Slew of New Restaurants Coming Our Way
Just now, I ran into chef Marvin Woods while getting coffee at Java Passage, the great coffeeshop next door to our office. He was wearing his signature multihued 'do rag, which you may recognize from his TV show Home Plate, which ran on Turner South for several years (I miss that network). He's in town to open Woods on South, a new restaurant where Southend Brewery used to be. And it reminded me that I've been meaning to post on all the new restaaurants about to open (more after the jump).
As he waited for his coffee to cool (he doesn't like it hot), Woods told me that he's coined a new term to describe the cuisine at Woods on South: "Carolina Cuisine." The focus will be on regional cuisine and regional ingredients. "Everyone gets stuck on Low Country cuisine," he told me. "North Carolina has good food, too." Also, look for his signature Afro/Caribbean influence. It opens this weekend with two grand opening parties on Friday and Saturday. Each costs $20 and money goes to local charities.
A bunch of other places are coming, too. Below are the ones we know about, taken straight from The Dish, in the November issue (consider this a free preview).
Americana —Rich Walker brings to life his dream of regional cuisine, live roots music, and a communal atmosphere in Pineville near Carolina Place Mall.
Big Daddy’s Burger Bar—Frank Scibelli (Mama Ricotta’s, Cantina 1511) will offer a wide variety of fancy burgers to go with a long list of beers at this East Boulevard joint.
Crisp—A stylish eatery takes over at the corner of Seventh and Pecan in Elizabeth.
Flying Biscuit—The folks behind the Moe’s and Mama Fu’s chain have franchised this iconic Atlanta restaurant, known for breakfast all day and down-home Southern meals. It’s coming to Stonecrest.
GW Fins —Charlotte marks the first venture outside New Orleans for this upscale seafood house, which is downtown in the O’Dell building at Ninth and Tryon.
Just Fresh Kitchen Café—A new concept from the group behind the popular local chain Just Fresh, the focus here is on fresh, healthy fare and green principles with table service. Look for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In RiverGate at N.C. 49 and N.C. 160 in Steele Creek.
Mac’s Speed Shop—The wildly popular yuppie biker bar opens at Lake Norman.
New South Kitchen and Bar—Chris and Sue Edwards have redesigned the interior and the menu of the former Dakotas, in the Arboretum. A few old menu favorites remain, but expect a little more seafood.
Zada Jane’s —Breakfast all day, emphasis on local/organic, separate grills for vegetarian and meat dishes, and shuffleboard are all on tap for this Plaza-Midwood spot.
BONUS: This one didn't make the issue, but The Counter is due to open at The Village at SouthPark, near the Crate and Barrel. It's "the 21st century equivalent to the classic burger joint," according to the release.
We've heard rumblings of others, too, incuding yet another upscale burger joint. We'll keep you posted.
