Charlotte Happenings is your monthly guide to events and things to do in and around Charlotte, NC.
Issue link: http://charlottehappenings.epubxp.com/i/706014
DATE night By Emily Farrington Smith In the midst of the dog days of summer, plan a cool date night to keep that romantic spark as hot as it is outside. Read on for our plan for the perfect date night in the edgy North Davidson arts and entertainment district of Charlotte— simply dubbed NoDa. Kick off the perfect NoDa date night at Boudreaux's Louisiana Kitchen, where a healthy appreciation for true Cajun comfort food, scratch-made flavors and impeccable menu pairings is way more important than a fancy ensemble. Translation: Throw on your jeans. As a starter, try the fried alligator bites followed by any number of house favorites, like the low-country fried and smoked Gouda shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes topped with shrimp or the classic spicy étouffée. For dessert, whisper sweet nothings over the to-die-for sweet potato bread pudding. Whether you're looking for smooth New Orleans jazz to complement your pre-show dinner or peppy pop, for evening entertainment, simply walk catty-corner across the street to The Evening Muse. The city's premier music venue features independent artists, open-mic nights and traveling comedy shows. For most shows, the doors open at 7 p.m. for an 8 p.m. showtime, so be sure to slate in enough time for dinner beforehand. Exciting shows in August include Australian-duo OH PEP! on Aug. 5 and South Carolina native Patrick Davis debuting his fourth full-length album Aug. 19 and 20. When the show winds down, take a leisurely evening stroll one block down North Davidson Street to Growlers Pourhouse. Stick with the evening's French flair by ordering a Canadian late-night staple, poutine—french fries smothered in gravy, cheese and bacon—and wash it down with a beer from the endless selection of craft pours. Growlers has been selected by Draft magazine as one of the 100 top beer bars in the country for five consecutive years. The owners are true beer experts, and one holds a cicerone certification. To top it all off, Growlers recently started its own growler fill service. Take home 64 ounces of your favorite brew and enjoy discounts on future fills. Find more date night ideas in Charlotte at charlottesgotalot.com • • • Whether it's for a first date or a big anniversary with your soul mate, the city is imbued with special things to do for two. PHOTO BY KYO H NAM PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO BY ASHLEIGH WHITE PHOTO COURTESY OF GROWLERS POURHOUSE charlottesgotalot.com 29