The Quintessential Charlotte Luxury Magazine
Happiness + Hamburgers at the new Optimist Hall staple Harriet's Hamburgers pg. 106
the food and drink issue Is this the best burger in the state? Plus, our 50 favorite restaurants, the best patios to dine on this summer, how to support the culinary community right now, and much more. NO. 69
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AUG/SEPT 2020
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The Exclusives 106
America’s Favorite Pastime With or Without Cheese Harriet’s Hamburgers, a nostalgia-inducing throwback to a simpler time, lands squarely in Optimist Hall.
112
In This Together A look at the Queen City's restaurant industry and its strength, grit, and savvy to endure.
116
It’s Time To Eat From fine dining to the best fast casual, these are some of our favorite Charlotte restaurants, in no particular order.
122
2020 Food And Drink Guide From the finest caterers to classic Charlotte staples to creative New American, Italian, and even chicken sammies, this is some of the best food and drink in the Queen City.
This photo and cover photo of Harriet's Hamburgers by Jamey Price
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THE DEPA RTMEN TS
THE CULTURE ARTS, STYLE, AND WELLNESS
29
Finding Peace Renowned artists Trudi Norris's paintings
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12 x 12x 12 The art of Chris Clamp at Jerald Melberg Gallery
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66 53
THE SPREAD
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The Custom Difference An inside view of Enzo Custom from their space to their mission
46
Hustle Harder Uptown Charlotte’s only HIIT fitness studio
Intimismos The works of Franco Fasoli and Octavio Garabello at LaCa Projects
FOOD AND DRINK
53
Family Food The new Leah & Louise restaurant
58
Flavor Of Summer The Waterman's seafood menu
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60
Charlotte Al Fresco The patios to dine on this summer
64
Cordial's Charcuterie Board
66
Link & Pin's Chicken & Waffles
68
Dilworth tasting Room's Strawberry Daiquiri
70
Fahrenheit's Aviation
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THE DEPA RTMEN TS
86
THE FOLIO HOME AND DESIGN
73
Renovations Reimagined The couple behind Springdale General Contracting + Design
80
Kitchen Bliss A gorgeous kitchen and dining area from Karen Kettler
84
Globally Inspired Living A beautiful space from House of Nomad
86
A Lake Oasis Kingswood Custom Homes presents a truly unique waterside home on Lake Norman
82
In The Cove Grandfather Homes does outdoor living right
84 THE EXPLORED TRAVEL AND SPORTING
93
The Beach Club A grand Charleston resort you’ll never want (or need) to leave.
98
Where To Eat In Charleston Next time you're traveling to the Holy City, check out some of our favorites.
102
High Country Cheers Joshua Purdy enhances the Blue Ridge Mountain Club’s food and wine program.
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82 74 “The process is incredibly important to us.”
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THE NOTE
The Food Issue Editor's Note
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ELEVATED TASTES IN THE HEART OF UPTOWN. OPENING AUGUST 5 Explore the Kessler Collection’s newest boutique hotel in Uptown Charlotte with three tempting new dining experiences. Taste the blended cultures of Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Córdoba at Mico. Fuel your next adventure at The Bohemian Garden with casual bites and cocktails. Or abandon plans at our rooftop Búho Bar as you discover the essence of Argentina’s vibrant culture. Let your story unfold at Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte.
BOOK NOW BY CALLING 980.999.5510. @grandbohemiancharlotte
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his year's Food Issue is a very important one for us. Food — along with travel, home, culture, and sporting — has been one of our five pillars since we started the magazine. And for good reason. Gathering at a table and breaking bread is one of our favorite things to do with friends and family because it brings us all togeher. After all, a vibrant culinary scene adds so much to the fabric of a city. That's exactly what our friends at so many local restaurants have done for us and the city of Charlotte over the years. Their restaurants are where we celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, where we try something new, where we meet a friend for a beer, where we go on our first-dates, where we write our next business ideas down on a napkin, where we feel truly at home. However, the last five months have undoubtedly been the most trying times for the industry. Some of our favorites will never open their doors again. All of them have been forced to pivot. All of them have worked harder than ever. All of them have dealt with unfair obstacles and stresses beyond our imagination. And all of them need us today more than ever. The time is now to support your favorite local restaurants. Take advantage of their beautiful patios, order curbside, buy gift cards, get takeout, dine in at the ones that are open for service... but support them however you can within your comfort level. A person told me recently that you support causes, not with your opinions, but with your dollars. Right now, we all need to be in this together to help the industry that brings us together. Check out our Exclusives for how to support the industry, for our guide to some of our favorite Charlotte restaurants, and much more.
Sincerely, Jon-Paul Grice, Editor Brett Barter, Publisher
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On view at Mint Museum Uptown IMAGE: Summer Wheat (American, 1977–). With Side With Shoulder, 2019, acrylic on aluminum mesh. This work by contemporary American artist Summer Wheat was acquired with generous funding provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation’s Women Artists Fund.
We welcome your feedback—both positive and negative—and believe it is very valuable in our constant pursuit to be better as a publication. We encourage all of our readers to contact us with any critiques, compliments, or questions by email at info@qcexclusive.com. EDITORIAL Contact JP Grice by phone at 828-773-4922 or email at jp@qcexclusive.com. ADVERTISING Contact Brett Barter by phone at 704-219-9088 or email at brett@qcexclusive.com. INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Please contact us by email at sunny@qcexclusive.com. EVENTS & PARTNERSHIPS Post an event in QCExclusive or inquire about partnering with us for an upcoming event by email at info@qcexclusive.com.
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F I N DI NG PE ACE Renowned artist Trudi Norris’ paintings reflect her relationship with color, texture, and the complex ties between artist and viewer. words SAMANTHA HUSTED / photos JAMEY PRICE
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The Culture // Musings
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Trudi Norris first discovered her passion for art through her childhood adventures in rural North Carolina. Unlike most children, Norris wasn’t attracted to toys or plastic artifice. Instead, she sought the outdoors, enamored by the textures and shapes of the outside world. “I noticed how the streams would carve ripples in the mud beneath,” she explains. “Or how an ant hill could blend a unique protrusion so seamlessly with the ground. Before I knew there existed a term, I fell in love with abstract art.” An Asheboro native, Norris has lived in Charlotte for the last 22 years. She has since become a staple among the Queen City’s art scene, best known for her vibrant use of colors. According to her, her art often reflects memories of growing up in the country. She paints her interpretations of poetry, personal experiences, music, and friendships. Her unique and abstract paintings have been featured in local galleries throughout the state.
“Art is not a labor, but instead a love. Of course, there are times when there are struggles, but if I can tap into my creative process then I experience something indescribable.” 30 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • AUG / SEPT 2020
Before Norris begins each project, she runs her hands over the bare canvas, feeling the grooves of its surface. Through touch, she visualizes the art she is about to create. She starts by making an outline using graphite or charcoal. She has already chosen her colors. When everything is set, her passion takes over and she begins to paint. “I almost leave the room in a trance-like state, as shapes and vibrant colors flow together on canvas to create my abstract pieces,” says Norris. She works fast, moved by the acrylic paints before her. Her process involves adding and subtracting pigments, layering textures, and most importantly, portraying her energy through brush strokes. She follows her creative instincts, intuitively layering dimension into her work. She uses a variety of brushes, printmaking rollers, forks, and paint knives to achieve her unique style. The scale of her paintings varies greatly. She creates everything from small canvases to 70-inch by 70-inch pieces.
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The Culture // Musings
“I consider my biggest accomplishment to be the comfort and meditation therapy I receive from my work.” Her current project is called The Garden Series. It’s a series of signature works in which Norris paints en plein air, the natural surroundings influencing her brush strokes. She connects with the nature in which she’s immersed herself in order to produce her artistic interpretation. For Norris, the art she creates reaches far beyond aesthetic value. She considers the act of painting to be innately therapeutic. “I consider my biggest accomplishment to be the comfort and meditation therapy I receive from my work,” Norris says. “Art is not a labor, but instead a love. Of course, there are times when there are struggles, but if I can tap into my creative process then I experience something indescribable.”
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Trudi Norris’ paintings can be found on her website at trudinorris.com. She also accepts commissions. Her work is on display in the Anne Neilson Fine Art Gallery in Charlotte, as well as The Gallery at Grandover in Greensboro, and the Lucky Fish Gallery in Madison. Norris’ work will be part of the Roots exhibit in July of 2020, where the theme is “Contemporary Southern Artists.”
info trudinorris.com @trudinorrisstudio
The Culture // Exhibition
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12 X 12 X 12 Jerald Melberg presents the work of Chris Clamp words SUNNY HUBLER
photo courtesy JERALD MELBERG GALLERY
Chris Clamp’s upcoming exhibition 12 x 12 x 12 will open August 8 and run through September 19, 2020. The show features a series of twelve 12 inch square objects as portraits. The gallery will do a video exhibition tour with Chris and Jerald himself speaking about the work in the gallery, and the artist/owner talk will be open by appointment of visitors. Plans for an opening reception are still pending but the gallery
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will send updates via their email newsletter and social media. Clamp comes from a family of rural farmers in South Carolina, and his work, mainly done in the medium of painting, often explores ordinary objects and textiles. info jeraldmelberg.com / @jeraldmelberg
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The Culture // Exhibition
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I N T I M ISMOS LaCa Projects presents the works of Franco Fasoli and Octavio Garabello. words LIZA CARRASQUILLO
LaCa Projects presents INTIMISMOS, featuring works by Barcelona-based artist, Franco Fasoli, and Berlin-based artist, Octavio Garabello. This duo exhibition showcases each artist's intimate relationship with friends, lovers, technology, social media, and even art history, contextualized by the European city in which they have chosen to live. Through this study of intimacy, Fasoli and Garabello's latest works in painting and collage create a window through which we observe their daily, private moments: a bohemian way of living in a globalized world. INTIMISMOS has been extended through September 5 to allow more opportunities to see the show. Internationally recognized artist Franco Fasoli (who was fulfilling a residency at McColl
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photo courtesy MINT MUSEUM
Center when the pandemic hit, and has artwork in INTIMISMOS), has been using the gallery warehouse as a temporary studio. As a result, LaCa can provide clients with individualized appointments and studio visits. It is very rare to have such valuable access to an international artist and their process. The exhibition is composed entirely of images that reflect everyday, intimate moments; As many of us have largely shifted to virtual interactions and lots of at-home moments, the show is one that has become very relevant and serendipitous. info lacaprojects.com / @lacaprojects
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The Culture // Style
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T H E CUSTOM DI F F ER ENCE Get an inside view of Enzo Custom’s commercial space, their mission, sales process, and products. words ERIK A NESTO
Located in Charlotte Plaza in the heart of Uptown, Enzo Custom operates from Suite 2225. The boutique specializes in personalized custom menswear, with an overarching dedication to making your next investment in your wardrobe one that won’t break the bank. The space is clean, open, and classy with lots of natural light pouring in as you look at the skyline from an elevated perspective. There are tufted couches to sit on and even a pool table to make
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photos JAMEY PRICE
sure your experience helps you to unwind and maybe even have a little fun. The custom clothier was created in 2011 and has locations in Manhattan, Beverly Hills, Chicago, D.C., Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Charlotte. We asked Charlotte Sales Manager Dan Marco Toffolo all about Enzo Custom, their entry into the Charlotte market, and how to pick your next suit.
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The Culture // Style
How would you describe the style or aesthetic of your clientele in Charlotte? Is there anything that makes it unique? We provide a custom experience for our clientele; each client is unique. We partner with our clients, advise and consult based on their professional and personal life.
Why suits specifically, and for a young man or adult who doesn't have one yet, where is a good place to start? Suits are extremely personal. We wear suits for interviews, weddings, and events. A good place to start is to create a budget and choose something versatile for many different occasions.
What is the process like for a customer interested in a custom suit or tuxedo? The customer interested in learning more about what we do can simply make a complimentary consultation where we go into detail of the fitting, fabric and then a follow up fitting.
What makes Enzo different from other menswear providers? Enzo Custom is one of the only vertically integrated custom clothing companies. In addition to our own showrooms, we supply hundreds of other custom clothiers across North
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The Culture // Style
America. Our direct investment into our production process has allowed us to reduce cost and offer uncompromising quality control to our customers. We purchase all our fabrics in bulk and directly from the source. As a sales manager, what’s your day-to-day like? What do you love about your job? [It’s] never the same. I could be traveling to Atlanta and interviewing 15 potential clothiers or I could be in Chicago giving a presentation on business casual and client-facing formal. In addition, no matter what position I hold, I will always assist clients in fittings. What I love most about my
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job is assisting wedding clients and wedding parties from the first fitting in the beginning to the final fitting and pickup. I love that we are a part of such a special occasion. Can you tell us more about your fabrics? We offer 5,352 fabrics to our clients. We provide the information about how fabrics differ from each other, their features, and the benefits of each when clients are learning more before their purchases. We also have house fabrics we created for Super 150's and Super 180's. We always share our in-depth knowledge with each client to ensure a better purchasing decision.
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CRAIG MOONEY Charlotte City Horizon 36x36 Oil on Canvas
Shain Gallery | 2823 Selwyn Avenue, Suite K | Charlotte NC 28209 704-334-7744 | www.shaingallery.com
The Culture // Style
Available When You Need Us
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You will not find a more prepared attorney to handle your family law matters. No two families are the same, so no two legal solutions to your family’s unique needs should be the same, either. PRACTICE AREAS: Breach of Separation Agreement • Separation & Divorce Child Support & Custody • Property Division • Modification of Orders Domestic Violence • Spousal Support / Alimony • Premarital Consultations We begin by listening... We continue by clearly explaining your legal options, and at every step, we take care of the details, so you will have confidence you hired a team that stands behind our law firm’s reputation for excellence.
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Tips, tricks or information a client should know before an appointment to make the experience easier? Homework. Do your homework in terms of what the event is going to be (elegant, fun, formal, etc.) and how you want to be perceived. What's your personal favorite menswear accessory? By narrowing it down between a tie and pocket square, I'd say I could not live without a pocket square. I have over 40 suits and each one has a simple white pocket square. It breaks up the look of a solid and tones down a heavily patterned suit. Is there anything about the Charlotte market you find unique from other store locations? Each Enzo Custom Showroom is uniquely different. As I mentioned, the location here is amazing! The view is breathtaking. However, the people of Charlotte are terrific as well. I have met wonderful people; those who have lived here for their entire lives and transplants alike. I have built relationships here that will last a lifetime. info enzocustom.com / @enzocustom
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We offer: Customized Shea plans on your homesite | Homesite preparation and/or demo of existing home Modern Design Studio provides thousands of on-trend options Home Warranty | Large plan portfolio | Fixed Pricing Contracts Sales: Shea Group Services, LLC DBA Shea Realty (NC: C21630; SC: 10424). Construction by Shea Custom, LLC (NC: 68244; SC: G116078). This is not an offer of real estate for sale, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, to residents of any state or province in which registration and other legal requirements have not been fulfilled. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. Equal Housing Opportunity. 45 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • AUG / SEPT 2020
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The Culture // Wellness
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Uptown’s Only HIIT Fitness Studio words ELEANOR MERRELL / photos JAMEY PRICE
Two years ago, Thad Chevere, Destiny Wellreiter, and Dianna Bock had a joint dream. The trio, which formed through Charlotte’s exercise scene, aspired to create a strength-based HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout space. By December 2019, they had opened the Hustle House and made their vision a reality.
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The name Hustle House aptly evokes the core tenets of this business. “Hustle is a feeling — a mindset — and exhibits what Thad, Destiny, and I are about,” explains Dianna. “House” was chosen for that sense of hominess and belonging, which is indicative of the business’ commitment to creating a tight-knit workout community within their walls.
The Culture // Wellness
One Rep or One Hundred Hustle House has a little something for everyone. The workout space includes suspension straps, slam balls, kettlebells, rowers, bikes, a section of turf floor, and more. Trainers lead 50 minute workouts that vary in focus, sometimes targeting strength or conditioning, other times targeting fat burn or team building. Newcomers will find adaptable workouts that allow them to start at their own level, then scale up as strength and endurance build. Experienced HIIT exercisers will build lean muscle and maximize performance with trainer-suggested modifications to toughen workouts for maximum output. “Our philosophy is that Hustle House is a mindset. No matter whether you can do 1 rep or 100, you’re good as
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long as you are hustling,” says Bock. Group accountability and a bumpiing playlist help ensure that clients not only push hard when they’re at the House, but return day after day for that satisfying burn. Uptown Hustle Hustle House is located on East Stonewall Street, between the Nascar Hall of Fame and the curve of Brookshire Freeway. When selecting a location, the Hustle House team prioritized areas of Charlotte where people not only worked, but also lived and played. Ultimately, they found the perfect space: 2,800 square feet that the team has outfitted with a reception area, social lounge, smoothie bar, beautify bar, retail space, laundry center, two showers, and two bathrooms.
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The Culture // Wellness
Hustle House is also one of the only fitness facilities to house a Styku 3D Body Composition Scanner. The scanner is top of the line for progress measurement, tracking internal changes not reflected by a scale. The “house” feels urban; amid the chic lighting and trendy amenities, the Charlotte skyline exudes local pride from the back of the studio. Indeed, Hustle House is Charlotte through and through, working with local charities such as Beer and Burpees, the 24 Foundation, and Go Jen Go to help them reach their goals. A House and a Home What sets Hustle House apart from other workout studios is its commitment to foster community among its members before, during, and after workouts. “Clients are competitive internally, but connected externally. It’s the people who come here and welcome everyone who wants to get their hustle on that make Hustle House what it is,” says Bock. You can hear the sociability in the class changes. The music dies down and the participants debrief. “The sound in the studio turns from playlist to conversation, the best kind of noise,” says Bock. info hustlehousefitness.com @hustlehouseclt
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On view at Mint Museum Uptown As the world opens its doors again, The Mint Museum presents an exhibition of new and never-before-seen objects from its permanent collection. New Days, New Works features more than 80 works of art, including powerful photography, sculptures from international artists, striking paintings, brilliant fashion and more—all of which evoke a new perspective for a new day. IMAGE: Summer Wheat (American, 1977–). With Side With Shoulder, 2019, acrylic on aluminum mesh. This work by contemporary American artist Summer Wheat was acquired with generous funding provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation’s Women Artists Fund.
T H E S PR E A D
FOOD AND DRINK
FA MILY FOOD James Beard-nominated chef Greg Collier and wife Subrina's new restaurant Leah & Louise is a testament to their vision for Charlotte’s food scene. words SUNNY HUBLER photos JAMEY PRICE
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The Spread // Tastemaker
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James Beard-nominated Chef Greg Collier and Subrina Collier (the two are business partners and life partners) opened their new restaurant concept, Leah & Louise, right smack in the midst of the tumultuous spring 2020. The much anticipated addition to Camp North End (and the first eatery to open there) overcame the odds, and now sits at 1800 square feet with a signature juke joint flare, and provides a dinner service that delivers the Colliers’ and their team’s take on Memphis cooking. Their Mississippi River area-inspired eatery is a nod to the Colliers’ roots, but with their own well-honed modern twist. Every item in the restaurant, from the food choices to the pews, the steel cage bar storage to “the couches our grandmas wouldn't let us sit on,” is a
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nod to the fact that both Colliers were born and raised in Memphis, a place known for its history-steeped BBQ and a flavor profile Chef Collier describes as “sweet, smoky, acidic, and salty.” Expect dishes like oxtail and dumplings, tilefish, and smoked chicken, and slow roasted cabbage. The two will split their time, with Subrina and head chef Oscar Johnson running the couple’s other restaurant, Uptown Yolk, and Greg will be cooking at Leah & Louise every night with his Sous Chef Tchnavia Carter, Pastry Chef Jasmine Macon, and alongside general manager Jessica Riley. “Leah & Louise is a celebration of black women,” Greg notes. “It’s Southern food by way of the Mississippi river, and these women are the stewards of that ethos.”
Artisanal The Spread // Tastemaker
Why did you choose to set up shop in Camp North End? We have always loved industrial spaces. Camp North End is also in a historically African-American neighborhood, which is important to us and it is also very diverse. There are four Black-owned businesses here (Dupp & Swat, Blk Mrkt, eXplicit Salon, and Macfly Fresh Printing Company). What’s your personal favorite dish on the menu? If I had to pick, probably our Catfish stew. My goal as a cook is to speak directly to my heritage and my foodways. Fish and grits is quintessential Southern. Catfish stew and blackened catfish both speak to my roots. Who is heading up the bar program, and what can we expect? Justin Hazelton, formally of 5Church and Sophia's Lounge. The bar program will include riffs on classics, a strong use of local ingredients, and very technique-driven cocktails that will still remain approachable. There are also local beers on draft and a solid wine selection. What sets Leah & Louise apart? When I took over at Loft & Cellar (the Charlotte restaurant where Chef Collier previously cooked), our food was very expressive of black foodways. We got a Beard nomination while there and Subrina hadn't built the space. [Now] with her design, Justin's drinks, blues music, and my food, we will offer a singular experience. We are Black business owners so it’s important to us to find and promote black talent as much as we can. We believe that creates an environment for inspiration and a family atmosphere. Leah & Louise will serve a “Family Meal.” Can you tell us about this concept and how it came to be?
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We put the family meals on the daily menu now. We will change those with the season and will do a Sunday Supper after Phase 3 starts in North Carolina. Will you source any food locally? Always have, always will. We work with Freshlist (a local foodsourcing business that was created to “rework Charlotte's food system and to build a better food community”) and we have our own planter boxes for herbs. What are your goals for the first year of the restaurant and beyond? Obviously our biggest goal is to create a healthy environment for our guests. We hope we can continue to push forward the culinary scene. Hopefully we will have promoted staff and highlighted more African-American talent in the city. Opening a restaurant is an incredible undertaking during "normal times." Can you just talk to us a bit about the process of opening this year, and what it means to you to be able to open finally? We don't see a lot of spaces created for young Black folks in the city, places where you can have a great meal, a great drink, and listen to some good music. We think we have created that and more. It feels amazing to be able to welcome everybody into our world, our home! Honestly COVID was hard but Subrina and I didn't start with SBA loans, and we don't come from money. We borrowed 15 thousand dollars from her parents and had to figure sh** out. The pandemic is different, but not much different than trying to navigate through racism. info leahandlouise.com / @leah_and_louise
The Spread // Eatery
I
F L AVOR OF SU M M ER The Waterman's sustainable seafood menu hits the spot on a warm summer day in the Queen City. words SUNNY HUBLER / photos JAMEY PRICE
In 2016, Sea Level NC, an upscale Uptown seafood dining destination, made a splash in the Queen City. Paul Manley, the founder of Sea Level NC and a partner at Damian Dining, the group behind Growlers Pourhouse and the Crepe Cellar, then turned his focus, in 2018, to South End, where earlier this year he introduced Sea Level NC’s “kid cousin,” The Waterman. Like Sea Level NC, The Waterman prioritizes sustainable seafood sourcing and relies heavily on Manley’s extensive network of ethical sea farmers, not just for ingredients, but also for mission and ambience. With its rooftop views, chilled cocktails, and perfectly refreshing menu items, it has since become one of our very favorite places for summer time dining. The team relies heavily on seasonal ingredients, so get these dishes and bevvies while you can. info sealevelnc.com @sealvelnc
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To Eat The Fisherman's Pick Sandwich: Beer-battered cod, with housemade pickles, cole slaw, and tartar on a brioche bun. Shrimp Skewers: Grilled shrimp served on a pineapple pilaf with chipotle maple glaze. Chicken and Waffles: Fried Springer Mountain chicken served on two pearled sugar Belgian waffles with a chipotle maple syrup. Salmon Spinach Salad: Romaine and spinach with candied pecans, craisins, cotija, grape tomatoes, and a honey vinaigrette with seared salmon. Ceviche: Fresh catch fish, with grapefruit, pineapple, red onions, cilantro, red bell peppers, grapefruit, lime and a jalapeño agave. To Drink: The Brooklynite cocktail: Made with plantation pineapple Rum, dark rum, honey, and lime. Rosemary Pomegranate Martini cocktail: Absolut Vodka, with Pama, pomegranate, rosemary, and lime. Bourbon Slush: Old Forester Bourbon, with black tea, orange juice, and lemonade.
128 S. Tryon St., Suite 860 (Corner of 4th/Tryon) • Charlotte, NC 28202
www.uptowncharlottesmiles.com • 704-342-3213
The Spread // Outdoor Dining
Flower Child
Fahrenheit
I
CH A R LOTTE A L F R ESCO Some of our favorite Charlotte restaurant patios to enjoy this season. words SUNNY HUBLER / photo of Flower Child JAMEY PRICE / photo of Fahrenheit courtesy FAHRENHEIT
If you’re looking for a way to safely support the Queen City’s restaurants and get a much needed break from wherever you’re quarantining these days, we’ve got just the solution: patios and courtyards. Fortunately, there are a ton of options in Charlotte when it comes to al fresco dining. We’ve assembled a guide to some of the city’s best patios, courtyards, and gardens where you can wine and dine to your heart’s content. Fahrenheit What better way to dine outside than on a rooftop overlooking the city skyline? Fahrenheit’s rooftop patio and rooftop garden both fit the bill. Enjoy a Fahrenheit cocktail and unwind as a skyhigh breeze blows across the rooftop. Flower Child Flower Child boasts one of the biggest restaurant patios in South End. Come for the people watching but stay for the food, like the teriyaki shrimp and avocado bowl, steak wrap, and heirloom tomato and watermelon salad. Kid Cashew Kid Cashew’s tagline says it all: “No freezers. No fryers. No heat lamps.” Here, you’ll find fresh food prepared without shortcuts, from salads to shared plates, to grilled entrees and sandwiches. Dine al fresco on an inviting patio with hanging plants, twinkly lights, and a warm brick backdrop.
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Noble Smoke Fingerlickin’ good beef, pork, and poultry smoked to perfection over hickory coals? Yes, please. Order as much as you can plus some delicious sides while seated on the restaurant’s seriously spacious patio. Napa on Providence Napa on Providence offers sophisticated small plates and entrees with California flair as well as a painstakingly curated wine list and one of the best outdoor dining areas in Myers Park. Hawkers Hawkers offers a taste of something deliciously different in South End. Here you’ll find a wraparound porch with casual seating that overlooks a large inviting Southend patio. Optimist Hall Gems like The Dumpling Lady, Papi Queso, and Velvet Taco, plus libation stations like Fonta Flora. Outdoor dining space abounds in the space between the building’s “U” shape and at its entry points. Camp North End From food stalls to full-blown establishments, Camp North End, like Optimist Hall, offers a diverse smattering of tastes. Bleu Barn Bistro, La Caseta, Leah & Louise, Saru, and Chop & Chisel are a few of the current tenants, with more to come.
O U R L OW E S T O F F E R E V E R ! S U B S C R I B E T O DA Y A N D R E C E I V E 9 I S S U E S O F Q C E X C L U S I V E — T H E QU I N T ESSE N T I A L CH A R LOTT E LU X U RY M AGA ZI N E — FOR J UST $2/ ISSU E .
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The Spread // Outdoor Dining
Dilworth Tasting Room Entering the patio at Dilworth Tasting Room feels like stepping into a secret garden. In fact, the lush greenery, wrought iron patio furniture, gentle lighting, and above all, koi pond, might make this the best restaurant patio in Charlotte. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Charlotte’s oldest brewery, OMB, features a sprawling beer garden with plenty of room (eight acres!) to spread out. Resident Culture Shade is critical in the North Carolina summertime, and Resident Culture has plenty of it. Their covered porch affords shady seating, and lawnperched picnic tables offer a sunnier alternative for days. Sycamore Sycamore’s outdoor patio far exceeds their taproom’s square footage. Consequently, it has long been the focal point for this brewery’s visitors. Tap offerings include the ever-popular Mountain Candy IPA and seasonal goodies. Charlotte Beer Garden The Charlotte Beer Garden’s front patio is a great place to perch and watch city life unfold. Yet, even when you’re inside the building, you feel like you are outside. That’s because every window and door panel opens, meaning fresh air abounds.
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NoDa Company Store This neighborhood staple recently updated its already swanky outdoor space. Swing seats replaced many of the metal stools, and new straw umbrellas and roof structures add a tiki hut vibe to the atmosphere. Oh My Soul Place your order at the counter and walk around to the back of the house, where picnic tables, tree stump stools, and blankets strewn across lush grass offer a variety of seating options.
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The Spread // Plated
COR DI A L'S
CH A RCU T ER I E BOA R D words SUNNY HUBLER / photo JAMEY PRICE
SouthPark’s first rooftop bar and restaurant, Cordial (at the top of the AC Hotel) relies heavily on locally sourced ingredients to create unique craft cocktails. If you stop by after work or during your stay for a beverage and a bite, the charcuterie board always
makes for a crowd pleaser. With marcona almonds, an assortment of local meats and soft and hard cheese, stone ground mustard, grilled pita and fresh bread, and pickled veggies, it’s a wonderful mix-match of flavors and textures. Enjoy the views while you nosh.
— info — cordialclt.com / @cordialclt
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The Spread // Plated
L I N K & PI N'S
CHICKEN & WA FFLES words ERIK A NESTO / photo JAMEY PRICE
Give your tastebuds the sweet and salty combination they’ve been craving during your next brunch excursion. South End's Link & Pin offers their chicken and waffles with unique flavor choices like their house-made sticky bun bourbon maple syrup and watermelon with mint as the side. The waffles come dusted in powdered sugar and with hot sauce on the side for the crispy chicken. Pair it with Link & Pin’s mimosa flight during the weekends for shareable fun. All together, the team’s twist on chicken and waffles is a little sweet, a little salty, and a kick of spicy, making for a meal you’re sure to remember (and come back for). — info — linkandpin.com / @linkandpinnc
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The Spread // Poured
DI LWORT H TAST I NG ROOM'S
ST R AW BER RY DA IQU I R I words SUNNY HUBLER / photo JAMEY PRICE
This summertime classic gets a fresh update from the bar team at Dilworth Tasting Room — and we can’t think of a better place to sip it than their string-light strewn, lush back patio. The berryforward beverage comes with 2 oz of your favorite liquor, 1 oz of strawberry vanilla cinnamon syrup, and 1 oz of lime juice, shaken and strained into a glass and garnished fresh strawberry and lime. — info — dilworthtr.com / @dilworth_tasting_room
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This bite started here.
The Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Showroom will help you create a kitchen that’s uniquely yours. On-site chefs, product experts, and inspiring designs will help you envision the possibilities for your home – and all of the delicious moments to come.
C O N TA C T O U R S H O W R O O M 127 West Worthington Avenue, Suite 180, Charlotte, NC 28203 • 704-375-6025 • subzero-wolf.com/charlotte
The Spread // Poured
FA HRENHEIT'S
AV I ATION words LIZA CARRASQUILLO / photo JAMEY PRICE
Cocktails are meant to be an experience for the drinker. They’re meant to engage the senses and bring flavors together in a way that makes the drinker smile with each sip. Few establishments understand that better than Fahrenheit. Their Alexis Aviation cocktail is a true journey. Hendrick’s Gin acts as the pilot, bringing a bold punch of flavor to the glass. The Luxardo and lemon juice add a sweet tartness, while the house-made crème de violette pulls everything together into a smooth, velvety mixture. As an added bonus, the cocktail’s unique purple hue makes it look just as stunning as it tastes. — info — chefroccowhalen.com / @fahrenheitclt
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The Best at Natural Stone. The Best at Porcelain.
Porcelain is the hot new trend for countertops but, due to the challenges it brings, few fabricators are willing to work with it. We looked at its arrival on the scene differently. Three years ago, we flew to Italy, where the product is made, to learn from the best fabricators in the world. We are Charlotte’s experts for porcelain countertops, fireplaces, and shower surrounds.
Photo by Jim Schmid Photography
C H A R L O T T E ’ S P R E M I E R S T O N E FA B R I C AT O R
•
MINUTES FROM UPTOWN
cadenzagranite.com 704-788-2744
T H E F OL IO
H O M E A N D D ES I G N
R ENOVATIONS R EI M AGI N ED The couple behind Springdale General Contracting + Design stop by for a chat. words SUNNY HUBLER photos of homes by JOHNY WALKER portraits by JAMEY PRICE
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The Folio // Foundation
“People ask us all the time how we do it as a married couple, but we enjoy bouncing ideas off of one another and collaborating to grow and refine our business.”
B
Brian and Andrea Seymour make for a powerhouse duo: With Brian as a General Contractor and Realtor, Andrea focuses her energy on design and operations. The result is the couple’s built-from-the-ground-up business, a unique client-driven experience called Springdale General Contracting + Design. “We work great together,” Andrea says simply. “People ask us all the time how we do it as a married couple, but we enjoy bouncing ideas off of one another and collaborating to grow and refine our business.”
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The Seymours knew they wanted to create a different (and better) type of construction service. While their main focus remains on residential renovations, they do both residential and commercial renovations and new builds, and love the ability to tailor business specifically to clients and to the market. Springdale covers projects primarily from central to south Charlotte, often in SouthPark, Myers Park, and Eastover. Andrea and Brian told us a bit more about their unique business plan, the industry, and what’s next.
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luxur y kitchens and bathrooms
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The Folio // Foundation
“The process is incredibly important to us. I come from a hospitality background, so making this an enjoyable experience for our clients is something I'm very passionate about, and have spent a significant amount of time developing.” What are your respective backgrounds? Brian: I got started in single family housing at the age of 15, framing houses and installing interior trim. I’m a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in Construction Management. After I graduated, I went on to work for some large outfits in Georgia, Texas and North Carolina where I developed a strong foundation on projects in healthcare, education, and large mixed-used multi-family/ commercial developments. Andrea: My degree is from Western Michigan University in Tourism and Travel, with minors in both Business and Sociology. Growing up, my parents built homes and my Dad owns a plumbing and boiler company to this day, so I was raised on job sites. I guess I should have known I'd end back up where I started!
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How did you two meet? What made you decide to start a business together? Andrea: The story of how we met is pretty funny actually. We were both on vacation with our families in Fort Lauderdale, Brian visiting his sister who lives there and Andrea on a weekend trip with her mom. We all met at a restaurant on the ocean, then dated long distance until Brian decided to make the Queen City his home. The rest is history! Explain your unique process when working with clients. Andrea: The process is incredibly important to us. I come from a hospitality background, so making this an enjoyable experience for our clients is something I'm very passionate about, and have spent a significant amount of time developing. We are focused on high quality craftsmanship and taking great care of our clients and their homes.
P H OTO G R A P H E R : E R I N C OM E R F O R D • D E S I G N / B U I L D : B E T S Y B R U N N E M E R / A D D I S O N B U I L D I N G G R O U P
THE HOME OF CUSTOM CABINETRY AND AN EXPERT DESIGN TEAM. Whether you’re ready for a complete overhaul of the kitchen, laundry, bathroom, or other cabinet-filled areas of your home, or just a little counsel, the DesignLoft team has the expertise to handle any need.
2 9 1 4 S E LW Y N AV E N U E , C H A R LOT T E , N C 2 8 2 0 9 • ( 7 0 4 ) 3 3 9 - 0 2 2 2 • D E S I G N LO F TC A B I N E T S . C OM
The Folio // Foundation
“It’s our mission for the construction process to feel different and better than it has historically for many folks.” How did you decide what services to offer, and what are those services specifically? Andrea: We have decided to focus largely on renovations because we really like that every project is different; there are no two renovations that are alike. Brian is so talented and can walk into a space and almost see through the walls. The two of us have a really great vision together that we love to help bring to life for our clients. What are some important things for potential or prospective clients to know about working with you? Andrea: We absolutely love what we do. It’s our mission for the construction process to feel different and better than it has historically for many folks. Investing in your home and choosing the right General Contractor for your project is so important. Personality-wise, it has to be cohesive and a good fit. One of the biggest mistakes in our opinion that you can make is to select based on the lowest price. We have very strong estimating accuracy, so it's important for people to know that just because a price they receive might be low, it may not be accurate. Ask questions, and look at reviews carefully.
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What are some of your most memorable jobs? Andrea: Probably the most memorable was the project for which we were awarded the 2019 North Carolina Home Builders Association Addition of the Year. We transformed a run down 1960’s ranch into a gorgeous two story French Country Style home in the Olde Providence neighborhood. Philanthropy is central to the business, too. Why did you choose Foster Village Charlotte to partner with and support? Brian: Foster care is a silent epidemic within our community. There are currently about 600 children in foster in Mecklenburg County. The founders of Foster Village are four local foster moms who tirelessly advocate for children and families in our community. So, while we give to several different organizations (we also love Catering to Cats and Dogs and The Leukemia Lymphoma Society), we have decided to focus the majority of our efforts to Foster Village Charlotte. Andrea serves on their executive board as well. info springdalecharlotte.com / @springdalecharlottenc
Countertops courtesy of mother nature,
Craftsmanship by instyle
instyle E S T. 1 9 9 4
w w w. i n s t y l e c h a r l o t t e . c o m INSTYLE CHARLOTTE // ( 7 0 4 ) 6 6 5 - 8 8 8 0 // 801 Pressley Rd. Charlotte, NC 28217 INSTYLE LAKE NORMAN // ( 7 0 4 ) - 3 6 0 - 9 8 7 1 // 736 Brawley School Rd. Mooresville, NC 28117
Your home... reimagined
704-604-0167 • pheasanthilldesigns.com • @kendrapheasanthilldesigns
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The Folio // Vignette
K ITCH EN BL ISS words SUNNY HUBLER / photo JIM SCHMID
Karen Kettler, of Karen Kettler Design, completed this kitchen overhaul in September of 2019. The existing space in this SouthPark home was small, dark and dysfunctional before she entered, and today it’s the polar opposite: The new kitchen is a bright, airy space that is much more inviting for family and friends gatherings. “We eliminated the wall between the kitchen and dining room and relocated the laundry between the kitchen and den,” Kettler explains. It’s a classic design, meant to last for the next 20 years, and Karen implemented a two-tone color scheme
instead of all white for a room that is interesting, warm, and functional. The cabinetry comes from Touchstone Fine Cabinetry, countertops are by Marble and Stone Shop, the tile is by Crossville and Walker Zanger, appliances by Bosch, and plumbing from Majestic Bath. “The clients dreamed about a kitchen renovation for 20 years,” Karen shares. “I felt honored that they chose me to collaborate with them and could not have had a sweeter experience making their dreams come true.”
— info — karenkettlerdesign.com / @karenkettlerdesign
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DOORS & HARDWARE
TLG Doors & Hardware RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | REMODELING
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The Folio // Vignette
I N T H E COV E words SUNNY HUBLER / photo MICHAEL BLEVINS
This unique Lake Norman home, built by Grandfather Homes, had a very specific design goal: “We didn’t want to necessarily build a home, but create a lifestyle space,” owner Matt Ewers explained. “The home [was meant to be] a vehicle for expanding your mind, body, and spirit. Building on the elevated lake lot allowed us to create floating spaces over land, air, and water. These spaces delight the eyes, refresh the spirit, and provide unlimited activities.”
With the lake access as a standout natural feature, the outdoor space of this home had to shine. You’ll find 300-degree lake views, a custom garage, folding nine-foot aluminum clad rear doors for a 16-foot opening at the upper terrace, marble accent walls, custom metalwork, and an integrated concrete pool and spa. Alongside Grandfather Homes, the project was achieved with the help of Bryan Mermans Architecture and Design, Tammy Coulter Design, and Ted Clery Landscape Architect.
— info — grandfatherhomes.com / @grandfatherhomes
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417 East Boulevard, Suite 203 Charlotte, NC 28203 704.385.4331
The Folio // Vignette
GLOBA L LY I NSPI R ED L I V I NG words SUNNY HUBLER / photo L AURA SUMRAK
The House of Nomad team, under the direction of owners and principal designers Kelley Lentini and Berkeley Minkhorst, added their distinctive cheerful character to this Sedgefield craftsman in late spring of this year. The clients went to Kelley and Berkeley looking for an inviting, updated style that could be functional for their growing family, as well. The overall vibe, reflected perfectly in this living room, is a comfortable, global, modern aesthetic — what House of Nomad does best.
The rug, framed textiles, and leather accent chairs in this space all came from The House of Nomad shop in Myers Park, a retail space curated by hand by the two talented designers. “We were able to design several pieces of furniture and lighting for this project while we were in Bali and in Morocco,” Kelley adds. “It was such an exciting project being able to bring it to life with things from our travels and our own designs.”
— info — houseofnomaddesign.com / @houseofnomaddesign
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OPEN NEW POSSIBILITIES
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The Folio // Blueprint
A L A K E OASIS Kingswood Custom Homes presents a truly unique waterside home in Lake Norman. words SUNNY HUBLER photos MICHAEL BLEVINS
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The Folio // Blueprint
L
Lake Norman, just a short drive from Uptown Charlotte, is a beautiful escape from the city and a great way for a slower pace of life while still having access to all Charlotte has to offer. Completed in April 2019, this new Kingswood Custom Homes build is a contemporary classic meant to capture the spirit of lake living and the forward thinking style of a growing urban market. With offices in Charlotte and Kiawah, Kingswood offers exceptional building services to homeowners in the Carolinas. Owner Peter Leeke manages the homebuilding while co-owner Louise Leeke heads the interior design department. Their combined talents produce high caliber homes and top notch results. This particular home was created in a concave design to allow the homeowners the chance to appreciate the views out of every single room in the house — easily one of the very best parts of living on the water.
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The house clocks in at six bedrooms, four full and one half bathrooms, and a spacious 12,000 square feet. The clean lines are mixed with classic materials like calacatta marble in the master bathroom, and white oak on the floors and the ceilings in the main living area. The custom wine cellar was designed to separate the dining room from the bar and also function from both sides. The specialty five-car garage features a wash bay, specialty automotive cabinets, and a lift for cars. There is also a potting shed attached to the garage, overlooking the breezeway down to the lake. Robert Dame, out of Houston, served as the architect on this project, Louise Leeke of Kingswood Custom Homes served as the designer, and the furnishings came from Layton Campbell of J. Layton Interiors. “The clients wanted a livable space for their everyday life,” the Kingswood team explains. “Plus, a special garage for the
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The Folio // Blueprint
Ferrari-loving husband so he could work on his beautiful cars. The client also has several pieces of beautiful art so another thing we wanted was to make sure neutral colors were used throughout, so the home could be a canvas in itself for the art.” The entire first floor is designed for the couple to live in and the upstairs is designed for guests and entertainment – the upstairs has a bunk room, four guest bedrooms, a golf simulator, bar, pool table playing area, and a viewing porch that
overlooks the pool and Lake Norman. The client’s also wanted an indoor/outdoor shower. The outdoor shower features a ceiling heater that allows the homeowners to use this area year-round. There is also an exercise room. The home is truly set apart by the unique concave shape, the zinc metal roof, and the beautiful stone detail around the arched front entry. Plus, to further tie together the marriage of the indoors and outdoors, the infinity edge pool was specially designed to become one with the lake.
— info — kingswoodhomes.com / @kingswoodhomes
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A Private Mountain Community Worth Exploring
Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This information shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required. Š 2015 Blowing Rock Resort Venture, LLC.
T R AV E L A N D S P O R T I N G
T H E E X PL OR E D
T H E BE ACH CLU B A grand Charleston resort you’ll never want (or need) to leave. words ERIK A NESTO / photos courtesy THE BEACH CLUB
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The Explored // Weekender
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Make your stay in Charleston as memorable as it should be with a marina-facing view along Charleston harbor at The Beach Club luxury resort. With 92 guestrooms, this upscale destination is just three miles from I-526, close to food and shopping at City Market, and a six minute walk from Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. If you’re looking for an oasis in an idyllic coastal setting, than The Beach Club will be the perfect place to escape and relax for a slow, Southern weekend.
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Complementing the historic Mount Pleasant Village, this getaway’s architecture highlights the Lowcountry aesthetic, complete with impressive wraparound porches. Everything feels authentic here, from the experience to the high-end accommodations, personalized service, and many details. Relish in the warm weather and palmetto trees from your balcony or patio, or relax from a day of heat in your room’s oversized bathtub. Select a harbor view or suite with separate living rooms and enjoy the fine furnishings, hand-painted
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The Explored // Weekender artistry, and custom-made beds in every one. Unwind right on the water at Charleston Harbor Fish House, the resort’s premier restaurant, for fresh air, seafood and drinks. Whether the catch of the day or landbased cuisine better suits you, you’ll always find a seasonally-centered, rotating menu of locally-sourced ingredients at this eatery for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Choose from not one, but four different on-resort bars: Bridge Bar, Reel Bar, Beach Club Tiki Bar or Topsail Lounge. While there, catch some rays and challenge your loved ones to friendly competition with a game of bocce on the private seaside court, chess on the life-size outdoor board, cornhole, volleyball or aqua golf. Go crab-hunting with the little ones or swing by the Harborside Gift Shop or Marina Store for a s’mores kit to gather around a beach fire pit. Give your skin and back a break in the cozy, reclining, 33-seat movie theater complete with surround sound. Want to get out of the bubble and spend a day exploring the historic downtown? No problem, just hop on The Beach Club’s Charleston Water Taxi from the marina. With a private beach, Charleston’s only waterfront tiki bar, a 30,000-square-foot tropic pool deck with private cabanas, the Estuary Spa, children programs, and an array of water activities for the whole family, Charleston Harbor Resort is truly a one-stop destination you won’t need to leave. info charlestonharborresort.com @beachclubcharleston / @charlestonharborresort
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The Explored // Culinary Destination
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W H ER E TO E AT I N CH A R L ESTON Next time you're traveling to the Holy City check out some of our favorites. words SUNNY HUBLER AND GINA MCCALLIE / photo JD ROSS
Besides its breathtaking beaches, historic architecture, and buzzing nightlife, Charleston has long been known for its remarkable culinary scene. The Holy City is a staple of the South and popular for world-renowned chefs, known for their dedication to craft as well as locally-sourced ingredients. When in Charleston, expect a dedication to unique atmosphere, excellent service, and everything from the most creative fusion to classic southern food. We might bore you here if we were to launch into a list of every place we’ve ever had a great meal in Charleston, and we’d likely end up getting into particulars, too — do dessert cocktails eaten with a spoon count as “meals”? Do the restaurants in Mt. Pleasant count as “Charleston restaurants”? Instead, we decided for now on a shorter, more manageable option for you, our reader, to tackle: These are the top places in Charleston where we’ve eaten a meal we can’t forget just this year. Here they are, in no particular order.
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Chez Nous Chez Nous, “our home,” is a classic French style restaurant located in Downtown Charleston with a daily changing menu and locally sourced ingredients. The homey atmosphere will give you the illusion of dining in a quaint European home. The cuisine features food from Southern France, Northern Italy and Northern Spain. There are two different options between starters, entrees and desserts, which change daily. Our recommendation: Visit Chez Nous for a truly intimate dining experience and an incredibly well-executed nod to French cooking, but be sure to book a reservation well in advance. The Ordinary The Ordinary is the perfect place to experience the fancy seafood scene that the Holy City is known for. Located on King Street, The Ordinary is an expansive restaurant and
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The Explored // Culinary Destination popular Oyster Bar with an artistic atmosphere and everchanging fresh options. With a full wine and beer list, The Ordinary also sports specialty cocktails. Our recommendation: Try the gigantic double or triple Shellfish Tower, and snag a seat upstairs on the mezzanine. It’s cozy and you can look down onto the buzzing restaurant below. Purlieu Situated on the edge of Charleston's Westside neighborhood, this teeny little French bistro was our New Year’s Eve dinner reservation this year. We were glad it was — from the authentic Champagne to the duck, it was the perfect meal to cap off 2019. Renowned local chef John Zucker of Cru Catering dishes up frog leg tarte and rabbit rillet alongside items like local seafood bouillabaisse and pork chop; the reclaimed wood ceilings in the cafe-style dining room, and the cafe's light blue and white hues are reminiscent of a seaside village in France. Our recommendation: Book a seat at the chef’s counter so you can watch the masters navigate the small space with ease, and see each diner’s delicious dish come together from start to finish. Trattoria Lucca A trip to Charleston wouldn’t be complete without indulging in some authentic Italian cuisine. The acclaimedChef Ken Vedrinski o has crafted the perfect Tuscan comfort restaurant on the corner of Bogard Street. With locally-sourced fare, Trattoria Lucca daily specials as well as menu classics and a full, robust wine list. Fresh pasta made in house with organic semolina flour will pair perfectly with the warm-lit and homey atmosphere of the corner restaurant. Our Recommendation: Trattoria Lucca is the perfect place for a romantic date. Sit at the corner bench among pillows and candlelight and enjoy hand-made pasta. Husk We’d be remiss not to mention Husk where local fare, heirloom products and a contemporary twist on classic Southern ingredients has transformed into a nouveau lowcountry style food. Beyond the tasty food, Husk is unique in that it creates the perfect Southern atmosphere, set in an actual 1893 Victorian-style house right in the heart of Historic Downtown Charleston on Queen Street. Husk has collected many awards for their cuisine including the James Beard Award for Best Chef Southeast. Again, this is one you won’t get a spot at unless you book well in advance. Our Recommendation: If you miss out on a dining slot, at least snag a seat at the bar to enjoy the iconic eatery. If you
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can dine in, order the “real cornbread,” served fresh in a skillet with Benton’s bacon crumble to start. For supper, the sweet and spicy glazed duck leg with XO-fried cauliflower is a staple on the menu for good reason. Malagón Mercado y Tapería Malagón is the perfect place for those interested in authentic Spanish cuisine. The sister restaurant of Chez Nous, the team is led by chef Juan Casalett. The market offers authentic Spanish cheeses, Spanish wines, as well as seafoods of all sorts. The atmosphere is quaint and welcoming, and the menu offers the rich textures and tastes of Spain. The Tapería features small plates which heavily focus on pork as is authentic Spanish cuisine, but the menu also can accommodate many dietary restrictions. The beer and wine list is also strict in nature, featuring bold tastes exclusively from Spain. Our Recommendation: Bring the family so you can order widely. For the lover of Spanish and seafood cuisine, we suggest the pulpo a feira, octopus with potatoes and paprika. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the chicharrones de cádiz, fried pork belly topped with cumin. Chubby Fish Located in Cannonborough, just a block off King Street, Chubby Fish is the perfect casual neighborhood seafood spot. Its daily-changing menu is packed with warm flavors delivered to your table with innovative preparations. Chubby Fish prides themselves on serving fresh fish caught straight from the waters of Charleston in their partnership with local fishermen and farmers. Don’t forget to grab a glass of wine from the full wine list and oysters from the raw bar. Our Recommendation: Come early to grab a spot as this small eatery fills quickly. Grab the menu staple Smoked Mahi-Mahi Curry, with fresh flavors of peanut, eggplant, citrus and rice. Fig Top off your visit to Charleston with another Southerninspired restaurant in the downtown Historic Charleston district. FIG, or “Food Is Good”, boasts the lowcountry chef favorite Mike Lata who crafts new and contemporary dishes with classic and locally sourced Southern ingredients. With an upscale-bistro setting and a menu that pays homage to the Lowcountry, you will understand why Fig is so popular with the locals. Their wine list focuses on relevance and quality over quantity. Our recommendation: FIG is the perfect place for an upscale Southern-style dinner so if you need to take the family out or celebrate a special occasion, this is your go-to. We recommend trying the Mustard Crusted Amberjack, with yukon gold puree, fall grenobloise, and jus roti.
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The Explored // Resort Cuisine
H IGH COU N T RY CH EER S
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Joshua Purdy enhances the Blue Ridge Mountain Club’s food and wine program. words LIZA CARRASQUILLO
photos PAUL SHERAR / REALBOONE.COM
The Blue Ridge Mountain Club has always valued High Country living and a sense of community above all else. It’s no surprise that they expect newcomers to do the same. Fortunately, Joshua Purdy fit right in. After growing up in the Ozark Mountains, Purdy eventually relocated to the Blue Ridge Mountains to work at Artisanal. His love of the mountains—and the people that populated them—led him to put down permanent roots by becoming the new sommelier at BRMC and further elevate the experience at this one-of-a-kind, North Carolina mountain destination. Purdy talks to us about his new role and his plans for the food and wine program at Lookout Grill and Jasper House.
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You’re a level two sommelier. Can you tell us what that means? The Court of Masters has four different levels of certification for sommeliers… The Level Two certification is all self-study. Not only do you have to pass a theory test, but you must also pass a Service Test in which a Master Sommelier is verbally quizzing you…You must also use the Deductive Wine Tasting Method to identify four wines by sight, smell and taste. You must identify the varietal of grape, region of the world that it’s from and the wine’s age. It’s my goal to become a Master Sommelier by the time I’m 40. When you first started, BRMC offered 35 different wines. Now, they offer over 150. How do you select new wines? One of the first things I learned as a sommelier is that when making a wine list, it’s not about what I personally enjoy, it’s about what the customer enjoys. At BRMC, I had to slowly learn the residents’ palates and add wines accordingly. Of course, I sprinkled in a few of my favorite obscure wines, in hopes of turning some residents onto new selections.
The Explored // Resort Cuisine What do you think surprises people most about the experience of getting an "expert" wine pairing? Matching the acidity, body and complexity of the wine to the dish is important, but keeping people near their comfort zone is just as important. If someone tells me they hate big bold red wines, then the last thing I want to do is give them a Napa Valley Cabernet, even if I think that’s the best option for their bone-in ribeye. With a perfect pairing, the guest will experience wine and a dish that complement each other to enhance their overall experience. What would you tell someone who isn't very adventurous when it comes to wine, or even thinks they don't enjoy wine at all? I feel like there’s always a wine that someone can appreciate. I’ve found it’s best to ask someone what they don’t like about wine first. Then, it’s easier to pinpoint what the person might enjoy. I also use wine as ingredients in cocktails. Making a rendition of a New York Sour is often a good way to get a whisky cocktail drinker to enjoy Cabernet or a heavier red wine. What should new guests know about the wine pairings at the Lookout Grill and Jasper House? We’re completing a new release of the menu and are working on new combinations with the culinary team in anticipation of the peak summer season. info blueridgemountainclub.com / @blueridgemountainclub
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The Exclusives
A M ER ICA'S FAVOR ITE PASTI M E WITH OR WITHOUT CHEESE Harriet’s Hamburgers, a nostalgia-inducing throwback to a simpler time, lands squarely in Optimist Hall.
words SUNNY HUBLER photos JAMEY PRICE / portrait of Harriet LUNAHZON
The Exclusives
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“We believe something as simple as a hamburger can replenish your body and soul simultaneously. That’s why we say we’re not in the hamburger business, but in the mood boosting business. The ‘make your day better’ business.”
Since its 2019 opening, Optimist Hall has been steadily adding to its repertoire, transforming into a fully-functional multi-use space and food hall unlike anything else in Charlotte. This fall brings us one of its latest, and most memorable, offerings: Harriet’s Hamburgers. Harriet’s will occupy a space in the main hall with windows facing the outside entryway, well set up for to-go and pick up order. The concept itself is delightfully simple: modern day “fine” fast food, with just a few menu items made very, very well. And what are those menu items, you ask? Just America’s favorite food, the classic hamburger, with a little 2020 elevation. The Plaid Penguin, Papi Queso (another Optimist resident) and Durban Group are the creators behind Harriet’s; collectively, the three food-loving-business-minds identified a need in the Southeast for a fine casual hamburger brand. From there, the menu was intentionally stripped down to just
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plain goodness: there is one hamburger (single or double), or a hamburger with cheese — plus kids versions of both, crispy fries and soda. That’s it. The inspiration behind the style of hamburger (smashed and griddled) came from the joint quest to perfect America's favorite sandwich. Yes, the creators would like to add, a hamburger is a sandwich. After hundreds of variations and taste tests, a winner was declared, with a pillowy brioche bun, melty American cheese, and a signature blend of USDA Premium Black Angus from Creekstone Farms’ genetically verified cattle. Mix into that a little herbaceous tang from fresh dilled pickles and razor thinned onions, and a finish of smoky sweet heat from HH’s signature sauce. Their "it's simple, just be good," catch phrase sums it up best. When enough friends and family members agreed that this was the “best” burger, the crew knew they’d found their recipe.
The Exclusives
QC TIP: We hear there's a secret menu item. They're only making 100 a day. Just ask for the Jucy Lucy, an ode to the stuffed Minnestoa Hamburger.
Harriet’s vibe is a post-war 50’s/60’s retro, fun, futuristic evoked in bright, primary colors and a cartoonish crew of characters dubbed the “Be Good Crew.” Their leader and namesake, Harriet, is named for Joe Haubenhofer’s, of The Plaid Penguin, youngest daughter. “Harriet is the sweetest, kindest soul there is and that wholesome goodness was something we wanted the brand to reflect from day one,” he shares. “Harriet, the character travels throughout time to assemble her crew. Together with their french fry powered spaceship, they are on a mission to help those in need and spread kindness along the way.” Harriet’s is as much about being good to people as it is about making good food. Their plan is to use the Harriet’s Be Good Crew as a way to connect with the community and not only inspire, but reward, good deeds.
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It’s a charming spot, with a nostalgic kick and a truly delicious take on an American classic. From the look to the menu to the intention, it’s just what the community needed at just the right time. The team plans to open right around Labor Day. To provide the best and safest guest experience, they will allow guests to pre-order via the website to avoid long waits and large lines during the first two weeks. Online ordering will go on sale one day prior to the opening, and last time they sold out of 100 hamburgers in one minute. You can follow along on social media channels, Harriet’s website, and sign up for Harriet’s Hero Rewards to stay connected. info harrietshamburgers.com / @harriets.hamburgers
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The Exclusives
KINDRED
I N TH IS TOGETH ER A look at the Queen City's restaurant industry and its strength, savvy, and ability to endure. words SUNNY HUBLER photos JAMEY PRICE | KYO H. NAM | THE PLAID PENGUIN
When Charlotte transitioned into Phase 2, with restaurants allowed to re-open their dine in offerings, one of the first things we did was call one of our favorite local spots. Just a few minutes down the road, it’s somewhere we’d often spend time without a second thought. For the first time in months, we booked a seat on the patio. With a bit of trepidation (Would the meal still be enjoyable? Would it be crowded? Would we feel safe?) we arrived, sat down with a wide breadth of distance between our table and the next, and were greeted by the familiar faces of the front-ofhouse team who seemed relaxed, assured, and ready. Once our eyes adjusted to seeing masked servers, it was like nothing had changed, and we slipped into enjoying a meal well into the dusk of the warm night. Eating in that restaurant environment, with servers weaving deftly in and out, courses being delicately delivered, and a small, complimentary dessert dropped off at the end, wasn’t the same as the takeout or the curbside we’d been doing for weeks, though during that time we’d kidded ourselves that it was a fair substitute.
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Actually eating in a restaurant, where food is prepared and delivered to you, wine and water are refilled, and you can hear the nearby laughter and bustle of others enjoying the same, is community at its most intimate. The best restaurant experiences provide connection with strangers without pressure, shared joy and pleasure, and an invitation to become childlike in your constant sense of discovery: a flavor that delights you, a dish you’ve never tried, a preparation technique truly surprising. Or perhaps, instead of discovery, you get the equally wonderful but opposite thing—nostalgia served on a plate. Our restaurateurs, from the chefs to the kitchen staff to the servers, provide us the ultimate act of service when they share something prepared by hand or linger at our table to tell us which cocktail is most likely to be to our taste. A meal is one of life’s most basic and most complex experiences, all wrapped up. Eating in a restaurant, while not the only way to experience that side of life, is surely one of the most rich. Our favorite restaurants feel as much like home as our own often do. “This year has taught me how important hospitality is,” says Jonathan Shuler, Executive Chef of Dilworth Tasting Room.
LEAH & LOUISE
“This time has taught us that we are truly all in this together. I'm so grateful to be in an industry that can mobilize, advocate, and reach back to make sure everyone is on the boat in a heartbeat. This community is one of a kind."
DILWORTH TASTING ROOM
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The Exclusives
“No matter what’s happening in the world, no matter your background, dining is a necessity, and there is a certain peace that comes with breaking bread with one another.” The fight for restaurants, like all small businesses (and even many large ones) isn’t over yet, and we couldn’t print a Food Issue this year without making sure we noted that very stark fact, in stark terms. While we want to give an ode to our favorite dishes, the prettiest interiors, the most creative cocktail concoctions… we also would be remiss to not say, in the plainest way, that some of these places simply won’t exist on the other side of 2020. And the ones that do will only manage so with blood, sweat, tears, and a whole lot of perseverance. “My thoughts on the last months, and the next six months in front of us, is that if we all get together and work hard together, we can get over this tough time in history,” says Chef Jim Noble, of Noble Food & Pursuits. “People need to walk in love, try to get along, and not work against each other. I am always hopeful... Something good will always come out of something bad.” A key issue in this fight is simply money: For many restaurateurs, the numbers won’t add up. While revenue increased when diners could return in person, those numbers are still far below normal revenue when compared to last year for almost everyone, and that turn in sales is not nearly enough to cover the steep losses of the last few months. The concern for many is that this sustained loss, inevitable in part with necessary half capacity rules and diners’ own needs to save money on entertainment costs, could mean a slew of permanent closures and continued hardship. “Overnight my job description, as did every other small business owner’s, exponentially expanded,” shared Chef Craig Barbour of ROOTS Cafe & Catering. “There are some things about small businesses that most people don’t think about... Owners had to lay off their friends and people they truly care about. We had to ask people to take on roles that they were not hired for, and rapidly try to make decisions on how to bring in revenue any ways we could. It brings a whole new dimension to leadership; it’s not just pushing the company forward anymore, it is stopping to make sure everyone is still with you.” Independent restaurants across the country represent up to 4% of the nation's GDP, and 11 million people across the country are employed by restaurants — not to mention, the hundreds of millions of workers who, through the food supply and delivery chain, also depend on restaurants. “2020 has certainly been one of the most difficult in my lifetime,” Chef William Dissen, of Haymaker in Charlotte and Marketplace in Asheville, shared. “While closed at our restaurants,
we lost the aspects of our day to day life that have come to fulfill our days at work… Our team, our guests, a full and buzzing dining room. The unknown has brought most of us to our knees, struggling to stand back up. But we've learned more than ever that now is the time to stand back up, for our rights, the rights of our community, and for our oppressed brothers and sisters. As we stand up, we continue to learn from our past, and to think about the future, and we continue to learn about how to become even more gracious hosts and culinarians. It's our time to come together as a community and to set the table for what's ahead." To remain this type of a force in our city, and in our nation, restaurants need us now more than ever. Rather than feeling helpless or overwhelmed, we encourage you to take small actions to continue to contribute to the fabric of Charlotte’s community. You can support without spending any money at all, by contacting local officials, signing off on initiatives for economic assistance, or leaving the restaurants you love a positive review, liking, commenting on, and sharing their posts, or posting a picture of your favorite local spot. For restaurants who have closed their doors temporarily, like Crepe Cellar, you can donate as little as $5 to a variety of funding campaigns, including those that will give money directly to their laid off workers, like the Restaurant Strong Fund or the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. And then, for our many neighbors who have been fortunate to remain open, there are many options, starting with dine in, but also including continued efforts at delivery, takeout, and curbside pickup. Many restaurants are offering weekly specials, family-style meals, discounts, half-off wine and beers, limited and special menus, and more unique ways to continue to maximize their culinary offerings. And in the midst of all this, there are newcomers too, bravely forging ahead: Greg and Subrina Collier opened Leah & Louise in Camp North End, Fahrenheit launched a food truck, the team behind Mama Ricotta’s opened Little Mama’s, VANA and STIR will open their doors later this summer, and Supperland is still scheduled to open later this year. For all the ways our restaurants, cafes, bars, and eateries have served us, for all the memories and moments they have generously hosted, let us return the hospitality and good favor. “This time has taught us that we are truly all in this together,” says Katy Kindred, of Kindred and Hello, Sailor. “I'm so grateful to be in an industry that can mobilize, advocate, and reach back to make sure everyone is on the boat in a heartbeat. This community is one of a kind."
“No matter what’s happening in the world, no matter your background, dining is a necessity, and there is a certain peace that comes with breaking bread with one another.”
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HAYMAKER
“My thoughts on the last months, and the next six months in front of us, is that if we all get together and work hard together, we can get over this tough time in history.”
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The Exclusives
IT'S TI M E TO E AT From fine dining to the best fast casual, these are 50 of our favorite Charlotte restaurants, in no particular order. words ELEANOR MERRELL and SUNNY HUBLER photos JAMEY PRICE | KYO H. NAM THE PLAID PENGUIN
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: FAHRENHEIT, FUTO BUTA, PEPPERVINE, THE CRUNKLETON, NOBLE SMOKE, BAR MARCEL, KING'S KITCHEN, SEA LEVEL
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Grab a bite, a beverage, celebrate an occasion, or simply lounge in the comfort of someone else’s kitchen. These are some of the Charlotte restaurants we can’t get enough of this year — and we can’t wait to continue to welcome more as our culinary scene continues to flourish. Each year, we think Charlotte’s food scene has hit its bursting point. Yet, each year, the Queen City astounds us with yet more eateries. This is perhaps more surprising in 2020 than any other year. This year, in fact, has reminded us not to take our restaurants for granted, has taught us to relish the simple joy of wandering into an establishment, perching on a chair or sliding into a booth, and letting ambiance wash over you as a well-trained staff delivers outstanding flavors to your table. From new joints headed by James Beard-nominated chefs to the determined, continued existence of neighborhood restaurants, we’ve assembled this collection of some of our favorite Charlotte restaurants you'll want to try soon!
Fahrenheit With unparalleled views of the city, situated above the Skye Condos in Uptown, Fahrenheit offers guests tasty craft cocktails, a New American cuisine-inspired menu, and the chance to cozy up to one of their linear fire pits with a beverage. Sea Level This seafood restaurant in the Hearst Tower at the heart of Uptown serves signature dishes using sustainable and local catches. King’s Kitchen This wood-fired kitchen with locations in Uptown and SouthPark supplies delicious, Southern-influenced locally sourced offerings. We love the chicken sammy for a quick lunch break treat. Stagioni Tucked inside a Tuscan revival mansion in Myers Park, Stagioni proffers unrivaled Italian fare in an elegant but cozy setting. Peppervine One of the few independent restaurants in the SouthPark area, Peppervine features delectable small plates and a gorgeous interior that showcases local artists. The Crunkleton The Crunkleton stands out for its artisan cocktails and speakeasy ambiance, but its food menu is nothing to scoff at, either.
Noble Smoke Slow-cooked premium beef, pork, and poultry smoked over hickory coals is the inspiration for the name and menu of this recently opened, Jim Noble creation. A smoked main paired with a Southern side and followed by Heath banana pudding makes for an unforgettable Noble Smoke meal. Futo Buta Futo Buta, located in South End, is the go-to destination for flavorful ramen, donburi, and steamed buns. This is not your college dorm room ramen; Futo Buta creates palatecleansing taste explosions. La Belle Helene La Belle Helene might be the most beautiful restaurant in Charlotte. Inspired by 19th-century French architecture, La Belle Helene features a gorgeous pewter-topped bar, luxurious leather banquettes, and a brasserie inspired menu. Bar Marcel Bar Marcel brings a splash of Europe to SouthPark with cuisine inspired by French, Italian, and Spanish flavors. Soul Gastrolounge The menu at Soul is eclectic, to say the least, covering everything from sushi to wings to spanakopita. It’s a tricky feat for a chef to pull off, but the team Soul does it and does it in style.
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The Exclusives FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: THE GOODYEAR HOUSE, INDACO, ZEPPELIN
The Asbury The Asbury serves up modern American fare rooted in Southern history and heirloom ingredients from its space inside The Dunhill Hotel in Uptown. Napa on Providence Napa on Providence evokes California through more than its name. The majority of its mouthwatering mains like grilled lobster tail fettuccini and small plates. Price’s Chicken Coop Situated in a humble, one-story brick building, Price’s has a nofrills interior and an exterior that’s not much to look at. That’s because, here, it’s all about the fried chicken, which is probably the best in the state of North Carolina. Zeppelin Zeppelin is an upscale, South End eatery that specializes in mouthwatering small plates served in something of a steampunk setting. This restaurant treats its eats and eatery with respect and expects its guests to do the same. Leah & Louise Swing by Camp North End for a bite to eat at Leah & Louise, a Mississippi-inspired, modern juke joint dishing out concoctions from James Beard-nominated Chef Greg Collier. 5Church 5Church is owned and operated by Jamie Lynch, whose name may sound familiar because of his stint on season 14 of Top Chef. His restaurant deserves a trip for more than just Jamie’s star power; his lamb burger will change your life.
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Fern, Flavors of the Garden Fern is one of very few 100% non-meat establishments in Charlotte. Expect an elevated vegetarian, vegan, and glutenfree selection for lunch and dinner and a mouthwatering brunch menu. Dine among an army of indoor plants basking in natural light. Fenwick’s Fenwick’s is something of a Queen City staple. Nestled in a cozy Myers Park home, Fenwick’s has been a neighborhood favorite for 30 years, when husband-wife duo Catherine and Don Rabb first opened this American eatery. Mert’s Heart and Soul Mert’s, known as the heart and soul of Uptown, serves Southern soul food and lowcountry fare in a diner-style establishment replete with checkerboard floor and color aplenty. Their Soul Roll and Shrimp Creole dishes are not to be missed. Reid’s Fine Foods In addition to specialty foods and groceries, Reid’s Fine Foods offers a selection of brunch, lunch, and dinner items at its four Charlotte locations. Go for the food, but stay for the charm (and wine bar). Oh My Soul Fairly new to Charlotte, Oh My Soul opened early in 2020 in NoDa to the excitement of vegetarians across the Queen City. The South African-owned establishment specializes in vegetarian dishes using ingredients grown in its on-site garden and has all the charm needed to turn this gem into a neighborhood staple.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: THE STANLEY, O-KU, HAYMAKER
The Goodyear House Another 2020 addition, The Goodyear House serves Southern fare under the watchful eye of Chef Chris Coleman, whose name may sound familiar from his stint as Directory of Culinary Experience at Charlotte Marriott City Center or from his time competing on Food Network’s reality TV series Chopped. The Dunavant The Dunavant introduced a bottomless steak and fries concept to the ever-hungry patrons of South End. Their curated menu also includes small plates, elevated entrees, and a bounty of delicious appetizers. The Cellar At Duckworth’s The underground gastropub is equipped with exposed brick walls, low ceilings, and of course, speakeasy vibes. The Cellar has a large selection of rare and specialty beers, all served at the appropriate temperature, or try one of their carefully curated cocktails made by the master mixologists behind the bar. Link & Pin With the perfect balance of elegance and rustic flair, Link & Pin fosters a friendly environment for craft cocktails and brunch, lunch or dinner. Cozy up in their intimately divided sections, lounge, glass patio or bar that is sure to stop you in your tracks. The Stanley Chef Paul Verica uses a combination of classic and modern cooking techniques to create a unique gastronomic experience. The Stanley's menu changes daily and is constantly evolving with the seasons. No matter what time of year you decide to stop by, their food is sure to excite and inspire.
O-Ku O-Ku provides the freshest fish from the world’s finest producers and markets. It’s no surprise that this contemporary spot opened up shop a few years ago in South End, one of Charlotte’s most popular neighborhoods. Baku Baku is an innovative Japanese robata and yakitori style restaurant with an array of yakitori-style meat skewers on the menu, all grilled to perfection. Grab a glass of sake and delight in the novel cuisine that Baku has to offer. Haymaker Haymaker offers farm fresh fare and crafted cocktails with an emphasis on sustainable meats and heirloom ingredients from Chef William Dissen. Open seven days a week, this Southern eatery also showcases a weekend brunch menu. Indaco Indaco, in Atherton Mill, delivers delicious, rustic options such as hand-crafted pastas, wood-fired pizzas, house-made salami and cured sausages. Enjoy the menu family-style or a la carte, and indulge your senses with the open kitchen, large windows, and array of Italian wine varietals. Dressler's Restaurant After over ten years in Charlotte, Dressler’s prides itself on being the type of place “where everybody knows your nickname.” The family-owned eatery has a welcoming atmosphere and a strong focus on guest services. The restaurant specializes in upscale contemporary Southern fare, including savory steak dinners and creative seafood plates.
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The Exclusives FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: OSTERIA LUCA, FIG TREE, KINDRED
Osteria LuCa Opened in early 2020 in Park Road Shopping Center, Osteria LuCa is authentic Italian with an open setting, floor-to-ceiling windows, long marble bars. Enjoy the view of your pizza and antipasti being made. Fig Tree Tucked away in a restored 1913 Craftsman bungalow, The Fig Tree brings upscale, innovative dishes and an abundant wine list to the Elizabeth area. With the staff’s exceptional service and culinary knowledge, you’ll be in great hands during your seasonal French and Italian inspired meal and glass of wine. McNinch House Celebrate like royalty in this historic Fourth Ward home for a multi-course culinary journey. Featuring set and tasting menus of high-end multicultural courses, the McNinch House is the perfect choice for your next special occasion. Expect more than just a meal but rather an experience for a one-ofa-kind evening.
menu is chef-driven and tailored to highlight North Carolina’s freshest ingredients, offering guests a variety of farm to table dishes from local purveyors. 300 East 300 East is a family-owned restaurant that’s been serving the Dilworth community since 1986. Their menu is locally sourced and offers a variety of seasonally-driven New American style choices. Enjoy their lunch, dinner, and brunch offerings. Aqua e Vino Italian born and trained Chef Gabriele Grigolon draws from career experiences in Milan, Monte Carlo, Paris and the U.S. to bring Charlotte the experience of a Northern Italy boutique restaurant. With traditional European accents yet modern Mediterranean specialties, you can peruse the course and cocktail offerings with the promise of quality and authenticity.
The Porter's House The chop house-style restaurant offers everything from 36-ounce Prime Porterhouse steaks to beef tartar and lobster ravioli. Indulge in their diverse selection of wine and craft beer to lend yourself to The Porter’s House experience.
Barrington's For two decades, Barrington’s has provided the people of Charlotte with innovative New American cuisine. Inspired by owner Bruce Moffett’s hometown of Barrington, Rhode Island, the restaurant has successfully infused Northeastern fare with a southern twist.
Oak Steakhouse Oak Steakhouse of SouthPark offers a modern and innovative take on the traditional steakhouse dining experience. Oak’s
The Waterman The Waterman prioritizes sustainable seafood sourcing and relies heavily on Paul Manley’s extensive network of ethical
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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: BARDO, LITTLE MAMA'S, ROOSTER'S WOOD-FIRED KITCHEN
sea farmers, not just for ingredients, but also for mission and ambience. With its rooftop views, chilled cocktails, and perfectly refreshing menu items, it’s an easy favorite. Little Mama’s Brand new from FS Food Group, Little Mama’s is the sister concept to Charlotte’s beloved, long-standing Mama Ricotta’s. Go for the beautiful bar, the home-style Italian cooking, and the fresh twists on classic favorites. Kindred Located in historic downtown Davidson, Chef Joe Kindred’s unique take on Italian meets New South cuisine in a beautiful setting. With a seasonally-drive menu rotating daily, there are always new flavors to try here. The team behind Kindred goes to great lengths to source the best ingredients available for both their food and drink menus through their large network locally, regionally and beyond. Bossy Beulah’s Sammies like their Beaut and their Cheesy Beaut as well as the hot thigh sandwich make it a true destination for people that love chicken. Add in their Bossy Bites which are delicious and their fries and hand pies, and you have a huge winner! Dogwood Southern Table Enjoy local ingredients in a setting where rustic meets chic. In addition to a perfect date night dinner sport, we recommend trying a cocktail flight and hanging out during their brunch hours.
Haberdish Haberdish is characterized by elevated Southern fare in an elegantly industrial setting. The Haberdish drink menu is just as strong as the food menu, featuring original craft cocktails shaken, stirred, and poured from a 1950’s style soda fountain inspired bar. Red Rocks Cafe The Strawberry Hill Red Rocks has been a staple of the neighborhood for years now and for good reason: delicious New American fare and an amazing California wine selection. The chicken sammie at lunch is our go-to. Bardo Chef Michael Noll puts out some of the most creative dishes in the city. Mixologist Amanda Britton puts the same attention-todetail into each cocktail as well. The menu features eclectic, American small plates, and intentionality is a resounding theme. Crepe Cellar At Crepe Cellar, you almost have to stick to what the team does best—not because everything on the menu isn't stellar (it is), but because the crepe isn’t their namesake for no reason. Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen The popular SouthPark restaurant is known for its wood-fired techniques and its southern flavors. Start with the chicken wings, move on to the short rib or hanger steak and enjoy a ton of sides family-style — the mac and cheese, butter beans, corn, peas, and spinach — and then end with the coconut cake!
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2020 FOOD & DRINK GUIDE
LITTLE FÊTE From the finest caterers to classic Charlotte staples to creative New American, Italian, and even chicken sammies, this is some of the best food and drink in the Queen City. LIT TLE FÊTE • BARDO • VANA • FAHRENHEIT • OSTERIA LUCA • RED ROCKS CAFE • BOSSY BEULAH'S
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CELEBRATE
LITTLE FÊTE Charlotte
L
ed by Executive Chef Craig Barbour of Roots Catering & Roots Cafe, Little Fête is chef crafted fare for your next little celebration. Equipped with all the food and beverage options your small gathering at home might need, they have a selection of boxes to choose from, in addition to custom and a la carte offerings. Considering large gatherings are off the table for the foreseeable future, Craig and his team have created an alternate experience for friends and families to enjoy in the meantime. Not only does Little Fête provide an easy way to entertain, but it is an incredibly safe operation with the food being prepared in a regulated facility before being packaged and delivered to your door.
little-fete.com
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“During the uncertainty that is COVID, we still want to bring people together, even if it is on a small scale in their backyard,” said Executive Chef Craig Barbour. “Little Fête allows us to still feed our community and be a part of their celebrations, even from afar.” There are four categories available for purchase: Gather aka “the weekend”, The Dinner Party aka “the soiree,” Kits aka “an interactive experience,” and A La Carte aka “customize your menu.” For the full menu, more information and to place your order, visit them online at little-fete.com and follow them on social media @littlefeteclt.
facebook.com/littlefeteclt
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instagram.com/littlefeteclt/
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littlefeteclt@gmail.com
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sponsored partner section
NEW AMERICAN
Our team (from left to right), William Underwood, Jayson Whiteside, Michael Noll, and Amanda Britton
bardo South End
b
Dinner Tuesday - Saturday Dining Room Innovative Small Plates Cocktails
ardo /'bɑːdəʊ/ (NOUN) (in Tibetan Buddhism) is a state of existence between death and rebirth, varying in length according to a person's conduct in life and manner of, or age at, death. Bardo is a chef-driven, eclectic, American small plate concept located in Charlotte's South End neighborhood. Developed by two friends, Managing Partner Jayson Whiteside and Chef Michael Noll, the dynamic restaurant has served as a thoughtful venue for Charlotte’s food lovers to explore multi-faceted
Small Plates • 1508 S Mint Street • Charlotte NC • 704 585 2433 •
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and innovative cuisine. The dining experience, amplified by an open view of the kitchen as well as paired with super interesting and dimensional cocktails as led by Charlotte Magazine’s “Best Bartender” for 2020, Amanda Britton, is certainly one-of-a-kind. “bardo is a place for people who want to enjoy impactful, carefully designed and limited edition dishes; next week we’re onto something else,” said Whiteside. Come for the adventurous food, stay for the exceptional drinks, awesome service, and good times.
@bardorestaurant • bardorestaurant.com
NEW AMERICAN
Photos by Remy Thurston
VANA South End
V
ANA, the second concept from the team behind bardo, recently opened in Charlotte’s South End with the hopes of offering high-caliber food on par with bardo, but in a different, more approachable format. Whereas Bardo was a chance to introduce Charlotte to chef Michael Noll’s culinary skills, VANA is an opportunity to have a little more fun. Focusing on American family-style meals cooked on the fire hearth and wood fire oven, smoked meats, crudos and cured meats including a charcute-
rie program, barrel-aged cocktails and a more casual atmosphere, VANA is a light and friendly gathering place for Charlotte’s foodies. Working through the pandemic has inspired the team to become more flexible, more creative, and more thoughtful about creating impactful experiences for their audience. VANA will soon offer lunch, weekend brunch and a variety of other interesting novelties that are sure to attract attention and delight guests. And Whiteside and Noll are just getting started.
Open 7 days a week Dining Room Family Style Barrel-aged cocktails
New American • 1440 S Tryon Street • Charlotte NC • 980 949 6106 • @vanasouthend • vanarestaurant.com
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NEW AMERICAN
FAHRENHEIT Uptown
F
ahrenheit’s Executive Chef and Owner Rocco Whalen opened his 21st floor eatery in 2014 and changed the city of Charlotte’s dining scene forever. With unparalleled views of the city, Fahrenheit was Charlotte's first ever rooftop eatery. Situated above the Skye Condos in Uptown, the restaurant offers an approachable but gourmet food menu alongside locally brewed beers, an extensive wine list, and inventive craft cocktails. Grab dinner or Sunday brunch from their New
222 S. Caldwell St. •
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21st Floor
• Charlotte, NC
•
American-inspired menu, or cozy up to one of their linear fire pits with an adult beverage. At Fahrenheit, sit back, relax, and experience the Queen City from a different perspective, with 360-degree views of the skyline. Currently, Fahrenheit is practicing cutting-edge cleaning and sanitizing measures, and maintaining strict social distancing indoors and out. Reservations are required to dine in, or you can enjoy Chef Rocco’s special takeout menu right now.
chefroccowhalen.com
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@fahrenheitclt
sponsored partner section
ITALIAN
OSTERIA LUCA Park Road
K
en and Tricia Martino are the husband and wife co-owners of Osteria LuCa, Charlotte’s new Italian restaurant in the Park Road Shopping Center. The restaurant opened in January of this year and is the Martinos’ second Charlotte venture, following the success of TRUE Crafted Pizza in Ballantyne. The star attraction of the menu at Osteria LuCa, a stylish but still family-friendly spot, is the woodfired pizza selection. Available with red or white bases,
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Osteria pizzas feature innovative toppings and sophisticated cheeses. The menu also includes an expansive appetizer list, and, of course, no Italian restaurant is complete without a selection of pasta dishes. At Osteria, options include ricotta ravioli, pappardelle bolognese, and cavatelli with lamb sausage and rabe. The wine list is entirely Italian, featuring small production bottles, and both traditional Italian and modern American cocktails are also available.
Charlotte,
NC
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osterialuca.com
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@osterialucaclt
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CAFE, BAR, & BAKERY
RED ROCKS CAFE Charlotte
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ed Rocks' core mission is simple: to professionally and responsibly operate an upscale restaurant and bar, which consistently offers great food at a good value in a clean and pleasant environment. At Red Rocks, there’s something offered for everyone, and guests can come on any type of occasion, whether they’re looking to "eat" or "dine." Red Rocks has served the Charlotte, Huntersville, and Lancaster County areas for many years, all while remaining actively involved in giving back to the communities they serve. The team offers a large beverage program and a wide range of foods including steaks,
fresh seafood, pastas, salads, sandwiches, and more. Their nightly features, led by native Charlottean and Head Chef Jamie Weatherly, are a community favorite; some of the most beloved dishes include their famous spinach and sun-dried tomato queso, parmesan potato cakes, crab cakes, and jambalaya. Red Rocks has long been known as a neighborhood gem for good reason: They are great for large parties, offer scenic patio dining, dish up a memorable Sunday Brunch, and more, making them a mainstay on the quickly changing Charlotte dining scene.
Strawberry Hill - (704) 364-0402 - @redrocksstrawberryhill • Birkdale Village - (704) 892-9999 - @redrocksbirkdale Red Stone - (980) 689-2990 - @redrocksredstone • redrockscafe.com
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CHICKEN SHACK
BOSSY BEULAH'S Freedom Dr.
C
hef Jim Noble, the restaurateur behind some of Charlotte’s most popular restaurants, including Rooster’s and King’s Kitchen, hit Charlotte with a one-two punch in 2019 by opening barbecue destination Noble Smoke and then his chicken-sammy heaven, Bossy Beulah’s, just months later. Noble’s great aunt Beulah is the namesake for this newest venture, and to create the menu mainstays, he borrowed the recipe his family’s used for generations. The main attraction is The Beaut, with a hunk of Joyce Farms chicken dipped in buttermilk, hand-breaded, and sprinkled with a
2200
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dash of seasoning. Topped with housemade pickles and a smear of Duke’s mayonnaise, this sammy is nestled in a toasted potato bun. The Beaut hits that no-nonsense, soul food spot, as do Bossy’s other offerings, including The Cheesy Beaut, Bossy Bites (hand-cut and breaded nibbles of chicken breast) and simple sides like salad, slaw, and fries. Bossy Buelah’s feels like your favorite diner: fast service, no frills, low key vibes, good food, and good people. Enjoy your meal on the patio or mosey over to the beer garden that separates Bossy Beulah’s from Noble Smoke on Freedom Drive.
Charlotte,
NC
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@bossybeulahs
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bossybeulahs.com
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IN DEX Amina Rubinacci ..........................22 Anne Neilson Fine Art ................27 Arcadia Homes ............................33 Artisan Rug Gallery ...................31 B.D. Jeffries ...................................21 Blackhawk Hardware ..............53 Blue Ridge Mountain Club .....92 Bossy Beulah’s ...........................55 Brandon Lawn ............................35 Cadenza Granite & Marble ........71 Carolina Dental .........................49 Cellars South .............................75 Coggin Lawn ................................44 Design Loft Cabinets .................77 DilworthFacialPlasticSurgery........62
Donald Haack Diamonds........... 17 DwellNova .....................................8 E.S.JohnsonBuilders.......BackCover
Emerson Joseph............................. 4 Engel & Völkers Banner elk.....131 Enzo Custom .................................15 Fahrenheit ....................................10 Gerrard Builders .......................28
Grand Bohemian .........................20 Grande Custom Builders .........37 Hood Hargett ..............................63 Hopper Communities .................50 Incredible Bank ...........................75 Instyle ...........................................79 Jim Phelps Collection .............104 Karen Kettler Design ................75 King Carolina Flooring ..........103 Kingswood Homes .......................19 Lake Norman Realty ...................47 Layne Barter Makeup ...............105 Lucy And Company ......................25 Mint Museum ...........................26, 51 Myron Greer ...............................97 Nest Homes ...................................41 Nestlewood Luxe .......................39 New Life Building Supplies ........12 Omni Hotels & Resorts .........130 Osteria Luca ................................65 Pai CPA ...........................................26 Pam Harrington Exclusives ....99 Patrick Lewis Interiors ..........83
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Plan your next getaway, and experience a fun-filled stay packed with amazing amenities, including complimentary access to the Charlotte Athletic Club, as well as fine dining and much more! 704-377-0400 • omnihotels.com/charlotte
130 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • AUG / SEPT 2020
Pheasant Hill Designs ..............79 Premier Patio Concepts ............95 Premier Sotheby’s ........................6 Pure Intentions ..........................67 RK Motors Charlotte ..............24 Sea Level NC .................................65 Shain Gallery ..............................43 Shea Custom ...............................45 Sightline Steel Doors ..............96 Simonini .........................................23 Sodoma Law ..................................57 Subzero-Wolf ............................69 TLG Doors & Hardware ..............81 The Majestic Bath ........................72 The Swag ......................................101 The Waterman ..............................67 Uptown Charlotte Smiles .......59 Window & Door Pros ................85 Windsor Jewelers ........................2
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170 Woodthrush Way This comfortable home is a four bedroom, four and half bath residence sitting on almost two acres of land.
18 Summit Park Drive Build your dream home on 5+ acres at the summit of Elk River Community. Spectacular views!
132 Chestnut Trail This mountain retreat feels like a Swiss chalet and has three bedrooms, three full and one-half bathrooms on 3.71-acres of land.
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603 Elk Knob Drive, Unit D-2 Convenient condo makes mountain living easy with three bedrooms, four full and one-half bathrooms.
490 Clubhouse Drive, Unit G-2 Lovely, well-maintained condo overlooking Elk River's signature Jack Nicklaus golf course with lush, beautiful views.
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659 Clubhouse Drive, Unit D-1 Light and airy condo with vaulted ceilings includes two beds and two full and one-half bathrooms.
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