From its ever-evolving restaurant scene to new hotels on the horizon, Charlotte is a city with plenty of flavor. we hit the streets to find out what’s new now in the Southern city.
Eat
Sure, North Carolina may be known for its barbecue and down-South dining, but Charlotte offers an urbane and often international twist when it comes to culinary dishes. Head to the artsy and eclectic NoDa neighborhood north of town to try one of the city’s newest hot spots, Miyagi’s. This sleek and compact Korean barbecue restaurant serves up sweet and spicy fusion dishes perfect for washing down with one its creative cocktails. Snag a table by the windows near the front sidewalk for some of the city’s best people-watching. For a swankier experience, check out the new Napa on Providence. Inspired by the famed wine country, the restaurant’s warm interior features stone, rustic wood and cozy lighting. While the menu offers larger dishes like pasta, pizza and seafood, the real stars here are the small plates like a miso-glazed pork belly complemented by the Napa, California-only wine list.
Play
In February, Studio Movie Grill became the latest addition to uptown Charlotte’s adult playground, Epicentre. Tucked between nightclubs and bars, this 30,000-square-foot restaurant and movie theater took the place of a similar concept. At the new version, which is an outpost of the Dallas-based chain, tickets are $10 and patrons order food tableside to be served as they watch the latest blockbusters. And forget popcorn — at Studio Movie Grill, you can toast the opening credits with a cocktail and dig into dishes like lump blue crab cakes or smoked ribs when the feature presentation begins.
Lounge
While recent renovations (The Blake Hotel) and construction announcements (Embassy Suites in uptown Charlotte) have occurred in the city, the current best place in town to be tucked in for the evening is the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. The hotel, which opened in 2009, continues to add new features, including the Cocoa Lab, a sweet-tooth haven with creative cooking classes dedicated to chocolate. On the 15th floor those seeking solace from the busy streets below will find Urban Sip, a luxe bar that recently began featuring live jazz music on weekend nights, bringing the ideal accompaniment to its wine flights, cheese plates and skyline views.
Photos Courtesy of iStock
