Sandy Aichner's Lake Norman Blog

I had the pleasure of taking part in the Queen's Feast this week at Dressler's restaurant in Birkdale Village and the food was amazing! Today is the last day, so I encourage my readers to make reservations to enjoy some wonderful food for a wonderful price!

Celebrate Queens Feast!  For 10 days, Jan 22-31, take part in a spectacular 3 course dinner menu at participating Lake Norman and Charlotte area restaurants.  http://www.charlotterestaurantweek.com/restaurants.html

Some of the Lake Norman restaurants include: 131 Main, Dressler's, Kabuto, Maddi's Bistro, Mickey & Mooch, Positano Osteria, Red Rocks, and T1 Tapas.

I think we'll try 131 Main or Melting Pot tonight! $30 per person!! wow!~

XO Tapas Wine Bar  is a fun new place to drink wine in Lake Norman!

It's located on Bethel Church Road in Cornelius in a brick building off Catawba Avenue in the heart of Lake Norman. 

Not only do they have an awesome wine selection, but they have their very own in-house "wine sommelier" (think Expert in wine). They have about 20 selections by the glass or tasting pour and even more selections by the bottle. And if you are curious, ask them about what's not on the menu yet! If you are looking for something different, they have it! They even have sparkling saki!

XO has a detailed menu with a variety of cheeses, meats, flatbreads, and hearty tastings.  Prices averaging $7 a plate, a meal at XO will not break your budget. 

Tapas refers to “small plates” but don’t let the description fool you. XO Tapas Wine Bar, gives you great food with full flavors.  Two to three selections will fill you up. A whole new menu featuring exciting, fresh dishes. A new look, stylish décor, comfortable seating and unique lighting.  I had 2 of the desserts and they are to DIE for! The chef also comes out about once a night to do a presentation of making natural ice creams with liquid nitrogen! He made one recently called "Cabernet Ice Cream" and I've had a taste of that and the "Mint" with real mint leaves and cream with chocolate truffle cake. YUM

It doesn't hurt that the owners and chef are extremely knowledgeable about their business and friendly too.  Have special needs? Just ask! Open at 5:30pm Monday – Saturday. XO also offers a very cool late night vibe with a Late Night Menu. Great beats of both live and recorded music, as well as an exceptional wine and martini list.

About the Chef

After beginning his cooking career at the Tuscarora Mill in Leesburg, Virginia in 2004 Kyle Schutte enrolled at the Art Institute of Atlanta the following October. Kyle graduated in the spring of 2006 early with a 4.0 making the presidents list as well as receiving the "Excellence in Academic Achievement" award.

Upon graduation Kyle quit his job at McCormick and Schmicks where he had been offered a Sous Chef position, then passed up more prestigious job opportunities to take a cook position at ONE Midtown Kitchen, one of Atlanta’s most successful and trendy restaurants under Executive Chef Richard Blais (of Iron Chef America and Top Chef fame). Blais’ new age molecular gastronomy is what drew Kyle into the kitchen; however, the chemicals in the kitchen were short lived as Blais left just 2 months into his employment.

Next Chef Tom Harvey came in to lead the kitchen at ONE. With an extensive background in some of the South's most upscale restaurants, Harvey elevated the food to heights it had never seen before. While continuing to poke his head into some of Atlanta’s best kitchens, Kyle passed up multiple Sous Chef offers to continue to cook at ONE until May of 2007 when he was promoted to Sous Chef at the age of 24.

Tom and Kyle continued to head up the kitchen at ONE until April of 2009 when, at the age of 26, he accepted the Executive Chef position at XO Lounge & Tapas Bar, a new restaurant in Cornelius NC, a suburb of Charlotte on Lake Norman. Kyle brought his philosophy that great food can be both fun and sophisticated, putting his own twist on familiar ideas. Armed with liquid nitrogen, a hand full of chemicals and the uncanny ability to take the dishes you thought you knew and turn them on their heads, Kyle and his crew are ready to bring a level of culinary excitement previously unknown to Charlotte as well as redefine its dining scene.

www.XOTAPASWINEBAR.com
(704) 896-9255