Road Trip: Visit Charlotte to sip, savor + celebrate its booming culinary scene March 8-22, 2023
Presented by an AVLtoday Partner
Charlotte’s top tastemakers are coming together for a can’t-miss culinary event. | Photo provided by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
From food trucks to fine dining + craft beer to craft cocktails — Charlotte’s food and beverage scene is a powerhouse, wowing guests with bold flavors that puts the Queen City on the map as a foodie destination. Now, the city’s high-ranking culinary artists are extending an open invitation to Savor Charlotte, an exclusive two-week event happeningin Charlotte, NC fromMarch 8-22 and featuring hands-on classes, demonstrations from industry trendsetters, exclusive menus, and special offers from top restaurateurs. 👀
Here’s a preview of the restaurants, tastemakers, and mixologists coming together to make this culinary event something well worth traveling for. (Pro tip: Gather your fellow foodies and take your eating adventures on the road.)
This cocktail supply and beverage shop aims to “take the mystery out of mixology.” The Cocktailery offers classes and an assortment of barware + accessories to make the cocktail crafting process more approachable.
This event is a chance to experience the best of Charlotte’s culinary scene.
Photo provided by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
Billy Sunday
An offshoot of a Chicago bar lauded by Food & Wine, Condé Naste + more, Billy Sunday has made its way to Optimist Hall in Charlotte. The stand-alone chalet features a vintage spirits program with sister concept, Spindle Bar, found upstairs as an illustrious endcap to the food hall’s diverse culinary offerings.
Counter-
From Chef Sam Hart comes Counter-, an immersive and fully sensory tasting experience with themed monthly menus paired to music — turning dining expectations on its heel. Hart has taken this same counter-intuitive approach to his newest concept, Biblio, where guests are given a 500-bottle wine list and, with the help of sommeliers and chefs, food that is paired to the wine-of-choice at this reverse-engineered wine bar.*
Poll
Which restaurant are you most excited to try during Savor Charlotte? Let us know.
Food Is Love Donation Drive for MANNA FoodBank | Monday, Feb. 20-Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Asheville Outlets, 800 Brevard Rd., Asheville | Free | Support MANNA FoodBank by collecting healthy, nonperishable foods for distribution to folks in need in WNC.
Tuesday, Feb. 21
Chai: a Tasting Experience from Chai For | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Outsider Brewing, 939 Riverside Dr, Asheville | $30 | Experience the nuances of unique Chai varieties with Chai For’s founder Colin Wiseman.
Wednesday, Feb. 22
Tween Talk | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 4-5:30 p.m. | We Rock the Spectrum , 63 Turtle Creek Dr., Asheville | $120 | Each class, which serves pre-teen girls ages 9-12, consists of a fun icebreaker activity, a meaningful discussion led by the instructor, and an exciting game.
Thursday, Feb. 23
Pie Baking Contest | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 2-4 p.m. | Grove Street Community Center, 36 Grove St., Asheville | Free | Register in advance to participate in this cooking competition that celebrates Black pie recipes.
Friday, Feb. 24
Edible Park Work and Learn Day | Friday, Feb. 24 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Volunteer at the oldest community food forest in Asheville.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
The City of Asheville will host a job fair on Wednesday, March 1 at Stephens Lee Recreation Center (30 George Washington Carver Ave.). Folks can learn about available positions, talk with reps, submit applications, and conduct on-site interviews. Positions offered start at $17+ an hour. 💰
Try This
Joseph Gailes is taking over Botanist & Barrel on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 5-8 p.m. The master mixologist (with James Beard finalist Alley Twenty Six in Durham, NC) will craft cocktails + teach tips ‘n tricks to use at home. Take home cocktail kits will also be on offer. Get tix. 🍸
Cause
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy needs volunteers for its Aleblazers Beer Festival. Taking place Saturday, March 18 at Highland Brewing, the fundraising fest celebrates 25+ NC breweries. Get more info. 🍻
Learn
Registration for Warren Wilson College’s Mountain Term courses is now open. The week-long intensive course offerings include creative writing, blacksmithing, Appalachian studies, fiber arts, and fine woodworking. The priority registration deadline is Saturday, April 15, but many classes fill up sooner.
Featured
NC-based mental health hotlineINclude has been featured in the New York Times. In a personal essay, author Benedict Carey explores his experience working with the nonprofit, which offers callers specialized support, plans, and strategies to navigate mental health challenges. ☎️
Concert
Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, actor, historian, Grammy winner. Whew. See the multi-talentedDom Flemons — known as The American Songster® for his repertoire that spans 100 years of American roots music — live in concert at Mars Hill University’s Owen Theatre on Saturday, April 29. Buy tickets. 🪕*
Eat
This deal is worth shellebrating.Oyster Night at The Lobster Trap is back, featuring house oysters for $1 and cold water oysters for $36 a dozen every Tuesday night. Make a reservation. 🦪 *
Cause
Have a heart as big as Texas? Show you care by donating blood with The Blood Connection and Texas Roadhouse. All donors get a $20 Texas Roadhouse gift card, a free Bloomin’ Onion + a $30 eGift card as a bonus. Make an appointment to save a life today. 🩸 *
The Word
Baño. That’s Spanish for “bathroom” — something you’ll definitely need to know if you’re traveling to Central or South America this year, like 12% of our readers. Babbel’s easy, bite-sized lesson plans will ensure you know what to saywhen you have to go. (Read:Be talking like a local in as little as three weeks.) 🌏 *
Shop
Say goodbye to wrinkled clothes. This sleek garment steamer is leakproof and lightweight, making it easy to steam your clothes from home or while on the go. Bonus: It heats up in just 30 seconds and is suitable for a wide range of fabrics. 👚 *
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Brook.
Editor’s pick: TKTKTK something over the weekend maybe
Editorial:Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.
Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.
