Is this a trend? Two of Charlotte’s most elegant restaurants get more interactive

Two Charlotte restaurants are making shifts to open up their tasting menus with more flexibility, offering diners new à la carte options to further personalize meals otherwise left completely up to the chefs.

Sora announced Tuesday, May 19, that it’s opening up its French-Asian tasting menu with limited seating, and L’Ostrica followed with an announcement about its changes at the seasonally focused restaurant on Wednesday.

Just last fall, we were looking at a shift from à la carte dining to tasting menus in Charlotte as the Michelin Guide American South was created and inspectors rating restaurants on consistency roamed the area.

Now, things are turning back around in Charlotte, a city where diners always seem to be looking for what’s fresh and new. Slate also recently examined the “indulgence” of the format, noting that it’s meant to showcase a chef’s creativity and not always enjoyed by a wide audience.

“The new menu structure seemed like a natural next step for us as a team,” L’Ostrica co-owner Cat Carter told CharlotteFive via email.

“For us, it came down to being able to offer greater choice and flexibility to our guests to further enhance their dining experiences with us, from a regular Wednesday night to a special occasion on the weekend — and anything in between.”

At L’Ostrica in Madison Park, there have always been multiple options for guests to try the restaurant outside of its tasting menu, offering lunch service, casual bites at the bar, brunches and pop-up style Sunday Suppers with rotating themes.

Starting June 3, L’Ostrica will now offer a six-course Tasting Menu on Wednesday and Thursday, with two to three options offered among the courses. Carter and co-owner chef Eric Ferguson will curate the rest of the meal based on seasonal inspiration.

An expanded à la carte menu will also be available at the bar in the dining room, and tasting menu guests can add on dishes from it, as well. Look for a lineup of starters that include oysters and meatballs, plus pastas and entrées featuring halibut, sugar smoked duck breast and prime rib -ye deckle.

On Friday and Saturday, the restaurant will stick to its tasting menu only in the dining room, although the add-on à la carte options will still be available. Wine and spirit-free pairings remain available, as is the popular caviar service.

Reservations for both dining options will require a deposit — another trend seen among Charlotte’s top restaurants.

With the changes, Carter and Ferguson say they are looking to give their diners greater flexibility and an avenue for “having more fun.”

As the restaurant’s wine director and the lead person shepherding guests’ experiences, she told CharlotteFive: “While I think changing trends aren’t just limited to just tasting menu concepts, our goal at L’Ostrica has always been to remain ‘always seasonal, always evolving.’

“Recent travel, conversations with colleagues and our guests, and our own research came together to inspire this pivot,” she added.

In Myers Park, Sora announced via Instagram: “À la Carte experience is officially open for booking on Tock for all guests at this time. The standard is high, the creativity is there, we can’t wait to share the Sora experience with you.”

Restaurateur Birdie Yang’s intimate dining room now offers three options for guests: an eight-to-10 course signature seasonal tasting menu, a short season tasting menu with four to five courses and the à la carte tasting experience.

The new à la carte option is described as “a vibrant blend of French elegance and Asian flair,” with tapas, entrées, curated wine and cheese boards, and inventive desserts.

“Each dish highlights seasonal ingredients, bold flavors, and Chef Dorji’s signature balance of creativity and finesse — an intimate, modern tasting experience designed to surprise and delight,” the website says.

Location: 4701 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209

Cuisine: Tasting menu, lunch, Sunday suppers

Instagram: @lostrica_clt

Location: 2907 Selwyn Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209

Cuisine: French-Asian fusion tasting menu

Instagram: @thesoranc