New Metropolitan spot opening with one of Charlotte’s favorite cheesecakes + Jewish staples
A new concept from Rare Roots Hospitality, Joan’s Bakery and Deli, is opening Friday, Dec. 15 at Metropolitan.
The bakery and deli will combine the restaurant group’s best-known desserts with the food from a familiar Jewish deli pop-up, Meshugganah.
Chef Rob Clement, the former executive chef of The Porter’s House who created Meshugganah, will lead the bakery and bring along his popular staples, including pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, to the Joan’s menu.
Joan’s will feature counter service as well as online pre-orders.
The bakery and deli named for owner Jon Dressler’s mother — best known for her cheesecake — will be located near sister restaurant Dressler’s at the shopping center.
Joan Dressler operated a New Jersey bakery, White Thumb, using family recipes and returned to baking when Dressler’s opened at Birkdale Village. Her cheesecake started out as a weekend dessert feature but quickly became a staple on that menu and at every Rare Roots restaurant since.
She handled all the baking until recently. Now, her recipes for cheesecake, carrot cake and apple cake will continue on at Joan’s, along with other pastries, under the direction of pastry chef Hannah Patel. Bottled sodas and Freedom Fresh Roasts coffee from longtime Rare Roots employee Scott Platt will also be available.
Rare Roots Hospitality restaurants include Dressler’s Restaurant at Metropolitan and a Fin & Fino location uptown plus another opening in the former Dressler’s space at Birkdale Village, along with The Porter’s House, Dogwood and Chapter Six. It also recently partnered with Middle C Jazz to take over its kitchen.
“I can think of no better way to honor my mother and share the story behind her amazing desserts than to open our retail bakery under her name,” Jon Dressler said. “We look forward to expanding our offerings with this new space beyond the desserts everyone knows and loves from our restaurants.”
Joan’s Bakery and Deli
Location: 1100 Metropolitan Ave., #190, Charlotte, NC 28204
Cuisine: Bakery, Jewish deli
Instagram: @joansayseat
This story was originally published June 22, 2023 at 10:29 AM.
