Q: What kind of food does Grinning Mule serve? Looking for an upscale date night.
UP: I’d classify Grinning Mule as more of a low-key, neighborhood spot than high-end. The opening menu is pared down a bit from what the owners had anticipated given the Plaza Midwood restaurant opened in the middle of a pandemic, but centers on shared, snackable plates. You’ll find dishes like tacos, flatbreads, and some delicious lettuce wraps that are great to nibble on while enjoying fun cocktails from mixologist Bob Peters. It’s the kind of place you can wear jeans or something a little fancier and not feel out of place. They also have a fantastic patio. 

Q: Where is a good place to buy bitters in Charlotte?
UP: We tend to go to Assorted Table Wine Shoppe, which has a great selection in 7th Street Public Market. Right now, however, they’re only open for curb-side pickup and delivery of orders more than $100. Call ahead and you can talk through the selection then pick up your purchases later. Savory Spice Shop has a good selection of bitters from Durham-based Crude Bitters, but you’ll have to call and order for curb-side pickup there, as well. Foxcroft Wine Co. usually carries some as well, if you’re looking for more common bitters like Angostura.

Q: What’s a good patio with family-friendly meals and not so intimate where my kids will be annoying to other tables?
UP: We just did a list of our favorite patios if you’d like to check that out! For this specific question, though, I’d recommend Reid’s in SouthPark, Cowfish, or RuRu’s Tacos + Tequila. Another great place is Dish in Plaza Midwood; they’ve been doing some work on their patio during the Covid shutdown. 

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