SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Regardless of ongoing staffing shortages and supply-chain disruptions, to not point out elevated wholesale costs brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, loads of restaurateurs are usually not letting this powerful market deter them from flipping on the open signal within the larger Cape Worry area.
READ MORE: Catch up on other Brews & Bites coverage
The truth is, over 35 brick-and-mortar eating places have opened — or have introduced they may by the tip of the yr — in 2021. From Hampstead to Leland, Wilmington to Carolina Seashore, in keeping with New Hanover County spokesperson Jessica Loeper, the well being division has issued permits for:
- 51 eating places
- 7 meals stands
- 3 cellular meals models
- 3 push carts
- 11 concession stands
- 1 institutional kitchen
- 6 lodging
- 1 college constructing
- 1 grownup day heart
To be clear, not all permits point out new eating places, per se. Some might come from a restaurant already in existence that went via an possession change or rebrand.
The county doesn’t have financial knowledge on how eating places affect New Hanover’s backside line; Loeper advised PCD attain out to the Wilmington Chamber, which advised reaching out to nationwide meals purveyor U.S. Meals. When and if the corporate consultant responds, PCD will replace this text.
The Nationwide Restaurant Affiliation has reported 2021 is shaking out to affect the business by $789 billion. Its mid-year State of the Trade report exhibits gross sales are up general 19.7% from final yr, although nonetheless 8% lower than in 2019. The business misplaced greater than $200 billion in 2020 from the pandemic.
“Confronted with some of the devastating and disruptive occasions of our lifetime, the restaurant business has taken vital strides towards rebuilding over the primary half of 2021,” Tom Bené, president and CEO of the Nationwide Restaurant Affiliation, stated in a press launch.
Many eating places have closed over the past yr regionally (learn up on the 2021 closed list and look again at 2020 openings and closings here), however by Port Metropolis Day by day’s calculations, seemingly extra have opened. Under is a listing of solely brick-and-mortars — no carts or cellular eateries — we’ve tracked up to now. Port Metropolis Day by day will proceed so as to add to the record all year long’s finish as effectively.
Have one so as to add to the record? E mail info@portcitydaily.com.
3315 Minimize and Pour
3315 Masonboro Loop Rd. • 3315cutandpour.com
The sister restaurant to Lumina Stations’ Grand Cru Meals & Wine, 3315 Minimize and Pour is a steakhouse and wine bar, positioned in Masonboro Commons within the former Siena Trattoria spot. The menu consists of starters, comparable to mussels and lamb pops, in addition to soups, salads, signature chef’s entrées, plus burgers and pizza.
Angus Grill
1001 N 4th St. • angusgrillnc.com
The Brooklyn Arts District has its personal burger spot positioned two doorways down from Palate. Angus Grill, which received its begin in Greenville, N.C., serves over 40 mixtures of America’s favourite handheld. Diners can select a single, double or triple patty — beef, turkey or veggie — topped myriad methods: bacon, fried egg, and maple mayo; mac-n-cheese bites and chili; fried inexperienced tomatoes and pimento cheese. The kinds are limitless.
Try Port Metropolis Day by day’s protection here.
ARtisano Pizza and Gelato
7205 Wrightsville Ave. • artisanopizzaandgelato.com
From the parents who personal and function downtown’s GelaRto comes ARtisano Pizza and Gelato at Wrightsville Seashore. The restaurant contains a choice of skinny and crispy pies, in addition to salads and pasta, and a full wine, beer and cocktail menu.
It serves gelato and sorbet from Turin, Italy, with takeout additionally out there by the pint and liter.
Blue Surf Arboretum West
404 Arboretum Dr. Ste. 130 • bluesurfrestaurants.com/blue-surf-arboretum-west
The famed Racine Drive café opened the next finish model of itself just a few miles away on Navy Cutoff Street. The coastal-casual eater has loads of open-air patio seating in Arboretum West, with storage doorways that open from the within bar, bringing the surface salt air in.
Chef Jon Webb carried over just a few favorites from the flagship café but additionally expanded with extra contemporary farm-to-table choices.
Try Port Metropolis Day by day’s protection here.
Bridgewater Wines + Dine
178 Porters Neck Rd. • bridgewaterwines.com
Whereas identified for his or her giant choice of vino, the wine store and café additionally churns out tasty eats. Flatbreads, charcuterie and cheese, salads, and even a children menu are provided. Bridgewater’s flagship retailer is in Leland, but it surely expanded to Porters Neck earlier this yr.
Butt’s n Such (coming quickly)
800 S Lake Park Blvd. • buttsnsuch.com
When A&G Barbecue and Rooster introduced it was closing on Carolina Seashore after greater than three a long time, diners flocked to get the ultimate style of its famed fried rooster and engaging barbecue. Now, instead, Butt’s Such will likely be opening quickly.
The restaurant lately revealed its menu on Facebook. It’ll serve plates of BBQ, fried rooster, fried shrimp, fried flounder, pork chops, plus many sandwiches, together with burgers, grilled cheese, fried flounder or shrimp. Veggie sides, a children menu, plus household meals and bulk objects will likely be up for grabs.
Café Chinois
3710 S School Rd Unit #123 • cafe-chinois.com
From the Indochine restaurant group, Café Chinois opened in Fulton Station on the nook of South School and seventeenth St. Ext. within the spring. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and contains a plethora of Asian cuisines, from Thai to Chinese language, Korean to Japanese.
Inside solely three months of opening, the restaurant expanded right into a second house, including extra seating and viewing for Thompson’s huge and spectacular Asian-art assortment. The house feels half museum, half eatery.
Learn Port Metropolis Day by day’s protection in regards to the launch here and growth here; see pictures here.
Carolina Fish Fry (coming quickly)
7144 Market St. • carolinafishfry.com
Carolina Fish Fry is a North Carolina franchise that focuses on fried seafood, served as baskets and platters or on sandwiches, in addition to selfmade sides. Its flagship location is at 4023 Market St. and a second location will open in Ogden Market Place quickly.
Port Metropolis Day by day talked to the proprietor, Tyler Morgan, in June about his expansion.
Citadel Road Kitchen (coming quickly)
509 Citadel St. • instagram.com/castlestkitchen
Situated within the former Rolled & Baked spot alongside Citadel St., a brand new kitchen is coming to city by late fall. Homeowners Lauren and Heather Rhodes have made the transfer from Raleigh to launch their first eatery, which is able to deal with Southern delicacies with a twist for lunch, dinner and weekend brunches.
Try Port Metropolis Day by day’s previous protection here.
Catawba Brewing
4712 New Centre Dr. • catawbabrewing.com
In March, Catawba Brewing took over Skytown on New Centre Drive and introduced with it a portfolio of beers and seltzers and launched its first-ever kitchen. The menu is farm-to-table, serving up fast bites like pretzels and pimento cheese, burgers and grain bowls, salads and extra.
Study in regards to the Pyatt brothers’ first brewery on the N.C. coast here.
CAVA (coming quickly)
6835 Conservation Method and 3500 Oleander Dr. • cava.com
Not one, however two of the Mediterranean eating places are touchdown in Wilmington: at Independence Mall and in Mayfaire. CAVA is planning to build within the Belk car parking zone on the mall, however in Mayfaire will likely be slated to take over the previous Zoës Kitchen (CAVA purchased out the chain final yr). CAVA presents diners a build-their-own meal — pitas, and bowls — from a wide range of Mediterranean proteins, grains and greens.
Cheesesmith
624 S seventeenth St. • cheesesmithco.com
The favored meals truck parked its wheels in late spring to start renovating its house in The Cargo District, on the nook of seventeenth and Queen streets. Now open, the gourmand grilled cheeses, loaded fries and desserts are served for lunch — early dinner hours are Wednesday via Sunday solely (closed Monday and Tuesday).
Port Metropolis Day by day interviewed certainly one of its house owners, Molly Curnyn, in regards to the transfer in April, which you’ll compensate for here. Try pictures of Cheesesmith’s official opening here.
Cinnaholic
6841 Conservation Method • cinnaholicwilmingtonnc.com
Having opened in the beginning of 2021 in Mayfaire, Cinnaholic is a candy deal with for all to get pleasure from. Its pastries are 100% vegan: dairy and lactose-free, egg-free and cholesterol-free. The bakery focuses on gourmand cinnamon rolls — with 40 completely different frostings and toppings — in addition to cookie dough, brownies and cookies.
Coast Craft Cocktails & Calabash
604 N Lake Park Blvd. • eatatcoast.com
As soon as run as Surf Home, Craig Love made a change on Jan. 1, 2021 to rebrand his Carolina Seashore restaurant into Coast Craft Cocktails & Calabash. His menu places the deal with Calabash-style seafood, in addition to presents objects like lobster rolls and harvest bowls. The menu adjustments seasonally.
The Espresso Cease
94 S Lumina Ave. • trollystophotdogs.com
A block away from Wrightsville Seashore, The Trolly Cease remodeled its walk-up hot-dog stand to a espresso and breakfast spot in the course of the mornings, beginning at 6:30 a.m. Cold and hot-brew coffees, in addition to specialty drinks and some sandwiches, are served.
Learn all about it here.
Coquina Fish Bar
890 City Middle Dr. • coquinafishbar.com
Located beside the cinema at Mayfaire, Coquina focuses on contemporary seafood for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. It has uncooked bar choices, poke, po’ boys and tacos, pasta, fried and grilled seafood to cowl many palates — and even consists of land fare, like steaks and rooster.
Fabe’s (coming quickly)
1201 S. School Rd. • fabesroco.com
A brand new Peruvian restaurant will likely be opening quickly on the nook of Wrightsville Avenue and South School Street within the former Denny’s. Fabe’s serves roasted rooster by the quarter, half and complete chicken, served with a plethora of sides, in addition to flautas, burritos, salads and bowls. This would be the second restaurant within the franchise, with the primary positioned an hour-and-a-half west in Fayetteville.
Floriana Italian Bistro
2 Market St. • wilmington.florianarestaurant.com
On the foot of Market Road, intersecting Water Road downtown, Floriana’s particular person eating balconies make for a number of the greatest views overlooking the Cape Worry River. Apart from the sunsets, the restaurant’s selfmade entrees, like osso bucco and burrata ravioli, or branzino and veal, additionally draw a lot fanfare.
Compensate for earlier Port Metropolis Day by day protection here.
Flying Machine at Wrightsville Seashore
530 Causeway Dr. T-1 • flyingmachinewb.com
Wilmington’s Racine Drive brewery branched out this summer time into its first kitchen and taproom at Wrightsville Seashore, positioned within the former Banks Channel house in The Touchdown. Entrees embrace shrimp and smoked-cheddar grits or tuna donburi, in addition to sandwiches, salads, and naturally loads of Flying Machine’s beers on faucet.
Learn all about it here from Port Metropolis Day by day.
Women with Dough Pizzeria & Pub
530 Causeway Dr. T-1 • flyingmachinewb.com
Opening within the Riverlights group, Women with Dough Pizzeria and Pub is slated to have its grand opening Friday, Oct. 8. The restaurant — opened by the Magnolia Cafe staff, additionally positioned in Riverlights — will serve pastas and pizzas, caprese salad and antipastos, and different Italian delights.
The Inexperienced Home
1427 Navy Cutoff Rd. • thegreenrestaurant.com
The Inexperienced Home is Wilmington’s first upscale vegan restaurant, serving lunch and dinner. It focuses on healthful, plant-based elements. It presents wine, beer, specialty craft cocktails, and even has a zero-proof bar program. These cocktails are made out of restorative spirits which include no alcohol, some even boast therapeutic properties.
Learn Port Metropolis Day by day’s interview with one of many house owners here and see pictures of the restaurant’s opening here.
Wholesome James
5424 Oleander Dr., Ste. 1 • healthyjames.com
A well being meals restaurant, Wholesome James opened earlier within the yr to serve diners macro-based meals, protein smoothies, acai and grain bowls, and extra. People can pre-order meals on-line or cease within the retailer to seize heat-n-eat or meals to go.
The Kitchen Sink
622 N 4th St. • fb.com/TKSILM
Situated on Fourth Road the place Foxes Packing containers was, The Kitchen Sink will deal with lunch and dinner, that includes artisanal bread the proprietor makes from scratch to serve with gourmand sandwiches and selfmade soups, in addition to salads. It’s restaurateur Alicia Mitchell’s first go within the meals business, and he or she plans to launch a piece program via Vigilante Hope and Voyage.
Learn Port Metropolis Day by day’s interview with Mitchell here.
Las Margaritas Bar y Grill
4719 New Centre Dr. • lasmargaritasbarygrill.com
Owned and operated by Ben Avalos (whose father as soon as ran El Vaquero within the ‘90s and early 2000s), Las Margaritas focuses on contemporary Hispanic delicacies, with recipes culled from Avalos’ grandmother’s kitchen. Greater than 20 flavors of margaritas are up for grabs — they even promote 64-ounce jugs to go — and the restaurant lately began doing 20-deep taco containers.
Port Metropolis Day by day coated its opening here.
Native 910 Bar and Lounge (coming quickly)
265 N. Entrance St. • local910.business.site
To be positioned within the basement that when housed Firebelly’s Lounge and most lately Lifeless Crow Comedy Room, Native 910 guarantees to supply a chill setting, full with an out of doors patio. It’ll host stay music, plus will serve barbecue, ribs and different snacks, whereas additionally serving up beer, wine and cocktails.
Mariposa
1502 S. third St. • mariposatapas.com
Wilmington’s first genuine Spanish tapas bar is serving contemporary Sangria and small bites within the South Entrance District. Owned and operated by hef Bobby Zimmerman of True Blue fame, the restaurant has patio and courtyard seating, plus indoor tables in its cozy renovated craftsman-style dwelling.
Examine its opening here and scroll via photos from Port Metropolis Day by day here.
Oval & Ale
47 N Hampstead Village Dr. • facebook.com/ovalandale
Technically, it’s in Pender County, however Oval & Ale’s artisan-style pizzas, salads, 12 rotating craft beers, bottled beer and wine, are bringing in crowds throughout county strains.
Level Break
7134 Market St. Unit 7&8 • pointbreaknc.com
What began as a cellular eatery in 2020 amid Covid-19 has settled its roots in Ogden within the former Stella’s Pizza spot. Level Break’s proprietor Ryan Trotter advised Port Metropolis Day by day his café will deal with healthful consuming, that includes grilled wings and selfmade sauces, wraps, contemporary sides and even breakfast. Nonetheless, he additionally will nonetheless provide his catering packages and deliveries.
Try all of the choices in Port Metropolis Day by day’s protection here.
Sauce’d
224 S Water St Ste. 1-G • saucedwilmington.com
Heading to the Riverwalk for a November opening, Sauc’d will likely be positioned the place Le Catalan as soon as was positioned for nearly 20 years. Raleigh hospitality veterans Jeremiah Ramos and Courtney Osgood will likely be opening the lounge, which is able to put a deal with the almighty craft cocktail — and fries served with selfmade sauces.
Seabird Restaurant
1 S. Entrance St. • seabirdnc.com
Seabird showcases high quality, seasonal seafood, caught by native fishermen and ready by chef Dean Neff. Additionally serving oysters, wine, beer and craft cocktails for lunch and dinner; espresso and counter-service breakfast provided as effectively.
Learn Port Metropolis Day by day’s full writeup here; scroll via pictures here.
Salt + Allure
702 S. seventeenth St. • eat.saltandcharm.co
Providing meal prep and supply, catering providers, in addition to grab-and-go breakfast and lunch choices, Salt + Allure opened in The Cargo District within the spring. People can cease in Monday via Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., to seize a chew; the web site presents the total rundown of private chef providers from Abbye McGee.
Shug’s Candy Shoppe (closed)
609-B Piner Rd. • Closed
The Monkey Junction bakery opened in April and located fanfare in its candy croissants of many flavors, in addition to cookies, brownies, muffins and pasties. Nonetheless, it closed store in mid-September; the house owners haven’t responded to Port Metropolis Day by day’s inquiries as to why.
Soif de Vin (closed)
5226 S. School Rd. Unit 9-B • soifdevin.com
The wine and bottle store expanded as a café in Monkey Junction eight months in the past. Nonetheless, attributable to a lease disagreement, house owners Amy Siler and Shawn Underwood have reverted the house again right into a wine and bottle store solely as of two weeks in the past. The house owners are ending out their 18 month lease on the spot whereas they search for one other restaurant to maneuver to sooner or later.
Soundside Seafood and Uncooked Bar
2025 Eastwood Rd. • soundsidewilmington.com
City Meals Group took over Boca Bay just a few years in the past and determined to rework and revamp the house after the pandemic shuttered it. It nonetheless presents its famed Sunday brunch, and has a uncooked seafood bar, in addition to serves sandwiches and has fashionable takes on regionally caught seafood.
Learn Port Metropolis Day by day’s protection here.
Surf’s Up Pizza
2101 Market St., Ste. 1 • surfsuppizzabeerandgames.com
Situated behind Port Metropolis Java at twenty first and Market streets, Surf’s Up retains it easy: pizza (cauliflower crust provided), boneless wings and nachos. Plus, it’s open till 2 a.m. Thursday via Saturday; in any other case closes at 11 p.m. Monday via Wednesday, and 9 p.m. on Sundays.
Three10 (coming quickly)
1022 N. 4th St. • three10wilmington.com
Jennifer Concklin and Matt Walker’s seafood restaurant within the Brooklyn Arts District is scheduled to open this fall — earlier than the tip of the month, per present plans. The couple saved a mid-Twentieth century dwelling from demolition in 2019 and have been renovating it right into a historic construction to deal with their farm-to-table restaurant since.
Port Metropolis Day by day interviewed the restaurateurs in September in regards to the mission; learn it here.
True Blue Butcher and Barrel (coming quickly)
10 Greenfield St., Suite 114 • instagram.com/truebluebutcherandbarrel
From chef Bobby Zimmerman of True Blue Butcher and Desk comes one other True Blue model, Butcher and Barrel. The American steak home is slated to open this fall within the South Entrance District, sandwiched between New Anthem Beer Challenge and Satellite tv for pc Bar and Lounge.
Initially slated to open this fall, it’s been pushed again a bit however will nonetheless open by the tip of the yr. It’ll have an onsite butcher store, very like its Discussion board predecessor. Its menu will heart on burgers and steaks, served “in a extra playful model,” the chef revealed final spring — examine it here.
Stroll-On’s Sports activities Bistreaux
3710 Oleander Dr. • walk-ons.com
Having opened in June in entrance of Independence Mall, Stroll-On’s — backed by former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees — has change into the recent ticket for catching all of the video games on the town. The sports activities bar serves up a N’awlins-flavored menu, plenty of drink specials, onsite video games, like corn gap and basketball hoops, and naturally over 70 TVs.
Port Metropolis Day by day protection may be learn here, with pictures throughout its smooth opening accessed here.
Wheelhouse Pizza (closed)
Closed
Mark Milner opened Wheelhouse Pizza within the Brooklyn Arts District in Might, which centered on specialty gourmand pies. Nonetheless, Milner needed to announce the restaurant’s closure in August attributable to well being causes.
Learn Port Metropolis Day by day protection forward of its opening here and about its closing here.
Wheelz Pizza Wrightsville Seashore (coming quickly)
7037 Wrightsville Ave. • wheelzpizza.com
Out there for supply with its fleet of meals vans, Wheelz Pizza has had its headquarters primarily in a small house on seventeenth Road since launching in 2019. However their recognition and progress — followers hail their natural elements and three-day, cold-fermented sourdough crust — has led to opening a second location close to Wrightsville Seashore. The previous Peño Mediterranean location will likely be Wheelz’s first dine-in institution and can open in coming months.
Vinny’s Seafood Categorical
1010 S Lake Park Blvd. • vinnysseafoodexpress.com
Vinny Doria moved to Carolina Seashore over a decade in the past and introduced his famed pizza, Uncle Vinny’s, to the island, which has gained a stable following. Over the spring, he determined to open an categorical seafood restaurant subsequent door, which serves contemporary fried and grilled seafood in platter and sandwich type. Clams, shrimp, scallops, flounder, plus lobster rolls are provided.
Port Metropolis Day by day’s interview with Doria may be learn here.
Vientiane Kitchen
701 Citadel St. • facebook.com/vientianekittchen
To be positioned within the former Hungry Sparrow location at seventh and Citadel streets, Vientiane Kitchen was registered in August 2021. The restaurant’s focus will likely be on conventional Lao delicacies. Three staple objects of the delicacies embrace sticky rice, larb and tam mak hoong (spicy inexperienced papaya salad) — all on the menu, alongside variations of fried rice and noodle dishes, curries, and chef specialties, like complete fish.
The kitchen is open and now accepting to-go orders on-line, in keeping with a current Fb post.
Attain out to Port Metropolis Day by day at info@portcitydaily.com to let the staff know if a brand new restaurant was inadvertently omitted from this record.
