Epicurean

Forget the burnt toast and the "World’s Best Mom" mug for a second. If you really want to celebrate the woman who dealt with your teenage years, you’re going to need something chilled, sparkling, and served in a fancy glass. Whether your mom is a "rosé all day" enthusiast or a "double shot of espresso" powerhouse, we’ve got the perfect pour for her special Sunday. The "Mom-osa" Upgrade Best for: The Classic Bruncher The standard OJ-and-bubbly is fine, but Mom deserves a promo

While the streets of Charlotte often buzz with the energy of a classic fiesta, the discerning Vivant reader knows that Cinco de Mayo is about more than just a margarita—it’s an opportunity to celebrate the rich, complex heritage of Mexican craftsmanship, from artisanal mezcals to avant-garde culinary interpretations. This year, skip the plastic banners and find yourself at the intersection of luxury and tradition. Here are the most elevated destinations in Charlotte to toast

Images from V Modern Italian Charleston’s culinary landscape just gained a new heartbeat. Located at 465 Meeting Street, V Modern Italian has officially opened its doors, bringing a high-energy, sensory-driven dining concept to the Holy City. The name isn't just a letter; it represents the five senses. From the DJ-curated "Weekend Sounds" to the tactile richness of the layered interior design, V is designed to be felt as much as it is tasted. Michelin-Starred Pedigree meets L

Inside Artisan at Delamar Southport Some restaurants feel good while you’re there. Others stay with you long after you’ve left. Artisan belongs to the latter. Tucked inside Delamar Southport, Artisan has become the kind of place people quietly build into their routines—where locals return again and again, and hotel guests quickly realize there’s no reason to dine anywhere else that evening. The room draws you in immediately. As daylight softens, candlelight takes over, con

Midleton Very Rare There are bottles you drink. And then there are bottles you acquire. The latest release from Midleton Very Rare falls firmly into the second category—and increasingly, into a different kind of conversation altogether. Because what used to be a quiet annual release has become something more: a marker of how Irish whiskey has re-entered the luxury conversation, this time with confidence. Midleton Very Rare has been producing its annual vintage since 1984, eac

If you’ve been out recently—anywhere that matters—you’ve probably noticed it. The energy is still there. The music, the movement, the second (and sometimes third) round. But something has shifted. People aren’t drinking more. They’re drinking… smarter. Mid-strength drinking is having a moment—and unlike most trends, this one actually makes sense. For years, the conversation around alcohol has been binary: all in, or completely out. Mid-strength quietly dismantles that. These

Image courtesy of Uchibā If Uchi is Charlotte’s sophisticated anchor for Japanese fine dining, then its rooftop sibling, Uchibā, is the cool, high-energy pulse of the Commonwealth development. While the ground floor below focuses on the hushed reverence of a perfect omakase, Uchibā—opening its doors as the social heartbeat of Plaza Midwood—is all about the buzz. Inspired by the effortless "cool" of Japanese izakayas, this rooftop lounge is designed for those who prefer their

Images from Café Carmellini Forget the standard weekend ritual of soggy eggs and a lukewarm latte. There is a new way to do mornings in Manhattan, and it involves gilded trees, sapphire velvet, and enough bubbles to make a Gatsby party look like a quiet tea. Café Carmellini has officially launched its Champagne Brunch, and it is every bit as maximalist and magnificent as the room itself. Walking into the dining room feels less like entering a restaurant and more like stepping

I always knew olive oil was something special, especially in my family. But I didn’t realize just how much it functioned as a cultural icon in my life, shaping how I learned to eat, cook, and think about health long before I ever thought about food in those terms. It was just always there. For me, olive oil is one of those ingredients that can work the room. It has a natural charisma, with a wide, complex flavor profile, adding dimension to almost everything in the kitchen, c

Image Credit : Guard & Grace Forget the hushed, velvet-draped clichés of the traditional steakhouse; Charlotte’s skyline is about to get a shot of pure, high-octane adrenaline. When Guard and Grace makes its highly anticipated debut at 111 E. Carson Blvd in mid-2026, it won’t just be opening a dining room—it will be introducing a new era of “Power Dining 2.0.” Born in Denver under the visionary eye of Chef Troy Guard and his TAG Restaurant Group, this isn’t your grandfather’

No city becomes a Michelin city by accident. That distinction is earned quietly, over time—through discipline rather than drama. When the Michelin Guide turned its attention toward Charlotte in late 2025, it wasn’t announcing a beginning. It was acknowledging a moment that had already arrived. Michelin has never been interested in hype. Its inspectors don’t follow buzz or social-media heat; they follow craft. They look for restaurants that demonstrate clarity of vision, tech

Cotswolds Highgrove Evergreen Just when you thought the English countryside couldn’t get any more cinematic, Highgrove—yes, that Highgrove—has gone and bottled it. In partnership with Cotswolds Distillery, the estate has unveiled Highgrove Evergreen, a small-batch gin inspired by the gardens surrounding King Charles III’s private residence. Think less nightclub lime, more mossy path after rain. This is a gin that wears tweed, knows its hedgerows, and absolutely does not shou

Image courtesy of The Ballantyne Hotel In the sun-drenched pockets of Charlotte, there is a place where the frantic pace of the week simply fails to gain entry. At The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel, afternoon tea isn't just a mid-day break; it’s a high-production ritual. Think of it as a beautifully choreographed performance where the cast is impeccable, the set is stunning, and you have the best seat in the house. For the vivant set—those who appreciate the finer thi

Images courtesy of Mary Lou's Mary Lou’s - Palm beach’s hottest new club and lounge. The compelling inspiration behind Mary Lou's and the grandmother of co-founder Alex Melillo, Mary Lou Curtis, is an unrepentant force in the West Palm Beach fashion scene. Situated on the corner of Southern Boulevard and South Olive Avenue, one could never suspect that behind this well-known façade is a deeply complex, opulent world. Celebrating Mary Lou Curtis' lasting impact, the club and

There's something inherently ritualistic about the Friday martini. It’s a sophisticated punctuation mark at the end of a busy week, a signal that leisure and luxury are officially on the agenda. But what if we told you that punctuation could be gilded, literally? Enter the "Crown Jewel Martini"—a drink that takes the classic dirty martini and elevates it with a garnish as opulent as it is unexpected: caviar-stuffed olives. This isn't just a drink; it's a statement. It’s for t

Image from Michelin In the constellation of luxury accolades, the Michelin Star has long been the North Star for gastronomy, and the more recent Michelin Key has unlocked the world’s most soulful hotels. Now, the Guide is turning its clinical, three-tiered gaze toward the vine. Enter the Michelin Grape: a new distinction set to debut in 2026 that promises to do for winemakers what the Star did for chefs—codify excellence and, inevitably, ignite a new level of obsession among

Images from BRUTØ Denver In Denver’s Dairy Block, BRUTØ is redefining luxury through the lens of "Brutalist" simplicity. Centered around an 18-seat chef’s counter and a massive wood-fired hearth, this Michelin-starred destination strips away the pretense of fine dining to focus on the elemental power of fire and grain. WHITE ASPARAGUS ICE CREAM, SORREL, MØRINGA GANACHE, CRISPY RICE Under Chef Byron Gomez, the experience is an 11-course narrative that merges Colorado’s terroir

Wyoming Whiskey’s Daring Duos Photos courtesy of Wyoming Whiskey From the windswept rickhouses of Kirby, Wyoming, comes a whiskey steeped in grit, grain, and the true spirit of the West. Every drop of Wyoming Whiskey is “Made of Wyoming”—crafted grain-to-glass, distilled and aged in the state’s distinct climate for bold, unforgettable character. Now, two cocktails bring that frontier flavor into sleek, modern form: THE WYOMING REVOLVER — THE COFFEE-FUELED COWBOY A daring twis

Photos via SYN Charlotte’s South End is constantly evolving, a vibrant nexus of high-end dining, art, and cutting-edge design. Yet, even amidst the electric energy of this urban district, true luxury often prefers the shadows. For those in the know, the city’s newest and most intriguing destination isn't found behind glittering glass facades, but tucked away in a place only the truly discerning can discover: SYN Cocktail Bar. More than just a bar, SYN is Charlotte’s latest "h

Once upon a time, bourbon belonged to the world of dimly lit bars, leather club chairs, and aficionados who spoke in hushed tones about mash bills and barrel proofs. Today, the conversation has shifted. Bourbon has quietly crossed over into the realm of alternative assets—one of the most unlikely yet intriguing players in a luxury market hungry for tangible, storied investments. And unlike stocks or crypto, bourbon doesn’t react to the day’s headlines or market mood; it matur