Plenty of culinary events to enjoy in Charlotte

Panera

Panera Bread is coming to the Arboretum in south Charlotte. The company has signed a lease on an area between McDonald’s and a gas station facing Pineville-Matthews Road. The store will have a drive through and more than 3,000 square feet when finished.

• www.panera.com.

Firehouse Subs

A new Firehouse location has opened in SouthPark at Morrison Place. Firehouse Subs, “founded by firemen,” serves hot and cold subs as well as salads, sides and desserts. Kids’ combos come with a firehat.

• Firehouse Subs

3920 Sharon Road

704-364-2006

www.firehousesubs.com.

Cowbell Burger

Cowbell Burger & Bar will be opening in the former Nix Burgers and Brew space uptown. Mortimer’s Café and Pub and Leroy Fox partners Brandon Viebrock and Shawn Wilfong bought the Fifth Street space from Nick LaVecchia. Cowbell plans to serve burgers from meat ground in-house, fresh produce and hand-cut fries when they open in March.

• Cowbell Burger & Bar

201 N. Tryon St.

980-224-8674

Mimosa Grill

Executive Chef Jon Fortes’ Valentine’s Day menu, Bites and Bubbles, includes a number of courses paired with champagne for $60 per person. Menu highlights: a deconstructed Maine lobster salad with avocado, hydro cress, celery root and lemon aioli and local bread, a slow-smoked “Rock House Farm” pork loin with shell peas, oyster mushrooms, mimosa tasso ham and truffle puree, a duck confit terrine and a cured duck breast with robiola cheese and warm mountain pears. A Chambord chocolate ganache torte with wild raspberries is the featured dessert. Call the restaurant for reservations, 704-343-0700.

• Mimosa Grill

327 S. Tryon St.

704-343-0700

www.mimosagrill.com.

Charlotte Food and Wine Weekend Kickoff

Motown at Uptown, the official kickoff event for the 2013-2014 Charlotte Food and Wine fundraising season which culminates in the 2014 Charlotte Food and Wine Weekend, is set for April 20. The event, presented by Aria Tuscan Grill, Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Cayman Islands, will run 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Founders Hall, 100 N. Tryon St. The celebration includes a VIP dinner from Aria and music from The Sensational Sounds of Motown, as well as hundreds of vintners and live and silent auctions. Tickets for the evening are available in three levels; see the website for details and to purchase. The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte is offering a special room rate for the weekend; visit the website for information. Charlotte Food and Wine Weekend will run April 23-36, 2014, and will include four days of winemakers from across the country along with Charlotte’s top chefs providing educational events for the benefit of area children’s charities.

• www.charlottewineandfood.org.

Orrman’s Cheese Shop

Located in the 7th Street Public Market, Orrman’s supports regional and national small batch, artisan cheese producers. A variety of cheeses are available for purchase by the pound in the cheese case. Orrman’s serves grilled cheese sandwiches made fresh to order. Owner Rachel Klebaur recommends the Gouda with preserved walnuts and shallot confit and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich made with Durham’s Big Spoon Roaster’s handcrafted peanut butter and Emily G’s jam. Goat cheese from Bosky Acres in Waxhaw can be added to the sandwich for an additional cost.

•  Orrman’s Cheese Shop

224 S. 7th St.

980-226-3025

www.facebook.com/orrmanscheese.

Dishcrawl Charlotte

Dishcrawl, similar to a pub crawl but with food, holds its inaugural Charlotte event Feb. 27 in the historic South End district. Ticket holders for the evening will meet at a location to be disclosed 48 hours in advance of event, and will be able to visit four restaurants in one night. Chefs and owners will be on hand to meet with participants and answer questions. All food for the evening is included in the $45 ticket price; participating restaurants are kept secret until the evening of. Clues to who will be there may be found on Twitter @DishcrawlCLT in the weeks leading up to the event. Questions? Email CiaraC@Dishcrawl.com, or visit the website.

• www.dishcrawl.com/charlotte.

Urban Sip and Bar Cocoa

Located on the 15th floor of The Ritz Carlton, Urban Sip wine, scotch, spirits and tapas bar will offer jazz Feb. 14, in addition to the regular Friday and Saturday live music line up. Valentine’s weekend, both Urban Sip and Bar Cocoa at The Ritz will feature a three-course, all dessert sweets and sparkling wine dinner. The “First Date” menu is priced at $75 per person and features paired courses such as spiced cranberry clafouti with Veuve Clicquot Rose and warm chocolate cake with white chocolate ice cream and raspberry coulis paired with Banfi Rosa Regale. Desserts for Two will also be offered at Urban Sip for Valentine’s weekend: chocolate fondue for two with chocolate tasting plates and a selection of fine champagnes. For reservations at either Bar Cocoa or Urban Sip, call The Ritz Carlton.

• The Ritz Carlton

201 E. Trade St.

704-547-2244

www.ritzcarlton.com.

Chima

Enjoy a Valentine’s dinner for two uptown at Chima for $79 per person Feb. 14. Package includes rodizio, salad bar, a glass of champagne, a choice of dessert and coffee. Call for reservations.

•  Chima Brazilian Steakhouse

139 S. Tryon St.

704-601-4141

www.chimasteakhouse.com.

The Palm

Feb. 13 - 17, The Palm at Phillips Place is featuring a Valentine’s Lobster Dinner for two for $125. . A broiled, 4-pound Nova Scotia lobster split for two with melted butter and lemon is featured, along with a choice of salad, side and dessert. Add a bottle of bubbles for an additional $30. Call or visit the website for reservations.

•  The Palm

6705-B Phillips Place Court

704-552-7256

www.thepalm.com.

Amor de Brazil

Feb. 14 - 16, Amor de Brazil in Matthews is offering a Valentine’s package for two complete with two dinners, dessert and a bottle of wine. Call for pricing and reservations.

•  Amor de Brazil Steakhouse

2225 Matthews Township Parkway

704-841-1241

www.amordebrazil.us.

Georges Brasserie

Chef Andrew Dodd of Georges Brasserie in SouthPark will be serving a three-course Valentine’s dinner for $65 per couple Feb. 14. An appetizer, entrée and dessert are included along with a red rose. Call to reserve your spot.

•  Georges Brasserie

4620 Piedmont Row Drive

980-219-7409

www.georgesbrasserie.com.

Polka Dot Bakeshop

Vanilla bean, chocolate and red velvet cupcakes for $3.75 each are here for Valentine’s Day along with decorated cookies. •  Polka Dot Bakeshop

1730 E. Woodlawn Road

704-523-5001

www.polkadotbakeshop.com.

Firebirds

A special Valentine’s menu is on tap from Feb. 11-17. A look at the entrees: chile rubbed salmon, prime rib and coconut shrimp and filet Oscar wrapped with bacon, and topped with lump crabmeat and asparagus.

•  Firebirds SouthPark

3920 Sharon Road

704-366-3655

• Firebirds StoneCrest

7716 Rea Road

704-752-7979

www.firebirdsrestaurants.com.

Global

Global Restaurant in Toringdon Market in Ballantyne is featuring a five-course Valentine’s Day menu with wine pairings Feb. 14. Menu includes veal Rillette, scallops and chocolate Bavarian with raspberry coulis. Call for reservations.

•  Global Restaurant

3520 Toringdon Way

704-248-0866

www.global-restaurant.com.