A new tasting menu restaurant opens quietly in Myers Park
Longtime Charlotte restaurateur Birdie Yang — best known for Baku and Yama Asian Fusion — has quietly opened his newest concept: Sora, a tasting menu restaurant located in Myers Park.
For Yang and his team, Sora is a passion project realized — one that’s nearly eight years in the making.
“We talked about this almost eight years ago, but Charlotte wasn’t ready,” Yang told CharlotteFive.
It wasn’t until other tasting menu restaurants like Counter and L’Ostrica began transforming Charlotte’s food scene, that Yang decided to pursue his dream: to bring a European/Asian-inspired restaurant to the city.
“I think people are more willing to explore and enjoy food differently than they used to be,” Yang said.
The idea for Sora was born from Yang’s deep love of fine wine and sake (he is a certified sommelier, after all) and his desire to bring a European-style fine dining experience to Charlotte.
Unlike Yang’s other concepts (Baku is a high-end Japanese restaurant while Yama offers a more casual setting with hibachi, sushi and bento boxes), Sora focuses on French cuisine, with Asian influences integrated throughout each course.
“The concept is completely different (to Yama and Baku), but the business idea is always the same,” Yang said. “We have to provide great food for the guests.”
Tasting menu, not omakase
At its core, Sora is a tasting menu restaurant, not to be confused with omakase — a Japanese dining experience curated by a chef — a distinction general manager Sara Reeves was quick to make clear.
“Traditionally omakase — especially Edo-style — is sushi and raw fish. I love that dinner, but that’s not what we’re doing here,” Reeves explained.
Sora opened its doors officially on May 1.
The kitchen is led by chef Dorji Tshering. At his helm, the menu changes daily with French touches like foie gras, duck confit, and fresh-made bread. Some Asian ingredients include spicy xo sauce, Japanese snow crab and A5 Miyazaki Gyu, a top-grade Japanese wagyu beef.
The European and Asian elements are woven intricately throughout each plating, creating a delicate merging of culture and flavor.
“The food’s very European-inspired, but we’re going to bring some Asian flair to it as we continue,” Yang explained.
In addition to the tasting menu, Sora offers an exclusive à la carte menu for returning guests with an optional sommelier-curated wine and sake pairing.
An intimate atmosphere
Inside, Sora is speakeasy-like. Behind the door that welcomes you to the dining room, the restaurant is windowless and intimate — perfect for date night.
A large counter makes up the majority of the room. From the vantage of the counter, you can watch as chef Tshering works, meticulously putting the finishing touches on every single dish that goes out. If you’re not a fan of counter seating, there are a handful of tables that line the back wall.
“We designed it to where when you walk inside, and the doors close, you forget that you’re in Charlotte,” Reeves said.
Sora
Location: 2907 Selwyn Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209
Cuisine: French and Asian-style tasting menu.
Instagram: @thesoranc
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