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Counter-, a tasting menu restaurant in Wesley Heights, is moving to a new location nearby. Plus, its owners are also opening a new restaurant, Biblio.

Both locations are targeting an August 2022 opening.

Why it matters: Chef/owner Sam Hart and managing partner William Brinkley opened Counter- during the pandemic, which was no small feat, especially for a niche, high-end restaurant. Now the two are moving Counter- to a location that better fits their original vision and starting Biblio, which will focus on wine and tapas.

“The reality is that it was an incredible blessing to open during the pandemic versus before the pandemic because now we’ve kind of figured out the experiences that people want now post-pandemic,” Hart tells Axios.

What to expect at Counter-: The restaurant already provides a dining experience unlike any other in Charlotte; from the themed 10-course meals to the musical pairings to Hart’s commentary on each dish throughout the meal.

Now Hart says he’ll be able to take that experience to another level at the new location.

The seasonal themed menus and story-driven dishes will still be major parts of the immersive experience at the new space.

There will be a large bar that fits 22 people and it sees right into the open kitchen. 

Location: Both restaurants will be located at  2001 W. Morehead. They’re both reservation only.

Note: The original Counter- location (2200 Thrift Road) will remain open up until a few weeks before the new space opens.

Go deeper: Dine with all five senses at Counter-‘s elaborate 10-course dinner.

A dim sum inspired dish from Counter-. Paige Hopkins/Axios 

What to expect at Biblio: The new tapas restaurant will have more than 500 wines, valued at close to $120,000. Purchasing a bottle of wine comes with curated tapas pairings from the kitchen.

“Instead of our Sommelier pairing a bottle of wine to the food you order,” Sam said in a press release, “our Chef will create a unique, one-of-a-kind dish, that will pair perfectly with the bottle you order from our massive wine list.”

The tapas will be larger than what you’re probably used to. Hart says the portion sizes will align with traditional tapas served in Spain and southern France.

There won’t be a set food menu, and the tapas will be regularly changed based on what’s in season.

Diners can bring in their own bottles for a $65 corking fee, which includes the meal the chef cooks for you.

The new restaurant will have a small bar area and a courtyard outside where they’ll host “savor Sundays,” where you can taste champagne paired ith caviar for brunch.

“We want people to get lost for a while here,” Hart said in a release. “Enjoy the wine, conversation, and food. Have a mental siesta.”

The restaurant will also have a private-dining space, where you can host your own wine tasting event, and bring your own wine too. The chefs will take care of the rest and curate small plates to go with your bottle.

Private events up to 50 people can be booked now by contacting sam@counterclt.com.

Editors note: The original version of this story was published in July of 2021. It’s been updated to reflect changes made by the restaurant owner, including new venues for the restaurants announced in February 2022.

Counter-, the Wesley Heights tasting menu restaurant, to expand and add new wine concept

Sam Hart Counter-, Biblio, tasting menu restaurant

Chef Sam Hart plating one of the courses for his Terroir tasting menu. Paige Hopkins/Axios

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]"><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Counter-" data-vars-click-url="https://www.exploretock.com/counterclt/" data-vars-content-id="5ff47a25-dc3c-47f4-9ca1-c65b9e1aa0c1" data-vars-headline="Counter-, the Wesley Heights tasting menu restaurant, to expand and add new wine concept" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.exploretock.com/counterclt/" target="_blank">Counter-</a>, a tasting menu restaurant in Wesley Heights, is moving to a new location nearby. Plus, its owners are also opening a new restaurant, Biblio.</h2>

Food and Drink

News

The brewery with locations in Hendersonville and Lake Norman has expanded its newest location in Uptown with a 5,000-square-foot pavilion and beer garden.

What to expect: The highly anticipated addition will officially open this (Saturday, Sept. 18) with its first outdoor concert.

It will be open from noon-11pm on the first day.

Music starts at 5pm with The Dropouts and Unknown Artist Band performing.

They’ll have food from Phresh Italian Ice and Darby’s Cuisine.

On tap: D9 sells beers on draft, cans and bottles. The Uptown location has some of the same beers as Lake Norman and some new additions. General manager and head brewer Carli Smith tells us she plans to experiment with new beers at the new location. She also plans to serve seltzers and seltzer slushies.

“We like to push the boundaries of what you would normally find in your beer,” Smith said. “(We try) to expand horizons with new beer styles.”

Coffee: D9 Uptown also serves Javesca Coffee. The coffee shop portion of D9 offers a variety of drinks from drip coffee to nitro coffee to cappuccinos and lattes.

Location: The brewery is located at the bottom of the Savoy Apartment complex building at 650 E. Stonewall St., Ste. D.

Parking is limited inside the complex garage so light rail, scooter, walking or Uber/Lyft is recommended.

Hours: Open 7am-10pm on Mon-Wed, 7am-11pm on Thurs-Fri, 8am-11pm on Sat, and 12-9pm on Sun.

D9 Brewing’s beer garden and concert pavilion opens Saturday in Uptown

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">The brewery with locations in Hendersonville and Lake Norman has expanded its newest location in Uptown with a 5,000-square-foot pavilion and beer garden.</h2>

Six tenants will open at the new food hall and market at the Gibson Mill redevelopment in Concord on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Cara’s Cookie Co., a locally owned cookie maker benefiting the local nonprofit Cara’s Purpose. Jennifer Hamilton, whose baby Cara died of a brain tumor, founded and runs both organizations.

Johnny Rogers BBQ, a popular barbecue and burger restaurant.

Taco Street, a new street taco spot from the team behind the Mexican restaurant Mexicasa in Harrisburg.

Churn Buddies, an ice cream shop serving sundaes, milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream cakes and other treats.

Defined Coffee is a Huntersville-based coffee brand with two other regional locations.

The Market Bar will be led by Cabarrus Brewing’s Steve Steinbacher.

They join High Branch Brewing, a family-owned craft brewery, and Luck Factory Games, a board game and entertainment destination with a library of over 1,000 games, at the refurbished Mill.

What’s next: Three more food-hall restaurants will open at a later date.

Kuni’s Kitchen, an Asian cuisine restaurant.

Barcos Raw Bar, a seafood restaurant inspired by the soon-to-open Barcos Food Company.

Livy’s Neapolitan Pizza, which will serve oven-baked pizza.

The big picture: The market is the latest development project at the 100-year-old former textile mill. It’ll house food hall-style dining and shopping similar to Charlotte’s Optimist Hall, but on a smaller scale.

The “locally sourced” food hall sits on 17,000 square feet with room for 10-12 vendors and a full-service restaurant.

Background: Gibson Mill is the former Gibson Manufacturing Company, which opened in 1899. Now, Gibson Mill averages about 1,000 visitors each day. It houses a variety of tenants, including the largest antique mall in the south.

Here are a few photos of the food vendors at the Gibson Mill Market.

Editor’s note: This story was last updated on October 4, 2022 to include the newest tenants.

Kuni’s Kitchen tuna salad. Photo courtesy of Gibson Mill

Cold brew at Defined Coffee. Photo courtesy of Gibson Mill

Barcos sports and raw bar. Photo courtesy of Gibson Mill

Wings and pizza from Livy’s Neapolitan. Photo courtesy of Gibson Mill

Assortment from Cara’s cookies. A portion of profits from Cara’s cookie Company will always be donated to Cara’s Purpose charity. Photo courtesy of Gibson Mill

The Johnny Pork at Johnny Rodgers BBQ. Photo courtesy of Gibson Mill

Ice cream and popsicles are available at Churn Buddies. Photo courtesy of Gibson Mill

Assortment of tacos from Taco Street. Photo courtesy of Gibson Mill

High Branch Brewery has been open under the market for a little over a year now. Photo courtesy of Gibson Mill

Gibson Mill Market rendering, Concord, Food hall

Courtesy of Gibson Mill Market/ D3 Studio

Six new tenants to open this week at Gibson Mill Market

<p>Six tenants will open at the new food hall and market at the Gibson Mill redevelopment in Concord on Wednesday, Oct. 5.</p>

Things to Do

New restaurants open every day in Charlotte, it seems, and that can make it easy to overlook the classics.

Why it matters: Charlotte's longstanding restaurants helped make the city's food scene what it's grown to be today. Often new restaurants draw inspiration from these classics.

This list is meant to highlight the spots that have been around before the developers rolled in and built shiny new restaurants and shops. There's no shame in trying new places, but keep the old ones in your rotation, too.

Restaurants are listed from newest to oldest.

Low Country and Gullah-inspired soul food in Uptown. It's also a popular tourist spot, as evidenced by Joe Biden's visit in 2020.

General manager Tia Bazzelle with former Vice President Joe Biden. Photo courtesy of Mert’s

Casual neighborhood Cotswold diner famous for its She Crab soup. It also serves all-day breakfast.

Quirky basement-level pub in the backlot at Park Road Shopping Center. If you're up to it, try their beer tower.

Sir Edmond Halley beer tower. Emma Way/Axios

Banker-approved, Southern-inspired restaurant in the Wells Fargo Atrium. It's known for its Sunday brunch.

Mimosa Grill, long-standing Charlotte restaurant, uptown, brunch

The classic Midtown Italian restaurant also has a sister venture called Little Mama's. Both are great for a big family dinner or takeout. The penne alla vodka is a must-try.

Go deeper: Mama Ricotta's celebrates 30 years. This is what owner Frank Scibelli would order there

lasagna mama ricottas past charlotte restaurant

The family-owned sandwich shop has been serving up subs for more than 30 years. If it's your first time stopping in, order the New Jersey Steak Hoagie.

Go deeper: 85 Black-owned businesses in Charlotte you can support right now

Upscale American cuisine in a casual, family-friendly setting in Birkdale Village and SouthPark.

hand holding cup that reads "birkdale village"

Take your drink to go and stroll around Birkdale Village, like Axios' Mckenzie Rankin recommends in her Huntersville guide. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

Family-friendly pizzeria in Montford with some of the best pizzas in town.

Pepperoni pizza from Luisa's Pizza. Photo: Symphony Webber/Axios

Quintessential Myers Park hangout in a repurposed old house with a great front patio. The bar made a name for itself for its cheap Transfusion drinks.

pizza-transfusion-wings-at-selwyn-pub-charlotte

Selwyn Pub was established in 1990 in what was an old house on the eastern edge of Myers Park.

This popular family-run Vietnamese restaurant on the east side is one of the best restaurants in Charlotte.

This east Charlotte restaurant was featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2010. Its giant menu features Greek and Italian cuisine and has options for everyone for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Located in the Victorian home of Charlotte Mayor Sam McNinch, the upscale restaurant has a small menu with dishes like lobster bisque and filet mignon.

McNinch House, long-standing Charlotte restaurant, mayor mcninch

Charlotte's first Thai restaurant has rotating daily specials and large, flavorful dishes.

Located minutes from the airport, you'll find burgers and other sandwiches at this local restaurant. Earlier this year, the owners announced a family member is fighting cancer, and they reduced their restaurant hours to only serve lunch from 10am-3pm Monday-Friday. 

No-frills diner known for its four types of chili — Texas, Cincinnati, Vegetarian and Southern. Diners have the option to add toppings like beans, onions and cheese. You can also mix the different chilis.

An Uptown favorite in historic Brevard Court serving comfort food with a touch of Cajun.

outside of French Quarter Tavern in Uptown

Homestyle Southern favorites passed down through generations. Founder Otis Floyd Jr.'s mother, Mrs. Cattie-Bell Floyd, is honored with a mosaic monument on Freedom Drive.

Eclectic American dining in a historic 1900-era Victorian home in Dilworth. A popular spot for brunch.

Go deeper: The 30 best brunch spots in Charlotte

breakfast-pizza-300-east-brunch-charlotte

Breakfast pizza at 300 East. Photo: Axios archives

Charlotte's spot for New Orleans-inspired food, like étouféé and cajun pasta, and live jazz in a 100-year-old house.

Cajun Queen, long-standing Charlotte restaurant, cajun

Cozy neighborhood tavern in Fourth Ward "where everybody knows your name."

The Central Avenue classic has some of the best pizza in the city, plus cheesesteaks and wings.

Charlotte’s beloved fried chicken chain with super sweet tea and buttery biscuits. 

Go deeper: One of Charlotte's unofficial historic landmarks, the first Bojangles is undergoing extensive renovations

cajun chicken filet pimento cheese at bojangles

Family-run diner on the west side near the airport.

The Nakato originally opened the restaurant across from where the Bojangles Coliseum is on Independence Boulevard. In 1990, the family moved the restaurant to its current location on Pineville-Matthews Road. 

In 2004, they expanded to the University area and in 2023, the owner's son opened Menya in Elizabeth.

Go deeper: Menya Daruma specializes in Japanese comfort food and will open a hidden omakase-style dining room soon

Humble family-run burger shack in NoDa — get the cheeseburger "all the way" and remember to bring cash.

Go deeper: Brooks' Sandwich House property listed for sale after five decades in NoDa

In 1972, the Balsey brothers (Robert, John and Steve) bought Arthur's, a 1,500-square-foot wine shop in Uptown, for $6,000. They knew they'd need a second line of revenue to make rent so they started preparing sandwiches to lure in employees from Ivey's department store during their lunch breaks. It worked and within a year they had moved their new restaurant and wine shop inside Ivey's and expanded to open seven additional locations throughout the Southeast. When Ivey's sold to Dillards in 1990, Arthurs relocated to its current location on the lower level of Belk.

Family-run Italian restaurant. Often referred to as one of Charlotte's best pizza spots.

Classic small-town diner in the big city. Sit in here for a few minutes and just watch how many customers the staff knows by name. Go for the country ham.

country ham and egg sandwich at Pressley Park

Country ham and egg sandwich at Pressley Park. Photo: Michael Graff/Axios

Old school burger drive-in on Independence Boulevard.

Retro curb service barbecue drive-in on the west side. American restaurateur Guy Fieri has told Axios that the restaurant is one of his favorites in Charlotte.

Special occasion steakhouse in an unassuming little building on South Boulevard. Get half-priced wine on Monday nights.

Find this family-run drive-in off I-74 in Matthews. The local bar and grill has daily food specials and live music on Fridays. 

Eye-catching Italian restaurant in Wesley Heights. Their menu has all the classics, from ziti to pizza.

125 restaurants and businesses in Charlotte that opened in 2024

38 iconic restaurants that have been serving Charlotte for 30+ years

Charlotte's longstanding restaurants helped make the city's food scene what it's grown to be today.

Owner Jermaine Blackmon, pictured here, serves up the same chicken and ribs today as his grandfather did during the 1950s. Photo: Danielle Chemtob/Axios

<p>New restaurants <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="open" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/12/19/new-restaurants-bars-businesses-opened-2023-324802" data-vars-content-id="a4e8ed4f-7998-4e87-ab95-b0820a9de2e3" data-vars-headline="38 iconic restaurants that have been serving Charlotte for 30+ years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/12/19/new-restaurants-bars-businesses-opened-2023-324802" target="_self">open</a> every day in Charlotte, it seems, and that can make it easy to overlook the classics.</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> Charlotte&#x27;s longstanding restaurants helped make the city&#x27;s food scene what it&#x27;s grown to be today. Often new restaurants draw inspiration from these classics.</p>

Fort Mill is quickly growing but still offers a relaxed vibe in less than a 30-minute drive from Uptown Charlotte.

Flashback: Established in 1873, Fort Mill expanded rapidly as a textile hub. Today, it's home to over 30,000 residents and notable employers, like Atrium Health and LPL Financial. 

Here are 14 of our favorite things to do in Fort Mill:

The Humble Cup has all the ingredients for a top-tier coffee shop: strong WiFi, stronger coffee, good lighting and plenty of seating with outlets. 

Plus, Humble Cup is locally owned and sources pastries from three local bakeries: Virtuoso Breadworks (Waxhaw), Whisk and Wood Bakery (Charlotte) and Poppyseed Kitchen across the street. 

Just look at all that natural lighting. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

Eat a sweet and savory breakfast at Poppyseed Kitchen

After your coffee, walk over to Poppyseed Kitchen for breakfast. 

The vibe: A family-owned restaurant, Poppyseed calls itself "comfortably eclectic" and offers breakfast classics like French toast, grits bowls, oats, hashes and pancakes, plus a few lunch options of sandwiches and salads. 

Give the pastry list a good look-over, also. I spotted a matcha croissant that's on my list to try next time.

Best bites: I ordered (and loved) the savory oats bowl, with steel-cut oats, cheddar cheese, kale, roasted tomato, red pepper sauce, turkey sausage and a fried egg.

The photogenic savory oats bowl could be a paid actor — but I promise it tastes just as good as it looks. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

Get outside at Anne Springs Close Greenway

Nature lovers, this one's for you. The Anne Spring Close Greenway is a 2,100-acre nature preserve that offers a bit of everything, including nearly 40 miles of trails, fishing, kayaking, and activities like horseback riding and yoga classes, plus a canteen for dining.

If you go: There's an entry fee that's $14 for adults and $7 for children. The greenway also offers memberships starting at $6.50 a month.

The greenway has a trail system that's 36-miles long with stops including massive Lake Haigler, swinging bridges and even a dairy farm. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

At this family-owned brewery on Main St, you'll find craft beers from stouts to sours by the bottle, by the can and on-tap. There's a small selection of wine, too. 

If you go: Check their Instagram beforehand for events, like trivia, open mic nights and taproom yoga.

Amor Artis Brewing on a sunny March afternoon. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

Dine, shop and exercise at Kingsley Town Center

Kingsley Town Center is a multi-use development with a wealth of tenants, from ice cream shops to workout studios. It'd be easy enough to just spend the day here alone.

If you go: A couple dining suggestions include Spice Asian Kitchen for elevated Asian fusion with a rooftop and Napa at Kingsley for house-made pasta and an extensive wine list. 

If you're looking for a workout, check out Y2 at Kingsley for hot yoga or take a barre class at Barre3 Fort Mill (your first class is free). 

If shopping 'til you drop is more of the vibe, stop by local women's clothing store, Broadcloth Boutique. Then, stop at Corkscrew Wine Shop and Bar for a new bottle (might as well have a glass and a few tapas while you're there).

A few other recognizable businesses in Kingsley include ColdStone, Smashburger and Starbucks.

Spice's pork belly baos will be living rent free in my head until further notice. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

Y2 Yoga Kingsley is the studio's only location outside of Charlotte — the other two are in Dilworth and Cotswold. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

Ride all the rollercoasters at Carowinds 

A summer must in the Carolinas. Part of the 407-acre theme park is in Fort Mill, but the other part is in Charlotte.

What to expect: More than 60 rides, a water park, live entertainment and events, like the park's summer music fest and Scarowinds in the fall. 

Carowinds is well-known for its Fury 325 coaster, which claims to be the "tallest, fastest, longest giga coaster in North America."

Carowinds from above. Photo: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Stock up on your favorite adult beverage at Frugal MacDoogal Beverage Warehouse

What to expect: A 21,000-square-foot beverage warehouse filled from floor to ceiling with specialty wines, beer, liquor, liqueurs — and even cigars — often at discounted prices. 

Try float therapy True Rest Float Spa Fort Mill

True Rest has locations across the country with two local franchises, including Plaza Midwood and its recently opened location near Fort Mill.

How it works: You'll spend one hour floating in a closed sensory deprivation pod filled with skin temperature water and heaps of Epsom salt. All you have to do is, well, rest.

Your first float at True Rest is $65. There's also membership and package options available.

Go deeper: Six things to know before trying float therapy at True Rest Float Spa

The championship golf course has been around since 1948 and is open to the public with membership options available. 

If you go: It's $40 to play nine holes and $55 to play 18. Book a tee time here.

Buy fresh peaches from Springs Farm Market 

Georgia maybe known as "The Peach State," but South Carolina actually grows more of the summer fruit, and Springs Farm Market is a must for stocking up. 

What to expect: Peaches, of course, and plenty of other fresh farm produce, plus baked goods, jarred items and homemade ice cream. 

If you want Springs Farm produce on the regular, join its CSA program for a fresh box of produce each week. 

Peach products include peach salsa and even peach syrup. Photo: Axios Archives

14 of the best things to do, see and eat in Fort Mill

14 things to eat, see and do in Fort Mill from rooftop dining to riding rollercoasters

<p>Fort Mill is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quickly growing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/01/11/charlottes-10-hottest-zip-codes-show-a-rush-to-the-suburbs-317766" data-vars-content-id="f421e837-e642-4bbc-b2a0-6883569840a2" data-vars-headline="14 of the best things to do, see and eat in Fort Mill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/01/11/charlottes-10-hottest-zip-codes-show-a-rush-to-the-suburbs-317766" target="_self">quickly growing</a> but still offers a relaxed vibe in less than a 30-minute drive from Uptown Charlotte.</p><p><strong>Flashback:</strong> Established in 1873, Fort Mill <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expanded rapidly" data-vars-click-url="https://fortmillsc.gov/549/History-of-Fort-Mill" data-vars-content-id="f421e837-e642-4bbc-b2a0-6883569840a2" data-vars-headline="14 of the best things to do, see and eat in Fort Mill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fortmillsc.gov/549/History-of-Fort-Mill" target="_blank">expanded rapidly</a> as a textile hub. Today, it&#x27;s home to over 30,000 residents and notable employers, like Atrium Health and LPL Financial. </p>

Paige Hopkins

Featured stories

38 iconic restaurants that have been serving Charlotte for 30+ years

14 of the best things to do, see and eat in Fort Mill

Six new tenants to open this week at Gibson Mill Market

Counter-, the Wesley Heights tasting menu restaurant, to expand and add new wine concept

D9 Brewing’s beer garden and concert pavilion opens Saturday in Uptown