Travel and Outdoors

Road Trip: Visit Charlotte, NC to sip, savor + celebrate its booming culinary scene March 8-22, 2023

Presented by a COLAtoday Partner

Bartender perfecting a hand-crafted cocktail.

Charlotte’s top tastemakers are coming together for a can’t-miss culinary event. | Photo provided by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

From food trucks to fine dining + craft beer to craft cocktails — Charlotte’s food and beverage scene is a powerhouse, wowing guests with bold flavors that puts the Queen City on the map as a foodie destination. Now, the city’s high-ranking culinary artists are extending an open invitation to Savor Charlotte, an exclusive two-week event happening in Charlotte, NC from March 8-22 and featuring hands-on classes, demonstrations from industry trendsetters, exclusive menus, and special offers from top restaurateurs. 👀

Here’s a preview of the restaurants, tastemakers, and mixologists coming together to make this culinary event something well worth traveling for. (Pro tip: Gather your fellow foodies and take your eating adventures on the road.)

Supperland

Supperland is frequently and favorably featured in the pages of the national press, even making Bon Appétit’s Top 10 Best New Restaurants of 2022, while head mixologist Collen Hughes was named Esquire’s Cocktail Guru of the Year.

The Cocktailery

This cocktail supply and beverage shop aims to “take the mystery out of mixology.” The Cocktailery offers classes and an assortment of barware + accessories to make the cocktail crafting process more approachable.

A couple sitting at a table with a spread of food from Pickled Peach. — This event is a chance to experience the best of Charlotte’s culinary scene.

Billy Sunday

An offshoot of a Chicago bar lauded by Food & Wine, Condé Naste + more, Billy Sunday has made its way to Optimist Hall in Charlotte. The stand-alone chalet features a vintage spirits program with sister concept, Spindle Bar, found upstairs as an illustrious endcap to the food hall’s diverse culinary offerings.

Counter-

From Chef Sam Hart comes Counter-, an immersive and fully sensory tasting experience with themed monthly menus paired to music — turning dining expectations on its heel. Hart has taken this same counter-intuitive approach to his newest concept, Biblio, where guests are given a 500-bottle wine list and, with the help of sommeliers and chefs, food that is paired to the wine-of-choice at this reverse-engineered wine bar. *

SEE DETAILS + RESERVE YOUR SPOT

This content was created in partnership with Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and written by Michaela Leung.*

Which restaurant are you most excited to try during Savor Charlotte?

A. Supperland
B. The Cocktailery
C. Billy Sunday
D. Counter-

LET US KNOW

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Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, Feb. 17

Univ of South Carolina Gamecocks Baseball vs. UMass Lowell River Hawks Baseball | Friday, Feb. 17-Sunday, Feb. 19 | Times vary | Founders Park, 431 Williams St., Columbia | $12-$15 | Root root root for the Gamecocks when you attend the season opener.
Sensory Night | Friday, Feb. 17 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St., Columbia | Free | Guests can look forward to lowered lighting and sounds, limited crowd size, programming from educators, and resources from partner organizations.
COLAughs Comedy LATE NIGHT @ NoMa Warehouse | Friday, Feb. 17 | 10-11:30 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | $15.50 | Go early to catch the flea and the show starts at 10 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 18

12,000 Year History Park - Civil War Tour | Saturday, Feb. 18 | 1-3 p.m. | Cayce Tennis Center, 1120 Fort Congaree Trail, Cayce | Free | Learn about the strategies and tactics used by both sides as Sherman marched through South Carolina on his way to Columbia.
Take Heart and Smile: Colagate Bright Smiles Bright Futures | Saturday, Feb. 18 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St., Columbia | Free | Have your child learn about oral health through games and videos as well as have the opportunity for them to receive a free dental screening.
West Columbia’s Meeting Street Artisan Market | Saturday, Feb. 18-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia | Free | Browse original arts and crafts from local makers, fresh produce, and local prepared food vendors.
UNDER THE STARS: 80’s Prom | Saturday, Feb. 18 | 8 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $10 | Get dressed up in your best 1980’s get-up and go to prom.

Sunday, February 19

2023 Lexington Chili Cookoff | Sunday, Feb. 19 | 12 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 West Main St., Lexington | $15 | Admission includes music and unlimited chili samples, with all proceeds benefitting local charities.
Oysters, Beer, and Bubbles | Sunday, Feb. 19 | Hendrix, 1649 Main St., Columbia | 2-6 p.m. | $40-$50 | Your ticket grants you five select oyster preparation tickets with beer and bubbles pairings.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

City

New program aims to help young men throughout the Midlands

Presented by a COLAtoday Partner

“We’re more than just mentors,” says Dr. Baron Davis, YMU Advisory Committee Chair. “We want to be their advocates. We want to ensure we can advocate for them in spaces when they’re not there, and many students don’t have those individuals in their lives to advocate for them by making sure they have opportunities to equal access.” | Photo provided by United Way of the Midlands

United Way of the Midlands is launching Young Men United (YMU), an innovative initiative designed to create barrier-free pathways to academic and career dreams. YMU aims to address inequity gaps in education, income, and wealth by providing support to high school-aged students — starting in the eleventh grade — who want to succeed in college.

YMU will aid young men through mentorships and familial financial support to ensure their educational journey isn’t interrupted. Partnering with the four HBCUs and other institutions of higher learning in the Midlands, participants can envision where they could go if they continue their education. Additionally, participants will be encouraged to increase their civic engagement, participate in internships, and receive job placement assistance.

“Young Men United gives us another pathway to create generational change throughout the Midlands,” says Jabari Bodrick, Ph.D., Education & Resiliency Director for United Way of the Midlands. “We look forward to working with school districts throughout the Midlands to provide young Black men with the critical support they need to build bright futures.”

Keep reading to learn more about how the program will positively impact the community and how to support YMU as it grows.*

YMU'S COMMUNITY IMPACT

Weather

67º | Light rain | 69% chance of rain

Civic

The City of Forest Acres mayor Frank Brunson announced plans to retire at the end of his term. An election will be held on May 9 to vote for the three offices up for election, including the mayor and two at-large districts. 🌳

Open

Taipo Ramen House is now open at 5341 Sunset Blvd., Suite C in the Topspin Plaza in Lexington. The menu includes a variety of ramen dishes and seven types of specialty Boba teas. 🧋

Biz

Sculpted by WH Aesthetics — a medical spa specializing in injectable, laser, and anti-aging services — is moving down the street to 701 Lady St., next door to M Vista. The new space offers 2,674-sqft and brings the building to full occupancy. 🔬

Eat

Dessert and Cocktail Bar The Robinson Room announced it is moving out of the lower level of The Grand and across the street to the Good Life Café space on the 1600 block of Main Street. The move will allow the restaurant to offer a tapas menu as well. 🍰

Plan Ahead

Concert in the Gardens returns to the Hampton-Preston Mansion on Thursday, April 27, from 6–8 p.m. Grab your tickets here to see performers from the South Carolina Philharmonic present a concert of light classics. 🎻

Health

Good news, COLA. MUSC Health has made a pancreatic cancer breakthrough: New research traces the origin of a cell that plays a key role in pancreatic cancer to forming during embryonic development. Find out why this is important — and how it opens the door to better-targeted therapies.*

Travel

Planning a weekend road trip? Pro tip: Get bonus gas rewards when you buy participating items at Lowes Foods. Learn more.⛽ *

Sports

Super Bowl weekend may be over, but NBA All-Star Weekend kicks off today, Feb. 17. See the lineup of events — like this evening’s All-Star Celebrity Game and Sunday’s 72nd NBA All-Star Game — and get your hands on the limited edition All-Star merch before it sells out. 🏀 *

Home

So you can’t stop dreaming about fresh, new cabinets in your kitchen. If the question of financing is the only thing holding you back, we’ve got two words for you: home equity. Calculate your monthly payment.*

Featured Home

Built as an elementary school in 1931, The Homes at McCants is a historical renovation designed by award-winning Garvin Design Group. The recently refurbished residences feature fresh paint + updated appliances (along with its historical charm.) Stop by the open house this weekend or take a video tour. 👀 *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

No kindness is ever wasted

6 random acts of kindness to brighten up Columbia’s community

Trees are beginning to bloom on the State House grounds. | Photo by COLAtoday

February is the season of love, but we’re adding kindness to the mix. Today is National Random Acts of Kindness Day, but these acts can be performed any time of year.

From simple gestures to volunteering your time, here are six random acts of kindness you can perform to make a neighbor’s day or brighten up the community.

Bring treats to work

Next time you’re on the way to work, grab your coworkers some coffee or pastries. Pro tip: donuts from The Donut Guy and brews from Cool Beans Coffee Company are a perfect pairing.

Show local businesses some love

It’s no secret that we love our local businesses. Next time you stop by your go-to spots, tip generously or write a positive review.

Give something just because

Whether it’s to recognize a teacher or surprise someone special in your life, we suggest gifting a candle from Wixology or a card from Joy Paper Co. 🎁

Plant native species

Add some green to your community by planting native species. Use the National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder to start your search.

THREE MORE ACTS OF KINDNESS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by David.

Editor’s pick: I was browsing the 1971 USC yearbook — because those are just the types of things we do at COLAtoday — and came across this Greek life picture. Recognize anyone in the photo? Let us know.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read about Mardi Gras events in Columbia, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Lindsey Rhinesmith| Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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