#20: The Hag answers questions 🧐

Charlotte-themed Q&A, tapas at Optimist, an upsetting closure

It’s my 20th newsletter and, although some may say that’s not a milestone, it is to me. I can’t even keep up with an exercise routine that many weeks in a row. So, in honor of #20, I thought it would be fun to do a sort of Charlotte-themed, 20 questions style, get-to-know-the-hag thing.

I’ve also come down with some kind of springtime illness and have taken to my bed for the past two days, so I figured this could also double as an obituary if things take a turn.

1. What’s the most underrated Charlotte spot?

   Honestly, Culture Shop! They have bomb ass sandwiches (the Capo is my favorite) and a great wine selection. It’s an ideal place to meet a friend for lunch or get everything you need for a picnic. I don’t think they get enough hype.

   

2. What’s the most overrated Charlotte spot?

   There are a few that come to mind but Milkbread is one. I’ve tried it multiple times and have always been deeply disappointed (see: sad wrap & bagels). They have a well-crafted menu but the execution never lands.

3. What’s an objectively uncool spot that you love unironically?

   The Melting Pot at Midtown. That place is fucking magical. They have the BEST service. Like…those servers are trained like sommeliers but for fondue. I know it’s a place high schoolers go on Valentine’s Day but I don’t care.

   

   yes, those are rose petals

4. What neighborhood do you spend the most time in?

   I’d say NoDa/Camp North End/Optimist Park. I know those are all separate areas but they feel clumped together to me. So many favorite spots around those parts.

5. What Charlotte spot would you never return to?

   Thankfully this place is closed, so there’s no chance of me ever returning but Bubble. This was “Charlotte’s first champagne bar” back when the Epicenter was a thing. I ended up there (not by my own suggestion) on a night when it was crawling with coked out investment bankers. The Wolf of Wall Street vibes were a little too much for me, so I Irish exited and located a nearby pizza place.

6. Where would you take friends or family who are visiting from out of town?

   The Billy Graham Library!!! Kidding. I’d probably start out at Rosie’s Wine Garden. Dinner plans depend on who’s visiting. If it’s friends, I’d get to-go pizzas from Bird and move the party to Substrate. If it’s family, I’m snagging a reservation at Mama Ricotta’s.

   

   Bird 🤝 Substrate

7. Where would you take yourself on a solo date?

   In an ideal world, I’m getting an early dinner at Good Food on Montford and then catching a movie at Park Terrace. I’ve never gone to a movie solo but it sounds kind of great? Maybe on a 95-degree day this summer, I’ll actually go sit in a dark, air-conditioned theater and eat a giant tub popcorn by myself.

8. Where are you going if you want to celebrate something?

   I’m definitely going to Bar à Vins and ordering the “Even Fancier Caviar Service” with a glass of sparkling wine. Then, we’re getting dinner at Ever Andalo where I can order a For Ever Martini, roasted oysters, pasta and an affogato.

   

9. You’re hungover on a Saturday morning, where do you go?

   If I’m the type of hungover where I can leave the house, I’m going to JackBeagle’s. I’m ordering a breakfast burrito with sausage and home fries. I’m also getting a Bloody Mary (with Tito’s Vodka) and only drinking half of it. I love a Blood Mary but they are always too big imo. Normalize making tiny ones!

10. What’s your favorite cozy winter spot?

    Rada. I’ve only been once during the actual winter (a few times this spring) but I can already tell it’s going to be a standby on chilly nights. It’s got a cozy, intimate vibe. Candlelight. Pasta. It’s also a place you’d definitely order coffee at the end of the meal.

    

11. Where are you going in the summer?

    Depends on the mood but I’m either venturing up to Hello, Sailor or going to the Whitewater Center. Hello, Sailor is for when it’s too hot to do anything but drink boozy slushees and eat chilled shrimp. WWC is for when I feel like doing an outdoor activity with the promise of an ice cold Hell or High Watermelon beer at the end. The food there is also surprisingly not bad. Both spots are great for people watching.

    

12. What meal can you not stop ordering?

    The Jimmy Chop Salad has been on heavy rotation. I don’t know what it is about that salad but it’s perfect. More salads should have chunks of salami.

13. What’s your ideal day trip?

    Hiking at Stone Mountain and then hitting up a winery afterwards. Roaring River Vineyards and Raffaldini Vineyards are my two favorites. Raffaldini is definitely more picturesque (v Italian countryside in the summer) but I do enjoy drinking while wading in the water at Roaring River (v RFK swimming in sewage).

    

14. What spot are you ashamed to say you’ve never tried?

    Brooks’ Sandwich House! I actually lived in NoDa and somehow never tried it. It’s been in Charlotte for 40+ years. I’ve got to get on that ASAP.

15. What spot are you proud to say you’ve never tried?

    Ink N Ivy. Not sure how I made it through my 20’s without ending up here at some point but happy I made it out unscathed.

16. What’s the best meal you’ve eaten in Charlotte?

    The tasting menu at L’Ostrica. An incredible meal and experience from start to finish. Full QCH review is here.

    

17. If you could only pick one restaurant to bring back from the dead, which would it be?

    Oh man. This has to be a tie between NC Red and Owen’s Bagels. I’d lean more towards NC Red if I had to choose one. I’d give up one of my fingers if it meant I could have that lobster roll on the reg.

18. What would you like to see more of in Charlotte?

    Interesting/weird cocktails, better taco options, good seafood, dim sum, bagels

19. What would you like to see less of?

    Italian food (there’s too much!), generic wine bars, breweries, fast casual chains, self-pour bars, espresso martinis, pickleball

20. If you could pick up one place and move it closer to your house, what would it be?

    Bar à Vins. The Park Road/SouthPark area has a real need for cool wine bars. I’m really hoping the new Emmy Lou’s in Dilworth scratches that itch.

Got any other burning questions? Drop them in the comments.

Also, thank you from the bottom of my cold hag heart for subscribing and reading this newsletter. It means a lot.

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5 things I consumed this week in Charlotte

1. Southwest Smoked Chicken salad ($17) from River’s Edge Grill. Went to the Whitewater Center last week for a team work event. This salad was exactly what I needed before donning a harness and dangling on a ropes course. Loved the jalapeno ranch. I also indulged in a Diet Coke, which really hits different on a hot day.

2. A slew of items from Marina’s Tapas at Optimist Hall. Ordered the Croquetas, Calamares Fritos, Ensaladilla Rusa, and Albondigas. My first time trying this place and tbh I wasn’t blown away by anything. The calamari was my favorite of the bunch. I’d go back but I’d order differently next time.

3. Another slew of items at Stagioni. This was a work dinner and I couldn’t bring myself to photograph the food (and risk outting myself!). It was, however, my first time at Stagioni and I highly enjoyed it. Standouts were the foccaccia, tuna crudo, and soppressata pizza. Must return for further documentation.

4. The upsetting news that Boxcar Betty’s has closed. Yes, my favorite chicken sandwich spot at Optimist is boarded up and gone. I didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye. God is dead.

5. Two glasses of wine ($15) and a t-shirt at Bar à Vins. They celebrated their 3-year anniversary last weekend so I obviously had to stop by. Also, their new merch is 🔥.

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Resting up this week so I can make it to our Omakase Experience by Prime Fish reservation. Consuming all the water and Airborne.

c u next tuesday,

the hag herself

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All of the food and drinks reviewed in QCH are paid for by the author. This newsletter does not feature any ads or sponsored content.