When I first heard the name Gastrolounge I thought it was a place you go to get colonics ... not so much. SOUL Gastrolounge is actually the new hot spot in Plaza Midwood ... and perhaps Charlotte in general.
SOUL is fine dining by day, nightclub-lounge by night. In other words, get there by 7 p.m. on the weekend if you plan to eat, because most people stay to play when the music gets turned up and the lights turned down at 10 p.m. But it’s not the kind of place you mind waiting for a table though because of the beats and the bar, tended by mixologist Kyle Crabtree who puts the Level 3 sommelier to shame.
SOUL serves sushi and tapas ... small plates, not so much small amounts of food. Just enough food to coat your stomach for a night out, but not put you in a food coma. And despite the name, the food doesn’t make you gassy — compliments to the chef Patty Greene, the menu master behind Carpe Diem.
SOUL’s international décor matches the International menu menu consists of everything from “Bone Marrow” to Lamb Lollypops to Ceviche to a Guacamole Stack to a Tuna Scoop that is served with a shot of pink sparking sake. And that will sake it to you too; it’s so popular they sold 25 bottles of it in an hour. The beverage menu is just as diverse and elaborate as their food. They serve Carolina-brewed Blowing Rock and house-infused vodkas. And one of the owners is a huge wine snob and has been tweaking a vino menu for two years.
And, on Sundays, Scott Weaver DJs and in upcoming weeks they start serving brunch with specialty Bloody Marys like the BLT with bacon infused vodka.
SOUL is open til 2 a.m. but serves dinner until 12 a.m. during the week and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Meanwhile, there’s an art gallery and wine bar opening right below SOUL.
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