15 not-to-be-missed food and drink spots this January

Bulla Gastrobar’s new winter menu includes its Tarta Santiago. COURTESY OF BULLA GASTROBAR CHARLOTTEFIVE

Goodbye 2019 and hello 2020. There are a lot of changes happening at restaurants throughout the Queen City this month — new year, new menu.

In addition to menu changes and updates, January also sees the return of Queen’s Feast (Charlotte Restaurant Week). From Jan. 17-26, area restaurants will offer special menus and some of their signature dishes for a fraction of the price. Try someplace new and take advantage of the various specials.

We’ve rounded up some of the updated menu and drink options, daily specials and food-focused events happening in the Queen City in January. (If prices are not listed, they are not yet available.)

(1) BARCELONA WINE BAR

101 W. Worthington Ave., Suite 110

Barcelona Wine Bar has a new wine by the glass called Le Naturel, which is a Grenache blend from a small wine producer in Navarra, Spain. It is medium bodied with flavorful blueberry, raspberry and black current and violet. The wine is available by the bottle, glass, or as part of the restaurant’s Grenache on the Rocks flight tasting.

(2) BRIXX WOOD FIRED PIZZA

Multiple locations

Brixx is rolling out a new lunch menu at select Charlotte-area locations. Starting in early January, guests can order lunch portions of dishes such as the Roasted Chicken Penne and the IMPOSSIBLE™ Sausage & Parmesan Pasta Bolognese.

Brixx is also introducing two new fresh-made bowls — the Caribbean Bowl and the Chili Lime Bowl.

(3) BULLA GASTROBAR

4310 Sharon Road, Suite W01

This month, Bulla Gastrobar is launching a new winter menu. Items include:

Bombas de Rabo
Tarta Santiago
Piquillos Rellenos
Carrilleras Con Fideos
Clams Fideua
Grilled Octopus
Oxtail Coca

In addition to these new menu items, Bulla is also offering a prix fixe lunch menu option as a way to create a lighter, faster option.

(4) BURTONS GRILL & BAR

9816 Rea Road

Burton’s short ribs.jpeg — New on the menu at Burtons Grill & Bar’s Blakeney location is a braised short ribs dish served with mashed potatoes and maple mustard bacon Brussels sprouts. Courtesy of Burton’s Grill & Bar CHARLOTTEFIVE

This month, Burtons Grill & Bar’s Blakeney location is introducing new items and a new special.

Braised short ribs served with mashed potatoes, maple mustard bacon Brussels, au jus, roasted tomato and a horseradish relish.

8-spice paleo bowl made with cauliflower rice, turmeric rub, julienne vegetables, roasted tomato and zucchini salad, pickled onions, toasted almonds, cilantro, and chimichurri. Diners can also add salmon to their bowls.

Maple grilled chicken sandwich topped with applewood smoked bacon, caramelized red onions, arugula, cranberry and maple dijonnaise, served on griddled ciabatta bread.

In addition to these menu updates, the Burtons Blakeney location is also partnering with its local Regal Cinema for a dinner and a movie special. For $55, you can get two entrees, two movie tickets and a bottle of wine.

(5) CORKBUZZ RESTAURANT & WINE BAR

4905 Ashley Park Lane, Suite J

Corkbuzz has just released a new house menu, which features dishes such as ricotta gnocchi made with wild mushrooms, mascarpone and parmesan ($23), apple orchard salad made with blue cheese, candied pecans and apple cider vinaigrette ($12) and scallops served with roasted beets, goat cheese risotto, blood orange beurre-blanc and beet chips ($28).

In addition to its new menu, the weekly specials for the month of January include:

Monday: Half priced bottles
Tuesday: Half off wine by the glass
Wednesday: Half off specialty cocktails
Thursday: All wine by the glass and bottle rose are half priced

(6) HONEYSUCKLE GELATO

1115 N. Brevard St. in Optimist Hall

pecan pie a la mode with caramel apple cheesecake.jpg — Honeysuckle Gelato’s winter lineup includes pecan pie topped with your choice of gelato, such as Caramel Apple Cheesecake. Courtesy of Honeysuckle Gelato CHARLOTTEFIVE

Honeysuckle Gelato has rolled out its gelato flavors for winter, including:

Caramel Apple Cheesecake
German Chocolate Cake (Vegan)
Peppermint Bark
French Toast
Bourbon Gingerbread
Earl Grey

In addition to these flavors, it is also adding a Pecan Pie a la mode option, which can be used as a base and you can add your favorite flavor on top.

(7) MIDWOOD SMOKEHOUSE

Multiple locations

Midwood smokehouse january 2020.jpg — Apple pie is joining the menu at Midwood Smokehouse. Courtesy of Midwood Smokehouse CHARLOTTEFIVE

Midwood Smokehouse is adding its award-winning Brunswick stew to the menu, as well as apple pie and broccoli casserole.

(8) NODA BREWING COMPANY

2921 N. Tryon St.

Throughout December, NoDa Brewing Company will be hosting numerous events including live music, trivia and events to fundraise for different charities.

This month is a big month for NoDa releases. On Jan. 3, Winter Bock will be released, on Jan. 10, Captain Peanut Butter will be released, the release party for Citra Pale will be on Jan. 17, Strataganza will be released on Jan. 24, and finally, Tart to Finish will be released on Jan. 30.

In addition to all the things going on at the North Tryon location, the OG location on North Davidson Street hosts bingo every Sunday night at 6 p.m.

(9) STAGIONI

715 Providence Road

This month, Stagioni has released the Olio Nuevo tasting menu that includes four different olive oils harvested in November from Italy — two from Tuscany and two from Sicilia, all for $50.

(10) STUDIO MOVIE GRILL

5336 Docia Crossing Road

The newest Studio Movie Grill in Prosperity Village offers more food and beverage options, such as an sesame-seared ahi tuna bowl. Courtesy of Studio Movie Grill CHARLOTTEFIVE

The latest Studio Movie Grill location opened in December in the Prosperity Village area of Charlotte (the original is in the Epicenter). The newest location offers more food and beverage options for movie patrons to enjoy during their show. Some highlights include the heirloom tomato avocado toast ($10 or $13 with chicken added), the sesame-seared ahi tuna bowl ($15) and the brisket sliders ($13).

(11) YAFO KITCHEN

Multiple locations

Yaya’s Stuffed Cabbage is among the new offerings at Yafo Kitchen. Courtesy of Yafo Kitchen CHARLOTTEFIVE

This month, Yafo Kitchen is launching two new menu items: Yaya’s Stuffed Cabbage and the Sabzi Soup, which were both inspired by Chef Shai’s grandmother.

FOOD SPECIALS AND DEALS

(12) BLT STEAK CHARLOTE

110 North College St.

Sunday: half price bottles of wine, 50% off dinner for first responders

(13) FRAN’S FILLING STATION

2410 Park Road

Monday – Thursday: Prix fixe menu (1 app, 2 entrées and a bottle of wine) for $50; and half-priced bottle of wines.
Monday – Tuesday: Kids eat free (under 12, 1 free kids entree with purchase of 1 adult entree, dinner in taproom only, while space permits).
Monday: $3 draft beers (Fran’s only offers local and regional beers on tap); and $10 flatbreads

(14) LA BELLE HELENE

300 S. Tryon St.

Après Midi Menu (Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m., bar and terrace only)

$1 East Coast Oysters (each)
$5 Mimosa Eggs
$5 Chef Olives
$6 Pomme Frites
$8 Seasonal Tart Flambé
$10 LBH Burger A La Carte
Charcuterie & Fromage Board (Mkt price)

Dinner menu daily specials:

Monday: Duck confit, lentils, apple and celery ($32)
Tuesday: Braised short rib, horseradish pomme purée ($30)
Wednesday: Boeuf bourguignon, pommes purée ($25)
Thursday: Confit lamb shank, housemade ratatouille ($32)
Friday: Roasted branzino, leek fondue, clams ($32)

(15) BARDO

1508 S. Mint St.

Mondays and Tuesdays: 20% off your meal when you eat at the bar (does not include alcohol)
Last Chance Wine List: when only one or two bottles of wine is remaining, it’s offered at a discount ($35/bottle, $8/glass)