator Jeff Tarte along with representatives Chaz Beasley and John Ray Bradford gave a legislative briefing to area CEOs.
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OCAID PHOTOGRAPHY.; COURTESY LAKE NORMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Jeff Porter, executive director of Our Towns Habitat for Humanity, received the 2016 Duke Citizenship & Service Award from John Crutchfield of Duke Energy.
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Calendar
COMPILED BY CLAIRE KUHLKIN
the top 5
FEB. 23 – MAR. 12
‘A STREET CAR NAMED DESIRE’: If you’re a theater lover, you cannot miss the performance of this classic. The Pulitzer Prize-winning script by Tennessee Williams tells the story of former teacher Blanche DuBois as she leaves her hometown in Mississippi and moves in with her sister, Stella Kowalski, and her husband, Stanley, in New Orleans. Considered one of Williams’ best works, this tale of sex, class, and family will have you fully submerged in the lives of these characters. Buy advance tickets online. Cost is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $12 for students. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org. 307 Armour St., Davidson.
MAR. 11-12 LATTA CELTIC FESTIVAL: Get in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with some authentic Irish festivities. Bring the whole family for dance performances, live music, fun children’s activities, crafts, historic demonstrations, and, of course, food and drink. Wander the gorgeous Latta Plantation property and take in the first hints of spring. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and children 5 and under are free. www.lattaplantation.org. 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville.
MAR. 25
TOP DECK CAR AND TRUCK SHOW: Join the Town of Huntersville and Sons of the American Legion Post 321 for a show welcoming all makes, models, and years of vehicles. If you’d like to register your car or truck, the fee is $10 ahead of time and $15 the day of. Bring the family at 9 a.m. to have a chance to win a door prize and take part in the 50/50 raffle. Cruise through the rows of cars while enjoying food, drink, and music. www.huntersville.org/ AboutHuntersville/UpcomingEvents. 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville.
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MAR. 24
A MORNING WITH THE EASTER BUNNY: Hop on down the bunny trail and get a picture with the Easter Bunny himself. Enjoy Easter-themed crafts and snacks during this free, family-friendly event. The event is held at the Cornelius Arts Center and is perfect for children of all ages. Don’t forget a camera or smartphone to capture all of these adorable memories you’re guaranteed to make. www.cornelius.org. 19725 Oak St., Cornelius.
MAR. 24 – APR. 2 DAVIDSON COLLEGE PRESENTS ‘CABARET’: Davidson’s music and theatre departments are joining forces to bring you the story of the infamous Kit Kat Klub, where their raucous ensemble enchants their crowds while leaving their personal problems at the door. Set in pre-WWII Germany, the progression of the world outside only draws the performers and audience deeper into the world of the cabaret. The show starts at 8 p.m. March 24-26, March 31, and April 1. Catch a 2 p.m. matinee on April 2. Prices range from $6 to $15. www.davidson.edu/the-arts. 207 Faculty Drive, Davidson.
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Cover Feature
STORIED STYLE
Huntersville resident Cathleen Mackie started with a blank slate, and ended up with an eclectic abode. CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS • PHOTOS BY ERIC POUND
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Cathleen Mackie’s walls can talk. So can her furniture, her floors, and her finishing touches. Amid the clean lines, warm palette and gorgeous details of her eclectic modern décor are carefully selected accents that reveal things about the designer. “I always like to add a surprise,” Mackie says. “A piece I love, even if it doesn’t necessarily seem to fit. I find a way to make it work.” For example, a large, floral painted platter sits displayed on a shelf in her kitchen—a favorite family heirloom from her Italian grandmother amid the clean lines of the dark cabinets, the shiny counters, and tile backsplash. “It just makes me happy,” she says. And on the wall nearby is a piece called “Paintbrush,” a photograph on canvas taken by her daughter, Erica Jones, and named for a story Mackie used to tell her children about sunsets. From the playful, artisan candle holders on her mantle to the copper and glass French press coffee set on her counter to the giant arrangement of fresh cut hydrangeas in her living room, every angle of Mackie’s house offers visual intrigue and insight into her life—which is how it should be, she believes. An urgent care nurse at Novant Health, Mackie moved from Florida to North Carolina three years ago in search of “all four seasons.” After much house hunting, the Mattamy Homes floor plan is what ultimately sold her on her 2,300-square-foot home in Hunterville’s Vermillion neighborhood—it was the only one that hit “all the right notes,” she says. She loves to entertain, and the open flow of the kitchen/ (continued on page 40)
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Every angle of Mackie’s house offers visual intrigue and insight into her life—which is how it should be, she believes.
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Your home should reflect who you are, and you should be able to enjoy where you are without having to spend a lot of money. It is a place where you should find peace, encouragement, and rest.�
—Cathleen Mackie
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dining/living room, the 9-foot ceilings, and the back porch and garden all create the perfect home space for all sorts of gatherings. Opting for new construction over an existing home, Mackie had a blank slate, which was both a lot of work and a lot of fun, she says. She chose a warm color palette and dark wood floors and cabinetry, all of which play well with the natural light that enters through arched windows and doors. Her furniture is a mix of new items and refinished finds, including her favorite couch—a pop of delightful color, texture, and shape in her front living room so lovely it belies its Craigslist origins. As a designer, Mackie loves to repurpose pieces and doesn’t equate price tag with artistic merit. If a piece speaks to her or works well in a space, she doesn’t care whether it’s from a boutique, chain store, or consignment shop. Take the modern, white leather couch in her family room for example: It’s from Ikea. It’s also the perfect size and shape for the space, and its style plays nicely with the room’s mirrored wall collage, patterned accent chairs, and round white shag rug. “Your home should reflect who you are, and you should be able to enjoy where you are without having to spend a lot of money,” Mackie says. “It is a place where you should find peace, encouragement, and rest.”
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A nurse for more than 30 years, Mackie has spent her life helping people, and now has chosen to combine that passion with her love of design. A recent graduate of the New York Institute of Art and Design, she is studying for her national licensing exam and launching her own design business, Inspired Designs of Charlotte (www.idcharlotte.com). She wants to help everyday people transform their homes into their own peaceful, personal, beautiful spaces. “I think most people don’t want to just walk into a huge design studio to get started,” she says. “The process can be intimidating and expensive—and it doesn’t have to be.” Mackie shops the way many do, searching for great design items that aren’t cost prohibitive. Some of her favorite places to look include West Elm, Wayfair, Ikea, Pier One, and Etsy. “Often people are discouraged because they don’t think they can afford a designer and they don’t think they have the money for design, but that’s just not the case,” Mackie says. They just need some help seeing the big picture, and help in execution, and that’s where she sees herself being effective. “People have more talent than they think they have,” she says. “I can help them see it and put it all together.”
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PREFERRED VENDORS SECTION Preferred vendors section
&
Design Decor
Whether you’re working on new construction or sprucing up Whether you’re working on new construction or sprucing lake’s toptop experts areare here to help. upyour yourhome, home,the Charlotte’s experts here to help.
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PREFERRED VENDORS SECTION
KS Audio Video is your one stop shop for residential and commercial audio and video needs. The team at KSAV is highly knowledgeable with over 30 years experience and they are passionate about what they do. Onsite consultations help them get a sense of exactly what clients want; they ask questions and review any kind of plans you may have for your system design. From beginning to end, KSAV works with clients to ensure they are satisfied with results. Stop in today, you won’t be disappointed.
WWW.KSAUDIOVIDEO.COM • 704-896-3900
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PREFERRED VENDORS SECTION
If a waterfront home is in your future, Pippin Home Designs is the best place to start your planning process. Pippin’s award-winning 30+ years of experience in designing ‘homes with a view’ satisfies its clients’ goals of maximizing their views and provides creative solutions for challenging building sites. Pippin incorporates natural daylight, openness, and high performance principals along with a flow and functionality, which works well for people of all ages and abilities both now and well into the future.
WWW.PIPPINHOMEDESIGNS.COM • 704-363-8037
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PREFERRED VENDORS SECTION
Get everything you need for a gorgeous garden at Dearness Gardens Nursery in Huntersville. Beautify your property with trees, shrubs, flowers, and unique garden accessories, and make use of Dearness Gardens’ expert design and installation services to create the garden of your dreams! Dearness Gardens specializes in rare and unusual plants, Japanese Maples, unique conifers, and native and pollinator plants. The garden center occupies three acres on a rustic 1920s farmstead in downtown Huntersville. Spend time exploring the display gardens, stone paths, and inventive water features, and don’t forget to greet Myrtle the cat. Prepare to be inspired!
WWW.DEARNESSGARDENS.NET • 704-875-8234
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PREFERRED VENDORS SECTION
Every Arthur Rutenberg home is masterfully created to achieve understated elegance, exquisite style, and maximum livability—all while harmoniously integrating each homeowner’s preferences. They continue to perfect the innovative, always relevant design concepts they first introduced decades ago: the well-appointed centralized kitchen, the extensive use of glass, and the open, airy common areas seamlessly blending outdoors with indoors. Visit their model home in Verdict Ridge Golf and Country Club in Denver, N.C. at 2208 Pine Valley Drive. You won’t be disappointed.
KBLANTON@ARHOMES.COM • 704-696-8262
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PREFERRED VENDORS SECTION
Vine & Branch Woodworks manufactures custom cabinets and wood products that bring your vision for your space to life. The business also offers a stock line of cabinets that provide customers with a high quality, all-wood constructed alternative that the staff can design for any budget. Whether you’re looking for cabinetry or have a unique wood project in mind, Vine & Branch combines exceptional craftsmanship and affordable pricing to create beautiful kitchen, bath, and office woodwork that is tailored to your needs, style, and budget.
VINEANDBRANCHWOODWORKS.COM • 704-663-0077
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PREFERRED VENDORS SECTION
Homestyles Interior Design is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary of creating custom interiors for the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas. Design team Wendy Yeakley and Brittany Raines offer full-service interior design, brought to life through coordination with custom home builders and contractors. Starting from initial concepts and following through to the final detail, Homestyles brings expertise to help each client realize their own unique vision. Contact Homestyles Interior Design today and take the first step toward realizing your dream home.
WWW.HOMESTYLESINTERIORDESIGN.COM • 704-906-7469
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Lakeshore — Cuisine. Arts. Travel. —
FUSION FOR ALL Chef David Lucarelli of eeZ Fusion and The Cowfish is adding an American twist on Asian classics—and redefining comfort food. BY CLAIRE KUHLKIN • PHOTOS BY POPROCK PHOTOGRAPHY
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Cuisine
The Stick
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A new year tends to bring change—sometimes it takes time to adjust. Chef David Lucarelli found out first-hand when he took on the task of revamping the menu at eeZ Fusion & Grill, which launched earlier this year. The seasoned chef took the opportunity to add house-made dim sum and bao buns to his repertoire of PanAsian comfort food with a modern American twist. “Joining forces and gathering inspiration from other chefs and cultures is what really made these dishes come to life,” Lucarelli says. “Seeing masters like David Chang and Masaharu Morimoto challenge and educate guests on these cuisines really motivated me to show people that Asian food can be so much more than a strip-mall buffet,” Lucarelli says. When trying to reinvigorate the 10-year-old Birkdale Village favorite, he decided to focus on perfecting the basics. He began with the sushi rice. “Anybody can make rice, but getting to the point where it comes out the same time and time again is an art in itself, and that’s really what we were striving for,” he says. Working on the processes behind the scenes
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Pork Belly Steam Buns
Tom Yum Soup
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Angry Lobster was one of the biggest parts of finetuning the techniques that would ultimately lead to a more authentic Asian menu. The staff updated the way they worked with one another, blending the best of the organization and leadership of the kitchen managers with the creativity of the chefs. No dish better shows the results of this collaboration than the pork belly steamed buns. Lucarelli found his inspiration at a Super G Mart on Independence Boulevard in Charlotte where the bun specialist was happy to share his craft. From crafting the steamed bun they played with different ingredients, ultimately landing on a combination of smoked pork belly, homemade pickled veggies, and hoisin sauce. “We really want to cater to the community that we’re in. If you look around us there’s a yoga studio and juice bar, so we really want to fit the lifestyle of the people that
Dim Sum
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MONDAY 1/2 PRICE HAND CRAFTED COCKTAILS
TUESDAY 1/2 PRICE MARTINIS
WEDNESDAY 1/2 PRICE ON ALL BOTTLES OF WINE THURSDAY 1/2 PRICE ON ALL SAKE
SUNDAY $5 BLOODY MARYS AND MIMOSAS, $2 DOMESTICS AND SAKE BOMBS
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Tom Yum Soup have been loyal all these years,” Lucarelli says. “We’re working toward focusing on healthy, lighter dishes which are something that’s really engrained in Asian traditions.” Being a staple in the Birkdale community comes with its challenges. Since eeZ is near and dear to the hearts of its regulars, menu changes aren’t taken lightly. Chef Lucarelli has had plenty of pushback from those who have come to know and love eeZ’s original menu staples. Over the past two years he’s peppered in these changes gradually to ease his regulars into this new way of approaching old favorites. There have been plenty of rejections, but knowing his customers are so passionate about his food makes his goal of creating a culinary culture seem much more attainable. www.eezfusion.com Korean Vegetable Spring Roll
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Entertainment
On Track Samantha Busch gets her own photo finish with Murph Boutique.
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Samantha Busch has learned a thing or two around the racetrack. The wife of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch discovered it was the perfect testing ground for her new boutique. “I think just being out there and talking to so many people really gave me good insight,” she says. After listening to women share what kind of clothing styles they liked and what they couldn’t find, Busch fulfilled a life-long dream by opening Murph Boutique, an online retailer. “I travel with Kyle every weekend, but it’s always good to have something that you
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are super passionate about,” says Busch. I’ve always loved fashion. I love all things girlie.” The boutique is a tribute to her grandmother, Alvina, who was nicknamed Murph. Busch, the child of two working parents, spent a lot of time with her grandmother. She loved going through her closet and dressing up in her clothes, jewelry, and shoes. “Her fashion was always a statement,” Busch says. “She always told me it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.” Murph Boutique opened in January, on the day her late grandmother would have been 91.
An independent spirit, Busch’s grandmother proved women could be both powerful and feminine. It is a spirit Busch hopes to reflect in the selections at Murph. “She had a very unique style that was all her own. It was always feminine, but it pushed the envelope,” says Busch. “I would say that’s how my style is today.” The Murph line, which includes athletic wear in addition to more traditional boutique staples, stands out both in size range and price. Sizes offered at the e-boutique range from XS to 3X. The price point is typically less than $60 for
MICHELLE PORTER AND RYAN KINGSBURY
BY ALLISON ANDREWS
Brittany Richard, Whitney Scott, Madison Martin, and Samantha Busch model some of the styles available at Murph Boutique.
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each item and most pieces fall into the $20 to $30 category. “I think when you find the right outfit,” she says, “it gives you the right confidence to really walk into a room and own it.” The online retail model gives Busch the flexibility to stay involved in the business even with her traveling lifestyle. It also reflects what she sees as a growing trend: “As a mom, I do 90 percent of my shopping online.” The entire boutique’s supply and operation is housed at her husband’s race shop, on the second floor of KBM racing. Racks of clothes and shipping supplies fill an area once used for spare race car parts. Busch says her husband has been supportive of the venture. “He’s helped me with the logo design and when I was picking out clothes he would give me opinions.” Kyle even lent a hand to photo shoots for the boutique, “because he knows how important this is to me.” Also important for her is continuing to engage with fans, not just at the track but on social media. Busch has over 200,000 followers on Twitter, and over 80,000 on lakenormanmagazine.com
Instagram and Facebook. Now the social media maven is also handling all of Murph’s social channels. She is also collaborating with Charlotte firms Pink Social and Pink Toast to design race T-shirts with cute sayings. “We launched at midnight, and by the time I woke up the race T-shirts were pretty much sold out.” While race fans are a big part of her fan base, she hopes to reach all women. “I want every woman to feel confident and like her clothes and feel good in them,” Busch says. She stocks items with friends and family in mind, selecting clothes that fit their lifestyles. She even told her mom: “I want a store where you and I can both find stuff that we love.” Family is obviously important to this first-time mom. The couple’s son, Brexton, is now 20 months old. And speaking of family, Busch hopes her grandmother would be proud. “This would be something she loved if she was still here.”www. shopmurph.com
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Travel
THE CAJUN COMEBACK New Orleans, known for its grit and grandeur, isn’t merely open for business. A red carpet awaits your arrival. BY PAGE LEGGETT
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Hurricane Katrina changed New Orleans’ landscape and psyche. But it also proved the city’s mettle. Today, there’s little indication of the destruction the hurricane brought to America’s most Parisian city. The Super Dome, which served as sanctuary to the displaced, is more associated with bowl games and big concerts than emergency housing. But in Jackson Square, where artists line the periphery, there are reminders. Several artists advertise that their
frames are made from wood salvaged from Katrinadestroyed buildings. Some also advertise that their art is sized to fit in your carry-on, catering entirely to tourists. The French Quarter is still as decadent, exuberant, and (wrought) ironclad as ever. Café du Monde still serves strong chicory coffee and sweet beignets to the masses. Pat O’Brien’s still serves Hurricanes. (Get one to go. It’s legal to walk N’awlins streets with your alcoholic beverage.) The legendary Preservation Hall still serves up jazz.
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Ace Accommodations There’s a new Ace (www.acehotel.com/ neworleans)—the ultimate boho chic hotel— near the Warehouse district. Suites feature a turntable and an acoustic Martin guitar. Even regular rooms have full-size retro fridges and stocked bars—right down to olives and bitters. Great food is within easy reach. The Ace’s Josephine Estelle was one of the best new restaurants to open in 2016. The cocktail program is noteworthy; pop in just for a drink and the ambience. Consider sticking around for the John T. Burger—an homage to Southern food writer John T. Edge—with pickled lettuce, mustard, onions, and heavy on the cheese. Alto, the hotel’s lush rooftop garden and bar, is worth a visit. A few doors down is the buzz-worthy Seaworthy, an unassuming oyster bar housed in an 1832 Creole cottage. Lobster rolls, softshell crab, and frog lets—when was the last time you saw this on a menu?—join the raw oyster lineup. Should you tire of all the eating and drinking, shopping is a fine NOLA pastime. Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile” are shopping streets of international renown, butt give me Magazine Street any day. What it lacks in fame, it makes up in local charm. You’ll find high-end boutiques and antiques stores—and the odd pawnshop and vintage clothing store thrown in to keep it real. This is Saint City, after all. High-end and pedestrian cavort like crawfish and etoufee.
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New Orleans’ new Ace Hotel features plenty of charming and luxurious touches from a rooftop pool to its stylish Stumptown Coffee Roasters counter.
Eat—and drink—like royalty The old stalwarts (Galatoire’s, Commander’s Palace, Brennan’s) still attract crowds. So does Muriel’s, a Jackson Square staple. Its grand old building dates back to the mid-1700s. You’ll feel like you’re being welcomed into a rich friend’s exquisite home. After a dinner (prix fixe or a la carte) of wild mushroom gnocchi sprinkled with Parmesan and crispy prosciutto, the next stop is Muriel’s semi-secret speakeasy. The Séance Lounge used to be a bordello, and there are those who say it’s haunted. (Then again, most of New Orleans is allegedly prime real estate for ghosts.) Drink in authentic New Orleans with a Sazerac—typically made with Cognac, absinthe, bitters, and sugar. The Louisiana legislature declared it the city’s official cocktail in 2008. You have to love a city with an official mixed drink. N7, a quirky little place in the Ninth Ward that doesn’t take reservations and isn’t easy to find (even with GPS), was just named to Bon Appetit’s “Top 10 New Restaurants of 2016” list. N7 used to be a tire shop before it became an unpretentious wine bar and French bistro. Those persistent enough to find the refined hole in the wall will be rewarded with twinkling lights, easygoing service, and food that dreams are made of. N7 sort of typifies the city: It’s a mixture of high- and low-brow, gracious and gritty. The Crescent City has birthed its share of celebrity chefs, such as Emeril Lagasse, whose empire includes four restaurants in New Orleans alone. Meril, his newest creation, is a casual affair featuring some of his favorite recipes. John Besh is leading a new generation of celebrity chefs in New Orleans. August is his contemporary French concept and Domenica is his Italian restaurant inside The Roosevelt Hotel. He’s a partner in the casual Willa Jean’s—bakery by day, casual resto by night. The shortribs were Southern perfection with shaved Brussels sprouts and edible flowers sprinkled on top. And don’t miss the artichoke dip appetizer, which contains something addictive called “cheese business.”
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Local Color Music is everywhere in New Orleans. An acoustic guitarist was front and center near the food court at the airport. Near the airport’s main entrance, a Dixieland band played for tips. And there’s something to see or hear—rapping, break dancing, or a lone trumpeter—on nearly every street corner in the Quarter. But even in the birthplace of jazz, visual art is high on the list of attractions. Orange Gallery in the Quarter has a well-edited, happy mix of genres and a delightful, outgoing half-British/half-Dutch owner. Also in the Quarter (with a second location on Magazine Street) is Antieau Gallery, home to folk artist Chris Roberts-Antieau’s whimsical, primitive work. Oprah’s a fan. I hadn’t gotten my fill of art during the weekend, so I returned to the French Quarter—in a heavy rain—with an hour to spare before I had to be at the Louis Armstrong Airport. I ducked into one Royal Street gallery, where the owner marveled at the force of the downpour. “Oh, well,” she mused. “It’s the best way to get the streets cleaned.” That’s New Orleans for you: a (shot) glass half-full sort of place.
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Snapshot PHOTO BY JON BEYERLE
Jon Beyerle took this photo from his in-law’s beach in Cornelius. He loves landscape photography in general and taking photos of Lake Norman. Beyerle loves this spot in particular because he children can play on the beach while he takes photos, and there’s a dock with a single boat, making for an idyllic feel. “I knew by that afternoon that we’d get a great sunset because of the broken clouds on the horizon, so I loaded my kids in the car and grabbed my camera,” he said.
Send photos for consideration to kcoleman@charlotteobserver.com