LOVELY BUNCH OF COCONUTS

Figo36 in NoDa was tailor-made for a younger, late night crowd. It’s no surprise, then, that this Italian restaurant’s craft cocktail menu is a standout. If you want to break outside the usual negroni or Aperol spritz order, go for the spice-forward Lovely Bunch of Coconuts. It’s a highball glass of Cachaca rum with mango, toasted almond, toasted coconut, and finished off with a sprinkling of curry. We like it alongside a few apps, like the whipped ricotta served with fresh focaccia.

— info — figo36.com / @figo36_noda

This gated, modern home located in the heart of SouthPark is a luxurious, European masterpiece! The breathtaking entryway, with a spiral staircase, leads into the formal dining room & the gourmet kitchen welcomes you with a large island, custom wood cabinetry, & a large walk-in pantry. The open concept great room, which overlooks the private, backyard & pool/hot tub, is perfect for entertaining.

PARA'S

PARA is quickly becoming one of Charlotte's premier fine dining restaurants. Founded by a star-studded cast of restaurant veterans, PARA brings an unmatched level of sophistication to both its atmosphere and its dishes. Amongst the many inventive food offerings, PARA also serves up an excellent cocktail list. This playful drink is the “Koi Pond.” Made with a base of RumHaven, the drink gets its color from blue spirulina. It is then finished with orgeat (a sweet, floral flavor made with almonds), a splash of brightness from lime, and then topped with coconut water and served on a cube of Artisan Cocktail Ice from right here in Charlotte.

— info — paraclt.com / @paraclt

ROOTS Catering by ROOTS Food Co www.roots-catering.com

@roots_catering

Photographer: Trade Street Media

A Swell Space

IInterior design businesses are often built on word of mouth—and for good reason. As with many artists, a designer can only get so far without a loyal client base and a strong portfolio. After all, why hire a designer without trusting their eye for design? Angie Persson, owner and Principal Designer of Swell Décor Interior Design, understands this perfectly. It’s why she’s spent over two decades championing her own Scandinavian-inspired designs and building lasting client relationships at the same time. One such relationship brought her the opportunity to design this 6,200-square-foot transitional home in SouthPark.

“This is the third house I’ve worked on with these clients,” says Persson. “We have a long standing working relationship, as well as a friendship that’s been established over the years.”

Knowing her clients well made it easier to come up with a design that would highlight the home’s architecture while bringing in their preferences.

“Light and airy was their primary focus,” notes Persson. “The house had chin-high mahogany and was very dark, so the main goal was to lighten up the home by painting everything in [Benjamin Moore’s] Simply White.”

With this warm white as the home’s base, Persson could