Hidden gem in Charlotte’s Oakhurst neighborhood where the menu is as creative as the food
May 28, 2020
Q&A: New in NoDa, Charlotte restaurants reopening this weekend
Each week, we answer your questions about food and drink in Charlotte
Orto will serve pasta and pizza in NoDa. Photo by Peter Taylor
Q: I saw that a new place was working on opening in the old Mangos place in NoDa. I was wondering what is going into the space? Also any new places opening up in NoDa soon?
UP: We’ll get you some more information on the Mangos space, but it sounds like it will be an updated version of Mangos with a partially new ownership group. As for upcoming restaurants, construction is starting at Orto, an Italian concept from The Stanley’s Paul Verica. That space is in the Novel Apartments development near the light rail stop. The Mason Jar Group’s Bargarita, a taco and margarita restaurant in the former Solstice Tavern spot, was close to opening before the pandemic hit. The team behind The Goodyear House will likely expand on that street at some point, they told us when we spoke to them about their plans for the restaurant. There’s a lot happening on that side of town!
Q: Will you be continuing your recipe series now that restaurants are reopening?
UP: Yes! We’ve gotten great feedback about Justin’s recipes, and will definitely keep doing them. They’ll likely see a bit of a rebrand, as we’re not quarantining much longer, but we’re so glad you’ve enjoyed them and will continue to publish them! We recently added “recipes” to our navigation to make them easier to find, and have added a print button to the bottom of each one that enables you to download a printer-friendly PDF version, too.
Q: I’m still not comfortable going out to restaurants and bars. Are you going to do any more virtual happy hours?
UP: Yes! Stay tuned. I’m working on adding two more to the schedule, and will give you more details on those in Monday’s newsletter.
Q: Is there anywhere to find a list of the restaurants reopening each weekend?
UP: Starting next week, we’ll be publishing a list of who is opening that week. Here are some of the places already open: Goodyear House, Bar Marcel, Bonterra, Bistro La Bon, Noble Smoke, Rare Roots Hospitality’s restaurants, and O-Ku. Among the restaurants opening tonight (Thursday) are The Crunkleton, Aqua e Vino, Oak Steakhouse, and Indaco.
Have a question for us? Send to to editor@unpretentiouspalate.com and we’ll answer it for you next week!
