A Charlotte restaurant based on California wine country vibes is expanding yet again
During a visit to Napa Valley, Jeff and Paula Conway found their inspiration for a restaurant concept in the Carolinas. Looking out onto the landscape of California wine country, Paula thought, “Everyone should be able to enjoy this.”
The Conway Restaurant Group brought that feeling to Charlotte when it opened Napa Providence in 2012. Napa Kingsley in Fort Mill followed in 2019, and now, Napa Ballantyne is slated to open in July, in a 7,000+-square-foot space formerly occupied by Cantina 1511 in StoneCrest at Piper Glen.
Aimee Larson, president of Conway Restaurant Group, said the location is near Firebirds and 131 Main in Blakeney, adding that the Rea Road area is prime for restaurant growth.
“There’s not a large restaurant presence there,” she said. “It’s an underserved area, and we’re really excited about it.”
While the design isn’t finalized, the restaurant will have a main dining area, bar and banquet space prime for business meetings and baby showers. In between the bar and main dining area, guests will be able to enjoy a glass of wine in the lounge area, furnished with soft seating.
The Conways sold their four Ruth’s Chris steakhouses to focus on the Napa brand, with the belief that good wines should be accessible. Now, another location is planned for Raleigh, and the restaurant group, which also owns The Pump House in Rock Hill and Drift on Lake Wylie in Belmont, is eyeing a fifth Napa location north of Charlotte.
Napa holds wine tastings with charcuterie and light bites, and offers 10% off for tasters who stay for dinner. The tastings focus on educating guests about wine, so it’s less intimidating and feels more approachable.
“We’re wine focused without being pretentious,” Larson said. “We want people to feel comfortable, no matter where they are in their wine journey, but we also want to focus on really good food.”
The restaurant serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, with a menu that runs the gamut from crispy calamari and steamed mussels to a variety of salads and flatbreads. There are also fresh made pastas, pan-roasted duck breast and filet mignon. Tempting brunch fare includes chicken and waffles, a croque madame and a short rib benedict.
David Sears has recently taken on the role of regional executive chef for the restaurant group. Sears has served as executive chef at restaurants from Brooklyn to Miami, and collaborated on menu development and concepts with Food Network chef and James Beard Award winner Marcus Samuelsson.
Sears has also served as executive chef for Marriott Hotels in Charlotte, overseeing Stoke Restaurant, Stoke Bar, Coco and the Director and M Club Lounge. Larson said Sears will find new ways to delight guests, with a commitment to gracious hospitality.
“His visionary ideas, strong leadership, management and communication skills, plus an exceptional grasp of food trends will help us deliver on our promises and make guests feel welcome, special and taken care of,” she said.
Napa at Kingsley/Napa on Providence
Location: 1310 Broadcloth St., Fort Mill, SC, 29715
Location: 110 Perrin Pl, Charlotte, NC 28207
Location: StoneCrest at Piper Glen, 7832 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277 (opening summer 2024)
Cuisine: American, California, Napa Valley
Instagram: @napaonprovidence/@napakingsley
