Meatballs on Main owners Ann Quagliato (left) and Kelly Oyama stand on the front porch of their new North Main Street restaurant. (Christina Ritchie Rogers/CorneliusNews.net)

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
DavidsonNews.net

CORNELIUS – The large, old house on North Main Street that has sat vacant more than a year will get new life this summer, with Meatballs on Main. Restaurant owners Kelly Oyama and Ann Quagliato plan an early July opening, bringing a new culinary concept to the area.

Inspired by New York City restaurants like The Meatball Shop, Meatballs on Main will offer quick, easy meals for everyone – lunch and late-night crowds alike, Ms. Oyama said. Read the full story

(CLOSED APRIL 2013)

20517 N. Main Street
Cornelius.
704-765-5815
M-Th. 11:30am-10pm
Fri. 11:30am-midnight
Sat. noon-midnight
closed Sun.

www.meatballsonmain.com

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Alton’s Kitchen & Cocktails in Cornelius is adding weekend brunch to its menu beginning July 1. In a roundup of local restaurant news, we take note of a celebrity diner spotted at Campania Cafe in Davidson, and a summer schedule change at Paddy’s Pour House in Cornelius. Meanwhile, food-related fundraisers are many this month: The Davidson Farmer’s Market‘s annual Pea Pod campaign continues all month. And Davidson basketball coach Bob McKillop will be the celebrity bartender Thursday, in a fundraiser at Flatiron Kitchen in Davidson. Read on for the details Read the full story

A test run for Lisa Schnurr's Tour De Food stopped Tuesday at Davidson Beverage Co., in South Main Square.

Here’s a new kind of tour for you: Restaurant hopping. Winston-Salem-based Tour De Food will offer tours of Davidson restaurants every other Saturday beginning this weekend. Meanwhile, there’s some fun and fundraising ahead involving dining and imbibing. The Mooresville Soup Kitchen’s 2nd annual LobsterFest is scheduled Friday, June 1, in downtown Mooresville. Davidson basketball coach Bob McKillopwill be the celebrity bartender next Thursday, June 7, in the next fundraising night at Flatiron Kitchen in Davidson. Read the full story

Salmon with Pan Asian sauce, one of several sauces available on fish dishes. (Bonefish Grill photo)

In a restaurant heavy area such as Birkdale Village in Huntersville, you would have thought a new addition would find it difficult. Bonefish Grill saw it as the perfect opportunity to add to a list of locations that now tops 150.

The owners liked the location, including the fact that the sign is one of the most visible in Birkdale while driving along nearby Sam Furr Road, managing partner Jordan Biel told us during a visit last week.

First impression: If you are seated away from the windows, it is particularly dark in there. That aside, we were quickly attended to by a knowledgeable server. After completing an intense six-day training program, the staff certainly have answers to any questions you may have and are full of useful information and suggestions on the menu. And there are many interesting choices. Read the full story

By CAMILA DOMONOSKE
DavidsonNews.net

Beer! Local food! Lobster! Tapas! Barbecue! Over the next few weeks, our area has something to offer for just about every kind of foodie. Craft beer aficionados can head to the N.C. Brewer’s and Music festival; environmentalists and local-food activists can go farm-to-fork at Riot in the Pasture; fans of more traditional cuisine can enjoy a pound of lobster apiece at Lobsterfest; do-it-yourselfers can take in the next round of Hands-On Cooking classes; and fans of classic Southern fare can appreciate award-winning BBQ sauces… as chosen for the Democratic convention! Details on all of these below, plus tips for Mother’s Day and a round-up of live music at local restaurants. Read the full story