The 16 not-to-be-missed food and drink spots this June
Summer is officially here, and it’s not just the weather that’s heating things up in the Queen City. Local restaurants and bars are updating their menus with summer-inspired food and beverages. Dishes are on the lighter side, and drinks are reminiscent of tropical vacations.
From drinks with friends to a dinner that would make even the dullest of dates exciting, June promises to be hot, yet delicious.
Here are 16 places to go, along with some of the new things you should try this month. (If prices are not listed, they are not yet available.)
(1) Bar Cocoa
201 E. Trade St.
Key Lime Cheesecake is cheesecake encased in a graham cracker crust with key lime mousse, key lime curd and vanilla Chantilly. $6.50
(2) Catawba Brewing Co.
933 Louise Ave., Suite 105
On June 6, Catawba Brewing will release their small batch beer, Honey Nut Breakfast Milk Stout. With a 6.2 percent ABV, this small-batch beer is a sweet dark ale featuring European wildflower honey, toasted hazelnuts and milk sugar. It’s aged on certified organic, fair trade Rwandan coffee beans from Dynamite Roasting Co. in Black Mountain. A portion of proceeds will be donated to The Center for Honeybee Research. Honey Nut Breakfast Milk Stout is Passport Beer #23 in Catawba’s 2019 Small Batch rewards program. This draft-only release is available exclusively in Catawba’s four tasting rooms.
(3) Crepe Cellar
3116 N. Davidson St.
New cocktails at Crepe Cellar include:
Stroll through the Blueberry Patch with Sutler’s gin, lemon, blueberry-thyme infusion and Cava.
Danger is my Middle Name with Ilegal Mezcal Joven, lime, spiced pineapple and hints of cardamom.
Matcha Flip made with Muddy River coconut rum, Canton ginger liqueur, lemongrass, pineapple, matcha and flipped with an egg white.
(4) Coco & the Director
100 W. Trade St.
In honor of National Doughnut Day on June 7, Coco & the Director will serve its mini versions of Stoke’s popular one pound doughnut. Available all day while supplies last, the doughnuts will be served hot with a side of their signature diplomat cream. $1 each.
(5) Dandelion Market
118 W. 5th St.
Pickle Jar with house-pickled vegetables served with grilled bread. $7
Fried Brie & Plums with grilled plums, honey ricotta, black pepper and micro cilantro. $10
Crab Cakes with chipotle pineapple, basil oil and micro basil. $13
Tomato Salad with heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, red wine vinaigrette, feta and micro basil. $9
Kale Salad with blackberries, dried cranberries, pecans, goat cheese and lemon vinaigrette. $10
Pan Seared Scallops with cowboy caviar containing black eyed peas, black beans, tomato, bell pepper, poblano, cilantro, red wine vinaigrette, smoked paprika, chili powder and lemon gremolata. $17
Pork Belly with blackberries, glazed sweet potato and barbeque sauce. $11
(6) Dilworth Tasting Room
300 E. Tremont Ave.
With the announcement of Jonathan Shuler as the new executive chef with Dilworth Tasting Room, patrons can expect to see popular items, such as flatbreads and paninis stay on the menu. But there will be new additions and a Croatian influence on dishes, as well.
Additions include:
Lamb meatballs
Daily pasta dishes
Daily market fish
Steak
(7) Dunkin’
Multiple locations
June 7 is National Doughnut Day, and to celebrate, you can get a free classic donut with the purchase of any beverage.
(8) Growlers Pourhouse
3120 N. Davidson St.
Toki & Tonic, featuring Toki whiskey, Cocchi Americano, grapefruit, basil and house-made tonic.
Peanuts & Cola, made with George Dickel 12 Year, Tippleman’s cola syrup and salted peanuts.
Elyx of Life, featuring Absolut Elyx vodka, lime, orange bitters and a dash of salt.
Suffering Bastard, made with Sutler’s gin, Copper & Kings brandy, lime and ginger beer.
(9) Haberdish
3106 N. Davidson St.
Charlotteans rejoice: New Tiki drinks will be offered at Haberdish to start you summer off right.
Singapore Sling with Roku gin, cherry cordial, brandy, lime juice, pineapple juice, angostura, acid phosphate and soda.
Cabernet Barrel-Aged Tequila Negroni, made with Cabernet barrel-aged Hornitos tequila, Campari and sweet vermouth. Available for a limited time.
Besame, made with Don Julio blanco tequila, vanilla orange syrup, red lillet, lime juice, fresh berries and mint, and served on crushed ice.
(10) Hickory Tavern
Multiple locations
On June 15, in honor of National Lobster Day, Hickory Tavern will be offering a special Maine lobster roll.
(11) Mama Ricotta’s
601 S. Kings Drive, Suite AA
Kobe meatball sub, includes American wagyu beef and Joyce Farms pork meatballs braised in Mama’s tomato basil sauce, smothered in melted mozzarella and served on crusty bread. $11
Chicken parmesan sandwich is house-breaded chicken Romano topped with San Marzano tomato basil red sauce and muenster cheese on a crusty baguette served with parmesan fries. $11
(12) Reid’s Fine Foods
Multiple locations
This month, Reid’s Fine Foods will introduce its third house brand of wine. This time it’s a rosé, just in time for summer.
(13) Sweet Lew’s BBQ
923 Belmont Ave.
Sweet Lew’s BBQ is launching Summer Cookout Packages. From now until Labor Day weekend, you get a choice of chopped pork or smoked chicken thighs, with sides of red slaw, potato salad and sliced watermelon. $12 per person (If you want ribs or brisket by the pound, desserts, etc., it will cost extra.)
Due to popular demand, Sweet Lew’s BBQ has also announced that you can now purchase their house-made sauces. Take home a bottle of their Pork Sauce, Brisket Sauce and Rib Sauce, as well as their Southern Spice Rub. Each is $10, and their Alabama White Sauce will be available later this summer.
(14) Sukoshi
101 S. Tryon St., Suite 120
Shumai fritters served with spicy aioli sauce and greens. $7
Fried rice with egg, onion, and garlic soy. $4; plus $3 to add chicken or shrimp
Ha ha-machi roll made with yellowtail, serrano pepper, tempura shrimp, mango, micro cilantro and ponzu. $12
The pow pow Cali roll made with tempura crab, cucumber, avocado and masago. $8
Red dragon roll, a crunchy roll made with tempura shrimp, avocado, spicy crab mix and eel sauce. $12
Mermaid roll, made with scallop, salmon, avocado, tempura fried, eel sauce, spicy aioli and scallions. $10
The rainbow, made with salmon, tuna, yellowtail, ponzu sauce, pear, edamame, mango cucumber and sesame seeds. $15
Uptown chicken, made with chicken breast, yuzu teriyaki and sautéed market vegetables. $11
(15) The Crunkleton
1957 E. 7th St.
Starting June 1, The Crunkleton will be serving its first collaboration brew with Birdsong Brewery. Ocean Breathes Salty, an oyster saison, is a salty saison with a 4.2% ABV that is the perfect beer to pair with oysters.
Just in time for Father’s Day, The Crunkleton is launching private tastings with Gary Crunkleton. These must be scheduled in advance by contacting Hannah at hannah@thecrunkleton.com. Price: Private Bourbon Mash Bill Tasting $175 per ticket and Whiskey Regions of Scotland Tasting for $275 per ticket.
(16) Upstream
6902 Phillips Place
Lemon Mousse Torte, made with angel food cake, raspberry meringue white chocolate mousse and dehydrated lemon. $8
Chocolate Rum Cheesecake, featuring butterscotch mousse and chocolate fudge butterscotch ganache. $8
Strawberry Red Rose Creme Brulee, made with maserated bourbon strawberries and candied rose petals. $8
Frangelico Caramel Apple Pie, made with warm brown sugar streusel and spiced apple gelato. $8
Coffee Ice Cream, made with hazelnut-espresso cookie and espresso caramel. $8
Food-focused events in June
Mark your calendars for these food-focused events taking place in June.
WINE 102: A seven-course wine tasting with Mark Orsini from Orsini Wines and special guest Brad of Airfield Estates
June 1; 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Mimosa Grill
327 S. Tryon St.
Beer Pairings Dinner
June 6; 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Legion Brewing SouthPark
5610 Carnegie Blvd.
Monthly Beer Education
June 6; 7 p.m.
Growlers Pourhouse
3120 N. Davidson St.
Taste of Charlotte
June 7-9
Uptown on Tryon Street
Teen Baking Workshop
June 10 – 14, 1 – 4:30 p.m.
Sweet Spot Studio
4412 Monroe Rd., Suite D
Lobster and Beer Fest
June 15; noon – 11 p.m.
Sycamore Brewing
2161 Hawkins St.
Bordeaux 101 Dinner
June 18; 6 – 9 p.m.
La Belle Helene
300 S. Tryon Street
This story was originally published June 2, 2019 at 10:03 PM with the headline "The 16 not-to-be-missed food and drink spots this June."