Q: Do you know what’s happening with Supperland? Is it still going to open?
UP: It is! Supperland is the next restaurant to come from Growlers, Crepe Cellar, and Haberdish’s owners. It will be near the Harris Teeter in Plaza Midwood. According to Jeff Tonidandel, the restaurant has seen construction delays due to Covid-19, as well as a delay in supplies. The restaurant also centers on a wood-fired grill, and the team was set to stage in New York, but research and menu development are in progress here in Charlotte as construction continues. “We’re moving along, fighting through a lot of different things,” Tonidandel says.

Q: Cool mix of restaurants by Biden and his campaign on their visit. If you were a campaign doing a whistlestop tour of Charlotte, where would you eat?
UP: I’m not going to pretend to understand the politics behind how the places are chosen, but I’m up to play this game! I am guessing I’d be doing a breakfast-lunch stop. For breakfast, I’d stop at The Yolk and grab shrimp and grits or chicken and waffles to knock one thing off the “I visited the South” Bingo card. Being in 7th Street Public Market, I could also chat with several small business owners who have stalls there. For lunch, it would have to be the signature barbecue stop. I’d pick Sweet Lew’s BBQ; chef/owner Lewis Donald’s story is really an inspirational one — and the kind of American dream story that campaign ads love to share. In case you missed it, Joe Biden visited Mert’s Heart & Soul in Uptown and got Mac’s Speed Shop to go.

Q: We have family coming in for Thanksgiving and are trying to think ahead on what reservations to make/yummy things to order before they are filled and sold out. Any suggestions? 
UP: Certainly — although you may be planning far ahead of most businesses. With the uncertainty around what restaurant dining rooms will look like in November, many owners aren’t quite sure what they’re doing yet. Restaurants will be grateful that you’re looking to dine out — most places are really going to struggle this year without the rush of private parties and catering they usually see in December. If your family is very food-adventurous, I think Counter- would be a cool experience, though it doesn’t lend itself to bonding time with its emphasis music. Camp North End’s Friday night events are always a great outing with family, so I’d pencil in dinner at Leah & Louise. Uptown restaurants have been quiet during the week, so a Tuesday night dinner at somewhere like Haymaker or Sea Level followed by a walk around Uptown and a drink at Fin & Fino would be easy. Sweet Lew’s is doing a football barbecue package that would be great for Sunday night, and Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen’s Family Table Meals are always a big hit when we have people visiting and want to eat at home without cooking. Definitely order the Nutella pie. When entertaining, we also keep frozen meals from Reid’s Fine Foods or Pasta & Provisions on hand. Desserts and pastries are always a good idea, too — consider ordering a box from Wentworth & Fenn or Moonbox Bakery, which Justin wrote about recently. Sweet Spot Studio is selling cookie kits if you’re in need of a fun activity — or, you could book a class for the whole fam! That should be a good start for you. If you need something more specific, let me know!

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