TCBY Manager Greta Hobson and Davidson town officials joined a ribbon cutting Saturday. That’s Commissioner Rodney Graham (second from left) and Mayor John Woods (fourth from left). (Kim Fleming photo)

A ribbon cutting and a day of free yogurt Saturday formally opened the new TCBY yogurt shop at Davidson Commons shopping center, off Griffith Street. The fro-yo chain took over the space at 610 Jetton St. vacated by rival Red Mango, which closed its doors in November after a year in business. Read the full story

Davidson Farmer’s Market is back this Saturday morning, with local farmers selling winter produce, meats and other items. It’s also the market’s next Breakfast of Champions – a beer and chili feast. Meanwhile, Flying Fish Seafood has moved its weekend sales of fresh Carolinas seafood to the Metrolina Warehouse in Davidson. And Davidson Pizza Company is getting ready to open next week in a tiny storefront on Mock Circle, on Davidson’s west side. Plus notes about Galway Hooker’s bigger-than-ever St. Patrick’s Day plans, and a Valentine’s special at Alton’s Kitchen & Cocktails. Read the full story

Carrburritos opened Wednesday, with seating for 90 to 100 both indoors and on an outdoor patio. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

CORNELIUS – For years Davidson diners have been craving Mexican, something to add a little spice and fun to the expanding dining choices along Main Street. On Wednesday, the doors officially opened on the answer: Carrburritos

The Mexican taqueria has taken over half the ground floor of the building that also houses Wooden Stone Gallery, at 445 S. Main St. The 3,500-square foot restaurant has seating for about 100 people indoors and on a new outdoor patio, as well as a bar offering traditional and specialty margaritas. (We can’t stop talking about that Jalapeño Margarita.) Read the full story

Hot Head Burritos opened Dec. 31 in the Fresh Market plaza. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

Burrittos are suddenly big in the Lake Norman area, with two new restaurants: Hot Head Burritos in Cornelius, which opened Dec. 31, and Carrburritos in Davidson (opening Wednesday). Meanwhile, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream has begun hiring for its new store in Birkdale Village. And there’s a new doughnut shop in Huntersville called Donut King. Read the full story

The 10th edition of the semi-annual Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week returns Friday, Jan. 18, to Sunday, Jan. 27, at a record 112 restaurants in six counties in the greater Charlotte area and Lake Norman. Specials and details, along with hotel discounts, are now live on the Queen’s Feast website, www.CharlotteRestaurantWeek.com.

Participating restaurants offer special prix fixe dinners of three or more courses, for $30 per person (plus tax and tip). Popular eateries are joining in again across Charlotte to Matthews, Concord, Belmont, Gastonia, Waxhaw, the Lake Norman area of northern Mecklenburg and Iredell counties, and Fort Mill, S.C. Read the full story

Visitors to Red Mango on Monday found this sign on the door. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

After a year in business, the Red Mango frozen yogurt shop in Davidson Commons has shut its doors, citing high costs and disappointing sales. The local owners say they also won’t reopen a second shop off N.C. 73 in Huntersville that had closed for the winter.

The Davidson shop served its last customer on Saturday, then posted a sign saying “Sorry, Out of Business.” Read the full story

Award-winning “farm-to-fork” chef Deborah Madison is spending two days at Davidson College this week, with meals open to the public. See below.

Davidson Beverage Co. will host another beer & chocolate tasting this Friday. Meanwhile, a group of Cornelius eateries is joining hands in the first “United We Dine” fundraiser for the United Way, on Friday, Nov. 16. Community School of Davidson High School on Armour Street is organizing a Food Truck Rally, on Friday, Nov. 16 as well, to celebrate the groundbreaking for a big renovation. Restaurants in Charlotte and the Lake Norman area will celebrate National Hospice Month in November with “Dining Out for Hospice.”And in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, local restaurants with ties in the Northeast are holding fundraisers to help with storm relief funds. Read the full story

Chris Coleman of the Market Kitchen worked on his chicken and sweet potato hash. More photos below. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

DAVIDSON – It was the Davidson Farmer’s Market’s version of Iron Chef: Competitors at Saturday’s 2nd annual Winter Market Chef Challenge were handed a box of ingredients from market farmers and given an hour to create something that would tickle market-goers’ palates.

Zack Renner (left) and Joe Kindred of Roosters were the crowd favorites. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)

When the judging was over, Joe Kindred from Roosters Wood Fired Kitchen in Charlotte came out on top. He delivered a tasty Potato Gnocchi with Chef Charles’ chicken apple sausage, kale and goat cheese; and an Autumn Harvest Salad of beets, kohlrabi, and sweet potatoes. Read the full story

Guests at last year’s Davidson Farmer’s Market Winter Market Chef Challenge sample the chef’s creations. This year’s competition is Saturday. (Davidson Farmer’s Market photo)

This Saturday, Nov. 3, marks the first day of Davidson Farmer’s Market’swinter season, and the market celebrates with its 2nd Annual Winter Market Chef Challenge. Five local chefs will prepare dishes using four mystery ingredients from the market to be unveiled when they arrive.

Competitors are Anthony Ascanio of Flatiron Kitchen & Taphouse; Chris Coleman, The Market Kitchen; Alyssa Gorelick; Nicolas Daniels, The Wooden Vine Wine Bar & Bistro; and Joe Kindred, Roosters Kitchen. Read the full story

The meat is seared and the you cook it to your taste at your table. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

Hot Stone Grill has opened at Kenton Place in Cornelius, bringing a dining concept you probably haven’t seen before: tabletop cooking on, well, hot stones. “It’s natural, it’s healthy, it’s tasty,” says owner Henry Lentzy.

The new restaurant began a “soft opening” on Thursday, serving up an diverse menu that reflects the international backgrounds of its partners. The menu boasts dishes from Germany, France, England, Greece, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and Russia.

But at its heart, as its name suggests, is hot stone cooking, a concept Mr. Lentzy and partner/general manager Nazira Atme have borrowed from Europe. Ms. Atme, born in France with a Lebanese father, said there are similar restaurants in the U.S., in New York and San Jose. Read the full story

Nighttime flashlight mazes resume this weekend at Rural Hill’s Amazing Maize Maze – and the historic site is celebrating with a Friday night Fall Food Truck Rally, accompanied by N.C. wines and craft brews. On Saturday, the restaurants in Birkdale Village will join in “A Taste of Birkdale With a Twist of Fashion,” a fundraiser for Hospice and Palliative Care of Lake Norman. Meanwhile, restaurant and club news this week includes word that Alton’s Kitchen and Cocktails in Cornelius is adding lunch beginning Monday,Hot Stone Grill at Kenton Place is opening soon, and Piano Man dueling piano bar opens this weekend. Read the full story

Hungry beer tasters at Davidson Beverage Co. in Davidson now have a answer for their appetites: Restaurant X has begun delivering appetizers and dinners across the parking lot at South Main Square. More about the unusual partnership below, as well as news of a new lunch menu at Flatiron Kitchen in Davidson and a series of hands-on cooking classes in Cornelius, led by Nikki Moore. And coming up later this month: the Lake Norman Beer Festival at Galway Hooker in Cornelius, and a fall Food Truck Rally at Rural Hill in Huntersville. Read the full story

A new eatery called Hot Stone Grill has begun hiring at Kenton Place in Cornelius. Meanwhile, the Town of Davidson and Armin’s Catering have extended the deadline for their Sept. 14 dinner-theater presentation of “Death Ahoy.” Flatiron Kitchen in Davidson is planning a Star Hill Brewery Beer Dinner on Sept. 18. And chili cooks are being sought for the 4th Annual Great Chili Cook-Off Sept 29 in Mooresville. That news and more below … Read the full story

Just Baked Cupcakes and Coffee House on South Main Street in Cornelius has changed hands, and its previous owners are off on a new venture in Charleston. Meanwhile, The Black Eye’d Pea in Mooresville cut a ribbon this week, a little over a year after its opening. Davidson Parks & Rec’s fall classes have several food events, including “Sushi 101.” And the calendar at other local eateries includes an anniversary at Galway Hooker and live music at Flatiron Kitchen. Read the full story

Lucky Dog Bark and Brew in Cornelius gears up for its grand opening this weekend, offering all kids of fun for people and their pups. Also, Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse in Davidson kicks off its first social media scavenger hunt Saturday morning. Meanwhile, the Wooden Stone offers a wine tasting, Campania brings back “party on the porch,” and the Galway Hooker Irish Pub plans for its 10-year anniversary in a few weeks. Read below for details. Read the full story