October 2, 2019
A look inside Cicchetti, now open in Uptown
Check out the food and vibe at our most recent preview event
We hosted an Unpretentious Preview at Uptown restaurant Cicchetti earlier this week before it opened to the public, and diners were able to sample the restaurant’s small plates. The restaurant’s Venetian-inspired menu includes a wide range of dishes, including bruschetta, meatballs, and composed plates meant for sharing. Owner Pierre Bader told guests at the event that if he could, he would open a concept that just served wine and bruschetta — and from diner feedback after the event, Cicchetti’s bruschetta might the star of the food menu. See photos of the food and interior below from the preview event.
Want to join us for our next event? Unpretentious Palate subscribers get early access to buy tickets to events and a discounted ticket price. Subscribe here to make sure you get a seat at our next dinner. —Kristen Wile
Guests arrive at Cicchetti. The restaurant’s interior is stunning, with a casual yet upscale environment that showcases the restaurant’s focus on wine, which is available for retail purchase as well. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
A trio of small plates, the focus of Cicchetti’s menu. A popular option is the ricotta, pictured at right. Photo by Peter Taylor
The dining experience at Cicchetti is centered around a large menu of small plates. Guests are encouraged to linger over shared dishes and wine. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
Unpretentious Palate’s signature event series gets subscribers in to restaurants before they open to the public. At Cicchetti, guests were able to order dishes off the restaurant’s small plates menu for a $50 ticket price. Subscribe today to get a seat at our next Unpretentious Preview. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
Breadsticks wrapped in prosciutto and drizzled with truffle butter make for a delicious snack. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
Cicchetti not only serves wine, they sell retail bottles — and offer curbside pickup. Shelves around the restaurant are packed with delicious selections. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
Diners at our exclusive preview dinner at Cicchetti were impressed by the servers’ knowledge of wine and the large wine selection. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
At Unpretentious Palate events, diners are able to meet some of the city’s most well-respected restaurateurs, chefs, and beverage professionals. Here, guests chat with Cicchetti owner Pierre Bader, right. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
Tinned seafood is a delicious and underrated food, but gets some serious love on the menu at Cicchetti. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
UP co-founder Jon Wile chats with diners during the event. Unpretentious Palate subscribers get access to the city’s most trustworthy restaurant reviews, daily news coverage of Charlotte’s restaurant scene, and a restaurant finder to help you decide where to eat next. Subscribe today. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
Unpretentious Palate subscribers look over Cicchetti’s extensive menu. The shared-plates focused menu takes inspiration from Venetian cuisine. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
The house-made ricotta, served with toasted bread, was a diner favorite. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
At each event, diners meet the folks behind the restaurant and hear them share their stories, as well as ask them questions. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
Sonoma Restaurant Group executive chef Alex Piatt explains the process of putting together such a large menu. The restaurant group also owns Uptown mainstay Aria next door. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
Bruschetta spread pomodoro (cured tomatoes with basil pesto) and lattine e patatine, or tinned Wild Mussels. Photo by Peter Taylor/Peter Taylor Photography
