¡THE QC LOCAL!

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

🎢 I would say “back like I never left”, but after about a month off, I think it’s probably safe to say that I left for a bit. Holidays, work and vacation made for an effective “summer break” for the QC Local, but with the best part of the year in Charlotte coming up, expect the cadence to start to pick up. While I’m fully aware that a weekly newsletter can be tough to maintain, I’m going to do my best to send out two every month, since you guys deserve it.

🌹ROSE

• Although my social media presence is limited these days, I’m always in for a good viral recipe. The one that I tried this week was only 5 ingredients and is supposed to be relatively good for you.

  • Sweet Potato Ground Beef Bowl

    • Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    • Seasoned Ground Beef

    • Avocado

    • Cottage Cheese

    • Hot Honey

  • The Cottage Cheese scared me at first, but actually meshed really well with everything. Highly recommend! Really well-balanced dinner that’s cheap, quick and easy.

🪷BUD

• THE RETURN OF TYBER CREEK

  • One of the most depressing things about Charlotte is watching your favorite staples close their doors. Price’s Chicken Coop, Mr. K’s, Lebowski’s, you name it. It’s really unfortunate that those spots will likely never come back.

  • It was especially difficult driving past the pile of rubble that used to be the old Tyber Creek Pub (one of the best bars in CLT) for the past year and a half or so. However, the rebirth of Tyber Creek has arrived. While I haven’t been yet, I’m hoping it lives up to its old glory, with cheap beer and lots of outdoor seating (which I hear is the case).

DEAL OF THE WEEK

🍷A local Dilworth favorite, Dilworth Tasting Room, has awesome weekly specials, but is known for their half-priced wine bottles on Thursdays and $10 cocktails, with $5 beers on Wednesdays! Awesome date night spot.

CLT Restaurant Week (The End of It)

‼️While I’m aware that this is last minute, the Queen’s Feast (AKA Charlotte Restaurant Week) has been going on for the past 8 days and runs through this weekend. With over 150 participating restaurants this year, there’s tons of spots to choose from, but I’ve heard that three spots in particular really outdid themselves this year:

1. Chapter 6 - $45 per person

   • First Course: Appetizers (Prosciutto Croquette, Tuna Crudo or Braised Pork Cheek)

   • Second Course: Vegetable/Salad (Broccolini, Roasted Carrots, or Caesar Salad)

   • Third Course: Entree (Hangar Steak, Rigatoni, Tagliatelle, or Skate Wing)

2. Culinary Dropout - $35 per person

   • Starter: Pretzel Bites with Provolone Fondue, Whipped Feta, or Asian Crunch Salad

   • Entree: Fried Chicken, Fish & Chips, Bolognese, or the M.A.C Burger

   • Dessert: Mississippi Mud Pie (supposedly unreal or Monkey Bread)

3. The Eagle - $35 per person

   • Blackberry Lemonade Cocktail

   • Snack: Spicy Chicken Dip or Hushpuppies

   • Entree: Choice of ¼ bird (with hot honey) or 5 Drumsticks

   • Side: Mashed Potatoes, Mac n Cheese, Fries, Collards or Slaw

(1 of) My Favorite Restaurants Right Now

Although I recently found out there are a couple spread out across the country, one of the best restaurants in Charlotte is undoubtedly Barcelona Wine Bar.

Whether you have a family dinner, date night or need a spot for a big group, Barcelona has something for everyone. While it does add up, it’s actually reasonably priced with good portion sizes for tapas.

My Go-Tos are the Paella Salvaje (chicken, chorizo and pork belly) as an entree, which is one of the best dishes in CLT, as well as the Patatas Bravas, Albondigas (meatballs) and the Roasted Carrots. My parents also swear by the “Valencian” Gin & Tonic, but I tend to go with the Red Sangria.

UNDERRATED IN THE 704

🍺Frank’s Beer Shop

Nestled off Commonwealth in the general Plaza Midwood area, this cozy beer shop/bar was recommended by a friend of mine a couple of weeks ago. Both dog and family friendly, this is one of the best places in Charlotte to meet up with an old friend. With local beers on tap, as well as several of their own brewed beers, this place epitomizes the new Charlotte culture that has been creating itself over the past decade. Highly recommend Frank’s Blonde Ale and bringing your dog!

other goings on 🔥

• The staple Charlotte event, 24 Hours of Booty is this weekend, in which bikers completely take over the city. One of the coolest events CLT has to offer.

• The Around the Crown 10k is back for year 7 on August 31st, which takes over part of I-277, for those who are unaware. Token CLT event. Sign up here.

• #Coldplaygate has skyrocketed Coldplay’s monthly listeners. Up to #6 on Spotify.

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

Hit me up at [email protected] for any q’s or debates you may have.

— Jack