Angeline's and Merchant & Trade will Open Nov. 1

Charlotte, October 25, 2017

Visitors and Charlotteans will have two new hotspots to enjoy when Angeline’s, an Italian-influenced modern American restaurant, and Merchant & Trade, a 19th floor rooftop bar and lounge atop Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, open in the heart of uptown Charlotte on Wednesday, November 1. 

Executive chef Robert Hoffman, most recently of SaltRock Southwest Kitchen, a Kimpton restaurant in Sedona, AZ, helms the culinary programs of both Angeline’s and Merchant & Trade. A Chicago-native, Hoffman mastered his craft in top kitchens across the Windy City and has held chef-level positions at Michelin-starred restaurants. Hoffman is supported by pastry chef Chelsea Ecdao and lead bartender Henry Schmulling. Andrew Carlson, another Kimpton alum, serves as food and beverage director and leads the team that will bring Angeline’s and Merchant & Trade to life.

ANGELINE’S:

At Angeline’s, which seats 134 and faces 3rd Street across the street from Romare Bearden Park, guests will find a welcoming vibe, unfussy yet knowledgeable service, organic and sustainable ingredients and a trend-forward beverage program. The restaurant’s focus is rustic, locally sourced ingredients with an emphasis on wood-fired cooking. The restaurant opens up onto patio dining with the city’s linear park, which connects Romare Bearden Park to Tryon Street, as a backdrop. 

Chef Hoffman’s dinner menu includes Carpaccio with 21 day dry-aged ribeye, mustard greens, Caesar dressing and shaved pecorino; Braised Oxtail Strozzapreti with taleggio fonduta and sauce arrabiatta; Wood Fire Roasted Branzino with roasted red pepper coulis, olive tapenade, roasted cauliflower, salmon roe; and Bucatini alla Vongole with Manila clams, soave, red chili and parsley, as well as sides including Anson Mills Polenta, Charred Broccolini and Roasted Cauliflower. For those craving something sweet, pastry chef Chelsea Ecdao offers choices including Zeppoles with buttermilk ice cream and cinnamon sugar and Pineapple Cake served with apricot lemon curd, compressed pineapple and lemon sorbet. Guests can expect an elevated experience throughout the entire meal, with craft coffee and espresso, daily house-made bread and pasta as well as house-made salumi and fromaggi.

Complementing the culinary offerings, Angeline’s bar program, led by Henry Schmulling, also takes its inspiration from Italy. The curated beverage list features grappa, Italian craft beers and amaros along with craft cocktails and artisan American spirits and beer, including local brews. The inventive cocktail lineup includes the Cold Storage with vodka, Cointreau Orange Liqueur, Dubbonet Blanc, simple syrup and fresh lemon juice garnished with a dehydrated orange slice.   The approachable look of the 2,774-square-foot restaurant matches its menu. Some elements are built on a grand scale: A full-height “wine wall” shows off the restaurant’s extensive Italian wine selection. Others, like the 18-seat bar, are cozy and intimate. The vibe is relaxed and convivial (there’s a communal table and a fireplace) with artisanal touches, such as polished copper and whiskey-colored ombre glass chandeliers and beer taps suspended from the ceiling. Angeline’s design was concepted by acclaimed restaurant design firm The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry, which has the reputation for producing some of the nation’s most forward-thinking restaurant designs.

The restaurant will be open for breakfast and dinner and includes a private dining room, with a seated capacity of 36. Breakfast will feature biscotti, brioches, frittatas, French toast, fresh-squeezed and fresh-pressed juices, organic coffee and more. 

Breakfast is served weekdays from 6:30 to 10 a.m. and dinner is served Sunday through Wednesday from 5 to 10 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m., with lunch and brunch service to be offered in the coming weeks. Valet parking, located on Church Street, is available for dinner service. View the full menus at angelinescharlotte.com/menus. For more information or to book a reservation at Angeline’s, visit angelinescharlotte.com. For an inside look, follow the restaurant on Instagram and Facebook.

MERCHANT & TRADE:

Merchant & Trade, with its stunning city views, is likely to become the city’s most celebrated nightlife and special event destination. The 4,500-square-foot space, on the 19th floor of Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel at the corner of 3rd and Church Streets, will be home to a lively social scene, handcrafted cocktails and a music program featuring DJs and bands most Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, all curated by social programming manager Samuel Bunch.

A stone fireplace, fire and water features and lush greenery, along with cozy lounge furniture, create an unparalleled atmosphere for al fresco socializing. The bar is situated to offer guests unobstructed views of Romare Bearden Park and BB&T Ballpark. The large, open floorplan is designed to also accommodate space for private events, whether a small get-together or a party that fills the full rooftop. The sky-high refuge also offers an intimate and private VIP lounge space for groups up to 20.

Merchant & Trade’s culinary menu features an array of American small plates, many perfect for sharing. Signature bites include Blue Crab Rolls with carrots, celery, fennel, avocado mousse, citrus aioli and potato chips; Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps with kimchi, rice, braised pork belly and mung bean sprouts; and General Tso’s Roasted Cauliflower with Napa cabbage and charred scallions. A Double Pimento Cheese Burger, Red Miso Chicken Wings and Ceviche will also be in the lineup.   The bar program will focus on boutique spirits, house-made mixers and will incorporate locally-sourced produce into the cocktails. Offerings include innovative cocktail service, classic cocktails and festive, large-format cocktails. Lead bartender Henry Schmulling has created a selection of inspired signature cocktails including The Peanut Butter Falcon with High West Double Rye Whiskey, Cynar Amaro, Licor 43 Vanilla Liqueur and peanut butter/molasses candy syrup garnished with a Mary Jane Taffy Candy. Beer will be available in bottles as well as on tap, with the latter including a large selection of Charlotte-based craft beer.

Charlie Janke serves as general manager and Brian Kenney supports Robert Hoffman as chef de cuisine.   Merchant & Trade is open Monday to Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to midnight and Thursday to Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Valet parking is located on Church Street. For more information or to book a reservation visit merchantandtrade.com. Get social with the 19th floor rooftop bar and lounge on Instagram and Facebook.

ABOUT ANGELINE’S 

Angeline’s, a modern American, Italian-influenced restaurant, is located in the heart of uptown Charlotte. The menu, created by executive chef Robert Hoffman, offers seasonally driven, inventive cuisine with simple, flavorful and inspired compositions. Angeline’s will be open for breakfast and dinner daily, with lunch and brunch to be added at a later date, and features a private dining space. For more information, please visit angelinescharlotte.com.   

ABOUT MERCHANT & TRADE 

Merchant & Trade, a 19th floor rooftop bar, lounge and event space, offers a lively social scene, social bites, expertly crafted cocktails, curated music and urban sophistication. For more information, please visit merchantandtrade.com.