Dot Dot Dot
Background:
Dot Dot Dot opened in July 2017 in the Backlot of Park Road Shopping Center under Stefan Huebner and Conrad Hunter, who were already players in the Charlotte bar and restaurant community prior to this much anticipated opening (Huebner was a mixologist at Heist and Hunter also owns Foxcroft Wine Co.). Although technically a private club due to state regulations regarding maintaining a certain ratio of food to beverage sales, Dot Dot Dot boasts an insanely delicious food menu. However, the club aspect means you need to pay a $10 membership fee (per year), though each member may bring up to three guests at a time. Signing up online is highly encouraged in order to cut down on wait times at the door.
This spot has such heavy speakeasy vibes that I had a hard time finding it when I visited on a warm spring night with Allie from EatDrinkCLT to sample some new menu items. Prohibition style: on point.
Eat This:
Chef David Quintana has a culinary pedigree from Johnson & Wales and worked at Wylie's Dufresne's wd~50 in NYC and Four Moons in South Carolina. He joined Dot Dot Dot just after they opened, and he has built the menu into one that reflects his focus on fresh ingredients and artistic plating.
Crab Cake
scallop mousseline, lump crab, mache, blood orange, nasturtium crumble
Sea Scallop
morel mushroom, asparagus, fava bean, artichoke, Iberico lardo de bellota, vanilla olive oil
Burrata
strawberry, roasted beet, arugula, black pepper, pedro ximenez sherry vinegar, black garlic molassses, crustini
Garganelli with veal meatballs
pecorino, peas, light cream, pea tendrils, mint
Pate en croute
moulard duck, pork, smoked duck ham, pistachio, savory pastry dough, pickled vegetables, dijon mustard, cumberland sauce
American wagyu flat iron
truffle veal glace, pickled mustard seed, cripsy trumpet mushrooms, creamed spinach
Cold-smoked fried chicken
celeriac puree, house-made sorghum hot sauce, petite braising greens
Dessert:
It appears that Dot Dot Dot does not have any dessert offerings. Gasp! You could always go to Va da Vie gelato in the front of Park Road Shopping Center, or even swing by Amelie's in the Backlot for a pastry or two.
Va da vie gelato
We love this place, but prepare yourself to spend 10 minutes hearing about the integrity of the gelato
Amelie's
is bae
Drink:
As you can imagine from a speakeasy style bar, the drink game is on point. Like the food menu, the drink selection changes seasonally. Huebner really knocks it out of the park, and I was especially digging on the creative names of the cocktails, like the "Lily Wants a Pony" and the "Boulevardier of Broken Dreams."
French-75
Sutler's gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, champagne, served up
Local gin
Used in the above cocktail--local & made in small batches. And check out that bottle!
The Queen City Swizzle
Dragon Moonshine rum, green chartreuse, mint, sugar, angostura bitters, served over crushed ice
Mint Julep
Maker's Mark bourbon, simple syrup, mint, served over crushed ice
The Anchorage
Aviation gin, yellow chartreuse, lemon juice, simple syrup
Lover, Dreamer, & me
Plantation 5-year rum, orange curacao, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, served over ice
Pepper le Pew
Lunazul Primero tequila, black peppercorn-honey syrup, lime juice, cardamaro, egg white, served up
Atmosphere:
Dot Dot Dot is housed in a former storage room, and the feel is cozy and old school class. I was geeking out over the bookshelves and the art deco divider between the bar and dining area. Dot Dot Dot is not huge, and I can imagine that it gets incredibly packed on weekends (we visited on a Tuesday night, so the crowds were light).
So Myers Park rn
That divider tho
Speakeasy Hospitality:
Since I was joining Allie for a media preview, it is hard to give an unbiased review of the service. We were treated like queens on this particular visit, however. I can't wait to go back incognito with Jason.
Frankie's Notes:
When the speakeasy vibe is so authentic that it takes you ten minutes and asking for directions to find it = good thing it's not actually prohibition days; Not sure why they aren't using bathtub gin for that 1920s real feel; What about getting raided by the cops to add an extra level of excitement?; Park Road Backlot is a nation unto itself; Going out with EatDrinkCLT is dining with Charlotte food royalty, and I was honored; We love Va da Vie’s gelato and all, but we have to block off half a day to in order to hear about the authentic Italian spoons.
Disclaimer: This meal was provided free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are our own, and we were not compensated for this review.