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SOUTH END HOPS FESTIVAL 10/11 BARKTOBERFEST 10/18 GRAVE DIGGERS BALL 10/25 MUSIC MONSTERS & MAYHEM 10/31
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publisher’s note Thanks for picking up this month’s issue of Elevate Lifestyle… your fall “Dining & Nightlife Guide”. In this issue we keep you updated on some of the newest restaurants in town and updates on some of your favorites. Whether you are a beer drinker or a wine lover, we have the 411 on some of the newest breweries in the area to open up plus some of the favorite place’s to grab that glass of red or white. Once you’ve had your fill of delicious foods and spirits, check out all the events the city has to offer! With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Elevate Lifestyle has a couple events to support those who have been affected by cancer. On Saturday, October 4th we have partnered up with dBraun Promotions for our 8th annual PINK Party which will be at Label and will support Amped For A Cure. Then on Saturday, October 11th we have partnered up with Lazyday.com to have PINK AND DRINK Uptown Bar Crawl which will benefit Carolina Breast Friends. Saturday, October 11th will be a busy day; as we will also have the South End Hops Festival from 1pm to 6pm. There will be plenty of cold craft beers, some great live music, and some of the best food trucks in Charlotte. Grab your tickets now at SouthEndHopsFestival.com. And of course it is October, which brings Halloween, and Charlotte has one of the largest costume parties in the country! The annual Grave Diggers Ball is at the former Dixie’s Tavern parking lot on Saturday, October 25th. There are plenty of other great Halloween events going on throughout the city as well, simply log into ElevateLifestyle.com and see the long list. Hope to see you all at one of our upcoming events! Steve Caldwell
Club Fetch is located in the heart of Charlotte’s Historic Southend and is proud to offer an upscale, exclusive, sanitary environment that will ensure your dog is pampered and content. Your pup will be cared for as a member of the Club Fetch Family and will be showed the same love and care that they receive as a member of your family. Play land and boarding highlights: *Play groups are set according to size and temperament, and we follow strict capacity limits *Rubberized flooring for your pups paw safety *Climate controlled *50” LED TV’s and music in all play and boarding areas for the music lovers and couch potatoes.
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Publisher Steve Caldwell Editor Telisha “Teka Rose” Wheeler Creative Director Greg Smith Design and Production Greenspon Advertising Advertising, Sponsorship, And Website Sales Information Christie Hannula, Christi@ElevateLifestyle.com Steve Caldwell, Steve@ElevateLifestyle.com Contributing Writers Ashley Rodrigue | Bradley Rhyne | Brandon Russell Brian DeBrun | Chris Ritter | Debra Kennedy Gregory Lawrence | Jay Johnson | Julie Tache | Kenya Cooper Lauren Nguyen | Scott Greenberg | Sheila Fate | Stan Owings Steve Caldwell | Telisha “Teka Rose” Wheeler | Troy Adams Contributing Photographers JMT Photography, JMTFoto.com CM Photography, Backprint.com/CMPhoto Cris Anler Photography and Design, CrisAnlerDesign.com Green Valley Photography, GreenValleyPhoto.biz John Lei Photography, JohnLei.com Johnny Perez, Jammin JP Production Ryan Sumner, FenixFotography.com Intern: Jennifer Watson, UNC Charlotte Prinmchit Lee, UNC Charlotte
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By The Pint | craft beer on the rise!
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Skyline | HOT HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN
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Dish De Jour | GREAT DINING EXPERIENCE
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It’s A Guy Thing | HOT STUFF FOR COOL MEN
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Inside Dish | NEWEST ON THE SCENE
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SIP | Three Hunters Vodka
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Cork | The World In Your Glass
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On The Move | Sachhi Enterprises
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Interview with… Chef William Nichols
By The Pint | CRAFT BEER ON THE RISE! By Prinmchit Lee
Keep Calm and Brew On
As 2014 is closely coming to an end, there are tons of breweries that will open up in late 2014 and early 2015. You don’t have to travel so far to have a taste of delicious brewed beer. There will be over ten breweries opening up here in Charlotte area, all which will have their own specialty that you don’t want to miss out. There will be many different styles being brewed. Sugar Creek Brewing On Friday September 19, 2014, owners Eric Flanigan and Joe Vogelbacher opened up Sugar Creek Brewing. The brewers are Joe Vogelbahcer and Todd Franklin. Their taproom opened in late September of 2014. The capacity of barrels is 5000 per year. Sugar Creek Brewing’s emphasized styles will be Belgian, wits (also including cherry wit), dubbel, and Sugar Creek XV (15% abv). Other activities available onsite is restaurant, beer garden, and a private event space. South End | 215 Southside Dr., Charlotte 28217 | 704.521.3333 SugarCreekBrewery.com
Sycamore Brewing Both husband and wife, Justin and Sarah Brigham will be opening up their taproom for Sycamore Brewing in October 2014. The brewers will be Justin Brigham and Jordy Smith. Sycamore Brewing started brewing in September 2014. The initial capacity of barrels is 15. They will have many styles and they will also have 16 in-house beers on tap that will rotate often and an additional of four taps. Other exciting onsite activities that they will have available are Run club, yoga classes, some food prepared in-house, and they will also offer wine and ciders. South End | 2161 Hawkins St., Charlotte 28203 | SycamoreBrew.com Red Clay Cider Works Owned by both husband and wife Jay and Deanna Bradish, Red Clay Ciders will be opening in November 2014. Red Clay Cider Works will begin brewing in 2014. The capacity of barrel per year will be 500. Emphasized styles available at this brewery will be semidry to dry ciders, sweet cider, hopped cider, barrel-aged ciders, and fruit-flavored ciders. Other onsite activities that will be available are apple and fruits pressed at the source, but some will be pressed onsite. South End | 245 Clanton Rd., Charlotte 28217 RedClayCiderWorks.com Free Range Brewing The dynamic duo, Jason and Jeff Alexander will have Free Range Brewing open and going in November 2014; on top of owning the brewery they will be brewing as well. The initial capacity of barrel will be 3.5. The Alexander brother’s emphasized style will have just about everything which also includes coffee brown ale, oyster stout, and farm house ales. Other onsite activities available for customers will be some in-house prepared foods. Noda | 2320 N Davidson Ave., Charlotte 28205 | 704.898.4247 FreeRangeBrewing.com
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Primal Brewery Primal Brewery will be opening up in October 2014 by Ray Steimel and David Hoy. The capacity of barrel will be 1000 per year. Emphasized styles that will be available are all, already perfected pale ale, kolsch, saison, IPAs, and porter. Other onsite activity that will be available is a hop garden. Cornelius | 16432 Old Statesville Rd., Huntersville 28078 Three Spirits Brewery Husband and wife, Tabu and Jennifer Terrell will kick start 2015 by opening up Three Spirits Brewery. Tabu will also be the brewer. The capacity of barrel will be 10. All styles will be available including notably unfiltered beers, multiple lagers, and golden ale with apricot, honey porter, Munich helles, and Belgian saison. The taproom will have an old English pub ambiance to it. Available activities onsite will be a mini-arcade and a quiet are called “Curmudgeon’s Corner.” Edge of South End | 5046 Old Pineville Rd., Charlotte 28217 Wooden Robot Brewery Spring/Summer of 2015 by both owners and brewers, Dan Wade and Joshua Patton is expecting to open Wooden Robot Brewery. The capacity of barrels will be 1000 per year. Emphasized styles will be Farmhouse ales (wide range), unique twist on pale ales, porters, stouts, IPAs, and lager. Other onsite activities available to enjoy will be music, art gallery events, and famer/supplier events. South End | 1440 S Tryon St. S110, Charlotte 28203 | 722.359.4493 Archive Brewing Owners Jeromy Witmore, Daniel Stroud, and Will Cathcart anticipate opening Archive Brewing in 2016. Both Jeromy Witmore and Daniel Stroud will also be the brewers. The location of the brewery will be
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in either Charlotte or Matthews. The capacity of barrels will be 10. The emphasized styles will be UK/English styles, rootbound approach (Irish red, English IPA, English Pale Ale, ESB, and 2500 year old Roman Celtic Ale). Other onsite activities will be live music and a Christmas blowout! 980.533.1074 | ArchiveBrewing.com DukBone Brewing Coming Soon! Owner and brewer David Wallace will be exploring central Charlotte to seek out the perfect location. The capacity of barrel will be 2000 per year. The emphasized styles will be American and Belgian ales, barrel-aged sours, coffee and vanilla porters. Other activities David plans to have onsite will be a dogfriendly environment and have a restaurant open in this brewery. Central Charlotte | Dukbone.com GoodRoad CiderWorks Both owners and brewers, Brian Beauchemin and Kevin Martin will be seeking out a location in Southend of Charlotte in hopes of opening GoodRoad CiderWorks as soon as possible. The capacity of barrel will be 2000 per year. Emphasized styles will be dry cider, semi-dry cider, English cider, and meads (fermented honey). This site will be a dog-friendly environment and also have a restaurant open for customers to dine in. South End | GoodRoadCiderWorks.com
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Skyline | HOT HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN By Telisha “Teka Rose” Wheeler, Editor Fall is upon us friends, and I for one, couldn’t be more excited! There’s so much to do in and around Charlotte in much cooler weather. Football, Fashion, seasonal delights that you only see once autumn has come; and Elevate Lifestyle of course has the best of the best things to see and do all in this month’s Fall Dining & nightlife edition. Grab your best buds, a scarf and get out of the house and enjoy all that Fall has to offer. Be sure to plan accordingly, because as most Charlotteans new and old know…this weather can be finicky. Cool one minute and hot the next so layer up and head OUT! Charlotte Cider Fest (Uptown) | October 10th Join Rooftop 210 and help to celebrate Fall’s arrival at Cider Fest! Relish in the cool fall weather while taking in breathtaking views of the Queen City from Rooftop 210, located on the third floor of the EpiCentre for their very FIRST Charlotte Cider Fest...featuring cider mixology and cider sampling!!! Get Your Tickets NOW!!!! 210 E Trade St., Charlotte 28202 | 704.936.5621
Elevate Lifestyle SOUTH END HOPS FESTIVAL (SouthEnd) | October 11th The best beer festival in Charlotte will feature craft beer, live local music, and plenty of food from local food trucks! Attendees must be 21 or older to attend and good doggies are welcome! Join Elevate Lifestyle for a truly unique beer festival experience. Event is a rain or shine event and guests can bring their own chairs and blankets for your musical and social enjoyment. This festival will benefit the Chronic Illness Relief Fund. You can learn more by visiting elevatelifestyle.com. 308 W. Carson Blvd., Charlotte 28203 SouthEndHopsFestival.com Latin American Festival (SouthPark) | October 12th This year’s 24th annual Latin American Festival, Charlotte’s signature cultural event, is already promising to be a spectacular show. Last year’s festival brought a record number of guests from other states to Symphony Park. The Latin American Festival has become a destination for world-renowned artists and nationwide visitors. This year’s headlining bands, Bomba Estéreo, Los Rabanes, and Plena Libre will blow up the Rumba Stage along with many more! Come experience the Latin American Festival through delicious food, authentic dances and the best musical lineup the festival has ever seen! 4400 Sharon RD., Charlotte 28211 704.531.3848 | LatinAmericanCoalition.org Pumpkin Patch at Romaire Bearden Park (Uptown) | October 25th Pumpkin Patch is a family focused event featuring pumpkin carving stations, contests and children friendly games. There will also be a Hula Hoop show by Cara Zara and a magic show presented by Illusions and Confusions. Balloon artist and face painters will be on hand to make this one event you don’t want to miss! Grab some kids (yours or a relatives only please) and head out for fun at the Pumpkin Patch! 300 South Church St., Charlotte 28202 | 704.432.4280 | CharMeck.org
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Grave Diggers Ball (Uptown) | October 25th Grave Diggers Ball turns the Queen City into the Scream City every October with area’s largest costume contest, DJs and live music performances by chart-topping acts. For over a decade, national recording artists such as Ke$ha, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, One Republic, and B.o.B have performed for thousands of fans dressed up in the craziest and most innovative. Grave Diggers Ball has garnered national attention as one of the biggest Halloween celebrations in the country and has cemented itself as an annual Charlotte institution. Grave Diggers Ball makes Charlotte scream every Halloween. 301 E 7th St., Charlotte 28202 828.260.3257 | KISS951.com The Carolina Renaissance Festival (Huntersville) October 4th – November 23rd (Weekends) The Carolina Renaissance Festival has grown to be one of the largest of the Renaissance fairs nationwide. A Carolina favorite, the Renaissance Festival is a 16th century European style art and entertainment festival combining outdoor theater, circus entertainment, arts and crafts marketplace, a jousting tournament, a feast fit for royalty, and much more. You can sit back and watch, or you can become a part of the action, surrounded by over 500 costumed characters roaming the festival village. 16445 Poplar Tent RD., Huntersville 28078 704.896.5544 | RoyalFaires.com Amazing Maize Maze (Huntersville) October – November 2nd Rural Hill presents their giant seven acre corn maze featuring over two miles of interconnecting paths for you to get lost in. One of the largest in the Southeast, the Rural Hill corn maze is sure to please! Looking to spook things up a bit? Traverse the maze in the dark during one of our famous Family Friendly Friday Night Mazes! Bring your own flash-
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light and an appetite for adventure, there’s even music and bonfires! (Weather permitting) The whole of Rural Hill’s 265 acres is available to you and your group during maze hours- take a hayride around the farm, play a round of corn-hole, explore our historic site, play in our mini-mazes, have a picnic, hike our trails, pick a pumpkin (in October,) & much, much more! 4431 Neck Rd., Huntersville 28078 704.875.3113 | RuralHill.net The Haunted Mill (Belmont) October (Every Weekend) – November 1st The Haunted Mill celebrates its Sweet 16 and would like to scare your cakes off! Experience the Haunted Mill like never before. With actual documented ghostly activity, the 115 year old Haunted Mill is a “True” haunted attraction, which never disappoints its victims. Intense in-your-face scares actually put you IN the middle of the horror action. 40 actors, darkness, crazy mazes, animation effects, chainsaws and much more will have you begging to escape the clutches of the Mill. Voted TOP Haunted Attraction in NC and is NOT FOR THE TIMID. 6325 West Wilkinson Blvd., Belmont 28214 704.829.6455 | TheHauntedMillNC.com With so many events to enjoy this October you can spice up your Fall with something other than that delicious Pumpkin Spice Latte! As always, you know that your friends here at Elevate Lifestyle’s HOT HAPPENINGS will continue to cover all there is in and around Charlotte for you to see and do. Don’t be bummed about summer’s end, appreciate all the HOT Happenings this fall and Live YOUR BEST Life! Facebook.com/TekaRose Facebook.com/ReadLoveHandles
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DISH DU JOUR | GREAT DINING EXPERIENCE By Sheila Fate If you haven’t notice Charlotte seems to be exploding with new and unique dining options. Check out below some of the hottest and newest places that have just open or will be soon. YAMA IZAKAYA (Plaza Midwood) Enjoy an authentic Japanese dining experience at recently opened restaurant, Yama Izakaya, located on Central Avenue. Dishes are typically shared by everyone at the table and served on small plates, similar to Spanish tapas. For a traditional Izakaya experience, order your meal in courses, with dishes such as edamame or tofu ordered first, followed by more filling dishes as the meal progresses. 1324 Central Ave., Charlotte 28205 704.910-6387 | YamaIzakaya.com DOGWOOD SOUTHERN TABLE & BAR (SouthPark) Dogwood Southern Table & Bar will be opening in November 2014, and will be located directly behind Whole Foods. Centered around an open kitchen
preparing elevated regionally sourced Southern cuisine. Dogwood will serve lunch, dinner, and brunch, as well as a late night menu on the weekends. 4905 Ashley Park Ln., Charlotte 28210 704.909.6295 | DogwoodSouthernTable.com TREEHOUSE WHISKEY & FORK (SouthPark) SouthPark’s newest American restaurant – The Treehouse Whiskey and Fork is slated to open October 2014. Along with great American cuisine, the Treehouse will offer an extensive whiskey and bourbon menu. Making it all about the ambiance, the food, the drinks, and the service – the Treehouse is sure to be where great food and good times meet. 4423 Sharon Rd., Charlotte 28211 704. 226.0979 | PartyAtTreehouse.com VIVA CHICKEN (Ballantyne) Slated to open location #2 – October 2014, Viva Chicken is a Peruvian inspired restaurant, specializing in Peruvian rotisserie chicken. Peruvian flavors, affordable prices and a great atmosphere make Viva Chicken the perfect casual spot. 12206 Copper Way Ste. 138, Charlotte 28277 VivaChicken.com CITY TAVERN (Waxhaw) Voted top ten restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina 2012 & 2013 – City Tavern carries on the “good food” tradition in its newest location in Waxhaw, NC. Specializing in a casual, elegant atmosphere, with a menu that is simply irresistible – City Tavern offers a chef driven menu featuring comfort foods and crave items. In addition to their delicious menu, there is a full service bar complete with an extensive wine and martini list. 701 South West Main St., Waxhaw 28173 704.256.2022 | City-Tavern.com
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TERRACE CAFÉ (Ballantyne) Charming bistro ambiance, exceptional service and dining experience, and delectable southern comfort foods describes Terrace Café in South Charlotte’s Ballantyne shopping center. Although serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner – having a renowned breakfast menu served daily until 2:30 p.m. — Terrace Café is quickly becoming the perfect go to place if you want to grab brunch with friends, have a brunch date with your significant other, or even breakfast with the kids. With menu items like the salted caramel latte, mimosas, bacon bloody mary [great for Sunday Fun day], biscuits & gravy with hash browns, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, quiche, pancakes, fresh fruit, lobster benedict, red velvet waffles, etc. This may be a little premature to say – however, this is by far one of the BEST breakfast hotspots in Charlotte! 14815 Ballantyne Village Way Ste. 150, Charlotte 28277 704.369.5190 | TerraceCafeCharlotte.com BASIL THAI (Ballantyne) Bringing their classic favorite creations, and authentic tastes of Thai to its newest locality – Basil Thai opened its second Charlotte location this summer in StoneCrest at Piper Glen. The décor is chic with a consistently “Zen” atmosphere. In addition to the amazing cuisine consisting of high-quality fresh ingredients – Basil Thai offers house specialties as such, Pad Thai, crispy red curry duck, tilapia, and shrimp served with vegetables in ginger sauce. Gluten-free options are also available, as are select wines and cocktails. Offering the best in Thai cuisine – Basil Thai is sure to keeps its customers coming back. EatAtBasil.com BAKERSFIELD TACOS TEQUILA WHISKEY (East Blvd.) Bakersfield is a small agricultural city in southern California, where there was and still is a heavy Mexican influence. Thus Bakersfield
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serves Mexican-influenced street fare with a focus on tacos, tequilas, and whiskeys. Their tequila, whiskeys, and beers will range from super premium to super affordable. Their food is simple, street-driven, authentic Mexican. Their music and feel is inspired by honky tonks around the country. They play everything from rock to country, blues to funky... Stop in and hang with them soon! 130 East Blvd., Charlotte 28203 | 980.938.8565 VA DA VIE GELATO (Myers Park) Débuting May 2014, Va da Vie Gelato is the sweetest addition to revitalized historic Park Road Shopping Center. Va da Vie Gelato brings you the finest flavors minus preservatives and artificial ingredients; milk from Homeland Creamery in Julian, North Carolina; seasonal sorbets are frequently made with fruit from local and regional farms. Va da Vie, which loosely translates to “the road of life,” also imports traditional ingredients like Bronte pistachios from Sicily, and hazelnut paste from Italy. Va da Vie Gelato is truly the new standard for Gelato in North Carolina. 4203 Park Rd., Charlotte 28209 980.201.9159 | VaDaVieGelato.com EIGHT SUSHI & ASIAN KITCHEN (Uptown) Just open this past month at the NC Music Factory; whether it be a celebration, a romantic dinner or a night with good friends. The interior features simple table and bar seating in order to place focus on the exquisite food. Eight embraces the industrial elements of the 120-year-old mill buildings that make up the Music Factory. Local artists introduce a modern twist with the use of graffiti style street art as well as metal and wood elements. Eight is moderately priced, approachable cuisine that will appeal to conservative diners as well as the adventurous. 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., Charlotte 28206 704.900.6167 | EightCharlotte.com
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It’s A Guy Thing | HOT STUFF FOR COOL MEN By Troy Adams It’s October. And that means fall…football…and tailgating. (Insert Tim Allen man-call, “Arrr Arrr Arrr”) To many, tailgating is a social event as exciting, or more exciting, than the events themselves. So in this month’s “It’s a Guy Thing” column, I’m going to share some ideas on how to take your tailgating to the next level. But before doing so, there’s one word that applies to everything tailgating-related: MacGyver. If you’re too young to remember MacGyver, find some old episodes on Netflix, watch and learn. MacGyver could work his way out of anything. He was prepared, clever, creative and inventive. And if you want to be a Tailgating Legend, you need a little MacGyver in you. So let’s break down the four fundamentals of tailgating and how to MacGyver each. 1) Food & Beverage – C’mon men, think about how food speaks to us. As host, your spread not only represents you, but also shows what you think about your guests. So make sure it’s enough…and it’s good.
Whether its college football, Panthers football, NASCAR, concerts or other events; select a spread that’s fun and filling. And a little theme here and there shows you have attention to detail. Too much and well, no leather MacGyver jacket for you. So you have a warm pack of beverages you need to get cold quick? Submerge them in ice of course, but then pour some water over the ice and add salt. It’s all about physics. Stir it around for even faster results. One thing you always need when tailgating and eating…is a place to wash your hands. So rinse out an empty laundry detergent dispenser, fill it with water, have a catch bucket underneath and a bottle of soap next to the dispenser and you’re set! Need a towel station? Hang a roll of paper towels on bungee cords from your tent. Want a cooler MacGyver would be proud of? Check out CoolestKickStarter.com. This cooler has a rechargeable blender, removable speaker, USB charger, LED light, cutting board, bottle opener, integrated storage…and both extra wide tires and a gear-tie down. 2) Music & Sound – As the owner of Carolina DJ Professionals, I know the power of music and sound. And at a tailgate…it can set you apart and set the mood. Let’s start with music. You can go the compact route with things like the Bluetooth speaker from the cooler or the Bose SoundLink speaker we’ve discussed in previous issues (of which they have 7 NFL-themed styles). You can of course go big with a full DJ setup. Or you can get something like the Ion Block Rocker (ionaudio.com) which runs anywhere from $150-$250 and allows you to put it on a tripod, plug in a mic, play your iPod or run your TV sound through it. Ahh yes, TV. Not only does setting up TV allow you to tune in all the pre-game shows or throw on a movie…but it also allows you to display your inner MacGyver. Check out TailgateTVStand.com. It’s pretty simple, but yet genius. Think of your bike rack that connects to your Trailer Hitch, but instead…it mounts a TV and swivels. Wanna go bigger? Check out sites
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like Displays2Go.com or simply search for portable TV Truss setups. Of course you need a quiet generator to power all this. The Honda EU series has long been the tailgate champion with its noise-hampering system (53-59 dB), 1600 watts of continuous power and ability to run 9.6 hours on just 1.1 gallons of fuel. But check out the Ryobi 2200 model, which is the same size, has more power…and is almost half the cost. MacGyver would be proud. 3) Comfort – After eating, dancing, socializing and playing games… at some point your guests will want to just chill and people watch. So make sure you’re set up for comfort at your tailgate. You can rock out themed chairs and inflatable couches. Or you can stand-out and show your history knowledge at the same time. Tailgating is named as such because people would unfold their pickup tailgate and have a party in the parking lot. But of course tailgating has evolved since the days of just sitting on a cold hard truck tailgate. However…you can give a nod to history AND step it up a notch…with a Tailgate Couch. Simply put, it’s a futon couch on your tailgate. You can make your own or you can buy one for $199 at Shop.TailgatingIdeas.com. 4) Something Different – You want to create something different at your tailgate. Find a way to stand out and be unique. And don’t be afraid to experiment with something different each time. MacGyver didn’t always succeed the first time you know. Check out some of these fun ideas: Get your weekend workout with the Beerbell Koozie (beerbell. com). Yes, it’s like doing a curl every time you take a sip with the 3lb customizable koozie.
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Everyone has a corn hole set. But how many have a glow-in-the-dark set for AFTER the game when you can’t get out of the parking lot? I have two sets of these myself and they are AWESOME. You can make them or buy them. Check out GlowCity.com or HayNeedle.com for some ideas. Wanna go spread the word about your tailgate? Check out the Cruzin Cooler (CruzinCooler.com) which has been featured on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Ellen. Displaying your inner MacGyver and making your Tailgate legendary isn’t just about products though, it’s in the details. Pack a toolbox full of tailgating essentials. Know how to properly pack a cooler. Marinate your meats days in advance. Label your coolers. Freeze water. Use empty 6-pack holders for condiments. Float a balloon from your car so friends can find you. Learn how to open a bottle with your car door. And make a checklist to help prepare. You never know who or what you’ll run into when tailgating. So MacGyver it by being prepared. And by having great hair, a Swiss Army knife and duct tape. Happy Tailgating!
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WHISKEY WEDNESDAY Discounted Top Shelf Whiskeys, Scotches, Bourbons, & Other Worldly Liquors over 50 varieties ASK OUR BAR STAFF ABOUT COMPLIMENTARY CIGARS. $2.50 BEERS | $4 SHOTS
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INSIDE DISH | NEWEST ON THE SCENE By Jennifer Watson
Every Charlottean knows the options of delicious restaurants are limitless in this town. A quick drive down the street and you will notice a new restaurant or bar that seemed to pop up overnight. From high-end steak dinners and authentic ethnic cuisines, to fun hole- in the-wall burger joints and traveling food trucks—you can truly find anything your taste buds desire within city limits. However, with all of these choices, keeping up with the ins and outs of Charlottes growing restaurant scene can seem near impossible. With this in mind, Elevate Lifestyle wants to bring you the “Inside Dish” with the latest happenings from some of Charlotte’s most talked about restaurants. Our local restaurants want to update you with exciting news or recent changes to their business. Whether it be updated menus, restaurant renovations, a new chef, or weekly specials, “Inside Dish” will tell you what you need to know to stay in “the-know” about your favorite restaurants. Barrington’s Restaurant After being closed for renovations, Barrington’s Restaurant re-opened midSeptember. Although the seasonal menus remain the same, Barrington’s has
a new, updated look. Visually there are changes to the interior of the restaurant including a fresh color scheme and the use of textiles reminiscent of the northern sea town of Barrington, Rhode Island. Congratulations to award-winning owner and chef, Bruce Moffett, who is being honored this month by Johnson & Wale’s University as a Distinguished Visiting Chef. 7822 Fairview Rd., Charlotte 28226 704.364.5755 | BarringtonsRestaurant.com LULU dine | wine Come check out Lulu’s great weekly specials! On Tuesday, Lulu offers half off any bottle of wine up to a $32 value. Thursdays, kick back with a bottle of wine & cheese for just $30. Everyone knows that nothing beats a good bargain on the weekends. Start your Saturday with $20 mimosa carafes during brunch, or bring your kids in on Sunday from 5-7 –buy one main plate; get one free kid’s meal! 1911 Central Ave., Charlotte 28205 704.376.2242 | LuluDineWine.com Blue Restaurant and Bar Come get your cook on with Blue Restaurant’s very own Executive chef, Gene Brigs. Learn the simple steps on how to prepare Chef Gene’s delicious recipes. October 6th will feature ‘Fall Game Dishes’, November 8, ‘French Autumn Country Dishes’ and on December 6th, ‘Blue Christmas’. Blue Restaurant and Bar will also be hosting ‘Best off the NW Wine Dinner’ on October 24. 206 N. College St., Charlotte 28202 704.927.2583 | BlueCharlotte.com Stagioni Stagioni is pleased to introduce new Executive Chef, Ashley Quick. Utilizing fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, Quick helps craft seasonal dishes complete with hand-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas and slow roasted meats. 715 Providence Rd., Charlotte 28207 704.372.8110 | StagioniClt.com
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The Fig Tree Restaurant A new menu has just debuted, with different set-ups on favorite dishes, as well as some new appetizers. Customers will be happy to hear that fan favorite ‘Apple Beggars Purse’ is re-debuting on the menu this month! On Monday nights, Fig Tree has started their “Wine Class Series” which runs from September 8-October 20 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm and $195 per person for series. 1601 E 7th St., Charlotte 28204 704.332.3322 | CharlotteFigTree.com Osso Restaurant Come enjoy ‘Cocktails and Cool Jazz’ on the first Friday of every month at Osso Restaurant & Lounge. The lounge resonates with soul as David Hamilton and Classy Jazz perform classic jazz standards live from 8pm-12am. While you’re listening, you can grab a cocktail, made by mixologist Justin Smith, who brings creativity and expertise to each drink. Osso Restaurant and Lounge has amazing Classic and Modern Cuisine from Executive Chef Gene Briggs. A customer favorite, “Osso” Buco, features slow roasted pork shank with house-made three cheese ravioli, cremini mushrooms, and cipollini onions. 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., Charlotte 28206 704.971.0550 | OssoCharlotte.com Cowbell Burger & Whiskey Bar Cowbell is now offering $5 bar bites from 4 to 6 pm, Monday through Friday! Come satisfy your taste buds with this happy hour menu including an array of options: Two Chef’s Choice Sliders, Fried Pickles, Dali’s Fries, Pretzel Bites, and Deviled eggs. Charlotte’s gourmet burger joint and whiskey bar is also hosting ‘Whiskey Wednesday’s’ where you can indulge in $5 whiskey specials while watching live entertainment (9-12pm)! 201 N. Tryon St. S1010, Charlotte 28202 980.224.8674 | EatMoreCowbell.com
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Grand Opening Saturday, October 18th A craft brewery that produces the highest quality beer for our community to enhance the enjoyments of everyday life. HOURS: Tue. - Fri. 4:30 PM to 8 PM | Sat.12 PM to 6 PM 565 Air Total Dr., SE Southern Pines NC 2838 910.365.9925 | SouthernPinesBrewing.com
Leroy Fox Come support breast cancer with the Third Annual Fox Rocks for Pink event on October 4th. The “Fox Rocks for Pink Party” will be the official post Race for the Cure benefit for Susan G. Komen of Charlotte event. This year’s guests can expect another glamorous pink carpet event with paparazzi, a dance party with a DJ, and a silent auction with enticing prizes. Limited pre-sale tickets may be purchased at foxrocks.lerorfox.com for the fundraiser starting at 8pm on Saturday, October 4. 705 S. Sharon Amity Rd., Charlotte 28211 704.366.3232 | LeroyFox.com ZEBRA Restaurant Zebra has announced several upcoming events in the coming months. On October 14, put your “safari hats” on for a unique South African Wine Dinner. Then, on November 7 and December 3, ZEBRA will be presenting a wine dinner featuring Hannibal the magician. This continuously sold out show is an event you won’t want to miss! 4521 Sharon Rd., Ste 100, Charlotte 28211 704.442.9525 | ZebraRestaurant.net Block & Grinder Block & Grinder is excited to announce the opening of a second location during Spring/Early Summer, 2015. The new restaurant will be located in the new LangTree Development on Lake Norman. This much larger space, will allow for more menu options and private parties/meetings. Need a place to help supply your tailgating needs? Block & Grinder offers Custom Grilling Packages and Butcher Case Selections to help make your game days run a little smoother! 2935 Providence Rd., Charlotte 28211 704.364.2100 | BlockAndGrinder.com Mortimer’s Cafe & Pub Wear your purple and gold, and come cheer on the ECU Pirate’s at Mortimer’s Cafe. Mortimer’s will be live streaming every ECU football game and providing you with great drink specials along the way! 210 E. Trade St., Charlotte 28202 704.688.0366 | MortimersPub.com
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SIP | THREE HUNTERS VODKA By Steve Caldwell, Editor
I’m sitting down with Brain, Mike and Stuart; they just recently launched Three Hunters Vodka. They are all from North Carolina. Brian and Stuart met in college at UNC and they met Mike through Brian’s college friends who went to high school with Mike in Greensboro. Who would have thought that they would go from drinking vodka at college parties to starting a vodka company? Elevate Lifestyle: What is each of your backgrounds? Brian- I have been in sales successfully for over ten years and have always had a passion for hard work, staying fit and remaining social with friends. It was the combination of those things that made me want to make it a lifestyle that I could fully appreciate. That’s where Three Hunters was born; the idea of early to rise, working hard at something you love, hit the gym with your friends, eat clean, hit the town and repeat. Beyond that, I compete in adventure races and have a passion for old cars and am currently restoring my ’73 Ford Bronco. Mike - I was definitely engulfed in the rate race…my workweek was a vicious cycle of the snooze button played on heavy rotation, struggling to get up to another uninspired day echoing with a monotony of endless emails and bureaucracy. Until mid-2012 when I connected with these two ambitious “Hunters” through mutual friends and after talking about what we’d like
out of life, I began to seriously search for something more, take risks and opened my eyes to what could and should be. Simply put, Three Hunters offered us all a great excuse for us to get out of the rat race and chat it up with friends old and new about our new venture…after all, it is vodka (and pretty damn good, at that). Stuart – I grew up in NY and moved to NC as a kid. After college I went to work in the chemical industry for a giant company. While it gave me the chance to travel the world and learn so much about business, it wasn’t until we started Three Hunters Vodka that I truly found an outlet for my creative side. Being involved in a lifestyle brand that gave me the chance to really put my personality into my work was refreshing and something I didn’t realize I had been missing. EL: What inspired you three to go into this business? Stuart: I told Brian a long time ago that I would love to go into business with him one day. I wasn’t sure it would ever happen, but I knew to be successful you need partners that you can trust and that work their butts off. All we needed was the idea! Same goes for Mike. He and I always clicked and there was always a level of respect we all had for each other. I think you also want partners whose strengths are your weaknesses. In that sense we all really complement each other. EL: How did Three Hunters Vodka first begin? Stuart: It all began in 2012 at Brian’s 30th birthday party. Brian approached Mike and me separately with this crazy idea. I’ll never forget the conversation. He told me that he had been doing Crossfit for a while and that folks who do Crossfit often do the Paleo Diet. I had heard of Crossfit and Paleo but didn’t know much about either. He explained that people who follow the Paleo lifestyle are very limited in what they can drink when it comes to alcohol. Anything that comes from a grain, potato or sugar is off limits. That leaves tequila and very few types of vodka that are made from fruit. If we could make vodka from fruit and made it a way that was sustainable and natural, we’d be all set!
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EL: How did the name “Three Hunters Vodka” come about? Stuart: We spent a lot of time on the name. We wanted a name that really captured the personality of the brand. Three Hunters Vodka, of course represents us as three partners. However, we like to think of ourselves as three very different types of hunters. We think of a successful hunt as getting what you want. Do you want a promotion? Do you want to live healthier? Do you want that pretty girl over there? How you are going to achieve these things is up to you. There is more than one way to hunt. EL: Tell us a little bit about the process of making Three Hunters Vodka? Stuart: We control the whole process from “farm to bottle”. We begin by using locally grown grapes and blueberries from the Lake Erie Wine Region. We use a Cool fermentation technique without adding sugars to create the base for distillation. The heart is all the good stuff; the cleanest and most palpable part of the spirit, and we distill ours three times for a clean and flavorful taste. Finally, it is chill filtered in a minimalistic manner to ensure a clean, bright final product. I know it may sound like rocket science, but it tastes delicious.
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EL: What makes your Three Hunters Vodka different from other vodka’s? Stuart: For starters, most vodka is made from a grain or a potato base. Three Hunters is made from grapes and blueberries and that is it! This makes our vodka naturally gluten-free and compliant with the Paleo Diet. A lot of people don’t know the tricks of the trade that other vodka companies use. Often sugar is added and chemicals are used to enhance the product and lower costs for the producer. Some simply water it down to claim lower calories per serving. Our handmade approach means harvesting fresh fruit and distilling in the same place without additives, freezing and trucking in ingredients from all over the place. EL: Where is Three Hunters Vodka available for purchase? Stuart: It is available on our website ThreeHuntersVodka.com to buy and ship to all 50 states. We are available in North Carolina at ABC stores across the state and especially in Charlotte. If they don’t have it at your local ABC store just ask for it and they will get it for you. We are adding bars and restaurants everyday but these are a few that are carrying Three Hunters: BlackFinn American Saloon, Bubble, Vida Cantina, Vida Vida, StrikeCity, Whiskey Warehouse, Blue, Osso, Eight Sushi, Librettos, Vault, Stache House, 5Church, and Nan and Byron’s. EL: Anything else you would like our readers to know? Stuart: If you care about what goes into your body and you read the back of the label before the front label than this is your vodka.
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Cork | THE WORLD IN YOUR GLASS By Kenya Cooper
Charlotte is more than a diverse southern metropolis. With a wide array of entertainment options, the Queen City has something in store for everyone. For those that are self-affirmed wine aficionado’s the following breakdown of Charlotte’s finest and most unique wine bars. D’Vine Wine Café (Ballantyne) Set in the bustling Ballantyne Village, D’Vine Wine Café is an excellent spot to visit on a weekend night, where you can relax in their comfy seating areas both inside and on their patio overlooking the village. The wine list includes delicious red, white, and blush wines from all over the world. On some Saturday nights you can even enjoy live music from pianists and jazz singers. 14815 Ballantyne Village Way, Charlotte 28277 704.369.5050 | DVineWineCafe.com J. Sams Wine Bar (South Park) In another village-type setting, J. Sams is a delightful wine bar that also acts as an art studio. Sip and stroll the stylish setting while you peer at the art-deco-
rated walls. With whites, reds, and sparkling wines, their list has many wine offerings from California, Oregon, Spain, France, and Chile. Enjoy a Banshee Pinot Noir in their softly-lit dining area and try their venison NY strip. 4625 Piedmont Row Dr., Charlotte 28210 980.406.3762 | JSamsPlace.com The Wine Loft (South End) Owned by a former international banker, The Wine Loft is a treat that has some of the best pumpkin ravioli in town. Nestled in the vibrant South End of Charlotte, The Wine Loft is a cozy spot where there are always trendy bar-goers, first dates, and the perfect ambience for a low key night or a few drinks before heading further uptown. Come by on Tuesdays where they have half price appetizers, or Wednesdays for a $5 martini! No matter the night, The Wine Loft is a good choice. 2201 South Blvd., Charlotte 28203 704.919.0222 | WineLoftCharlotte.com Wooden Vine Wine Bar & Bistro (Uptown) Speaking up Uptown, Wooden Vine Wine Bar & Bistro’s Executive Chef Nicolas Daniels can whip up a variety of dishes from rabbit dumplings to conch fritters. Try a few appetizers while you gaze out onto the busy streets of Uptown and sip on anything from their award winning wine list that features red, whites, sparkling wine, and fortified wines from all over the world. 231 N Tryon St., Charlotte 28202 704.376.8463 | TheWoodenVine.com Cru Wine Shop (Pineville) Set right off I-485 on Johnston Rd, Cru Wine Shop is a casual venue where you can try different glasses of wine while watching amateur poets and musicians try their luck at fame during open mic night every Tuesday, or buy a bottle of wine from various countries all over the world. With major discounts on cases and with monthly specials, you can try new wines that you might have never discovered. Pair your glass of wine with a selection of cheeses, meats, small plates, flat breads, and delicious desserts. There is a wine tasting every Thursday at 6, and Friday at 5:30. 12206 Copper Way, Charlotte 28277 704.369.5050 | CruWineShop.com
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Petit Philippe (Myers Park) Wine, chocolate, and a tasting room? Yes! We are in. Petit Philippe are owned and operated by Mark Meissner and Casey Hickey – husband and wife, corporate refugee cum wine aficionado and pastry chef/ chocolatier. The perfect combination delights patrons that venture to their lovely Myers Park shop. Planning a party? Interested in starting your own wine cellar? Petit Philippe has you covered. They will deliver shipments of wine to your door, create custom chocolates, and will consult you on the creation of your personal wine cellar. Just looking for a robust red or a bite of chocolate, simply stop by their show room and explore all of the glorious products that they have to offer. 2820 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte 28209 704.332.9910 | PetitPhilippe.com Twenty-Two (Plaza Midwood) Twenty-Two is located on Central Avenue in the fun Plaza-Midwood area of Charlotte. Enjoy a corner view of the city while you drink a cold craft beer or wine, listen to music, and view the unique art. Twenty-Two is quite unique, and a breath of fresh air. With free sake tastings, jewelry exhibitions, themed parties, and events that celebrate local artists, Twenty Two is definitely a place you must explore. 1500 Central Ave., Charlotte 28205 704.334.0122 Vintner Wine Market (NoDa) Explore over 1500 wines from all over the world. Try a free wine tasting. Taste the finest cheese selections in Charlotte. Try a craft beer on tap while you dine on locally sourced and seasonally-inspired dishes. Located in the Arboretum Shopping Center on Providence Rd, Vintner Wine Market is the perfect place to relax after work with a glass of
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imported and domestic microbrew beers or wine, and listen to local musicians. The shop has walls of well-stocked wine and specialty beers, and their staff of professional and friendly wine aficionados are always willing to help you decide on which bottle to choose. Sit at the bar and select one of their craft beers on tap while watching sports on their overhead flat screens, and enjoy the beautiful ambience of a shop that makes you feel like you’re in another land far away. 8128 Providence Rd., Charlotte 28277 704.543.9909 | VintnerWineMarketNC.com Corkscrew Wine Shoppe & Bar (Lake Norman) Relax. Uncork. Unwine. The tagline of Lake Norman’s Corkscrew Wine Shoppe & Bar says it all. With lovely outside seating, you can enjoy the mild weather and try a bottle of wine from Germany, Italy, California, New Zealand, and more. An Elk Gove Pinos Gris from Oregon is sure to delight the senses with its vibrant citrus, and grapefruit. Or perhaps a spicy Vina Ardanza from Spain is more your style. Either way, Corkscrew Wine Shoppe & Bar has wines ranging from sweet, crisp, bold, sparkling, smooth, spicy, and rich. You cannot go wrong. Hungry? Stop by on select Mondays for their food truck events. In the mood for some tunes? Enjoy live music on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. They even have beer tastings. Every night has something to offer in Huntersville’s Corkscrew Wine Shoppe & Bar. A visit here is sure to please. With a glass of wine in one hand, friends to join you, or a solo venture with a book, you’re sure to have a pleasant outing. 16916 Birkdale Commons Pkwy., Huntersville 28078 704.987.0011 | TheScrewCrew.com Kenya Cooper is an international bestselling author that also goes by the pen name, K.N. Lee. You can follow her on twitter @knycolelee or visit her website at www.kn-lee.com
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SACHHI ENTERPRISE DESIGN CENTER I am sitting down here with Denise Sparks, CEO of Sachhi Enterprise, Head designer at Sachhi Design & Couture, Executive Director/Founder of Derby City Fashion Week and CEO of Sparks A/C-Heat & Home Improvements. Denise is an entrepreneur who is diverse in the fields of fashion and home improvement renovations. Elevate Lifestyle: Denise, how long have you been in the fashion industry and what sparked your interest for fashion? Denise Sparks: I began fashion illustrating, and designing in my formative years making patterns from Sunday newspapers. My parents bought my first sewing machine when I was 13 and later attended college for fashion design. EL: As for Sacchi Design, it is very unique in its own ways. What makes you different from other fashion designers? You also provide other services within Sacchi Design as well, could you tell us about the different services? DS: Majority of my clients are very active, traveling and social businesswomen. Sachhi creates multiple uses in one design that takes them from the board room to happy hour or from the wedding ceremony into the reception with one
simple change or reversal of a few design pieces. What makes Sachhi Couture unique is versatility in design. I have 3 companies under the Sachhi Enterprise umbrella: Sachhi Design - Couture & Alterations, Sparks A/C-Heat & Home Improvements, Derby City Fashion Week Foundation, and Sachhi Enterprise. EL: Derby City Fashion Week 2015 is coming soon, what can we expect to see in this collection? DS: I am a proud Louisville, KY native, and I created Derby City Fashion Week (DCFW) in 2010 to provide a professionally produced platform for aspiring models, emerging designers and those seeking fashion careers within the Kentuckian region to showcase their talents, learn hands on, build their brands and receive local and national recognition while promoting tourism and illuminating the City of Louisville in fashion. We are entering our 5th year with the event in Louisville; and will be expanding to the Charlotte area as the Derby City Fashion Week Charlotte to bring to life the KY Derby experience here for those 10K plus Louisville natives who now make Charlotte their home. Each year DCFW features a current project runway designer along with fabulous emerging and seasoned fashion designers at home in Kentucky and from around the country. In 2015, through our nonprofit status and newly acquired sponsorships my prayer is to financially assist our designers, models, interns, and those wonderful people who diligently work so hard beside me move forward into the world of fashion. EL: Denise, not only do you have a taste for stylish fashion but you also renovate homes? Sparks A/CHeating and Home Improvements is a family owned business? How does your talent and taste in fashion influence the homes that you renovate? DS: SACHHI is the abbreviation for Sparks A/C-Heat & Home Improvements. We are a family owned, operated and trusted company servicing the Charlotte and surrounding areas for over 20 years as A+ members of the BBB Southern Piedmont. Both fashion and home
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renovations are an art combining the complexities of design, textures, color palates and the usage of various materials within both genres. I am certified in HVAC with hands on skills in residential and commercial renovations and restoration. Up until a few years ago my home improvement clients weren’t aware that I am a fashion designer. Now they call me for either home renovations or to create a fashion design for their upcoming event. Two of my models recently did a photo shoot for our 2015 DCFW model calendar in one of the homes we spent 2 months renovating for a real estate client. That is the creative way I combine fashion and home. EL: Sacchi Enterprise also offers a venue for others to rent for events. Could you tell us more information about this venue? Why this is could be a potential perfect memorable spot for someone? DS: SACHHI Enterprise is the entertainment and event brand among our companies. For years I have wanted to provide a non-alcoholic social environment for event clients who do not drink. Our personalized client services, affordable price, elegant and spacious venue provides the perfect and most memorable environment for clients to network, conduct meetings, family reunions, fundraising activities, fashion shows, weddings, church socials, parties and more. SACHHI Enterprise boasts over 4800 square feet of upscale event and conference room space for almost every type of private, group, organization and business event. Visit our website at www.sachhienterprise.com to book your next event or contact Denise Sparks to schedule a tour of the SACHHI venue at 704.449.4001. 1801 N. Tryon St. Ste. 610, Charlotte 28206 704.449.4001 | SachhiEnterprise.com
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SACHHI ENTERPRISE DESIGN CENTER
WEDDINGS | RECEPTIONS | NETWORKING EVENTS FAMILY REUNIONS | FUNDRAISERS | FASHION SHOWS 4800 SQ. FT OF ELEGANT ENTERTAINMENT AND EVENT VENUE SPACE. Contact our Entertainment Event Director, Tina Forte at 704.605.5245 for venue pricing and assistance in planning your next special occasion or event.
More details at SachhiEnterprise.com 1801 N. Tryon St. S610 Clt. 28206 | Beside WSOC-TV
INTERVIEW WITH… CHEF WILLIAM MICHAEL NICHOLS Number of years with City Tavern? Five months How long you been a chef? Nine years Where are you from? Wadesboro, NC Which location are you at? Southpark location. Favorite dish you like to make? My award winning Bourbon Braised Sweet and Sour Ribs... They do not suck! Chef who inspires you? Frank Altomare Executive Chef of Aria Tuscan Grill downtown. Weirdest request from a customer? A customer asked me to purée his 11oz prime Filet Mignon and then cook it. Favorite thing to do when you’re not working? Going out to eat good food and drink good Bourbon.
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4 QUESTIONS WITH VBGB BEER HALL & GARDEN/ RESTAURANT OWNERS KARA AND TOM 1. WHY A BEER GARDEN AND NOT A SPORTS BAR OR PUB? Kara: I personally don’t watch sports and always have chosen bars and restaurants that aren’t blasting it in my face... and assumed others would love to have that choice, too. Tom: Well, we do have 2 TV’s but to answer your question... when we moved here, Charlotte was just about to start the craft beer craze we were already enjoying in NYC, so we built the first one. We loved the communal-thing and the simplicity of the environment.
2. WHAT’S THE #1 THING YOU THINK PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT VBGB?
Kara: That we do lots of events, rehearsal dinners, corporate field days, huge company parties and that we have full catering and our chef can create amazing custom menus for events. Showtime’s Homeland even did their wrap party here. I got to meet Claire Daines (huge smile).
Tom: People still ask us if we have liquor. We’ve had a full bar since day one. But mostly I don’t think people know that we have late night DJ’s on Friday and Saturday and it’s quite a scene in here. Also, lots of rock stars come over to drink after their shows at the Fillmore, that’s a hidden secret.
3. AFTER 3 1/2 YEARS, I HAVE TO WONDER IF YOU ARE STILL ABLE TO EAT YOUR OWN FOOD. Kara: I never get sick of the Black Bean Burger on a pretzel bun with Swiss or beer cheese and sautéed onions and a side of our home-made balsamic vinaigrette.... yum! Tom: I can eat our burgers every day! They are just perfect... and our chef Matt makes 2-3 new specials every day. He’s amazing with coming up with weird and super tasty combinations of things. He’s been on an Asian flare kick recently.... I love Sriracha... so I mostly eat those.
4. WHAT’S NEXT FOR VBGB? Kara: I can’t tell ya, but we’ve been in talks with several people about doing another cool concept or 2 in Charlotte. Tom: Turning the Can Bar into a “Hot Liquor Drinks and High End Beer Bombers” for the winter... all under the heated tent, of course.
920 Hamilton Street (Behind the NC Music Factory) Charlotte NC 28206 | 704.333.4111 | VBGBUptown.com
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