After some serious delays, Optimist Hall finally opened with its first round of stalls. The tenants will open on a rolling basis, with Bao & Broth, Honeysuckle Gelato, Pet Wants, Spindle Bar, Zukku Sushi, and Undercurrent Coffee in the starting lineup. Here’s a list of what concepts have signed on so far to the food hall, which is just outside of Uptown towards NoDa. The address is 340 E. 16^th St., between Parkwood Avenue and Tryon Street. —Kristen Wile

Aix French Market

Aix en Provence and Le Cochon D’Or closed, and this concept of rotisserie chicken and a traditional French bakery is still up in the air. We previewed their menu here.

Ava Neapolitan Pizzeria

The Tampa-based Neapolitan pizza shop will also serve salads and paninis.

Bao + Broth – NOW OPEN

Executive chef Larry Schreiber’s steamed bun at Good Food on Montford is one of the most popular dishes at the restaurant, so it won’t be surprising if this concept does well. We previewed the menu of steamed buns and ramen.

Boxcar Betty’s

A Charleston-based chicken sandwich spot is one of the later additions to the Optimist Hall roster.

Billy Sunday

Before heading to the preview event, I got a message from a friend in Chicago who covers cocktails and saw this news. “One of the best high-end cocktail bars in Chicago,” he said. It will be interesting to see how this cocktail bar translates to a food hall. We spoke to the owner about what to expect. 

Botiwalla

Asheville-based chef and restaurateur Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani Restaurant Group (Buxton Hall) will open Botiwalla in fall 2019. Botiwalla is an Indian street food and Irani cafe that first opened in Atlanta, and will take one of the anchor restaurant spaces in the food hall. Irani explains his vision for the concept. 

The Dumpling Lady – NOW OPEN

There’s a reason why chefs name The Dumpling Lady one of their favorite restaurants in town, even though it’s a food truck. We’re most excited about this concept, and to see what comes from The Dumpling Lady’s first brick-and-mortar space.

Felix’s Empanadas

Currently a food truck serving sweet and savory empanadas, Felix’s will expand its menu for its first brick-and-mortar spot. Think traditional Argentinian dishes like entrana (skirt steak with chimichurri) and milanesas (breaded and fried pork, chicken, and steak).

Fonta Flora Brewery

This brewery out of Morganton will open its third location in Charlotte. This one, however, will just be a tasting room; no beer will be brewed on site.

Honeysuckle Gelato – NOW OPEN

Coming from Atlanta’s Ponce City Market, Honeysuckle’s scratch-made gelato using high quality ingredients first launched as a food truck.

Papi Queso

The beloved grilled cheese food truck will be stationary with a stall at Optimist Hall when it opens in mid September.

Suarez Bakery

Cakes and cookies are as delicious as they are beautiful at this Park Road Shopping Center bakery.

Undercurrent Coffee – NOW OPEN

This coffee shop currently has a location in the heart of Plaza Midwood, where it serves coffees, teas, and a menu of locally-sourced, healthy breakfast and lunch foods. Owner Todd Huber explains how he hopes to keep Undercurrent’s chill vibe amid the food hall energy.

Velvet Taco

This Texas-based spot will serve tacos with an international twist, as well as brunch tacos all day.

Village Juice Company

A Winston-Salem import, this juice bar will also serve smoothies, salads, grain bowls, and sandwiches.

Zukku Sushi

What’s a food hall without a sushi vendor? Zukku, based in Tampa, will serve sushi, sushi burritos, and bowls.

 

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