Random Notes From Fashion Mixer

I attended the Pre-Charlotte NC Fashion Week Industry Night mixer at Rustic Martini last night. Here are some random things I observed.

• I've never seen so many tall chicks in one place in my life. I'm 6'2 so most women aren't at eye level with me. But these models/aspiring models, with their 5'10-plus frames and three- to four-inch heels, were face to face with me. I wonder if the short guys in attendance felt awkward.
• Everyone was very well dressed. I even threw on a fine pair of slacks. Though some people were dressed a little weird—I guess it was high fashion, maybe something from Europe.
• There were several gay dudes there. I guess that's the norm for the fashion industry. If you've ever watched Kimora Lee Simmons' Life in the Fab Lane then you've noticed that almost all of the men who work for her are gay. I watch the show to see the models, by the way. Man Law.
• A roomful of models/aspiring models and fashion designers has an air of arrogance.
• I was really happy to see an event like this in Charlotte.
• Rustic Martini (616. N. Tryon St.) is a great bar. I like the atmosphere. And I love the fact that it has its own parking lot, a rarity for uptown. Rustic Martini made Charlotte magazine's 2008 Best of the Best in Nightlife. (I worked on that feature.)
• I'm starting to get more comfortable drinking martinis. I still have a problem with the glasses they're served in, though. Man Law.
• Rustic Martini has a great martini list, which you would expect from a martini bar.
• I only knew a few people there, but a lot of the other people knew each other. It's the building of that fashion scene I've talked about.
• There was food there. Models do eat.
• Martinis are expensive.

Learn more about Charlotte NC Fashion Week, scheduled for September 18-20, by clicking here.

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Events for the Week: July 7-13

Note: If I learn of more events for the week, I'll update this post.

Tuesday, July 8

Tone X and Friends

Enjoy a night of stand-up comedy, live skits, improv, and music, along with a performance by the Hunnie Dipz Dancers. $15. 8 p.m. Skandalos, 5317 E. Independence Blvd. 704-890-0771.

GPT says: It's a weekly hood affair. If you enjoy the comedy of Power 98's Tone X on the No Limit Larry and the Morning Maddhouse show then you'll likely enjoy this event.

Wednesday, July 9

Lunch and Stilettos
On the second Wednesday of each month enjoy free hors d’ouevres and personal shoe shopping. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Epiphany Shoes, 136 Brevard Ct. 704-332-SHOE, http://www.epiphanyshoeboutique.com/.
GPT says: Who don't understand a broad with a mean shoe game / Whose up on Dot Dot Dot and Vera Wang. —“Change Clothes,” Jay-Z

Pop Life
This is the city’s most popular Wednesday networking event. Enjoy a great view of the city while listening to music by local DJs, sometimes accompanied by live instruments. Sponsored by Creative Loafing and the Sol Kitchen. Free. 6 p.m. Loft 1523, 1523 Elizabeth Ave. http://www.thesoulmovement.com/.
GPT says: The crowd, filled with attractive movers and shakers, usually peaks around 9 p.m., but people often hang well past 11.

Pre-Charlotte NC Fashion Week Industry Night
This is the latest installment of the mixers being held leading up to September’s fashion week in Charlotte. A special invite to all fashion and beauty professionals. Free. RSVP required, rsvp@charlottencfashionweek.com. 6-11 p.m. Rustic Martini, 616 N. Tryon St. http://www.charlottencfashionweek.com/.
GPT says: The next best thing to seeing models is seeing wannabe models. This should be a good networking event for people looking to break into the industry.

Unwind: The Pretty Girls Edition
Come network with young professionals, as the ladies of AKA continue their centennial celebration. Presented by Pinkies Up Productions and So Kel Events. Free. 6:30 p.m. Presto’s Bar & Grill, 445 W. Trade St. http://www.pinkiesupproductions.com/.
GPT says: If you loved AKAs in college, come see them fully grown.

Thursday, July 10

Alive After Five
This Charlotte staple is in its eighth year. From spring to fall you’ll find Charlotte’s professionals coming to this outdoor after-work party each Thursday. Free. 5-9 p.m. Wachovia Plaza, corners of Tryon St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Free. 5-9 p.m. Wachovia Plaza, corners of Tryon St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Epicentre at Five
Epicentre is the new hotspot, with its new bars and clubs (Whisky River, Suite, Howling Moon, and more to come). And now there’s an outdoor after-work party to compete with Alive After Five. Free. 5 p.m. Pavilion at Epicentre, 210 E. Trade St.
GPT says: So far Epicentre at Five hasn’t proved to be much different that Alive After Five. But it’ll continue to draw a good crowd because it’s new.

$3 Talk About It Thursdays
Formerly held at Allure, this event allows you to mingle and do a little light partying while enjoying $3 drink specials. Ladies $3, men $10. 9 p.m. Prevue, 2909 N. Davidson St. 704-231-1582.

Omar Gaither NFL Day Camp Post Party

The Philadelphia Eagles linebacker and Charlotte native is having a party and has invited several of his NFL friends. Hosted by Q 92.7's Ife Moore. Cost varies. Ladies free before 11 p.m. Party starts 10 pm. Rustic Martini, 616 N. Tryon St. 704-605-9970.

GPT says: Here's your chance, ladies.

Friday, July 11

My friends used to be crazy about Mya. I'm rather fond of her myself.

Consuella’s Candyland
It’s a birthday celebration for Power 98’s Consuella and it’s being hosted by R&B singer Mya. Many celebrities, professional athletes, and radio personalities have been invited. Presented by Michael L Entertainment. Advance tickets $20. Ladies free before 9:30 p.m. Doors open 9 p.m. Stir Concert Theater, 3500 E. Independence Blvd. 877-993-8499, http://www.ez-tixx.com/.

KISS Lounge Grand Opening
Charlotte's got a new nightspot. This said-to-be plush new place is being opened by a couple of the partners from the Sunset Club. Cost varies. 10 p.m. KISS Lounge, 204 W. Woodlawn Rd. http://www.kisscharlotte.com/.
GPT says: If you like the Sunset Club, you should like KISS. And with it being located between The Gentleman's Club and The Red Door, this may be the making of Charlotte's first Red Light District.

Saturday, July 12

The White Affair 2008
Put on your all-white outfit and come out to this annual event. Presented by Executive Entertainment. Advance tickets $20. 9 p.m. Omni Charlotte Hotel, 132 E. Trade St. www.executiveent.com/events.html.
GPT says: There seems to be a “white” event every week now, but this is one of the most popular and well-attended ones.

Lil Kim
See the Queen Bee performing live. Presented by BlackIce. Cost varies. Advance tickets can be purchased at DTLR. 10 p.m. Crush Nightclub, 300 E. Stonewall St.
GPT says: Does Lil Kim have any new music to perform? Well, she at least has past hits.

Sunday, July 13

Def Poetry Charlotte Launch Party
Hosted by popular Slam Charlotte poet Bluz, this event will be an open mic for spoken word artists. 9 p.m. Allure, 1508 S. Mint St. 704-713-7703.
GPT says: Charlotte has a thriving spoke word and slam poetry scene. You’ll want to see these guys in action.

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Brunch At Pewter Rose: Great Grits and Mimosa

Okay, this is already known by many Charlotteans, but it is a first for me. Plus, I try to blog about things that I hope will be helpful to Charlotte's many newcomers. Today I had brunch at Pewter Rose Bistro for the first time. I'd heard about how good it was, but I'd just never gotten around to going before now.

I attended a brunch for a media colleague who's leaving her producer position at WCNC to join the military (Good luck Alva!). I arrived at 11:30 this morning and the parking lot was packed, as was the restaurant and the patio. The service was pretty good considering the large crowd, and our party alone numbered close to 20. So if the service is good, the other very important element is the food, right?

I ordered pancakes, bacon, and grits. I also ordered a mimosa, which I had to wait a few minutes before I could place the order for since you can't buy alcohol in North Carolina until after 12 p.m. While we waited for our food, the server brought out complimentary scones. They're hard to describe—a type of sweet bread with apple in it I think—and they were really good.

The scone held me over until my food arrived. The grits were awesome. I only had to add a little salt, but other than that they were near perfect. The bacon was good, too—fried just right. But I was a little disappointed in the pancakes. There were three hefty ones, which was more than I could eat, but they lacked the flavor I've come to expect from great pancakes. Plus, I didn't like the syrup. Give me the thick stuff.

Bland pancakes aside, I highly recommend brunch at Pewter Rose. I would venture to guess that many people come here every Sunday, or at least once a month. It'll definitely be something I do more often on a late weekend morning/early afternoon after sleeping in.

Pewter Rose Bistro
Brunch
Saturday and Sunday
10 a.m-2:30 p.m.
1820 South Blvd.

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Obama's In Charlotte Tomorrow

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will visit Charlotte tomorrow (Monday, July 7), the Associated Press is reporting. His campaign hasn't released many details about the visit, which is to be held at an unnamed middle school and is invitation only. So sorry folks, unless you've been invited you won't have a chance to see the Barack-star in person.

Obama is coming to listen. This is what it looks like.

Obama's campaign says he will be meeting with working families to discuss his plans to help those who have been hurt by the current state of the economy. Maybe it'll be televised. And I wonder at which middle school it will be held. One in the burbs or one in the hood? You know all this stuff is strategically planned.

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Woods on South Has Closed; Plan B Is a Nice Option

Woods on South closed this week. The South End restaurant helmed by celebrity Chef Marvin Woods lasted only eight months. The restaurant was previously known as Southend Brewery. Woods tried to do some innovative things to the Southern cuisine on the menu, but it apparently wasn't enough to make the restaurant a success.

I think it's going to be a challenge for anyone who tries to run that space. It's one of the largest restaurants around, certainly in South End, which I'm sure makes the overhead expensive. The large space, including the patio, and the large parking lot made it an appealing place for special events. I went to several events there as Woods on South and a few when it was Southend Brewery. But a restaurant needs substantial daily lunch and dinner traffic to survive, and when I went there on regular occasions it was always rather sparse. I suggest whoever opens it next divide it into two separate restaurants.

There's a new restaurant in town, Plan B, that I checked out for the first time last night. Plan B opened about a month and a half ago in the former space of City Tavern on East Boulevard in Dilworth. The new place is more of a bar than a restaurant. Gone are the restaurant style tables and booths. They've been substituted with high tables, which are advantageous for standing at with drink in hand and appetizer on table.

Plan B looks cool inside. Very sleek with white walls and great lighting. The servers wear shirts that say "got plans?" And about its name, it's rather interesting, don't you think? It makes me think of the place being a second option or of the birth control method. Neither one is a good connotation for a new bar. I made a similar comment about the naming of the new Club Amnesia. I made a funny—at least I thought it was funny (read that blog post here).

I met a friend at Plan B last night who told me that Tuesday nights on the rooftop were popular. Apparently that was also the case when it was City Tavern. The weather was perfect to be on the roof. The appetizers we had were pretty good—Asian Chicken Quesadillas and Tex-Mex Tacos. But the best part of it all, which I'm sure is why this night is so popular, is that Tuesdays are half-price wine bottles night. You can't beat getting a bottle of wine for the price of two glasses.

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