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Fumee’ Kitchen & Cocktails, a tapas and hookah bar, opened near the University area earlier this month.
The upscale space has a lounge-like atmosphere that feels intimate, cool and a little more refined than some of its local hookah competitors.
Small plates like wings, wagyu sliders and tacos, and cocktails like a specialty lemon drop made with tequila and flavored hookah are among Fumee’s menu items.
For the last few years, I’ve felt that Charlotte was missing something — a middle ground of sorts.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a day party as much as the next person, but a full security pat down at brunch is where I draw the line. And I don’t mind the relaxed atmosphere of a brewery, but why is there no food?
My hopes for a slightly upscale atmosphere, cocktails, good food and music I actually want to hear — a little r&b, some chill hip-hop — started to fade.
Then Fumee’ Kitchen and Cocktails opened, and my prayers for a middle ground seem to have been answered.
Fumee’s atmosphere feels like a private lounge.
The four-top tables with club chairs make the space feel invite-only, while the more private, deep booth seating adds a layer of intimacy.
The soft lighting also adds to its intimacy.
There’s a well-designed — and somewhat hidden — DJ booth in the corner of the restaurant that’s utilized during the restaurant’s weekend brunch.
The playlist during my visit on Tuesday evening included r&b, relaxed hip-hop and even some neo-soul. It was perfect for the after-work cocktail outing I was looking for.
The small plates menu at Fumee’s includes things like beef wagyu sliders, prawns, fried cauliflower, chicken wings in several flavors, and braised pork belly.
I ordered the fried cauliflower ($15), truffle parmesan wings ($15), brussels sprouts, chicken tacos — only offered on Tuesdays and $5 each — and chips with queso ($6) as shareables for the table.
The portions were shareable for the two of us.
We also ordered two lemon drops, one strawberry ($18) and one regular ($16). Instead of vodka, Fumee’s house recipe uses Casamigos tequila. The drinks looked good and tasted great.
We also ordered hookah ($40).
Overall, it was a fairly expensive outing, but still pretty on par with what it costs to eat at most other places. Because of the tapas-style menu –there are no entrees, and each menu item must be ordered separately — the tab can run up pretty quickly.
Our total was $160.
Fumee’ also has a weekend brunch that management says is less laid back than their weekday evenings. I want to check it out.
I also really liked the décor and the atmosphere, so I’ll definitely be back with friends.
Fumee Kitchen & Cocktails
9539 Pinnacle Dr #203, Charlotte, N.C. 28262
The restaurant is open 5 p.m. – 2 a.m. on weekdays and 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends.
What other places should QCity Metro check out? Send a recommendation to our editor at madeline@qcitymetro.com
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