August 13, 2026
Q&A: Low-key food and wine, learning cocktails
Each week, we answer reader questions about food and drink in Charlotte
Q: I’m looking for a low-key place to eat with decent wine. Suggestions?
Tom: A few! Chef Andres Kaifer’s Emmy Lou’s in Dilworth offers a very nice menu and impressive selection of wines in a very relaxed atmosphere. With four locations in the area (and one in Raleigh) Foxcroft Food & Wine recently rebranded to put a greater empasis on its quality menu. Many remember chef Taylor Kastl from her days at Assorted Table, so you can bet wine plays a significant role at her place, The Teal Turnip, in Oakhurst. Rosemont has long dropped “Market & Wine Bar” from its original name, but the Elizabeth restaurant still offers wide range of wines to go along with chef Mike Long’s menu. Across the street from Rosemont, Flight fully embraces the “low-key” vibe with a number of sharable plates and pizzas to accompany its vino offerings. Lastly, you can say your goodbyes to Good Food on Montford with a nice bottle and nibbles, as the Park Road icon will close its doors at the end of the month after seventeen years.
Q: Where can I learn to make good cocktails at home?
Tom: Nationally recognized Charlotte mixologist Bob Peters started his monthly cocktail classes at the dear, departed Earl’s Grocery back in 2015 and he’s still showing folks how to stir and shake every second Saturday of the month at his current gig at Soul Gastrolounge in Sugar Creek. His former Picses protégée, Larry Suggs, is doing the same on select Sunday nights at his All Purpose Bar in NoDa. Both are free to attend and tend to fill up quickly. So, I recommend coming a bit early for a little pre-gaming. DTR (formerly Dilworth Tasting Room) offers ticketed classes from time-to-time which typically include small bites to accompany your learning and imbibing. Other places occasionally pop up. Best way to stay in the know is you check our UP calendar.
