Charlotte, Food, Restaurant Snapshot, Travel

Restaurant Snapshot: Growlers Pourhouse and Crepe Cellar in Charlotte, NC

Restaurant Snapshot is a new series on the blog where I review a restaurant that really captured my attention. The series is meant to provide a brief overview of what the kitchen offers and why you need to eat there.

 

A restaurant review of Growlers Pourhouse and the Crepe Cellar in Charlotte, North Carolina. Must eats when in the Queen City!

 

As I sat at the bar of Crepe Cellar doing a side-by-side tasting of NoDa’s Hop Cakes alongside Bell’s Hopslam with restaurant owner Jeff Tonidandel, I thought to myself, “Why did it take a special media event for me to write about his two restaurants?”

Neighboring restaurant Growlers Pourhouse, also owned by Jeff and his wife Jamie Brown, has long been a local favorite of mine in Charlotte. In fact, regulars of the blog may remember that I mentioned Growlers Pourhouse in my 48 Hour Craft Brewery Guide to Charlotte as a recommendation for dinner in the historic NoDa neighborhood.

Yet, here I was at Crepe Cellar learning how to make burrata with my fellow Charlotte Food Bloggers and feeling guilty for keeping Growlers and the  Crepe Cellar to myself.

Or was I?

 

A restaurant review of Growlers Pourhouse and the Crepe Cellar in Charlotte, North Carolina. Must eats when in the Queen City!

 

>>> Book a Hotel in Charlotte’s historic NoDa neighborhood<<<

 

Maybe I didn’t want the secret to get out…

A few years ago, my friends A Silent Film were in town playing at the Evening Muse. Before the show, I met up with the band and their manager (my uncle) for beers at Growlers. Now, whenever my uncle’s in town, he has to stop by Growlers. He even tells his friends about it – that Growlers is a must visit when in Charlotte.

I still get angry with myself for introducing him to the neighborhood spot.

Growlers is one of those places that us locals don’t want outsiders to know about. That we don’t want Thrillist to write about. Oh… wait…

Inside the cavernous interior of exposed brick walls and warm wood tones is a quaint tavern that serves up quality food, has a well-curated craft beer list, and it belongs to us.

 

A restaurant review of Growlers Pourhouse and the Crepe Cellar in Charlotte, North Carolina. Must eats when in the Queen City!

 

>>>Check out my 48-Hour Craft Beer Guide to Charlotte<<<

 

Why Growlers Pourhouse and the Crepe Cellar are so awesome.

I admit that I’m not as familiar with the Crepe Cellar as I am with Growlers. I’ve only been to Crepe Cellar once before, and that was well before the birth of The Wandering Gourmand. However, they are both managed by the same defining principles. Everything is sourced locally and made in house when possible.

At Growlers, that includes food that pairs best with beer since the pub is more beer focused. Think homemade sausages, hand cut fries, chicken wings, and oysters. I highly recommend the poutine (Canadians aren’t the only ones who can make it…).

 

A restaurant review of Growlers Pourhouse and the Crepe Cellar in Charlotte, North Carolina. Must eats when in the Queen City!

 

Crepe Cellar delivers a menu that is a little more refined, yet still affordable. The European inspired kitchen pumps out sweet and savory crepes alongside classic entrees like cassoulet, steak pie, and fish and chips. Or split a bunch of starters like the house made burrata (it’s a bomb of cheesy creaminess in your mouth), fried brussel sprouts, or the cheese and charcuterie (truffle sausage and the most delicate prosciutto made in Virginia).

While diners at the Crepe Cellar can enjoy the same draft selections offered at Growlers since the shared draft system is built into the wall that separates the two restaurants, they also have a wide choice of wine selections. Like the food, care was taken not to overprice their bottles. The budget minded will especially appreciate the wine on draft. Order a carafe for your table like at a bistro in France.

 

A restaurant review of Growlers Pourhouse and the Crepe Cellar in Charlotte, North Carolina. Must eats when in the Queen City!

 

>>> Book a Hotel in Charlotte’s historic NoDa neighborhood<<<

 

Well worth a visit.

But don’t just take my word for it. The two restaurants have amassed a collection of recognitions and awards: DRAFT Magazine Top 100 Beer Bar, Charlotte Magazine Best Bar Bites, Charlotte Observer Best Sandwich, Thrillist Best Burger, and Thrillist Best Cocktail.

 

A restaurant review of Growlers Pourhouse and the Crepe Cellar in Charlotte, North Carolina. Must eats when in the Queen City!

 

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A restaurant review of Growlers Pourhouse and the Crepe Cellar in Charlotte, North Carolina. Must eats when in the Queen City!
A restaurant review of Growlers Pourhouse and the Crepe Cellar in Charlotte, North Carolina. Must eats when in the Queen City!
A restaurant review of Growlers Pourhouse and the Crepe Cellar in Charlotte, North Carolina. Must eats when in the Queen City!