Ollie's Bites: Charlotte's Best Sweet Spots

This article first appeared on Localeur's website--check them out for travel recommendations! Localeur features in-the-know locals giving food, drink, and recreation recommendations from all over the world!

Amelie’s (NoDa, Uptown, Park Road, Rock Hill, Caramel Commons & Atlanta) 

Amelie’s is a Charlotte staple for homemade french treats and delicious coffees. Their claim to fame is their salted caramel brownie, but my heart belongs to the éclair (choose from vanilla or chocolate custard). This is a great spot to linger and read a book, or get some work done as you sip your café au lait. There are now several locations to choose from, and each one offers the same quaint vibe and full range of menu options.

Golden Cow Creamery (South End)

Golden Cow makes all of their ice cream in house, and it’s walkable from lots of South End breweries and dinner spots if you find yourself craving something sweet on a night out! Their offerings change regularly, but try to catch the Honeycomb or Dunkaroos flavors. Bonus: there is outdoor seating for those balmy southern nights.

Sunflour (Elizabeth & Dilworth) 

You can’t go wrong at Sunflour--everything is made from scratch, and their baked goods are to die for. Kids of all ages love their cookies and cupcakes, while more mature palates might go for the almond croissants, vegan raspberry muffins, or the “fig newtons.” On the savory side, their cheddar biscuits are the stuff of Charlotte lore. Make sure you grab a matcha latté or a coffee, too--hot or iced. There are two locations of Sunflour--one in Dilworth and one in the Elizabeth neighborhood.

Two Scoops Creamery (Plaza Midwood & Lake Norman) 

Image courtesy Charlotte Five

Check out this ice cream joint for 70+ flavors that rotate yearly and tons of toppings on deck. Crowd pleasing favorites include Cookie Monster, Crazy Cake, and the Midnight Snacker. And yes--they do offer a signature “two-scoop” cone in case you don’t like it when your ice cream flavors mingle. There is now a Lake Norman location in addition to the original Plaza Midwood spot.

Renaissance Patisserie (South End) 

Photo courtesy Renaissance Patisserie website 

Located in South End, Renaissance Patisserie is the real deal for authentic french pastries. Chef Sylvain Rivet delivers impressively beautiful and delicious treats such as the tarte aux pommes or kouign-amann pastries. There is not much in the way of seating here, but it would be a great place to grab a loaf of bread (and several pastries ) to munch on for the duration of your trip to Charlotte.

Ninety’s (University Area)

Ninety’s, which is located in the University area, brings levity to the Charlotte dessert scene. Their offerings are not only fun, but tasty, too! They have frozen cookie dough pops (yes, cookie dough on a stick), macaron ice cream sandwiches, and their signature yum-ee bun, which is cold ice cream is sandwiched in a warm glazed donut with lots of options for flavors and customization.

Astrid & Gastón

Background:
Gastón Acurio, chef & owner of Astrid & Gastón, is considered the Godfather of Peruvian cuisine. 20 years ago he opened Astrid & Gastón and put Lima on the map as one of the best food cities in the world. He has mentored many famous chefs, including Virgilio Martínez of Central. The restaurant relocated to Casa Moreyra in San Isidoro in 2014, and Gastón Acurio took over as ahead chef in 2015. Gastón's wife, Astrid Gutsche, is the head pastry chef and walks around greeting guests throughout the night. Astrid & Gastón is currently ranked the 33rd best restaurant in the world.

Gastón Acurio is the godfather, capisce?

Eat this:
You can order a la carte or do a tasting menu here. We did the tasting menu, because that's how we roll. 

The Hostel's Bed with Ocean View

Empanada, alfajor, dashi and tartar

First bites are important, and Astrid & Gastón did not disappoint. We started off with a crab alfajor (to die for!), an empanada made of seaweed and oyster, and a fruit log with some magic on top. We were instructed to each one in one bite, which Jason loves to do since he is the fastest eater of all time.

Sea Bass Ham

Lard, avocado, and sweet potato bomb

Something consistent through all of Lima is the excellent quality of fish due to their proximity to the ocean. This bite of sea bass was no exception. The crunch of the cracker, the smooth citrus of the avocado, and the freshness of the fish come together for the perfect Peruvian bite.

19th Century Cebiche

Catch of the day and sour orange tiger's milk

Ceviche (Cebiche) is the national dish of Peru. The orange citrus is the key to this dish, which is the perfect kiss of flavor after you have the first taste of the fish. If you don't drink it up like a soup then you aren't living your life right!

Sea Urchin Salad

Soba noodles and nikkei aroma

It's the token sea urchin dish! In Scallionpancake's opinion you can take all the sea urchin off every tasting menu because it's just not that good. We get it --it's expensive and we are supposed to lose our minds over it. But we don't like eating something that tastes like ocean water, even if it has really good noodles with it.

Cured Bonito & Coquito Melon

Vinagreta from all bloods and herbs from our garden

This was the dish I like to call, "the good fish with colorful flowers." It was good quality fish covered in colorful flowers. Fin.

Bread

It's bread time! Hands down the best bread we had in Peru. The breads came with whipped butter, whipped avocado, whipped roasted red pepper spread, and a little container of the best lard ever.

A Scallionpancake rule is don't serve your butter hard, because WTF is up with that. News flash: it's hard to spread a solid object with a butter knife. Astrid didn't disappoint us, and all the spreads were perfectly room temperature. The breads were all great, too. A few standouts were the potato and cheese, the olive roll, and the gooseberry bread.

The Blushing Egg

Hidden on a fish cupe from Lima.

There isn't much to say about this one, other than we didn't like it. Let's move on.

Guinea Pig Pekinesse

The one of all the life

Guinea pig, or cuy to the Peruvians, is a local delicacy. Astrid & Gastón's take on the cuy was to make it peking style, so it tasted like a crispy piece of duck. It came on a purple corn crepe and was meant to be eaten like a taco. Two bites of perfection.

It's time for a Scallionpancake life lesson: always try weird stuff when traveling, especially at nice restaurants. Would you eat a guinea pig in America? Probably not. But when a dish is a part of a local culture it's important to see what the fuss is all about. Because if you don't you would have missed out on this delicious guinea pig.

Catch of the Day

According to the Sea

The fish of the day was sea bass, and it maybe the best sea bass we've ever had. The fish was cooked to perfection on a little bed of risotto. The perfect fish-lover's dish, for sure.

Confit Suckling Pig

Cacao, Peanuts, and Pibil Juice

What made this dish outstanding was the flavor of the chocolate with the perfectly seared pork. Who knew that chocolate would mix so well with pork?! That's why Gastón is the Godfather. Of all the dishes we had in Peru, this was Jason's favorite.

Astrid's Desserts

Sheep's Milk Ice Cream

with tangerine and mint ice

Then god said, "let's the desserts came," and so they did. We started out with a sheep's milk ice cream with a tangerine and mint ice (Yvonne's favorite because it wasn't too sweet). Then came the caramel ice cream cone with a caramel "cloud," and it was declared very good by all parties (ahem, the two of us).

Just when we thought we were done, chocolates were handed out. At this point in the meal, Jason was so done from two tasting menus in one day that he almost fell asleep at the table, but he's just a touch classier than that so he kept his cool.

Ice Cream Cone

with caramel cloud

Various Chocolates

Drink

Strawberry & blackberry

Astrid & Gastón had a wide variety of cocktails and mock-tails, which were a staple throughout Peru with their variety of fruits and vegetables. The mock-tail pictured above was strawberry and blackberry. They also have a 250+ wine list that is considered one of the best in Peru

Atmosphere
Astrid & Gastón has a wow factor, and definitely had the coolest space of the three fine dining restaurants we tried in Lima. It is located in Casa Moreyra, which is a hacienda built in the middle of the 18th century and is designated as a historical landmark. The decor is modern, with the work of contemporary Peruvian artists gracing the walls. The bar area is the main focus, with a two level Spanish courtyard and tree with streamers. The space is huge, with at least two other smaller bars and two main kitchens. Each room had its own unique feel and flare. It definitely felt like you were in a cool, trendy place.

Cardinal Flamingo

Upside-down plants like woah

San Isidoro Hospitality:
The wait staff here was, for the most part, good, but definitely not great. We had a few weird moments, including where the waiter made us, for no discernible reason, write down our passport number on our receipt, for which Jason just made up a random eight digit number. For a place of this standard you would expect the service to be much better.

Frankie's Notes:
Two tasting menus in a day keeps the doctor away--or perhaps makes the grim reaper show up twenty years too soon; Booking your hotel within walking distance of the best restaurants really makes the walk home much easier; Ice cream cones are good in every country; Our biggest regret is that we didn't order off menu for the chocolate bomba; We still have nightmares about not trying the chocolate bomba; No seriously we haven't slept in a month; Our dream house is a mansion with a top 50 restaurant inside; Passport numbers are for border control and website passwords only; J/K our password is food12345.

Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Ollie's Bites: Brunching in Charlotte

This article first appeared on Localeur's website--check them out for travel recommendations! Localeur features in-the-know locals giving food, drink, and recreation recommendations from all over the world!

Essex

If you are looking for something different from the usual brunch fare, cozy and classy Essex is the spot for you. Located Uptown, Essex has dishes that span the globe, like the Georgian cheese bread khachapuri, which is a delicious boat-shaped piece of bread filled with melty cheese, two sunny side up eggs, drizzled with a touch of olive oil. Or the Korean steak and eggs with beef, fried egg, pork belly and a kimchi glaze. There is no shortage of traditional brunch fare, like a bagel platter (with a house-made bagel) or french toast.

Vivace

Image courtesy of Charlotte Agenda

Vivace’s brunch game is so on point. Start with the bottomless mimosa and bloody mary bar--ideal for getting that ever-elusive extra-spicy bloody or the perfect ratio of champagne to orange juice (80/20, duh). For only $30, you can get the adult beverage of your choice plus two courses--one appetizer and one main course. The options for both courses are ample, and standouts include mussels, meatballs, and braised short rib hash. The high ceilings and large windows that overlook the Little Sugar Creek Greenway make Vivace a bright and cheery place to spend your weekend morning.

littleSpoon

Would you like a side of gangster rap with your brunch? What about giant coffee mugs that are essentially bowls? And instead of bacon, how about crispy pork belly? If any or all of these appeal to you, then littleSpoon will be your jam. Menu highlights include the #BEC (bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich), Korean brussels sprouts,cinnamon toast brulee, and oh dear lord--don’t neglect to order the bacon (LS Slab Bacon). Expect a wait on the weekends during prime brunch time, and servers with just a touch of hipster attitude, but fret not--the food is worth the wait.

The Asbury

Photo courtesy of Charlotte's Got a Lot

The Asbury is inside of The Dunhill Hotel, which was opened in 1929. The Asbury itself has a reputation as an old-school Uptown dining spot, but the clientele spans all age ranges. This is a popular spot for a boozy brunch before a Sunday morning Panthers game, or to meet with friends to catch up over Maw Maw’s Cast Iron Biscuits with bacon jam (divine), or the Fried Chicken Sammy (a Southern classic). There is parking validation (up to two hours) if you park in the garage attached to the hotel.

Cafe Monte

Image courtesy of Charlotte Magazine

If you are staying in the South Park area, Cafe Monte is the top choice for brunch. The menu offers accessible French cuisine like a croque monsieur or mussels and frites. For an appetizer, the brie en croute is a favorite. If you are looking for something more traditional, there are plenty of options: omelettes, eggs benedict, and belgian waffles. Wash it all down with a cappuccino or mimosa. PS--Charlotte recently passed the “brunch bill,” which means that you can order booze as early as 10 am on Sunday (it used to be noon). Travelers and locals alike: rejoice!

The Workman’s Friend

Bar by night, The Workman’s Friend in Plaza Midwood is an unlikely--and amazing-- spot for brunch. This is an Irish joint, so their menu offers some nods to the Emerald Isle, like grilled cheese made with Kerrygold cheddar, bangers and mash, and rasher egg toast. There is also a “Caffeinated Libations” menu with cocktails made with a local iced coffee available on draft. You have your choice of mood lighting here, too--the indoor seating is dim and intimate, and there is a large patio in the back if you want to catch some sun while you brunch.

Caffeinated Charlotte

This article also appeared in the September/October 2017 edition of Epicurean Charlotte magazine. 

Whether it’s the beyond essential Monday morning cup or a leisurely Sunday afternoon iced concoction, there is nothing like good coffee. Charlotte is home to many great coffee houses, many of which are roasting their own beans or procuring beans from North Carolina roasters. Here are the top spots in your neighborhood that are perfect for grabbing a quick cup of coffee on the run, or for enjoying a leisurely afternoon catching up on work over a latté and a pastry.

The Spot:
HEX Coffee
Neighborhood:
South End
Caffeine Fix: 
HEX stands out because they roast their own coffee beans and also for the unique technique they use to brew their coffee: the coffee shot. Through this method, which is essentially brewing coffee through an espresso machine, the coffee experts at HEX can ensure the flavor in each cup is rich and consistent. In addition to their hot coffee, there is cold brew on tap as well as seasonally rotating tap creations like a draft vanilla latté. Grab a bag of their beans to take home, and ask the awesome staff for tips on how to brew flavorful cups in your own kitchen.

Eats:
Grab some locally made Whisk and Wood pastries (often vegan and gluten-free), or a chocolate bar from Videri Chocolate Factory, based out of Raleigh.
Tip:
HEX shares a space with Good Bottle Co., which offers loads of local and craft beer. Hit up HEX in the morning and Good Bottle for a nightcap!

The Spot:
FABO
Neighborhood:
South Charlotte
Caffeine Fix:
The name FABO stands for “fabulous art buying opportunity,” and the café features and sells the work of local artists in addition to a wide array of coffee and espresso drinks. FABO is super friendly for those who need to spend a few hours nursing their coffee as they work on their laptops, or to book clubs looking for a place to gather. They even host local musicians and offer evening art and wine classes! FABO is open late and serves wine and beer on tap if you find yourself holed up in this cozy spot long enough that you want to switch from a latté to rosé.

Eats:
Grab a muffin or a scone from a local bakery to enjoy along with your coffee!
Tip:
Check out FABO on Thursdays: $6 glasses of wine all day long and trivia at 8pm!

The Spot:
Coco and the Director
Neighborhood:
Uptown
Caffeine Fix:
Coco and the Director is located in the recently renovated (and gorgeous) Marriott hotel, and every bit of this local gem feels special, from the stadium seating to the locally roasted coffee beans. Enjoy your coffee brewed from an aeropress, a pourover, or served up as a cold brew. Their dirty chai tea latté (chai tea mixed with milk and a shot of espresso) is the best iteration of this drink in Charlotte. It’s extra spicy, strong on the espresso, and not too sweet.

Eats:
If you are in the mood for something sweet, their homemade banana bread is to die for. If you are craving something more substantial, grab a sandwich made with their carved-to-order roasted meat of the day, like brisket or smoked pork shoulder.
Tip:
Coco offers fun evening activities like movie viewings and networking events. Check out their instagram for the lineup!

The Spot:
South End Grind
Neighborhood:
South End
Caffeine Fix:
Seattle native and Queens University graduate Freddie Nordhoff opened South End Grind in June 2017 at Urban MVMNT, a mixed-use space that combines strength and conditioning classes, spin, and now: great coffee. Nordhoff brews beans from local favorite roaster Pure Intentions, and serves up creative seasonal options like the Gym and Tonic, a mix of espresso, tonic water, and honey-lemon syrup poured over ice. If you are looking for a more traditional cup, you can get yours brewed from an aeropress or traditional drip.

Eats:
Grab some doughnuts from Move That Dough Baking Co. But arrive early if you want one with your morning joe--they tend to sell out very quickly.
Tip:
SEG sometimes offers pop-up events, like a recent collaboration with Two Scoops Creamery where you could enjoy a shot of espresso or cold brew over ice cream for a delicious affogato! Follow Southendgrindclt on Instagram for upcoming events.

The Spot:
Rush Espresso
Neighborhood:
Ballantyne & Uptown
Caffeine Fix:
Rush serves Di Bella coffee and espresso, and the flavor of each cup is rich and smooth. The menu offers some unique options, like the rarely seen iced cappuccino (expertly shaken with lots of foam), or the Café Viennesse, which combines espresso and whipped cream for a truly decadent pick-me-up. While the Uptown location of Rush is designed for morning commuters, the Ballantyne location urges you to stay a while. There is ample seating and a huge selection of breakfast and lunch items (both served all day), along with a dinner menu available after five pm. Rush Ballantyne also has a full bar menu with wine, beer on tap, and cocktails.

Eats:
For breakfast, you can’t go wrong with the bacon jam and eggs or the tomato crostini with whipped feta.
Tip:
Rush Ballantyne offers live music every Friday and Saturday night and open mic on Wednesday nights!

The Spot:
Central Coffee
Neighborhood:
Plaza Midwood & South End
Caffeine Fix:
Central Coffee brews each cup with beans from NC-based Joe Van Gogh, and the result is consistently smooth and rich coffee and espresso. Central is perhaps best known for serving up one of the city’s first and best cold brew coffees, and its full-bodied caffeine hit does not disappoint in the warmer months. For speciality drinks, they make several of their syrups in house, and nothing beats their spicy mocha in the winter--Central sources freshly ground local peppers and blends them into the chocolate espresso.  

Eats:
The food at Central Coffee is so good, you may have a hard time choosing what to order. Standouts include homemade quiche, the best-ever zucchini bread, and a wide assortment of pastries including baklava and Greek biscotti.
Tip:
The original location has limited seating, and patrons are encouraged to share a table if they are sitting alone. If you are willing to share precious laptop real estate with another customer, grab a sign at the counter to place on your table to show that you are open to making new friends.

The Spot:
Smelly Cat
Neighborhood:
NoDa
Caffeine Fix:
Smelly Cat brews their own beans, and they have been a NoDa institution for nearly twenty years. Enjoy your super fresh cup as a pour over, or in an espresso drink--particularly high marks go to the dirty chai frappé and the sledgehammer, which is espresso blended with dark chocolate. All iced drinks are made with crushed ice, which immediately ups the deliciousness quotient of any cold beverage. There is plenty of indoor seating, as well as an outdoor seating area with a bowl of water if you want to stop by with your pup.

Eats:
Enjoy a slice of quiche, or breakfast sandwiches on house-made biscuits. There is also a variety of assorted pastries.
Tip:
Make sure to get your Instagram-friendly shot of the mural on the outside of the building--“drink coffee, be cool.” Bonus points if you sing Phoebe’s famous song from Friends while you snap and sip away.