A popular Charlotte restaurant featuring Southern flavors has now reopened
Upscale dining fans who have been missing Dogwood Southern Table and Bar in Charlotte don’t have to wait any longer. Its new location at The Westin Charlotte popped open the doors for service on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
The hotel partnered with Kim and Jon Dressler’s Rare Roots Hospitality group as part of a $25 million renovation to bring back the beloved Charlotte restaurant. It first opened in SouthPark in 2014 and closed in 2023.
Reservations are available via OpenTable for lunch service from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner service from 5-10 p.m.
A few fan-favorite items will make a return to the Dogwood menu, including:
- Duck & Dumplings with confit duck, pickled mirepoix and house dumplings.
- Baked Pimento Cheese with tomato jam.
- Bacon Jam (available on a Snacks and Quick Bites menu served between lunch and dinner, and after dinner).
New menu items will also showcase local farm produce and proteins with classic Southern cooking influences. Dogwood will feature several desserts from Joan’s Bakery, including the famous cheesecake named after Joan Dressler.
Along with a la carte steaks, pork chops and sides, look for:
- Crispy Carolina Catfish with maque choux and chow chow.
- Pork Shank with roasted vegetables, winter spices and pork jus.
- Shrimp Tagliatelle with Gulf shrimp, jowl bacon and local greens.
- Shrimp and Grits with Anson Mills yellow grits.
The dining room — built to convey the “essence of Southern hospitality” seats 116 guests, and an additional lounge area with soft seating adds room for 48 more.
The restaurant also includes a 36-seat wraparound bar, which will serve California-centric wine selections and classic Southern drinks from a cocktail menu by Brittany “BK” Kellum.
Pro tip: Dogwood’s drinks lists are included in “Dogwood Resolves,” a 90-page book that gets its name from the historic Mecklenburg Resolves. It shares some of the history and attractions in the area, plus a retrospective on the original Dogwood restaurant.
“We’re ecstatic that Dogwood is coming out of retirement, and even more ecstatic with the grandeur that comes with it being a part of The Westin’s upfit,” Jon Dressler said in a news release.
“Guests are going to love the new, highly designed space coupled with the charm and hospitality of our Southern-inspired menu and service.”
Among the many players involved in the restaurant’s rebirth are:
Executive chef Scott Hollingsworth of Rare Roots crafted the menu.
Dogwood executive chef Westley Treme and his culinary team.
- General contractor Barringer Construction.
- Architect and interior designer Square Feet Studio.
- The Plaid Penguin, which handled Dogwood’s rebranding, website and menu design.
Dogwood Southern Table and Bar
Location: The Westin Charlotte, 601 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Cuisine: American, Southern
Instagram: @dogwoodclt
This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 12:11 PM.
