Just Opened in Charlotte - Oct. '19
In the October edition of this ongoing monthly series, we’ll be highlighting the growth of the Queen City with recently opened eateries, watering holes and other hot spots to explore.
by Allie Papajohn Oct 31, 2019
While the first half of the month was as hot as summertime, cooler weather has finally set in in the Queen City. And restaurant openings are piling up. Grab your lightweight jacket and head out to one of these new eateries and bars.
Food & Drink
The Batchmaker Batch House
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
1429 Bryant St.
Cris, also known as The Batchmaker, has been treating her customers to decadent sweets since 2017. Now she’s serving them up full-time at her new bakery located in the space previously occupied by Basal Coffee. Born and raised in Honduras, Cris has a passion for “people first, cake second” and makes popular items like s’mores brownies, Oreo truffle cookies, Snickers cheesecake and more. The Batch House will also serve Hex Coffee in drinks such as the Tres Leches Draft Latte.
Hours:Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Batch House will re-open Wednesdays from 6-11 p.m. for evening events.
Bocao Sushi Fusion
Area: AvidXchange Music Factory
1000 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd., C1
For a twist on your typical sushi experience, try Bocao Sushi Fusion at AvidXchange Music Factory. The kitchen, led by Japanese-Dominican Miami-based chef El Ninja, churns out sushi rolls made with plantains plus croquetas, spicy edamame, gyoza and more. Go in with an open mind and leave with a new perspective on fusion cuisine.
Hours:Monday-Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight; Thursday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
Cicchetti
Neighborhood: Uptown
100 N. Tryon St.
Restauranteur Pierre Bader’s newest concept, Chicchetti, is now open next to his Italian eatery, Aria Tuscan Grill. The Venetian-style wine bar and retail shop consists of over 400 bottles of wine and serves small plates like meatballs, octopus, anchovies, polenta fries and plenty more. Bader has partnered with other Charlotte experts in the industry including Bob Peters (cocktails, of course) and Secret Chocolatier, and the kitchen is led by Aria’s chef Alex Piatt.
Hours:Monday-Thursday, 2-10:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m.-midnight; Closed Sunday
Social: Instagram
El Thrifty Social Club
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
1115 N. Brevard St., Suite 100
The folks behind South End’s Queen Park Social have opened their second El Thrifty Social Club at Optimist Hall. Expect Mexican-inspired food like tortas, tacos, and Mexican street corn, plus craft cocktails made with mezcal or tequila. Come ready to have some fun, too, as the social club offers shuffleboard, duckpin bowling and air hockey.
Hours:Monday-Thursday, 4-11 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m.-midnight.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Gyu-Kaku
Neighborhood: Uptown
650 E. Stonewall St.
The opening of Gyu-Kaku brings a new Japanese BBQ restaurant (similar to Let’s Meat) to Charlotte. The international chain (over 700 locations worldwide) offers a cook-it-yourself dining experience with all the meats, veggies, noodles, rice dishes and small plates. Don’t be overwhelmed, though: they offer plenty of instruction on how to prepare each item on your individual grill.
Hours:Monday-Sunday, 5:30-8 p.m. (during its soft opening phase)
Lincoln St. Kitchen & Cocktails
Neighborhood: South End
1320 S. Church St.
The sister concept of Craft Tasting Room & Growler Shop is now serving up small plates and craft cocktails alongside a great view of Uptown Charlotte. Enjoy your food and drink on the bottom floor patio, inside the dining room or up on the roof. And expect to see the live Ligustrum tree planted in the middle of the rooftop all over Instagram.
Hours:Tuesday-Wednesday, 4-11p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday, 4-9 p.m.; Closed Monday
Lost & Found
Neighborhood: South End
332 W. Bland St., Suite E
The new nightlife destination in South End is geared toward women with its flower and greenery walls, velvet couches and “no boys allowed” sign. It may just be the most Instagrammable place of the month. The cocktail menu consists of 23 specialty drinks, and tableside cocktail service is available with a reservation after 10 p.m. Guests must pay a membership fee of $1.
Hours:Monday-Friday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-2 a.m.
Papi Queso
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
1115 N. Brevard St.
Alas! No more chasing down the popular Charlotte food truck, Papi Queso. You can get your grilled cheese fix at one designated location (right inside Optimist Hall). Longtime fans love the Pig Mac, but be on the lookout for new items coming soon (like mozzarella sticks).
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
QC Pour House
Neighborhood: South End
200 W. Tremont Ave., #101
Although QC Pour House opened its doors at the end of September, we still had to squeeze it in our October post. This cool new neighborhood spot aims to be a chill place with good food and great drinks. Enjoy your libations and meal at the bar, at high tops or outside at a picnic table. And stick around on game days, as the bar’s line-up of TVs will be tuned in.
Hours:Monday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight
Reid’s Fine Foods
Neighborhood: Uptown
135 Levine Avenue of the Arts, Suite 120
Reid’s Fine Food, a Charlotte staple since 1928, has opened its fourth location (and second in Uptown). Breakfast, lunch and dinner (plus Sunday brunch coming soon) are served, and you’ll find the usual selection of meats, cheeses, crackers, wine and more for sale. Snag a spot on the patio and grab a glass of wine for a truly fine evening.
Hours:Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Closed Sunday
Village Juice Company
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
1115 N. Brevard St., Unit 9
This healthy food shop serves cold-pressed juices, nut milks, smoothies and plenty of salads, grain bowls and raw/vegan snacks. Village Juice Co. believes in clean food with no artificial ingredients, so you’ll be feeling fine after a meal or snack here. (Meat-lovers, have no fear: there are several chicken and bacon options on the menu.)
Hours:Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Things to Do
Lemon Love
Neighborhood: Uptown
400 E. Stonewall St., Suite 102
Tracy Martin, owner of Tru Esthetics in Dilworth, has opened Charlotte's first eco-friendly waterless spa. Guests can enjoy manicures and pedicures in a fume-free environment. Skin treatments are coming soon.
Hours: Monday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Closed Sunday
Development
Charlotte Regional Realtor Association Headquarters
Area: Midtown
1120 Pearl Park Way
The 18-month-long, $28 million project completion was celebrated at the end of September. CarolinaMLS, now known as Canopy MLS, shares its new home with the Canopy Real Estate Institute and the Canopy Housing Foundation. Soon to come to the development are medical offices for Atrium Health and other corporate offices.
We’re looking forward to a slew of new openings to continue to wrap up the year, including Barry’s Boot Camp (a popular fitness program coming to South End), Bossy Beulah’s (a chicken shack concept from Jim Noble), Topgolf Swing Suite (a Topgolf experience, but indoors) and Ace No. 3 (a new burger joint from the owners of Sea Level and The Waterman).
Tabbris
Area: South End
1300 South Blvd.
Looking for a new place to crush your latest project? Tabbris, Charlotte’s newest co-working space founded by Jeff Brokaw and John Brock, is now open. Membership tiers include a “hot desk,” dedicated desk, or a dedicated office plus rent-able conference rooms, bathrooms with showers, a café with a bar, mailboxes and more.
More "Just Opened"
