Sam Fox and Fox Restaurant Concepts announced opening details for the debut of the first Culinary Dropout to hit the East Coast in Charlotte on October 11. Situated on the ground floor in the East Tower of Vantage South End at 1120 S. Tryon St., the new restaurant will introduce its definition of, “Damn good food and drinks,” to the Queen City.
“Since opening other restaurants in the Charlotte market a few years ago, we’ve seen South End’s growth firsthand and are looking forward to adding Culinary Dropout to the mix,” said restaurateur and James Beard-nominated Sam Fox in a statement. “The neighborhood has become a hotspot for young people, families and professionals, making it a prime location for Culinary Dropout. Whether you’re enjoying a family dinner, grabbing a drink after work, hanging out before a Panthers game or just out for a fun night with friends, this restaurant is a special place that is all things to all people.”
Serving classic comfort food, Culinary Dropout’s menu brings items like house made Soft Pretzels, Provolone Fondue, Fried Chicken drizzled in honey, and 36-hour Slow-Roasted Pork Ribs covered with smoked bacon & jalapeño bbq sauce. The new restaurant will also open with fall features including the Fall Roasted Salmon served with Butternut Squash Farro Risotto and the Butternut Squash Salad highlighting seasonal ingredients bartlett pear, pistachio and toasted mulberry topped with Maple Tahini Vinaigrette.
The dropouts keep the party going with a diverse selection of handcrafted cocktails like the Campfire Vibes (with 100 proof bonded bourbon, chai jacked apple cider, Spanish vanilla, and roasted five spice) or the Retro Tropical Classic (with Havana club-aged rum, corazón blanco, Venetian Aperitivo, pineapple sour, toasted cinnamon) – both new to the menu for this location. Locals can look forward to North Carolina brews on tap such as Sugar Creek Brewing’s Big ‘O’ Blood Orange IPA.
The 13,312 sq. ft. design merges gastronomic creativity and the music scene with rockstar decor throughout and an indoor stage for live shows. The open layout invites 600 patrons to experience the new restaurant differently with an expansive 360° bar lined with TVs to watch the Panthers, giant dining room, pet-friendly outdoor patio with yard games and two private event spaces with individual personalities. An art display with a tapestry tells the story of Charlotte behind the stage, a collection of Bearbrick figures that celebrate imagination and expression, a wall of rock legends and eclectic images with mischievous nods to trailblazers and real-life Culinary Dropouts who dared to rewrite the rules.
Lunch and dinner will be served daily along with a killer weekend brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Culinary Dropout will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
