QUEEN CITY, MEET GUARD & GRACE

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’s smoky lounge. Instead, the Queen City can expect a sprawling, sun-drenched sanctuary of glass and steel, where the luxury feels effortless and the energy is infectious.

The magic of Guard and Grace liesin its ability to balance sophisticated architectural design with a menu that is as playful as it is precise. While the interior will likely mirror the sleek, art-forward aesthetic of its predecessors, the real buzz centers on the massive rooftop space, destined to become the city’s premiere theater for sunset martinis and late-night social scenes. The culinary experience follows suit, anchored by the restaurant’s legendary Filet Flight—a masterclass in indulgence that allows diners to sample grass-fed, Wagyu, and Prime cuts side-by-side. Yet, Chef Guard’s Hawaiian roots ensure the “sea” is never overshadowed by the “land.” Between the oak-fired octopus and the buttery black cod, the menu moves seamlessly from the ruggedness of the grill to the delicate precision of a world-class raw bar.

As Charlotte continues its evolution into a top-tier culinary destination, Guard andGrace arrives as the perfect exclamation point. It’s a venue designed for the rhythm of modern life: a bright, airy space for a midday breakthrough, a sophisticated backdrop for an anniversary, and a vibrant rooftop for that final, lingering cocktail of the evening. Backed by a wine cellar of monolithic proportions and a service style that trades stuffiness for genuine warmth, this Denver export is set to prove that the best way to experience the Queen City is from several stories up, with a world-class steak in front of you and the skyline in full view.