2-story waterfront restaurant now open in Lake Wylie
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Rendering: Courtesy Drift, The Jewell Agency
A new chophouse and seafood restaurant called Drift will open May 9th on Lake Wylie, just 30 minutes southwest of Charlotte.
Why it matters: Waterfront restaurants are scarce in the Charlotte area, and who doesn’t love a good dinner with a view.
- From the same team behind The Pump House on the Catawba River, Drift will fill a gap in our dining scene with steak and fresh seafood in the new McLean development near Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
[Related Axios guide: The 30 most-anticipated new restaurants and bars in 2022]
What to expect: Pull your boat up for dinner inside the two-story, 15,000-square-foot restaurant. Its design, by architect Harry Schrader, will resemble a contemporary farmhouse, inspired by Gaston County’s agricultural history.
- “I want it to be relaxed,” says Charlotte Prime group co-owner and operator Jeff Conway, “(but) a little more elevated than your typical experience on the lake.”
- The 280-seat restaurant will feature indoor/outdoor dining thanks to glass walls that peel back to offer waterfront east-facing views.
- It’ll also offer private event space on its second floor.
On the menu: Executive chef Michael Griswold (Napa, Pump House) and his team are planning a menu that ranges from fresh fish and seafood to steaks and pastas.
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- On tap, you can expect craft beers and over 1,000 bottles of wine to choose from.
Details: Drive up via car or boat Monday through Thursday 4pm-10pm, Friday and Saturday 4pm-11pm, and Sunday 3-9pm.
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- The address is 315 Lanyard Ln., Ste. M & N in Belmont, just south of Daniel Stowe.
[Related Axios guide: 8 stunning Airbnbs on the lake, starting at $300 a night]
Editors note: This story was originally published on February 22, 2022 and updated May 3, 2022 to reflect the opening date.
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Want more lakefront activities? Check out Rock Hill’s beach with outdoor movies and beach volleyball

