East Blvd. restaurant shakeup

You may have already heard that Patou has closed, and a 131 Main is opening in its place in the Latta Pavilion development between Scott and Kenilworth avenues. That’s a huge space that Patou was never able to fill, despite Rachid and Laura Ouchu’s best efforts. 131 Main is a locally owned semi-upscale American fare restaurant with locations in Ballantyne and Huntersville.

A little down the street, Jaimama closed, and construction is underway on a new burger place by Frank Scibelli, the man behind Cantina 1511 and Mama Ricotta’s. Look for a large beer list and lots of different kinds of burgers. Should be fun. —R.T.

Remembering Bill Spoon

On Friday, Bill Spoon died. Even if you never ate his barbecue, you might be familiar with his name. That was his joint down on South Boulevard (now run by his grandson, Stephen)–the one with the sign that says “We use the whole pig–it makes the difference.” Or something to that effect. Bill Spoon’s place consistently cranks out the best Eastern NC-style barbecue in the city. But it won’t be the same without Mr. Spoon behind the counter, taking IOUs, pushing the banana pudding, and rounding down bills. The Observer published a nice article today on his funeral, and I really recommend you read this profile that we published in June 2001. Written by then-senior editor Will Boye (who’s now with the Charlotte Business Journal), it’s a great piece, and it tells the story of who Spoon really was and how he started his restaurant. —R.T.

CLT dives on the Food Network

Because football season has not started yet (I refuse to watch the preseason), I spent most of Sunday afternoon watching a marathon of “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” on the Food Network. I was captivated as host Guy Fieri took me on a tour of American barbecue joints, rib joints, burger joints, and hot dog joints. He even hit two Charlotte faves, the Penguin and Bar-B-Que King. At The Penguin, he and Chef Greg Auten (who knew the Penguin had a chef?) came up with a new creation that I instantly fell in love with–a corn dog stuffed with bacon and pimento cheese. Doesn’t that sound outstanding? I don’t think it’s on the menu, but I’ll be they’ll fix it for you if you ask. (By the way, here’s a link to Auten’s recipes for pimento cheese and black bean hummus–that’s two separate dishes, by the way.) The episode airs again August 17 at 8:30 p.m. and August 18 at 3:30 a.m.

I’ve been to the Bar-B-Que King before, but only once or twice. I think I’ll go again and check out the fried barbecue chicken. You read that right. Since 1959, the good folks at the King have been frying chicken, then drenching it in their secret-recipe barbecue sauce. It’s a little hot this week for a drive-in, but that is definitely going on my list.

Anyone out there have any favorite Charlotte-area dives? —R.T.

Next week a great one for foodies

That’s right, a new Earth Fare AND a new Trader Joe’s are opening in Charlotte. The Earth Fare organic grocery store opens August 15 at The Morrison, at Colony and Sharon roads near SouthPark mall. There’s a party the night before from 6-9 p.m. ($10, benefits Second Harvest). Check out the menu: petite crab cakes with roasted garlic aioli, North Carolina pulled-pork sandwiches, cocoa espresso tri-tip steak, local marinated heirloom tomato salad, brie layered with local chutney, and a variety of wine and beer.

Trader Joe’s opens August 17 in The Shops at Piper Glen, at 6418 Rea Road. There will be a lei cutting at 8:45 a.m., and the doors open at 9. Personally, I am excited about Trader Joe’s. I’ve been to one in Atlanta, and I had a blast wandering the aisles checking out the exotic goods. The two-buck Chuck wine gets a lot of hype (it’s actually not bad), but I also enjoyed the coffee selection and the spices and ice creams. Just a fun store to which I will make a semiregular trip. —R.T. 

Street food (tonight) and tequila dinner (later) at Cantina 1511

If you happened to read the article I wrote about my trip to Mexico City with Cantina 1511 owner Frank Scibelli and his chef and GM, then you know Frank loves street food. I swear, on that trip, fifteen minutes after we ate half of the menu at a restaurant, Frank would be looking for a taqueria. We ate some excellent street food down there, too–tacos, huaraches, quesadillas. (No burritos, though. Didn’t see a single one of those, or fajitas for that manner, on the menu of any of the two dozen restaurants we visited.)

Anyway, tonight (sorry, a little late getting this post up), Frank will show you how to make some of that street food. Here are the details, straight from the press release:

Mexico is known for the outstanding food that can be purchased from vendors featuring their favorite dishes on city streets. Frank Scibelli, Cantina 1511’s owner, and his team of chefs recently returned from a trip to Mexico, where they sampled some of the best traditional street food in Guadalajara and Mexico City. On Monday, July 30, at 7 p.m., Cantina 1511 on Rea Road will host the Mexican Street Food Cooking Class that shows participants how they can create five local Mexican dishes, along with three refreshing summer beverages. The class is $45 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Scibelli will teach the class along with chef Joseph Morrison and mixologist Angela Hess.

The menu for the cooking class and dinner includes the following dishes and beverages:

MENU

First Course – Served with Sangria
Fire Roasted Corn on the Cobb
Dressed with mayo, cheese, and spices

Mexico City Market Salsa
Made with guajillos and tomatillos
Served with tortilla chips

Second Course- Served with Cantina 1511 Tequila Sampler
Siete Mar
Made with shrimp, clams, and lobster

Carne En Su Jugo
Beef tacos with chopped bacon
Served with tortillas and condiments

Third Course – Served with Aguas Frescas
Fried Churros

For reservations to the Mexican Street Food Cooking Class, please call (704) 752-9797, which is the Cantina 1511 restaurant located at 7708 Rea Road. The original Cantina 1511 is at 1511 East Blvd. For more information or for reservations, please call (704) 331-9222.

Also, in August, the East Boulevard Cantina 1511 will host a tequila dinner. Here’s the info on that:

Tequila is an extremely popular south-of-the-border beverage, and Cantina 1511 is joining one of the world’s best tequila makers, Casa Herradura, to offer their patrons a five-course dinner that includes tequila-accented cuisine paired with signature tequila cocktails. In the capable hands of chef Jamie Swofford and chef Joseph Morrison, guests can savor dishes that are simply delicioso! The Herradura Tequila Dinner is on Monday, August 13 at 7 p.m. at the East Boulevard Cantina 1511. The cost is $75, plus tax and gratuity. Frank Scibelli, one of the restaurant’s owners, is pleased to welcome Ruben Aceves, the International Brand Ambassador for Casa Herradura for the evening. He will be available to discuss the four outstanding tequilas that will be showcased in cocktails at the dinner.

Chef Swofford’s menu for the Herradura Tequila Dinner includes:

Opening Course
Herradura Silver Cured Copper River King Salmon
Chayote slaw, Mango Chipotle Drizzle

Second Course
Local Organic Pork Cheek Carnitas
Windcrest Farms Calabacita, Pipian Verde

Third Course
Huachinango Crudo
Chilled Green Beans, Shiitake Mushrooms, Huitlacoche Salad
Herradura Reposado Limon Crema, Achiote Oil

Fourth Course
Prime Angus “Filete al Carbón”
Oaxacan Potato Confit, Herradura Añejo – Mulato Chile Sauce

Fifth Course
Fresas Borrachas
Drunken Strawberries, Vanilla Scented Queso Cabrito
Poppy Lime Churros, Pomegranate Syrup

Casa Herradura has a proud reputation. Throughout its 136 year history, it has been a leader of quality beverages including wines, liquors and especially tequila. Serving consumers in the United States and worldwide, Casa Herradura provides one of the best tequilas in the world. The four supreme Herradura expressions that customers at the Cantina 1511 tequila dinner will taste are Silver, Anejo, Reposado and Seleccion Suprema.

The original Cantina 1511 is located at 1511 East Blvd. For reservations to the Herradura Tequila Dinner, please call (704) 331-9222. The newest Cantina 1511 restaurant is at 7708 Rea Road. For reservations, please call (704) 752-9797.

40 years of Mister K’s

Went to Mister K’s for lunch yesterday. That’s the old-school burger joint on South Boulevard across from Southend Brewery. Despite the fact that it’s three blocks from the office, I hadn’t been to Mister K’s in years. You know, trying to eat healthier and all that. But yesterday, I was craving a burger, so I made the short trip. Had a good burger with fresh lettuce and tomatoes. Satisfied my craving. On the way out, I noticed a sign on the door. Mister K’s is celebrating its 40th anniversary on Saturday, August 11. Forty-cent burgers all day. South End has changed a bit since Mister K’s first opened (in fact, developers hadn’t even coined the term “South End”)–urban condos now rise behind the restaurant and next door a brand-new Chipotle burrito joint had a line out the door–but Mister K’s keeps doing it right. I won’t wait years before I go back. —R.T.

Ballantyne’s new store offerings…and the best burger in town

I can’t seem to keep up with all of the new stores opening in and around Charlotte. The most notable, though, are popping up in Ballantyne. Gourmet Enhancements opened its doors at Toringdon Circle (on the same block as Pike Family Nursery, Vintage Wine Cellar, and Hickory Tavern). Just next door, you’ll find holistic pet shop, Pawtique, which features some of the coolest pet products in town. I don’t even own a dog or cat, but the bakery display case featuring some of the prettiest doggie treats was so amazing I ended up buying 4 treats for my husband’s two black labs (decadent-looking cinnamon buns and peanut butter cups). Over in Blakeney where a Home Goods, Marshalls, and Old Navy are underway, you’ll not only find HUE Studio with the best selection of leggings and comfy cotton underpinnings, but you’ll also see Francesca’s Collection. The small store is chockfull of inexpensive headbands, earrings, sandals, scarves, you name it. Also, coming soon to Blakeney is Swoozie’s, an Atlanta-based upscale stationer, which boasts, they say, “contemporary and unique gifts, an extensive invitation selection, stationery, greeting cards, and more.” If that weren’t enough, down the street from Blakeney in The Fountains (where you’ll find Coco Fleur and Circa) High Style recently opened its doors, too. The upscale transitional/modern home store offers exclusive lines to Charlotte such as Christopher Guy (i.e. the mod furniture you’ll find throughout Vegas’s swanky Bellagio Hotel). And finally, after you’ve hit up all the new Ballantyne shops, you gotta stop by Ballantyne Resort’s new Gallery Bar for what may be the best burger I’ve ever had…period. It’s honestly the juiciest, most flavorful piece of beef dressed with Guiness-flavored cheese and a choice of side (I suggest the hush puppies or sweet potato fries).

Solera Mediterranean Cuisine opens in old Pearl restaurant spot

Looks like the space formerly occupied by Pearl restaurant (around the corner from Presbyterian Hospital) is now home to another new eatery. And my neighbors swear by it. Solera Mediteranean Cuisine will have a soft opening next Wednesday night and then, I believe, it will open its doors officially the following week. The food, though, is apparently excellent (my neighbors happen to know the owner and had an advanced tasting). We’ll run an update when we try it out next week. Solera is located at 366 N. Caswell Street, Charlotte, 704-375-2636.

Specific instructions from Starbucks

Got a press release from Starbucks touting three new drinks. Check out the drinking instructions for the one pasted below.

Tazo Shaken Blueberry White Iced Tea – This crisp, refreshing tea consists of freshly-brewed Tazo® white tea leaves complemented by a natural blueberry flavor.  Serve this shaken delight with ice, and you’ll find that this new take on a classic beverage is a flavorful, yet delicate refreshment.  Sit back with a tall cool one and catch up with a cousin before the annual family reunion. 

I don’t know, seems strange to me. This must be a very special-occasion drink. —R.T.

Finally, a restaurant to fill the Palomino space

Remember a lifetime ago when Palomino Eurobistro (it later dropped the “eurobistro” and replaced it with a variety of things, each stranger than the last) was the hottest restaurant in town? Located in the O’Dell building on the north end of downtown, the beautiful crowd flocked there for months on end. Then it lost its way, struggled for a while, and closed.

After going vacant for months, renovation has begun in order to accommodate GW Fins, a high-end seafood restaurant out of New Orleans. This will be the second location. The PR rep tells me they’re shooting for a mid September opening. The New Orleans location has received a lot of press attention since opening about six years ago, including writeups in Esquire, Gourmet, and Bon Appetit. Check out the web site for that and the menu, which changes daily (the PR rep also tells me that Executive Chef (and co-owner–gotta love that) Tenney Flynn plans to use Carolina seafood). —R.T.