à la carte

News, notes, and gossip about the restaurant scene

New Uptown

The Wooden Vine (231 N. Tryon St., 704-376-8463) in uptown offers you a chance to enjoy a glass of wine while you do a little shopping. Owner Karin Glenski sells a variety of custom wooden furniture pieces, handcrafted by her brother. Chef Michael Esakov is offering a light menu of appetizers, including a cheese tray featuring twelve different varieties. For a spin on shopping as you sip, check out Twenty-Two (1500 Central Ave., 704-334-0122), which recently opened in Plaza Midwood. The space on the corner of Pecan and Central avenues is part art gallery, part bar, and totally hip, featuring modern art and innovative drinks.

Times Two

Tasty-Yo, a favorite of NoDa sweet tooths, opened its second location (8440 Rea Rd., Ste. 110, 704-544-4545), in south Charlotte Village at Robinson Farm. And now, in addition to its original tart frozen yogurt flavor, Tasty-Yo has introduced raspberry pomegranate, blueberry acai, and peach mango. Loco Lime of Huntersville opened a second location (1101 Central Ave.) in Plaza Midwood in late December. Enjoy the restaurant’s Mexican-inspired menu, which includes ceviche and guacamole made fresh at your table.

Shake It Up

Now at Big Daddy’s in Ballantyne and Dilworth you can enjoy your cheeseburger, but make sure you leave room for dessert. Big Daddy’s worked with pastry chef and artisanal ice cream maker Kriss Harvey of Chicago to create a tasty menu of milkshakes. Look for flavors like caramel apple crumble or purple cow, which features fresh bananas and blueberries with raspberry syrup and animal crackers.