Chef’s Kitchen opens restaurant at Carolina Place Mall
Shrimp and scallop caponata with mashed sweet potatoes, roasted carrots and a sweet and spicy caper sauce.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many local restaurants were closing, Chef Anthony Smith and his partner, Chef Taylor Bishop, opened Chef’s Kitchen’s first food court near Lake Wylie. Now that the light at the end of the quarantine tunnel is getting brighter, they are adding a second location in July, this time at the Carolina Place mall.
Directly across from the food court on the top floor, shoppers will be able to enjoy Smith’s upscale fusion menu that has become popular at the Lake Wylie location. A mix of American, Italian and Southern cuisine will be available this summer.
When Smith posted on social media that Chef’s Kitchen would be opening a second location, he told CharlotteFive, “My DMs lit up with people who were hoping we came to Charlotte.”
The opening of the Lake Wylie location marked the closure of Chef’s Kitchen’s catering, meal prep and take out in the South End. “With that came the request that we return to Charlotte. We have customers coming from as far away as Concord just to eat at Chef’s Kitchen, ”said Smith.
The duo intended to open at least three restaurants, but the schedule has been quicker than expected. “Honestly, we were walking around the mall and noticed that both restaurants were closed and thought we were going to go look and see what they were looking for to get a lease,” Smith said.
The menu is heavily seafood-oriented with dishes like New Orleans salmon, seafood creole, and buffalo penne shrimp, but it also offers several popular non-fish dishes including chicken picatta and Bourbon Glaze Pork Chop vodka.
In addition to accommodating up to 175 people indoors, the Carolina Place shopping center will accommodate 30 people outdoors. It will be open for dinner Monday through Sunday, as well as weekday lunches and Saturday and Sunday brunch.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to open a second restaurant, especially during COVID,” Smith said.
Chef’s kitchen
Carolina Place Mall, 11025 Carolina Place Parkway, Pineville (opening July)
5301, route 557, Clover, SC
Instagram: @ chef.anthony.smith
Laurie Larsh is a freelance travel addict and writer with an affinity for sunglasses, coffee and all things Tarheels. A relentless curiosity for people and places drives her to wonder and wander from near and far and to write stories about it. Follow his travel adventures on Instagram @goexplauring or on his website www.goexplauring.com.