Foodie road trip: Taste top eats + treats during Savor Charlotte
Savor Charlotte proves that food + drink should be an experience. | Photo provided by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
Hit the road, COLA, and get to know Charlotte’s vibrant culinary scene during Savor Charlotte — a two-week foodie adventure spotlighting the Queen City’s top chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists, and bakers.
Happening March 12-26, the curated culinary experience treats guests to exclusive menus, limited-time deals, and hands-on events by talented tastemakers throughout the city. Here’s the top foodie experiences we’re eyeing:
Savor Charlotte includes local favorites like Haberdish, Growler’s Pourhouse, Another Food Truck + more.
Photo by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority/Jonathan Cooper
🍽️ Exclusive menus
Supperland — The upscale Southern steakhouse will offer specially-made dishes paired with exclusive cocktails.
Angeline’s — Enjoy a three-course, Italian-inspired prix-fixe menu.
McNinch House — Celebrate beloved sommelier, Anthony “Wes” Wesley, with selections of his favorite wines and toasts to his life. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to cancer research in Wes’ honor.
Wentworth & Fenn — Camp North End’s all-scratch bakery will offer a chef-curated pastry + in-house seasonal beverage.
It’s Poppin! Gourmet Kettle Korn — Fried Chicken, Ranch, Strawberry Cheesecake, Kotton Kandy, or Fruity Pebbles? Try these specialty popcorn flavors made just for Savor Charlotte.
Reigning Doughnuts — Savor Charlotte at breakfast time, too. Snag an exclusive doughnut flavor from the walk-up window.
💸 Special offers
Counter- — Get $25 off a seven-course tasting menu by visionary Chef Sam Hart.
Fin & Fino — Go on a tasting tour for two, featuring seafood dishes, a cocktail, and wine.
Fonta Flora Brewery — Sip a special beer release + enjoy live music.
Cuzzo’s Cuisine — Save 15% at this local-favorite restaurant famous for its lobster mac n’ cheese.
Joan’s Bakery & Deli — Enjoy a complimentary slice of fresh-baked cake with any sandwich.
🧑🍳 Hands-on events
Assorted Table Wine & Shop — On March 13, attend an exclusive hands-on class as Assorted Table and Orrman’s Cheese Shop helps you craft your own wine + cheese pairings.
Orrman’s Cheese Shop — On March 21, indulge in cheesy raclette scraped onto potatoes and served with baguette, cornichons + mustard, and salami.
👉 How it works
Pick your experience and mention the word “savor” or use code SAVOR when booking an online reservation.
Pro tip: Tag @charlottesgotalot and use #SavorCharlotte to share your experience on social.
What’s your favorite way to experience a city’s culinary scene?
A. Enjoy a meal at a restaurant B. Find a favorite food truck C. Grab a drink at a bar or lounge D. Visit a local bakery E. Meet with friends at a brewery
Joe Bonamassa | Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 8 p.m. | The Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia | $49-$199 | This guitar virtuoso has topped the Billboard 200 Blues chart 26 times.
Wednesday, Feb. 28
Read to a Dog | Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 4-5 p.m. | Richland Library North Main, Columbia | Free | Join Susanne and her certified dog to practice reading with a furry friend.
Mount Eden Wine Dinner | Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 6-8 p.m. | Hampton Street Vineyard, 1207 Hampton St., Columbia | $135 | Anticipate a four-course tasting menu paired with six Mount Eden wines.
Comedy + Beer at Old Mill Brewpub | Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Old Mill Brewpub, 711 E. Main St Ste. A3, Lexington | $15 | Laugh along with SC comedians and get there early to order pre-show food.
Thursday, Feb. 29
Black History Month Jubilee Celebration | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6-7:45 p.m. | Richland Library Northeast, Columbia | Free | Join Richland Library Northeast as it celebrates Black History through open mic poetry, African dance, and a cooking demonstration by Chef Floyd.
Congaree Riverkeeper 15 Year Celebration | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6-9 p.m. | 300 Senate, 300 Senate St., Columbia | $65-$75 | Celebrate 15 years of Congaree Riverkeeper’s work protecting Cola’s rivers with an oyster roast + live music.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey spoke to USC board members on the benefits of college athletics changing for student-athletes, amidst evolving discussions on NIL, expansions, and transfers. He hinted at a possible nine-game SEC football schedule. (The Post and Courier)
Open
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) and Carolina Concessions are celebrating several new food court options with a ribbon cutting today. Now you can enjoy Samuel Adams Columbia Brewhouse, Jimmy John’s, Dunkin’, and Friendly Caterer To-Go when you fly.
Sports
Gamecock baseball had a victorious week, going 4-1, with wins over Winthrop, Queens, and the Belmont series. Standouts included Dylan Brewer’s .647 batting average and Talmadge LeCroy leading the SEC in runs. Next, they face Gardner-Webb before battling Clemson in a highly anticipated series. (Gamecocks Online)
Cause
Individual tickets are available for the “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” gala benefiting the Ronald McDonald House, taking place on Friday, March 1 at 1208 Washington Place. Take a look at the live auction items.
Plan Ahead
Registration is open for the 28th annual Soldiers and Vets Charity Golf Tournament, happening on Thursday, May 16, at Golden Hills Golf and Country Club in Lexington. The event supports military families across SC, with proceeds benefiting the Fort Jackson-Palmetto State AUSA chapter.
Eat
We’ve got three more weeks of winter before spring rolls around, so we’re savoring all the cozy weekend mornings we can. On our menu this week? This blueberry coffee cake. Whip it up in 20 minutes and enjoy a warm slice with your morning coffee.*
Finance
Consolidate debt to lower your payments. Pay off credit cards, medical debt, and more. Calculate monthly payments.*
Listen
Recently hired wide receivers coach James Coley just left for a job at Georgia in the same role. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Gamecockswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Visitors walk on a boardwalk to explore the nation’s largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. | Photo by Congaree National Forest
In 2023, national parks across the US saw 325.5 million visits, marking a 4% increase from the previous year.
Congaree National Park, located just 30 minutes from downtown Cola, set a new record with 250,114 visitors, surpassing the 2021 record by almost 35,000.
This growth reflects a year-round interest in the park that’s focused on preserving the nation’s largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. Driving this increase is the continued interest in the annual park with the help of events like the viewing of the synchronized fireflies and the celebration of Juneteenth.
Speaking of the synchronized fireflies, May was the most visited month ever for Congaree National Park. We’ll keep you up-to-date on the upcoming lottery for passes to the park, happening for approximately two weeks between mid-May and mid-June.
The Buy
The Buy
Something from Six & Main’s Brands That Give Back collection, so you can shop your favorite coffee, jewelry, cards, and tees all while knowing you’re supporting brands that make a difference. Causes include: animal rescue groups, local water based incentives, and national parks.
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The Gamecocks men’s basketball team jumped to No. 18 in the country after their weekend victory at Ole Miss. Next up, the team travels to College Station to play Texas A&M on Wednesday night. Tune in to watch at 8:30 p.m. on the SEC Network.
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