Hometown power couple Stephen and Ayesha Curry and Michelin-starred restaurateur Michael Mina are teaming up to bring three new luxury dining options to uptown Charlotte late this year.<\/p>\n
Read more New details in Kyle Busch\u2019s death, commissioner\u2019s transplant: Top CLT stories<\/a><\/p>\n Multi-phase renovations are under way at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte<\/a>. By winter, the premium hotel will debut three experience-led concepts, according to a news release and interviews given exclusively to CharlotteFive ahead of Thursday\u2019s announcement:<\/p>\n The collaboration marks a homecoming for the Currys \u2014 who met while growing up in Charlotte and visit regularly \u2014 and solidifies their ties with the The MINA Group<\/a>, which operates the original location of The Eighth Rule<\/a> in San Francisco and pairs with Sweet July at the Regent Santa Monica Beach<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe partnerships that we\u2019re entering into with Michael Mina and Ayesha and Steph Curry are not just exciting for The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte \u2014 I think they are super exciting for Charlotte as a whole,\u201d general manager Karen Ayad told CharlotteFive.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are going to bring some incredible culinary and beverage creativity, energy and experiences that will lend themselves to that growing scene in Charlotte,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n That evolution is exactly what helped solidify this partnership in Charlotte, Mina told CharlotteFive, noting that Bourbon Steak is selective about opening new locations.<\/p>\n \u201dYou can see when cities are really starting to happen with food \u2014 Charlotte\u2019s a really good city. It was even more concrete when they did \u2018Top Chef\u2019 here,\u201d he said. \u201cIn a city like this \u2014 it\u2019s starting to explode with food and beverage. This particular project \u2026 felt like it could add to the landscape with the combination of The Ritz-Carlton.\u201d<\/p>\n Change has been in the works for some time at the LEED Gold-certified luxury hotel, which first opened in 2009. Renovations began in 2023, first targeting the spa and guest rooms. Longtime cocktail lounge The Punch Room closed in 2025<\/a>, and The Fifth Fork<\/a> \u2014 which replaced BLT Steak \u2014 has temporarily moved into that space on the 15th floor to serve hotel guests.<\/p>\n Now, the renovations of The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte\u2019s lobby and public spaces will top off a \u201ccomplete transformation\u201d that Ayad said will \u201cput the guest experience at the forefront of everything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMichael is a culinary strength and probably one of the most creative individuals I\u2019ve ever had the opportunity to partner with, \u201cAyad said. \u201cAdd to that the hometown hero of Steph Curry and his wonderful wife, Ayesha, and the concepts that they are going to be bringing, as well, and it\u2019s hugely exciting for uptown. It\u2019s hugely exciting for Charlotte.\u201d<\/p>\n Mina emphasized the collaboration aspect of the projects, noting he\u2019s visited Charlotte a handful of times during his work with the Currys. \u201cPeople are really sweet here. They\u2019re really nice, and it\u2019s very refreshing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He\u2019s also committed to winning the trust of Charlotte\u2019s diners: \u201cI\u2019m a big believer that you don\u2019t walk into a city you haven\u2019t lived in all your life and act like you know everything, because you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n When Sweet July Cafe opens in July, look for high-quality coffee, unique baked goods, seasonal smoothies and other menu items that will make their debut in Charlotte.<\/p>\n In Santa Monica<\/a>, offerings include a strawberry shortcake croissant, a flourless blueberry muffin, sweet potato cornbread and a bananas foster cinnamon roll. Avocado toast, salads centered on hearty veggies like broccoli, beets and asparagus, and pitas are also on the menu.<\/p>\n Read more 2 venomous spiders are active in North Carolina. Here\u2019s how to spot them<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSweet July has always been rooted in community and creating spaces where people feel genuinely welcomed,\u201d Ayesha Curry said in the release.<\/p>\n \u201cCharlotte means so much to my family and me, making it the perfect home for our newest caf\u00e9. Working alongside Chef Michael Mina throughout my career has deeply influenced the way I think about hospitality and food, and I\u2019m thrilled to see our partnership continue to grow through the Sweet July caf\u00e9s.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m especially excited to introduce new menu items that reflect both the spirit of my Jamaican heritage, as well as the evolution of our caf\u00e9 experience,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Bourbon Steak is among Mina\u2019s signature concepts, featuring a modern take on steakhouses by incorporating global flavors, slow-poaching steaks in butter and topping off diners\u2019 restaurant experiences with a little whimsy over the past 20 years.<\/p>\n Sashimi with a trio of sauces \u2014 coconut-lime, yuzu-tamari and pomegranate-orange \u2014 joins oysters and shrimp cocktail as seafood selections. Its Caviar Parfait is built with smoked salmon, egg cr\u00e8me fra\u00eeche and a shallot potato cake, and the Crab Cake Pop-Tart is dressed with Thai coconut curry.<\/p>\n High-end steaks include a center cut filet mignon and A5 Japanese rib cap, and seafood options such as a Maine Lobster Pot Pie and red snapper baked in grape leaves tempt the palate.<\/p>\n Bourbon Steak\u2019s vast lineup of beverage options go past signature cocktails and a world-class list of wine and premium spirits to include zero-proof drinks, beer and spritzes.<\/p>\n Seasonal produce from the Charlotte area and around the world will also be incorporated.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s always about just getting the best product at the best time of the year,\u201d Mina said.<\/p>\n Guests at The Eighth Rule can look for an intimate, bourbon-forward lounge experience. The name originates with the seven official rules of bourbon production<\/a>, and \u201cencourages guests to define their own \u2018eighth rule\u2019 through an evolving menu of craft cocktails, rare pours and innovative bites,\u201d the release says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Eighth Rule has always been about creating an experience that brings people together for community and conversation, while enjoying elevated food and drink offerings,\u201d Stephen Curry said in the release.<\/p>\n \u201cExpanding to Charlotte is especially exciting because it\u2019s a city that not only holds a special place in mine and my family\u2019s heart, but it\u2019s filled with incredible energy and culture.<\/p>\n \u201cWith The Eighth Rule Charlotte, we\u2019re building on the foundation of the bourbon tradition while encouraging guests to create their own \u2018eighth rule,\u2019 their own way to celebrate and enjoy the moment. We can\u2019t wait to welcome people into the space and become part of the Charlotte community.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles could stay in office beyond planned resignation date<\/a><\/p>\n