Look for gumbo, Creole chicken and live music at Loretta’s, now open in South Charlotte
Expect live music and French Creole and Southern cuisine when you dine at Loretta’s, now open in South Charlotte.
You’ll find the restaurant in the former Fox & Hound sports bar location at Countryside Shopping Center, near Nakato Japanese Steakhouse. Owner John Jenkins opened Loretta’s as an ode to his mother, Goldie Loretta Jenkins, who grew up in South Carolina.
“She died very young, but she loved to entertain — and that’s what this restaurant is all about,” Jenkins said. “She and my dad used to have dinner parties all the time. ... That’s where I took that from to create Loretta’s.”
Some of Goldie Loretta Jenkins’ recipes show up in the food, which is influenced by the family’s frequent travels to New Orleans, as well as chef Chris Vergili’s experience with Creole cuisine. “It’s really a great collaboration of old to new,” Jenkins said.
With live jazz music playing every night, you’ll want to settle in for a bit. Start with the roasted Oysters Bienville, or the Muffaletta Salad, with mixed greens, olives, country ham, smoked UAV mozzarella, seasonal vegetables and a lemon oregano vinaigrette.
Jenkins describes the atmosphere as that of a jazz supper club, with heavy curtains, chandeliers and “a very relaxed atmosphere.”
“The music is low enough where you can hear it, but you can actually have a conversation with the people at your table,” he said.
You can explore the French Creole flavors of Loretta’s Gumbo and a Creole Half Chicken, served with Loretta’s Red Beans and Rice, and Green Goddess salad with arugula. But you’ll find other flavors, as well.
The Low Country Cioppino includes Carolina catfish, shrimp, mussels, Creole fennel sofrito and grilled sourdough. And a surprise among the restaurant’s top sellers is its Pappardelle Bolognese, which is crafted with pork, beef, basil and shaved Parmesan.
“I’m going to say the gumbo is probably No. 1, but right behind it is the Pappardelle Bolognese,” Jenkins said.
Before summer’s end, a patio will be added outside. And in the fall, look for brunch and lunch to start, as well.
Loretta’s Restaurant
This story was originally published June 8, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
