Grand Bohemian Charlotte’s Mico – One Sexy Restaurant

Amoré is always on the menu at Mico Restaurant, the premier dining venue at Charlotte, N.C.’s ultra luxe Grand Bohemian Hotel. 

The open kitchen at Mico is flanked by an extensive wine cellar. Image courtesy Kessler Collection.

Perhaps it’s the Latin vibe emanating from the South American influenced menu, the sleek and stylized dining room studded with old-world European artwork, or simply the showcase open kitchen here that puts a heavy helping of passion into the air.

Add it all up and there’s a great deal to love about Mico. Add an extended wine selection of rarely seen Argentinian Malbecs and South American stunners, executive chef Duane Fernandes’ deft touch, and thoughtful plate combinations and guests leave here wowed.

The Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte opened in 2020. Image courtesy Kessler Collection.

Perhaps it’s the Latin vibe emanating from the South American influenced menu, the sleek and stylized dining room studded with old-world European artwork, or simply the showcase open kitchen here that puts a heavy helping of passion into the air.

Add it all up and there’s a great deal to love about Mico. Add an extended wine selection of rarely seen Argentinian Malbecs and South American stunners, executive chef Duane Fernandes’ deft touch, and thoughtful plate combinations and guests leave here wowed.

A recent multi-course tasting dinner highlighted several star creations and illustrated the breadth of the kitchen’s talent and the scope of the cocktail and wine offerings that make an evening out at Mico destination dining – with plenty of lush eye candy on the side.

Our small group was welcomed with a cocktail made just for us – A lemon watermelon cooler with the juice of both these fruits blended with cucumber infused vodka. Cocktails are not an afterthought at the GB.  The handsome downstairs lobby bar adjacent to Mico and the clubby lounge and 16th floor rooftop bar, Buho, each show some polished cocktail chops.

Cocktails are celebrated at each of the Grand Bohemian Charlotte Hotel’s lounges. Image courtesy Kessler Collection.

Buho means Owl, and a massive oil painting of the bar’s namesake greets guests upon entry. Visitors find the lounge with its expansive openair views of the Queen City a great pre- or post- dinner diversion with fun people watching Charlotte’s work-a-day warriors, hotel guests, and couples out on the town.

Buho means “Owl.” Image courtesy Kessler Collection.

Mico’s kitchen shines as chef Fernandez’s touch with seafood is notable. A Charred Spanish octopus starter is a prime example. Nicely nestled atop a spiced black bean puree and married with crispy artichokes, Spanish chorizo, and drizzled with an olive caper vinaigrette, the tender mollusk starred on the plate.

A surprising El Porvenir Torrontes wine was light, crisp, and balanced with a touch of spice not unlike a Gewurztraminer. The sommelier explained many diners sleep on Argentinian whites heading straight for the hearty red wine the region is better known for. This selection along with the next pairing, a Finca Don Carlos Chardonnay (matched with a Peruvian Pasta Verde) were fine choices and let our group know we were in good hands.

Those seeking a Malbec experience need not worry. There are many opportunities to both taste and learn to recognize the marked differences between vintages and elevations of where these grapes are grown. Mico has put together a special “elevation” flight of three different Malbecs, featuring wines with the grapes for each grown at significantly different altitudes.

Mico offers Malbec elevation flights. Image courtesy Kessler Collection.

Malbec from Patagonia (201 meters), Valle de Uco (1036 meters) and Salta (1737 meters) each display different mouth feels, viscosity, intensity, and notes – yet all read hearty and bold. The food pairing here was a surf/turf combo of Wagyu beef tenderloin, and a Butter poached lobster tail. Sauces – a true signature at Mico – were Huacatay Bearnaise, Malbec Demi-Glace or Chimichurri. Complimenting sides of crispy yuca planks, truffled mushrooms, and seared Brussel sprouts rounded out the meal.

Wagyu Beef filet and Butter poached lobster at Mico. Image by Michael J. Solender.

When the 259-room, 34 suite, property opened in the fall of 2020, it was near the height of COVID. The hospitality industry at the time was reeling. GM Hugh Templeman assembled a crack team that has embraced Charlotte and filled the high touch, ultra-luxe hotel niche in this city.  The Grand Bohemian Charlotte has seen a quicker-than expected rebound post COVID, operates at a higher than expected occupancy, and with lower than industry staff turnover.

“For Kessler Collection hotels,” says Templeman, “It’s all about fine art, great food, exceptional service, and a premium guest experience.”

The Grand Bohemian Charlotte checks each box with aplomb.