SouthPark Magazine

Sala, a cocktail bar – Brought to you by Moffett Restaurant Group

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There was little fanfare in September when Charlotte chef and restaurateur Bruce Moffett quietly opened Sala, a European-style cocktail lounge next to his stalwart Italian restaurant, Stagioni. The opening was, however, an homage to Blanche Morgan Reynolds-Gourmajenko, the Charlotte socialite and legendary hostess who built the Tuscan-style villa in the 1920s at the spot where Stagioni and Sala now reside. Sala is the newest addition to Moffett Restaurant Group’s portfolio, which also includes Barrington’s, Good Food on Montford, and […]

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The Fig Tree celebrates 20 years

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Since 2005, The Fig Tree — located in the historic Lucas House in Elizabeth — has been a cherished neighborhood haunt and a beloved backdrop for celebrating life’s special moments. Over the past two decades, the 7th Street corridor in this storied neighborhood has seen significant change, with mid-rise apartments and sleek new restaurants reshaping the landscape. Yet at The Fig Tree — housed in a quaint 1915 bungalow — things have remained largely the

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Sound (+) bites: Orosoko Sound Bar

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Cocktail bar Orosoko brings a multisensory dining experience to South End.  Amid the ubiquitous mid-rise apartment and office buildings in South End, Orosoko Sound Bar stands out, precisely, by not standing out. Even the sign is enigmatic, a simple script “O” on the corner of the small one-story building at the corner of Bland and Winnifred streets. Full Feature story at https://southparkmagazine.com/sound-bites/ Justin DriscollHello, my name is Justin Driscoll and I call the wonderful state of North Carolina home.

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Que Onda – Manny Flores Spanish Tapas Twist

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Qué Hospitality founder Manny Flores introduces Charlotte diners to a fresh take on contemporary Latin cuisine. Catalú, his newest concept, offers Spanish tapas plus bold regional wines and cavas.  Full story at SouthPark Magazine – https://southparkmagazine.com/manny-flores-opens-spanish-tapas-restaurant-in-charlotte/ Justin DriscollHello, my name is Justin Driscoll and I call the wonderful state of North Carolina home. I might have taken your photo at some point or met you at a Rock N Roll show? However, I also have many other

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The Fox and Falcon

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David Burke brings his classic New American and modern steakhouse fare to SouthPark. For years, the prominent chef and restaurateur’s desire was to open a restaurant in Charlotte, precisely in the neighborhood where The Fox & Falcon by David Burke is located. The 4,100-square-foot space in Sharon Square was given a facelift after Dogwood closed in August. Dark wood furniture and heavy beams were brightened with lighter paint, ambient lighting, and white tablecloths and chairs.

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Limani Restaurant – Sneak Peak

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The former space which was home to Upstream has now reopened as the beautiful Limani Charlotte restaurant! The Greek-inspired Mediterranean bistro, opened in Phillips Place and I had the pleasure of having a first look. Quality ingredients and an emphasis on simplicity yield light, clean dishes that pop with flavor and showcase the deft yet subtle hand of Executive Chef M.J. Alam and his local culinary team. Limani makes a bold first impression, with an open, airy and

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Delectable Davidson

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I recently spent the day in Davidson NC. Home to the elite liberal arts college, Davidson also has some great eats, drink and shops. I visited a few. Milkbread, Grow, Summit Coffee, The Pickled Peach and Main Street books. Also on the Davidson Campus look for the sculpture made of hardwood tree branches. “Common Ground” by North Carolina artist Patrick Dougherty is rustic art you can walk in, around and through. Another notable work is Magdalena Abakanowicz’s

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“Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” – Ever Andalo, NoDa

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My mothers side of the family hails from Sicily. Between that and growing up in Jersey I am really only snobby about Italian food. Ever Andalo knocked it out of the park! My favorite pasta hands down is Cavatelli. The folks at Ever Andalo hand make their own! When paired with Italian sausage, I was in heaven.  Everything they rolled out for me to photograph was top notch. Let’s not forget Crepe Cellar, the NoDa restaurant Jamie Brown

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Supperland Speakeasy with Colleen Hughes

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I had the opportunity of photographing the wonderful Colleen Hughes for the latest cover of SouthPark Magazine. The article was featured around their newly opened Speakeasy at Supperland. The room tailors to intimate events for tastings and pairings. A short time later I had the pleasure of sitting in on an actual tasting with the amazing folks at Makers Mark. Full Article: Justin DriscollHello, my name is Justin Driscoll and I call the wonderful state of North

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First Look – Warmack

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From the recent article at South Park Magazine: Comfort-food cravings and obsessive, gotta-have-it snack attacks, while known to strike at any time, are particularly acute when approaching the bewitching hour. For Charlotte hospitality veteran and restaurateur James Nguyen, the inability to find a late-night spot in his Plaza Midwood neighborhood to satisfy longings for the foods he grew up with — piquant and earthy Vietnamese banh mi, shrimp crisps, and slow-braised pork belly rice bowls

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