Q: Will Chris Coleman’s departure from Stoke set off a chain reaction of chef changes?
UP: We’ll have to wait and see! After he announced he was leaving, Marriott decided to split Coleman’s position into two jobs: executive chef of Stoke, and executive chef of the hotel operations (catering, room service). That should make the position much more attractive to restaurant fine-dining chefs. If someone is ready to leave their current position, Stoke would certainly make an appealing next step, and if that someone comes from another restaurant, then yes, the dominos will begin falling. A chef shake-up!

 

Q: What does Aix closing mean for their spot at Optimist Hall?
UP: When I spoke to co-owner Patrick Garrivier, I asked him this same question. He said that the food hall spot is still up in the air. The stalls will open in waves, though, and I do know they were not planning to be one of the first vendors when Optimist Hall opens on August 1.

 

Q: Where should I take a picky 15-year-old to dinner when he visits that still shows off CLT?
UP: Ooh, tough one! If you’re looking to do some things around Uptown, I’d recommend King’s Kitchen. It’s classic Southern food, and near a lot of tourist attractions. Haberdish has a distinct Charlotte personality I think, too, with its mill town ties. A few other ideas: Leroy Fox in South End, or Midwood Smokehouse in Plaza Midwood.

 

Q: Now that Aix is closed, where can I find good French food?
UP: A friend mentioned they thought Charlotte had an aversion to French food, and I felt like there was no way that could be true. But after talking to the Aix owners, maybe that’s true. French restaurants do seem to be cursed. I haven’t been to La Belle Helene since Halcyon’s Jim Stouffer took over, but it had been steadily improving since opening. You could also head down to Santé in Matthews, if it’s not too far.

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