Grey's Diner and Community Kitchen, the reimagined version of Mattie's Diner, will open on The Plaza on Monday, April 27.

Why it matters: James Beard–nominated chef Sam Diminich (of Restaurant Constance and Your Farm Your Table) aims to bring fine-dining hospitality to a diner built for families, neighbors and regulars, with a menu blending comfort food and locally sourced ingredients.

What they're saying: "Diners have always been about more than just food; they're where people connect," Diminich said. "Grey's is our way of bringing that feeling back."

Dig in: Its menu features classic diner staples with a twist, like short rib and eggs, fried chicken and biscuit, overnight waffles and fried flounder.

• There's also a full lineup of vegan options, plus nostalgic desserts like cakes, pies and milkshakes.
• The beverage program spans morning to night, with Enderly Coffee, fresh juices, cocktails and nonalcoholic options.

If you go: No reservations are needed.

• Open daily 7am–10pm (breakfast until 11am weekdays, 2pm weekends).

Go deeper: Everything we tried

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Associate Director of Diversity Planning at Charlotte Country Day School
2. Catering Coordinator at Chef Alyssa's Kitchen

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

There are lots of low-cost ways to keep the whole family busy this summer, from museum trips to urban hikes.

Here are several to put on your radar.

📚 Head to ImaginOn in Uptown

• The center's Spangler Library offers a free, 30-minute family storytime for young children (1-5 years old or so) several days a week.

🎥 Watch cartoons at the Independent Picture House

• Every month on a Saturday, the movie theatre hosts free cartoons with cookies and milk for the kids and coffee for the grown-ups.

🐴 See both farm and exotic animals Lazy 5 Ranch

• The family-run ranch is home to over 750 animals from six different continents.

🏊‍♀️ Swim in the Quarry at Carrigan Farms in Moorsville

• You can jump off the rocks, swing off the rope swing, fish in the pond, relax on the quarry beaches or dine at the onsite restaurant.

🛝 Spend a day at Stream Park in Ballantyne

• The six-acre park behind The Ballantyne Hotel has a covered pavilion, interactive playground, greenway connection and water features

Full guide with 25+ activities

☀️ North Carolina's extreme drought now covers nearly 40% of the state — the widest reach in more than 18 years, according to the N.C. Climate Office. (X)

🏈 The Panthers selected offensive tackle Monroe Freeling No. 19 in the first round of the NFL Draft. (WBTV)

⚖️ Rep. Alma Adams was investigated by the House Ethics Committee for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a staffer that anonymous sources said contributed to a hostile work environment. (NOTUS)

🎶 Live Nation's Summer of Live is back from April 29 through May 5, offering fans $30 tickets to select shows. (Live Nation)

🍕🍔 King of Fire Pizza and Harriet's Hamburgers have teamed up on a limited-time smashburger pizza and honey-pie cheese curds, available through May. (Instagram)

"Caravaggio | Revolution: Baroque Masterpieces from the Roberto Longhi Foundation" opens this weekend at the Mint Museum Uptown.

Why it matters: Italian painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio helped cultivate the Baroque style through his use of shadow, light, realism and vivid intensity.

What to expect: Caravaggio's painting "Boy bitten by a lizard" anchors the exhibit. There are also more than 30 paintings by other artists influenced by his work.

• You'll also explore Caravaggio's influence on modern storytelling through film clips, photographs and commentary from renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese, artist and filmmaker Isaac Julien, plus photographer and music video director David LaChapelle.

Zom out: Several local businesses will have special menu items themed around the exhibit, including:

🍦 A limited-run Caravaggio-themed ice cream taco at Seemingly Overzealous.

🍕 Pizza Baby will serve a special Roman-style pizza.

🍸 Mariposa will have a specialty cocktail for the duration of the exhibit.

🎥 Independent Picture House will host "Chiaroscuro: Films of Light and Shadow," a special film series in collaboration with the exhibit.

Stop by: The exhibit is on view April 26 through Oct. 25.

• Tickets are $10, plus museum admission.

📅 See what's going on around the city.

• Myers Park Presbyterian Church Consignment Sale at Myers Park Presbyterian Church Outreach Center Apr 25: Shop discounts on top brands for babies, kids and teens on clothes, shoes, toys, furniture and more! Hours: 8:00-11:30am and select items 50% off 12:30-2:30pm.
• Boxopolis: A Creative Cardboard City at Discovery Place Science Apr 25-May 10: Design and build in Boxopolis, a pop-up experience at Discovery Place Science. Let your creativity run wild in this hands-on cardboard cityscape. Included in admission.
• Estate Planning and Wealth Management Forum at Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts, Queens University Apr 30: Queens University of Charlotte's Estate Planning and Wealth Management Forum is the Carolinas' premier estate planning conference, offering expert speakers, networking and sponsor booths. $325.
• H/K/B Beauty Bash 2026 at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery Apr 30: Join Huntersville for Beauty Bash, a garden party–inspired evening with exclusive specials, live demos, cocktails, and the chance to connect with our surgeons and Med Spa providers.
• Doing More with Less: AI Tools and Business Systems at Cabin Consulting Apr 30: Join for tactical AI insights with Gram Bischof. Move past the hype to build right-sized architectures and operationalize empathy.
• Bach & Beyond at Carolina Theatre May 1: J.S. Bach's exhilarating "Brandenburg" Concertos frame an evening that bridges the Baroque spirit across centuries in the historic Carolina Theatre. $35+.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

This week's hot homes center on outdoor spaces, like this Charleston-style residence with a double porch minutes from Plaza Midwood.

Zoom in: 4 beds, 3.5 baths and 2,754 square feet. It's listed for 1,099,999. Other notable features:

• Stainless steel appliances, oversized walk-in closet, heated pool and fenced yard.

See this week's other hot homes

BackStage Lounge will reopen as B-Side Sound Bar on Friday, May 1.

Why it matters: It's a new era for the former South End speakeasy, which has transitioned into a restaurant and hi-fi listening bar.

Catch up quick: B-Side is a new project from The Music Yard, the popular, open-air house music venue next door.

• The sound bar will keep the same energy as The Music Yard but with a "more intimate, craft-focused experience," explains co-owner and director Preston Abernathy.

Zoom in: At its core, a sound bar puts DJs and sound quality first, explains Abernathy. Music is a central experience, not just background noise.

What to expect: At its core, a sound bar puts DJs and sound quality first, explains Abernathy. Music is a central experience, not just background noise.

• DJs will play a mix of deep cuts, house, lo-fi, disco, jazz, soul and funk.
• During dinner, the atmosphere will be more relaxed before tables are cleared, the volume turns up and the space shifts into a dance floor.

Take a look around and read about B-Side's menu