¡THE QC LOCAL!

Charlotte’s a busy place. Here’s the best of it.

🎢 THREE HANDS SHOT UP as I asked our brave basketball team of 1st graders “Who’s first time is this on a team?” 

Yep, that’s right. My longtime friend Statton and I couldn’t resist, and decided to take on the task of coaching a Harris YMCA team of 1st and 2nd graders for the next few months. For context, most of their birthdays fall in 2017, if you’re not feeling old enough today.

This past Tuesday marked our first practice, where we worked on how to dribble, pass, and shoot off the glass, and our kids killed it. Is it chaos? Of course.

Is it possibly the most fun thing I’ve chosen to do? 100%.

🌹ROSE

• Mama Ricotta’s “Mama’s Pasta”. If you need something catered for a small (or big) group, look no further. The small is $50 and claims to feed 5-6, but it’s more like 10-12. Easily one of the best group meals in Charlotte.

🪷BUD

• The Fire Station throwing out candy on Christmas Eve. One of the literal highlights of my childhood, and I occasionally still go sit on a friend’s porch as the Fire Trucks blast Christmas music and tour around tossing candy to all the kids of Dilworth.

• As far as I’m aware, this is only Fire Station #2, frequently called “Deuces Wild” which would also be a great racehorse name, and in Dilworth. So if you have friends in Dilworth and want to watch one of the most wholesome things that Charlotte has to offer, make sure to hit them up.

(When all of your best friends come back, how can you have a thorn?)

DEAL OF THE WEEK

🍣1/2 off sushi at Muraya on Wednesdays. Great option for a weeknight steal!

CHARLOTTE. CURLING. 🐝

Have you ever wanted to try the esteemed Winter Olympic Sport, Curling, for no particular reason other than that you’d think you’d be really good at it? Me too.

Well, luckily, the Charlotte Curling Club has started doing one of the best things I’ve ever heard of, called “Curling and Cocktails,” where you can simultaneously learn how to Curl, and drink a tasty cocktail. So, that’s pretty legendary.

Currently, their first January spot is sold out, but they are releasing more very soon! I’ll make sure to flag the upcoming sessions in future newsletters.

(1 of) My Favorite Restaurants Right Now

The Midnight Diner.

Most people in Charlotte know about this spot, but it really does cure all.

Bad breakup? Midnight Diner.

Hungover? Midnight Diner.

Meeting old friends? Midnight Diner.

As far as menu items, you could get literally anything you want here, and it wouldn’t matter because it will still heal your soul. I tend to go for an omelet or their loaded hashbrowns, depending on the occasion that I’m there for.

I’m not sure if it’s the ambience, the outstanding customer service, or the company that I’m there with, but this Charlotte staple is one of the best hangs in the city. Don’t forget about it like I do from time to time. Not to mention that it may be the only place uptown with free parking.

PROPERLY RATED IN THE 704

So before AxiosCLT posted about it this week, we wandered in this past Saturday night, and it was cool, so I figured that I’d mention Dahlia’s in here.

There are several great rooftop bars in Charlotte (I’ll make an extensive list soon), but Dahlia’s is conveniently located in Uptown, with a great open space and delicious drinks. My friend Conner told me to make sure to include that the “Caramel Apple Mule” is one of the “very best drink” he’s ever had. Make sure to check it out!

other goings on 🔥

• @cltbucketlist is doing a giveaway partnership with Savoy for a one night “Staycation”. Enter on their IG page.

• Alexan Mill District, a new apartment complex next to Optimist Hall, recently opened up. If you move in by 1/31, you get 6 weeks free. The amenities look pretty cool at this spot.

• The Matador is running “National Sangria Day” today from 11 A.M. - 2 A.M, which included $11 Sangria flights.

• PIE.ZAA is running a boiler room set tonight from 9 P.M. until close, which is pretty awesome. Check out the flyer below for details.

Let me know of anything you hear about or wanna hear about!

I respond to every email —> [email protected]. Try me.

— A 22 year old local who’s shoes are untied most of the time