Two of the biggest faces of Charlotte’s changing culinary scene, Greg and Subrina Collier, are working with Camp North End to bring four new Black-owned, Black-managed concepts to the city this summer. The owners of Leah and Louise, a modern-version of the historical, Southern Juke Joint, is a place where people go to listen to the blues and dig into some Southern comfort food. Since its opening date at Camp North End in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, Leah and Louise has been a prime example of the quality the Colliers’ have brought to Charlotte, and so we couldn’t be more excited to see that they’re bringing four new concepts. With that being said, here’s everything we know about the newest restaurants coming from Bayhaven Restaurant Group that are about to shake up the Charlotte food scene in summer 2022. We can hardly wait.
1. B.A.D.
Jasmine Macon has been selling delicious doughnuts through pop-ups at Hex Coffee for quite some time now, but the former Leah & Louise pastry chef will now be the frontman of her own shop. B.A.D., which stands for Beyond Awesome Doughnuts. On her Instagram, she said in a heartfelt message, “It’s always been about more than dough…it’s about accepting human imperfections, diligence, guidance, love, and compassion. I’M OPENING A DONUT SHOP Y’ALL.” The cake doughnuts, iced in fanciful colors, sprinkled with toppings, and filled with jams is one of our most anticipated new pastry shops.
2. Bird is the Word
The Leah & Louise chicken sandwich of the same name is the inspiration for this brand new eatery specializing in all things Southern-style chicken. The counter-style space will also share a heated patio space with B.A.D. Expect the same chicken sandwich made popular from L&L, a chicken family meal, and chicken-fat doughnuts.
3. Passage Seafood
Passage is a brand new restaurant that specializes in Atlantic seafood, inspired by coastal Carolina restaurants that have been specializing in Southern seafood for years. At Passage, expect a ton of oyster menu items and full-fish plates.
4. Abyss
Liquid alchemist Justin Hazelton, who previously worked at Leah & Louise will be pioneering as mixologist at the new speakeasy Abyss. Hazelton, who consistently uses seasonal ingredients for his rotating cocktail menu and who has won awards for his creations, has served amazing drinks, such as L&L’s Gold Coast, a cocktail with Quinn’s Carolina Whiskey, Cardamaro, Carolina Gold Rice Orgeat, Egg Whites, and Ango Bitters.