Green eggs and lamb, Ramen Bloody Mary at Earl's Grocery

Looking for a different brunch experience? Try Earl's Grocery. Today's menu features crab and fried green tomatoes. I popped in a couple of weeks ago when the popular eatery and market lunched it's new brunch service. It's a more casual take on Sunday brunch with breakfast items based on some of the store's popular regular items such as the Steak taco, but with egg, along with speciality breakfast items such as french toast.

Drinks range from creative takes on Bloody Marys to mimosas to last week's ginger peach, Peach Ginger Lemongrass & Basil Aqua Fresca with Rum. 

I tried to the Green Eggs and Lamb which was basically a deconstructed gyro with an egg and lamb patty. I wasn't impressed. The lamb patty was too dry and I needed more meat. I also tried the ramen Bloody Mary, but it was too heavy on horseradish. 

I'll try the brunch again. The first week isn't the best indicator. If not for the food, I'll go anyway just for the company. I ran into several people that I knew and the vibe was good as usual.

Next week:

Tuesday: If you've lived in Charlotte for a while you may remember the popular and now closed Spanish resturant Las Ramblas. According to Helen Schwab, owner JD Duncan and chef Blake Hartwick bring back a menu and wine list (21 of those) reminiscent of the Dilworth tapas restaurant. Menu includes: braised meatballs in Rioja sauce. It'll be at Bonterra. Read Helen's blog for more details.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Earl's Grocery is open for brunch!

I didn't know what to expect at Hollywood Squares: The Speakeasy Edition. I barely remember the old game show. It all came back quickly on Friday at the One Voice Chorus' fifth annual edition of this popular performance. It was a game show with serious questions, hilarious and showtunes. 8 p.m., Charlotte Ballet, 701 N Tryon St. $20. Final Performance.

By Popular Demand - Brunch at Earl’s Grocery. 10:30 - 3:30 p.m., Earl’s, 1609 Elizabeth Ave.

Hope You’re Hungry - Enjoy bottomless mimosas, all you can eat brunch buffet, omelet station, waffle station, sweet treats and cocktails. Live DJ, free pool & ping pong and patio lounge. 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Slate Billiards at Oak Room, 200 E. Bland St.

Cultural Convo - The Levine Museum of the New South is launching Conexiones: Exchanges Across Cultures. Today’s event is an immersive exploration of Latino culture using food, music, dance and art. 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Levine Museum, 200 E. Seventh Street

More Black Culture - The 18th Annual Junteenth Festival of the Carolinas features live music, a parade, drum circle, food and more. It’s four days of events. Free. Independence Park. Last day.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Mixology, more art and Bob Marley's birthday!

It's a gorgeous day and there are plenty of things to do! The support local movement continues at a couple of events. Bob's mixing up drinks in about an hour at Earl's Grocery. I'm most excited about Cultural Initiative 6: Frames - An Arts and Social Experience tonight. Initially, I was hyped about the art work, but then I read Erin Tracy-Blackwood's piece about the spotlight on ramen noodles - ramen noodles! Details about the event below. Don't forget the Gantt has a new exhibit opening today, and there's a Mardi Gras event tonight. Head out now, take a disco nap and start all over again. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets....

Mixing w/ Bob - Join mixologist Bob Peters for Earl’s Grocery Mixology Lab. Peters will be mixing up love potions. 2:30 p.m. Earl’s Grocery, 1609 Elizabeth Ave.

Buy Local - Sample local goods as local entrepreneurs show their wares and donate a portion of the proceeds to local charities at Queen City Conscious Market. Ends at 3:30 p.m. Heist Brewery, 2909 N. Davidson St. #200.

Get up! Stand up! - Celebrate the life and music of reggae superstar Bob Marley tonight. Marley would've been 70 yesterday, but the celebration continues at with the Bob Marley Birthday Celebration: Red + Yellow + Green Affair. Music by Badala B and guest DJ Soudly.  10 p.m. Da Reggae Lounge at Vanity nightclub (Private entrance for reggae lounge), 500 W. Trade St. Free til midnight. Extremely limited street parking. Cash surface lots available.

Moves Like Jagger - Ok, not quite, but you will see some beautiful moves at A Night at the Oscars-Queen City Ballroom Showcase. World Latin Showdance Finalists, Jake Davies & Alyona Kalinina will perform along with Queen City Ballroom instructors and students. Proceeds to benefit Teal DIva (Ovarian Cancer Charity). 8 p.m. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 130 N. Tryon. $20. Limited street parking and paid cash parking available onsite.

Don't Forget

Gantt Exhibit - Venturing Out of Darkness uses interactive exhibits, mixed mediums and features more than a dozen artists. The exhibit examines the impact of colonialism on societal attitudes that define black culture in America. Opens today. Harvey B. Gant Center, 551 S. Tryon St. Street and paid parking available.

Art Experience – Artists were tasked with finding the perfect frame to match their creative style at Cultural Initiative 6: Frames - An Arts and Social Experience. The event showcases more than 75 regional artists along with bands, DJs, aerialists, interpretive dancers, a photo booth, a merchant market, pop up cafe, and more. 8 p.m., The Chop Shop NoDa, 399 East 35th St. $10. 







Voodoo Light Rail Crawl - Four bars, beer specials and beads. Enjoy a free pint of beer at Icehouse. Get a head start on collecting Mardi Gras beads. Starts at Icehouse and heads to Gin Mill, World of Beer and a surprise final stop. $10, $15 6 p.m. Saturday, Icehouse Southend Bar & Grill, 2100 South Blvd.More Mardi Gras events this month.