The Dish

News, notes, and gossip about the restaurant scene

Feast Week

Charlotte's first-ever Restaurant Week kicks off July 12, and The Dish couldn't be more excited. Local organizers Bruce and Jill Hensley of marketing firm Hensley/Fontana brought the concept to Charlotte after learning of its popularity in other cities. "We thought it was a cool idea," says Bruce, "and we took it and ran with it." They're calling it Queen's Feast, but The Dish plans to eat like a king. Here's how: From Saturday, July 12, to Friday, July 18, diners can enjoy prix fixe three-course meals at forty-two participating restaurants for $30. And these aren't dives either -- Blue, Carpe Diem, Customshop, Del Frisco's, GW Fins, Noble's, and Oceanaire are among your choices. Reservations, which go quickly in other cities, are available through www.charlotterestaurantweek.com.

Quality Meats

Earth Fare market and café now carries breakfast sausage and prosciutto from Lincoln County organic meat supplier Grateful Growers. Animals at Grateful Growers graze on herbicide- and pesticide-free land, and are never treated with hormones or antibiotics. Co-owner Cassie Parsons describes her farm's meat as "outrageously fresh" and adds “we applaud Earth Fare for taking a stand to offer locally produced, clean food, which is so important to the economic and physical health of our community.” Plus, the farm makes a damn fine sausage.

Comings & Goings

Alex Myrick shut down Table, saying Ballantyne wasn't quite ready for an upscale concept. For better or for worse, a Hooters will replace the Graduate downtown.