Hidden gem in Charlotte’s Oakhurst neighborhood where the menu is as creative as the food
March 26, 2026
Q&A: Ramp season, dress codes
Each week, we answer reader questions about food and drink in Charlotte
Q: When and where can I get ramps?
Tom: We’re just now starting to see reports of the wild, garlicky Appalachian leek showing up on some Asheville menus and at markets. When, or even if, they make it down to Charlotte is anyone’s guess. Although there have been attempts to cultivate them, ramps remain largely a foraged item, harvested in Carolina forests from late March to about mid-May, give or take. The seeds can take up to eighteen months just to germinate, and plants can take up to seven years to reach harvest size. That alone is enough to discourage most farmers, not to mention that they’re tied to a forest environment. There are also ongoing sustainability concerns, which explains last week’s arrest of ramp poachers in Asheville. Plus the area is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which severely affected the ramp terroir. Bottomline: it’s a bit of a wait-and-see game. In the past, a few Charlotte-area farmers have used mountain connections to offer ramps at local markets. Your best bet is to follow your favorite farmers markets on social media or subscribe to their newsletters to see if the short-lived annual delicacy shows up in the Queen City. Or take a field trip west and see what the mountain markets have to offer.
Q: I read the story referred to in Monday’s newsletter about the fallout from Ruth’s Chris enforcement of dress codes. What’s your take?
Tom: I don’t have a problem with it. The allure of a restaurant goes beyond the food. Style and vibe play a significant role, which is why they carry a lot of weight in our own restaurant reviews. In this case, the steak chain wants to maintain a certain level of sophistication in its dining rooms by requiring a business casual dress code (the rule does not apply to eating at the bar) and believes the customer shares the responsibility of maintaining that. In a way, it’s a bit brave, the willingness to potentially sacrifce income to stay true to its identity. Locally, dot dot dot also has a dress code and has been known to turn people away. In fact a few month’s ago, ddd put out a poll asking its customers if they should do away with it. The answer was a resounding “no.” What it comes down to is “their house, their rules.” I can live with that.
