24 not-to-be-missed​ food and drink spots this September

With the kids back in school and the days growing shorter, summer is slowly coming to a close in the Queen City. Pumpkin-flavored everything will soon be on menus, and we will be entering prime non-sweaty patio season. As we close the chapter on summer 2019 in Charlotte, the restaurants, breweries and bars aren’t slowing down.

September features such signature food holidays as National Bourbon Month, National Drink a Beer Day and National Coffee Day. In the coming weeks, expect local establishments to announce more events and specials to go along with these holidays.

Here are 24 places to go, along with some of the new things you should try this month. Also, mark your calendar for some, or all, of the food-focused events highlighted below for this month. (If prices are not listed, they are not yet available.)

(1) Aria

100 N. Tryon St.

Aria has a special mid-summer menu that will continue through September. Some of the items include:

• Handmade Whipped Burrata Ravioli with roasted pattypan squash and preserved lemon ($18).
• Pan-Roasted Nantucket Scallops, served with roasted corn risotto and Genovese basil pesto. ($30)
• Grilled 12 oz. Meyer Company Ranch N.Y. Strip, featuring vegetarian-fed, hormone- and antibiotic-free Montana beef with fresh watercress salad, shaved Grana Padano and aged balsamic. ($32)
• House-Made Sweet Basil Pappardelle with Bolognese, local Uno Alla Volta fresh ricotta, pine nuts and lemon zest. ($17)
• Roasted N.C. Trout, served with summer succotash and tomato brodo. ($19)
• Nonna’s Torta with lemon pastry cream, pine nuts, almonds and fresh blueberry sauce. ($8)

(2) The Asbury 

235 N. Tryon St.

The Asbury has updated its dinner menu. Standouts include: 

• Grilled Pork Chop with rice grits, simmered greens and field peas, with peach salad. ($28)
• Peach Pop, a popsicle served with almond crumble. 

(3) Bar Marcel

3920 Sharon Road, Suite 160

Bar Marcel is introducing a new dessert menu.

Espresso Semifreddo is a double chocolate brownie with a cocoa nib tuile, served with a caramel sauce. 

Paris-Brest is a pate a choux served with hazelnut buttercream, almond crumble and crème anglaise.

Tart au Citron with brown butter almond crumble and coconut crème chantilly. 

Lemon Vanilla Napoleon, served with basil custard and strawberry ice cream.

Peach Pie made with crème fraiche blueberry ice cream, shortbread crumble, lemon curd and blueberries. 

(4) Bardo

1508 S. Mint St.

Bardo is adding a new dessert, as well as a wine specially selected to pair with the dessert. Also, throughout the month, Bardo is offering 20% off of food when you sit at the bar on Mondays and Tuesdays.

• Dessert: Grapes, goat cheese, benne seed and brioche. 
• The new wine option to be paired with this dessert is Calatroni “Sangue di Giuda,” a semi-sweet wine from Lombardy, Italy.

(5) Catawba Brewing Co.

933 Louise Ave., Ste. 105

It’s almost pumpkin season. Catawba Brewing Co. will release two pumpkin-flavored beers on Sept. 6. King Don’s Pumpkin Ale (5.5 % ABV) and Emperor Don’s Imperial Pumpkin Ale (7.8% ABV) will be available on draft and in 12 oz. 6-pack cans at the Charlotte tasting room. And, to celebrate National Drink Beer Day on Sept. 28, the brewery will give a free limited-edition anniversary pint glass with a purchase of King Don’s (limit one per customer).

(6) The Crunkleton

1957 E. 7th St.

Brunch fans rejoice: Starting the weekend of Sept. 7, The Crunkleton will start serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.  Expect dishes such as avocado toast, shrimp and grits, Eggs in Purgatory, and the Tree Hugger Scramble.

(7) Cupcrazed Cakery

936 Market St., Suite 103, Fort Mill

Cupcrazed will roll out its monthly Karma cupcake early in September. A portion of the proceeds will go to a to-be-announced charity. 

(8) Growlers Pourhouse

3120 N. Davidson St.

Be on the lookout for a new menu coming to Growlers Pourhouse. The chefs from Crepe Cellar and Haberdish have been working on a new menu for this 9-year-old establishment. Look for additions such as burgers, lobster rolls and more,

(9) The McNinch House Restaurant

511 N. Church St.

The McNinch House Restaurant is updating its dinner menu for September, and one of the standouts is a new dessert.

Chocolate and Caramel Dessert includes chocolate sorbet, salted caramel ice cream, cherry chocolate ganache, caramel gel, tuile and sweet cherries.

(10) Midwood Smokehouse

Multiple locations

While supplies last, Midwood Smokehouse locations will be serving a Street Corn special.

(11) Mimosa Grill

327 S. Tryon St.

In the coming weeks, Mimosa Grill will be rolling out its new fall menu.

(12) Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo

220 E. Trade St., Suite 2200

Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo will be offering an Heirloom Cherry Tomato Salad (photo shown above), featuring grilled corn, smoked goat cheese and toasted pine nuts, drizzled with aged balsamic glaze

(13) Queen City Grounds

644 N. Church St.

For September, Queen City Grounds has partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and created the “The St. Jude” latte. During the month, 10 percent of all proceeds from the purchase of this drink will go back to the hospital. In addition to this special, Queen City Grounds will also continue its Wednesday vegan dinner night special through the end of the month.

(14) ROOTS Cafe

2135 Southend Dr., Suite 109

ROOTS Cafe will start serving Iced Vanilla Chai Latte as its drink special during September.

(15) The Stanley

1961 E. 7th St.

After much fanfare, The Stanley is now serving its signature Stanley Burger during the week at the bar from 5-9 p.m., until 10 p.m. on the weekends and during Sunday brunch. 

(16) Upstream

6902 Phillips Place

Since discontinuing brunch service years ago, loyal customers have been asking for Upstream to bring back the buffet. Now, the team at Upstream has listened, and the brunch buffet will be coming back in September.

(17) Yafo Kitchen

Multiple locations

In September, Yafo Kitchen locations will debut their Israeli Hot Chicken.

September Dining Deals

(18) BLT Steak Charlotte

110 N.College St.

• Sunday: half-price bottles of wine 

(19) Civetta

7828, Suite E, Rea Road

Civetta has introduced new daily drink specials.

• Monday: $3 Peroni
• Wednesday: $5 rose all day and $5 Pinot Project Rosè 
• Thursday: $5 draft beers 
• Friday: $5 Seasonal Cellos

(20) Fran’s Filling Station

2410 Park Road

• Monday – Thursday: Prix Fixe Menu (1 app, 2 entrées and a bottle of wine) for $50; and half-priced bottle of wines.
• Monday – Tuesday: Kids eat free (under 12, 1 free kids entree with purchase of 1 adult entree, dinner in taproom only, while space permits). 
• Monday: $3 draft beers (Fran’s only offers local and regional beers on tap); and $10 flatbreads

(21) La Belle Helene

300 S. Tryon S.

Monday – Friday (3-6 p.m.): Enjoy the Apres Midi Menu at the bar and terrace only.

• $1 East Coast Oysters (each)
• $5 Mimosa Eggs
• $8 Tart Flambée
• $8 LBH Burger

Daily Dinner Specials Menu

• Monday: Duck confit, lentils, apple and celery for $32
• Tuesday: Braised short rib, horseradish pomme purée for $30
• Wednesday: Boeuf bourguignon, pommes purée for $25
• Thursday: Confit lamb shank, housemade ratatouille for $32
• Friday: Roasted branzino, leek fondue, clams for $32

(22) McNinch House

511 N. Church St.

The McNinch House now offers a three-course pre-theater dinner (without wine $89; with wine pairings $125). When guests make a reservation for a three-course pre-theater dinner, they can park in the McNinch House lot at no charge, leave their car there and pick it up after the show.

(23) Resident Culture Brewing Company

2101 Central Ave.

• Monday: Meatless Mondays will kick off Sept.9 with vegan/vegetarian food trucks each Monday from 5-10 p.m. and $1 off all draught beers.

(24) VBGB Beer Hall & Garden

920 Hamilton St.

Starting in September, VBGB will be offering the following specials on Sundays:

• $8.50 Build Your Own Bloody Mary with 10+ toppings to choose from.
• Mimosa flights with different purees and flavors.
• A brunch menu will make its debut.

Food-focused events

Beer & Education Classes

All month, 5-8 p.m.

Protagonist

3123 N. Davidson St.

Food Truck Friday

All month, 7 -10 p.m.

Resident Culture Brewing Company

2101 Central Ave.

‘Aperitivo Trio’ Tasting

Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

BLT Steak

110 N. College St.

Next Plate: 5Church + La Belle Helene + Discovery Place

Sept. 18, 7-9 p.m.

Camp North End (Event Space)

1824 Statesville Ave.

Friends of James Beard Foundation Dinner

Sept. 19, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Haymaker

225 S. Poplar St.

Culinary Fight Club: Street Food Showdown

Sept. 23, 6-9 p.m.

VBGB Beer Hall & Garden 

920 Hamilton St.

Bourbon Dinner

Sept. 28, 6 p.m.

Mimosa Grill

327 S. Tryon St.

This story was originally published September 2, 2019 at 10:03 PM with the headline "24 not-to-be-missed​ food and drink spots this September."